If a M3 doesn't have the IPOD/USB hookup...

[Lucifer_M3]

Originally Posted by MrHarris

I just purchased the IPOD adapter from a local BMW dealership... wow is it useless because when you select random mode, it only stays random if you complete each and every song. If you want to skip to the next song via steering wheel control/head unit then it just goes to the next song on the list.

I'm going to see if I can get a full refund because BMW's current option for non ipod/usb cars is complete bogus.

i just bought that ipod adapter, and i didnt like it so much... the random is terrible because u cant use it unless you wait for every song.
also i wanted to use it with the iphone, but it does not charge it, only for ipods...
but is better than burning mp3 cds...

[KevinO]

Originally Posted by Lucifer_M3

i just bought that ipod adapter, and i didnt like it so much... the random is terrible because u cant use it unless you wait for every song.
also i wanted to use it with the iphone, but it does not charge it, only for ipods...
but is better than burning mp3 cds...

You can get a small adapter that will allow your iPhone (and newer iPods) to charge.

[sgmsmg]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Doubt it - if you also include the price of coding for 6FL.

Doesn't the mobridge require dealer programming as well?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by sgmsmg

Doesn't the mobridge require dealer programming as well?

Yes, but it doesn't make the 6FL any less expensive.

[Subw00er]

Sort of unrelated question.. With the '09 iDrive. Is it sort of useless to get the ipod addon because the new idrive can store songs in a hard drive? That is, if I only use an ipod to store songs for playback in the car, I might as well save the money and skip the ipod addon?

Originally Posted by KevinO

You can get a small adapter that will allow your iPhone (and newer iPods) to charge.

URL please?!

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

Sort of unrelated question.. With the '09 iDrive. Is it sort of useless to get the ipod addon because the new idrive can store songs in a hard drive? That is, if I only use an ipod to store songs for playback in the car, I might as well save the money and skip the ipod addon?

This purely depends on the size of your music collection.

[Subw00er]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

This purely depends on the size of your music collection.

I'd be happy with 2-4gigs

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

I'd be happy with 2-4gigs

No reason for an iPod with this small of a collection.

[Subw00er]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

No reason for an iPod with this small of a collection.

LoL.

Uhm, can anyone else answer my question about the '09 iDrive?

[Lucifer_M3]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

Sort of unrelated question.. With the '09 iDrive. Is it sort of useless to get the ipod addon because the new idrive can store songs in a hard drive? That is, if I only use an ipod to store songs for playback in the car, I might as well save the money and skip the ipod addon?



URL please?!

i just found this adapter, it seems to be what we need...

http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/connector.htm?connipod.htm

i will try it...

[Subw00er]

Anyone tried this? http://bavariansoundwerks.com/produc...0-E91-E92-E93/

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

Anyone tried this? http://bavariansoundwerks.com/produc...0-E91-E92-E93/

It's the BMW kit we have here:

BMW - iPod Integration Kit for e90/e91/e92 3-series
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...roducts_id=393

This kit is no different that what you would find at your local parts counter.

[Lucifer_M3]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

Anyone tried this? http://bavariansoundwerks.com/produc...0-E91-E92-E93/

thats what i have in my M3. but it doest charge the iphone 3g and the new ipod touch.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Lucifer_M3

thats what i have in my M3. but it doest charge the iphone 3g and the new ipod touch.

Correct, and unbearably slow.

[KevinO]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

Sort of unrelated question.. With the '09 iDrive. Is it sort of useless to get the ipod addon because the new idrive can store songs in a hard drive? That is, if I only use an ipod to store songs for playback in the car, I might as well save the money and skip the ipod addon?



URL please?!

http://cablejive.com/iphone_3g_charge_converter.html

I knew someone was going to want that, but I didn't have the URL handy.

[KevinO]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

Sort of unrelated question.. With the '09 iDrive. Is it sort of useless to get the ipod addon because the new idrive can store songs in a hard drive? That is, if I only use an ipod to store songs for playback in the car, I might as well save the money and skip the ipod addon?

I'd argue that the HD option almost never makes the iPod addition useless, unless you have very limited music needs (and don't care about the effect on resale value):

- How often do you update your music collection? It's a lot easier to plug in an iPod, versus going through the import process. If you listen to podcasts, you'll be importing stuff every day.
- You can pick up the iPod and walk away with it, continuing where you are in your music/podcast/audiobook, and then return to the car and continue.
- Mirroring your playlists between computer/iPod/car is a lot simpler.
- And of course, 8-12GB is just too small.

The only benefit of the HD option for me is as a backup to have my 'core' music in the event that I forget my iPod. And I wouldn't consider buying a car today without iPod connectivity if only for resale value.

[TLud]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

Sort of unrelated question.. With the '09 iDrive. Is it sort of useless to get the ipod addon because the new idrive can store songs in a hard drive? That is, if I only use an ipod to store songs for playback in the car, I might as well save the money and skip the ipod addon?

I completely agree with KevinO's assessment. It's simply much easier to add to your music collection and keep everything sync'd and updated with the iPod.

That said, I do use the HD to add music from friends and family when I don't have a computer around. For example, if I have a friend riding with me who just bought a new cd that I like, I'll copy it to the HD. When I visit my brother, he'll put new songs he's found on a usb memory stick and I'll copy the ones I like to my car.

[Zed]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

LoL.

Uhm, can anyone else answer my question about the '09 iDrive?

If you only need 2-4 gigs worth of stuff, then you can load that onto the iDrive in the 2009, no need for ipod cable. There is a usb connection in the glove box that you can plug a thumb drive, etc. into that has your music on it to transfer it to iDrive... or if you have the CDs, you can just put them in one at a time and rip them to the iDrive.

I have the ipod cable/kit however and use it all the time with my iphone to play podcasts, etc. 60k+ car it doesn't seem worth quibbling over a couple hundred dollars.

I also have a usb hard drive in there too for my music collection... but I have 40 gig worth of music, audio books, etc. on there. Large external collections are a pain however... it takes the iDrive awhile (5 minutes) to catalog it before you can start browsing it by genre, artist, etc. For small collections (iPhone) or stuff downloaded to iDrive, there is no delay.

[Subw00er]

Thanks for the great reply Zed. I think for me, the way I listen to music.. its useless for me to get the ipod hookup. I'd rather just use a 8gb flash drive. I dont change my music that often..

[scotsman]

so is 6fl the stock ipod option that you get if you ask for that package. ie. the usb in the glovebox and all that?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by scotsman

so is 6fl the stock ipod option that you get if you ask for that package. ie. the usb in the glovebox and all that?

The USB port is actually in the center armrest.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

Sort of unrelated question.. With the '09 iDrive. Is it sort of useless to get the ipod addon because the new idrive can store songs in a hard drive? That is, if I only use an ipod to store songs for playback in the car, I might as well save the money and skip the ipod addon?



URL please?!

The HDD will store your CD music at 128kps WMA to maximize space, so even if you are "happy" with just 8GB for music you will be restricted to 128kps WMA.

BMW says that 128kps WMA is the equivalent in sound quality to 160kps MP3, however music in the iPod can be recorded lossless in the best case, 320kps VBR in the worst case, giving a much better sound quality -and burning options- that what the HDD could possibly can provide.

Just listen to a 128kps song and then to the same song at 320kps and you will know immediately what I'm talking about.