Update - new iphone 3g cradle installed

[alexlaw]

i guess they just came in. have been really wanting to have it sync with the system, use the external antenna, etc.

i will post pics and let you know how it works....

[JediJD]

I can't find the 3G adapter anywhere and haven't taken my 3G out of the box waiting on the car adapter for it (the 3g is a really snug fit to the regular iPhone adapter and I was afraid that it would damage the lower connectors over time). The new adapter doesn't show on any of the parts lists I follow. Which dealer has it? Does it require special installation? I just bought the snap in adapter for the regular iPhone and replaced the Razr one that came with the car in about a minute...is this one more involved? How much was the adapter? Thanks!

[Chitown-Irish]

i guess they just came in. have been really wanting to have it sync with the system, use the external antenna, etc.

i will post pics and let you know how it works....

What is it costing you and what is involved in getting it installed? Does it consist of multiple parts?

Thanks.

[745ByMySide]

No ugly phone cradle for my 7, I'll stick to keeping my phone in the cup holder LOL

[JediJD]

Part number? Price? Everything working well? My dealer is still telling me these don't exist and there is no listing for them on BMW's site. I have an unused 3g sitting in a box awaiting this so I am super curious. Thanks!

[imxelite]

No ugly phone cradle for my 7, I'll stick to keeping my phone in the cup holder LOL

LOL thats exactly where I throw my iphone when getting in the car.:D

[Call Me Daddy]

/\ /\ Yep, me too. Cradle schmadle. I would like to see pics tho.

[nimmer23]

Screw the cup holder! The iPhone fits perfect in the door!!

[s0ph3aktra]

Screw the cup holder! The iPhone fits perfect in the door!!

that's where my treo goes

[y.terrone]

No ugly phone cradle for my 7, I'll stick to keeping my phone in the cup holder LOL

+1, keep it easy and clean!

[Kjeronimo91]

Screw the cup holder! The iPhone fits perfect in the door!!

+1 :thumbup:

[thinkngrow]

gotta feeling the dealer gave him wrong info, and got it mixed up with the orginal snap-in adapter. :dunno:

[JediJD]

I think you are right. No fault to Alexlaw, but a lot of people are using the iPhone cradle and squeezing the 3G into it.

[thinkngrow]

i just gotta email from a bmw representative here is what she said.

"Thank you for contacting BMW of North America, LLC regarding your 2007 BMW 750Li. We appreciate your interest and enthusiasm for our vehicles.

BMW has not released any information on a snap-in adapter for the iPhone 3G at this time. I suggest staying in touch with us through our website, www.bmwusa.com, for product updates and releases.

If you have any further questions, please respond to this e-mail or contact the Customer Relations and Services Department at 1-800-831-1117, Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time. Again, thank you for contacting BMW."

Sincerely,

Laurie Burkland
Customer Relations and Services
Representative

[alexlaw]

sorry for the delayed reply. i was indeed called by my bmw rep to bring the car in and have the 3g cradle installed. they had the car the whole day, and did everything to put it in. when i got there and tried to put my phone in, it was hard to get in and out. you guessed it, they put it in for the regular iphone, not the 3g. they were great about it though. they took it out, fully refunded my money, and when the new one does come in (which i was told was in december, which obviously didnt happen) they are going to pay for the unit and the installation - so it will be totally free. i didnt even ask. they just offered since they had my car for the day and it ended up being wrong. pretty cool of them. so - i do not have a cradle installed and am waiting with the rest of you.

also - quick update on some other stuff:

with great snow tires the 7 has worked just great in heavy snow here in utah. no problems! i have been really thrilled with it in the snow.

i have only had one problem - a door wouldnt close. the auto close was malfunctioning. it works now and will be replaced next week. otherwise, knock on wood, i have had no issues at all. i love the car.

also, i have been getting abotu 24mpg on the highway which is awesome....

and the laser blocker WORKS! saved me a few times. cool stuff.

happy new year to all.

[Ptrkgmz]

Alex,

Which dealer have you been working with? Murray or Pleasant Grove? I purchased an '05 745LI back in October from Pleasant Grove. They have been an absolute pleasure to work with. I'm curious which Snow Tires you went with? I live here in Utah as well, South Jordan.

Looking to upgrade from the stock 19's to new rim's tires, but use my stock rims for Snow setup.

Thanks!

[Mikey83]

and the laser blocker WORKS! saved me a few times. cool stuff.


Which jammer you use? I use Laser Pro Park,Dual head setup

And its called a jammer not blocker because it jams the lidar , but as you get closer it will get punch through on your car (a reading)

I'm hardcore into speeding counter measures. :thumbup:

[alexlaw]

Alex,

Which dealer have you been working with? Murray or Pleasant Grove? I purchased an '05 745LI back in October from Pleasant Grove. They have been an absolute pleasure to work with. I'm curious which Snow Tires you went with? I live here in Utah as well, South Jordan.

Looking to upgrade from the stock 19's to new rim's tires, but use my stock rims for Snow setup.

Thanks!

PG. I do not like Murray, have not had a good experience there. I live closer to it, but it is worth the drive to PG in my opinion. I went with some Toyo's that my buddy that own's a tire store highly recommended. They have been amazing. PM me if you want me to hook you up. I am doing exactly what you described - I have the Toyo's on the stock 18's for the winter, and then i have the 21's which will have their own, yet to be purchased, new tires for spring/summer/fall. My same friend will hook me up when the spring comes. He has a huge tire store in Bountiful if you want a good option.

[alexlaw]

Which jammer you use? I use Laser Pro Park,Dual head setup

And its called a jammer not blocker because it jams the lidar , but as you get closer it will get punch through on your car (a reading)

I'm hardcore into speeding counter measures. :thumbup:

It is the ZR4 Laser Shifter. It plugs in and works seamlessly, by design, with my beltronics drive Sti. together they make a great combo. it has two detectors in the front grill and then one across the back license plate. since you are into this stuff, how does that setup sound? it has a cool speaker mounted somewhere in the dash that talks to me and tells me laser, ka, etc. with a mute and laser off button next to my right knee. pretty cool stuff.

[Mikey83]

It is the ZR4 Laser Shifter. It plugs in and works seamlessly, by design, with my beltronics drive Sti. together they make a great combo. it has two detectors in the front grill and then one across the back license plate. since you are into this stuff, how does that setup sound? it has a cool speaker mounted somewhere in the dash that talks to me and tells me laser, ka, etc. with a mute and laser off button next to my right knee. pretty cool stuff.

Ya the ZR4 Laser Shifter is up there, best on the market now is the "LI" Laser Interceptor from the reports i'm hearing. Beltronics STI is one of the best Radar detectors out there as well as they are stealth from any police radar detector detectors :thumbup: a must have up here where they are illegal.

[ImolaMMM]

Ya the ZR4 Laser Shifter is up there, best on the market now is the "LI" Laser Interceptor from the reports i'm hearing. Beltronics STI is one of the best Radar detectors out there as well as they are stealth from any police radar detector detectors :thumbup: a must have up here where they are illegal.

How w/ you tier the laser jammers?
With Laser Interceptor being #1, where would the ZR4 & the Laser Pro Park place?

[Mikey83]

How w/ you tier the laser jammers?
With Laser Interceptor being #1, where would the ZR4 & the Laser Pro Park place?

Maybe this link can answer your questions......
http://www.guysoflidar.com/july-2008/laser-jammer-test.html

LI 1st place
LPP 2nd
ZR4 came in 5th place (very easy punch through on it)

[thinkngrow]

i just saw a video of some guy in germany who has a bmw manufactured iphone 3g snap-in adapater. not exactly sure if it will fit for the 7ser.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FhocZatf7M

[alexlaw]

i will let you know and take some pics! but it is IN STOCK and will be installed on Monday.

Also, any suggestions on the brightest white headlights and angel eyes? i have really bright white HID's in the fogs, but the headlights and angel eyes look weak and yellow almost....

[rafa7]

Maybe this link can answer your questions......
http://www.guysoflidar.com/july-2008/laser-jammer-test.html

LI 1st place
LPP 2nd
ZR4 came in 5th place (very easy punch through on it)

Good job Mike.

R.I.P.

[alexlaw]

So the cradle was in last week, got it installed yesterday. The phone sets in and out very easily. It charges while in there. It uses the external antenna for reception and I have noticed a significant improvement in reception. I have not figured out how to get my music to play on the sound system though. Does anyone know if it does? The instructions that came with it are a joke. A few pages of english, basically installation stuff only - not operation. When someone calls, it shows up on the iDrive screen (maybe it did that before). I am using bluetooth to connect it, and i think you have to. I will be bummed if i cannot play my music thru it though, that was part of the interest. however, having it not take up a cup holder spot, and not have to have a cord (i hate wires!!) to charge it with, along with the better signal thru the antenna, make it worth it so far to me.

[ImolaMMM]

So the cradle was in last week, got it installed yesterday. The phone sets in and out very easily. It charges while in there. It uses the external antenna for reception and I have noticed a significant improvement in reception. I have not figured out how to get my music to play on the sound system though. Does anyone know if it does? The instructions that came with it are a joke. A few pages of english, basically installation stuff only - not operation. When someone calls, it shows up on the iDrive screen (maybe it did that before). I am using bluetooth to connect it, and i think you have to. I will be bummed if i cannot play my music thru it though, that was part of the interest. however, having it not take up a cup holder spot, and not have to have a cord (i hate wires!!) to charge it with, along with the better signal thru the antenna, make it worth it so far to me.
Prepare to be bummed!:cry:
The cradle only charges/holds the phone.
If you are looking to play your music or Pandora from your iPhone, you w/ have to purchase the iPod interface. But, before you do that, you'll have to verify that its the updated cable-BMWTech mentioned in Dec, that a new cable w/be released early in the year that w/ charge the iPhone(2g&3g) & the iPod Touch. The cord w/be installed in your glove box, so no wires w/be seen & the iPhone w/still work w/bluetooth while connected.
btw, I'll buy your 3g cradle from you when/if you get the new interface.:D

*update*
I just spoke to a guy in parts & he states that the new interface cord w/be available in March. BMWtech, can you confirm this?

[JesseJames]

Seems like a lot of work for so little return:

Better reception
No wires for charging
Free cup holder

Are there other advantages to the cradle?

[ImolaMMM]

Seems like a lot of work for so little return:

Better reception
No wires for charging
Free cup holder

Are there other advantages to the cradle?

What work?:dunno: The cradle snaps in the holder in 3 sec.
The cradle is for people who want to charge their iPhone & use the cars internal antenna for better reception & want the phone out of the way.
For those looking to use their iPhone for music & phone calls, I recommend buying the iPod interface* or EASs' MoBridge(Tom, step in to clarify if necessary) over the cradle. I believe both products w/ allow you to play music & stream internet radio(pandora)

*As I stated earlier, a new iPod interface cable is coming in March(I think) that w/ allow iPhones/iTough to charge. The current iteration of the iPod interface doesn't charge the iPhones/iTouch. I don't think the MoBridge has any compatibility issues.(RE:Tom @ EAS)

[alexlaw]

Indeed, I cannot play music! I am bummed about that. But the charging and better reception is nice. But what is really nice is the fact that people are very noticeably louder. I can hear them so much better. It is almost to the point I have to turn it down. I love that, because before it was too soft.

I will get the adapter so I can play the music when it comes out. But for now, I am happy with it and glad I did it.

[gellie]

BTW, I have the ipod/iphone interface in my glove box. When i plug in my iphone it charges pretty quick and i get at least one if not two bars better reception.Although i'm not exactly sure why. Maybe just having the iphone plugged into something?:dunno:

[ImolaMMM]

BTW, I have the ipod/iphone interface in my glove box. When i plug in my iphone it charges pretty quick and i get at least one if not two bars better reception.Although i'm not exactly sure why. Maybe just having the iphone plugged into something?:dunno:

2g iPhone? Charges while playing Pandora & iPod functions?

[gellie]

2g iPhone? Charges while playing Pandora & iPod functions?
I dont know what Pandora is? Yes 2G.

[ImolaMMM]

I dont know what Pandora is? Yes 2G.

Pandora is internet/streaming music. It's a free App- I think you'd like it. You can also pull it up on your computer-it only plays artists that you like.

Those w/3g phones, the interface won't charge. That's w/ BMWis making a new cord.

[gellie]

Pandora is internet/streaming music. It's a free App- I think you'd like it. You can also pull it up on your computer-it only plays artists that you like.

Those w/3g phones, the interface won't charge. That's w/ BMWis making a new cord.

Thanks!

[alexlaw]

Prepare to be bummed!:cry:
The cradle only charges/holds the phone.
If you are looking to play your music or Pandora from your iPhone, you w/ have to purchase the iPod interface. But, before you do that, you'll have to verify that its the updated cable-BMWTech mentioned in Dec, that a new cable w/be released early in the year that w/ charge the iPhone(2g&3g) & the iPod Touch. The cord w/be installed in your glove box, so no wires w/be seen & the iPhone w/still work w/bluetooth while connected.
btw, I'll buy your 3g cradle from you when/if you get the new interface.:D

*update*
I just spoke to a guy in parts & he states that the new interface cord w/be available in March. BMWtech, can you confirm this?


I am going to get the new cable and have it custom installed in the glove box next to my cradle. So I wont be selling it. I will have the best of all worlds! I will take some pics when done. But once it comes out, i will have it all in one place - working all of the functions of my iphone and the 7. yeah baby!

[JediJD]

Just picked mine up from Global. Took me about a minute to swap with the old one (non 3G iphone adapter) in the glovebox. More bars, better reception. Life is good.

[JesseJames]

I have iPhone, but no cradle. Where to buy cradle?:confused:

[JediJD]

In the glovebox of your car, at the back of the glovebox, is a phone cradle. From the factory, it comes with a fascia faceplate that snaps on and off. If you go either online, or to BMW, or eBay or to the dealer, you can purchase the snap in adapters for a variety of different phones...each has separate snap in adapters. The snap in adapters allow the phone to charge and use the sharkfin antenna. This thread was all about iPhone snap in adapters. Up until VERY recently, the adapters only worked well for regular iPhones. In the past few days, 3G adapters have hit the market. Alexlaw was an early adopter (of the adapters...pardon the pun). I was also interested and followed his lead. The problem is that the snap in adapter integrates the phone function with the car, but doesn't integrate the music function. BMW has another cord for that, which hasn't arrived at dealers yet.

[Araq44]

LOL thats exactly where I throw my iphone when getting in the car.:D

mine goes in the sunglasses holder, perfect fit, LIIIIIKKKEE A GLOVE.

[JesseJames]

In the glovebox of your car, at the back of the glovebox, is a phone cradle. From the factory, it comes with a fascia faceplate that snaps on and off. If you go either online, or to BMW, or eBay or to the dealer, you can purchase the snap in adapters for a variety of different phones...each has separate snap in adapters. The snap in adapters allow the phone to charge and use the sharkfin antenna. This thread was all about iPhone snap in adapters. Up until VERY recently, the adapters only worked well for regular iPhones. In the past few days, 3G adapters have hit the market. Alexlaw was an early adopter (of the adapters...pardon the pun). I was also interested and followed his lead. The problem is that the snap in adapter integrates the phone function with the car, but doesn't integrate the music function. BMW has another cord for that, which hasn't arrived at dealers yet.

Great info. Is this it?:
http://cgi.ebay.com/BMW-Genuine-Bluetooth-Apple-i******Adapter-Cradle-NEW_W0QQitemZ150321959982QQihZ005QQcategoryZ20336Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[ImolaMMM]

In the glovebox of your car, at the back of the glovebox, is a phone cradle. From the factory, it comes with a fascia faceplate that snaps on and off. If you go either online, or to BMW, or eBay or to the dealer, you can purchase the snap in adapters for a variety of different phones...each has separate snap in adapters. The snap in adapters allow the phone to charge and use the sharkfin antenna. This thread was all about iPhone snap in adapters. Up until VERY recently, the adapters only worked well for regular iPhones. In the past few days, 3G adapters have hit the market. Alexlaw was an early adopter (of the adapters...pardon the pun). I was also interested and followed his lead. The problem is that the snap in adapter integrates the phone function with the car, but doesn't integrate the music function. BMW has another cord for that, which hasn't arrived at dealers yet.

Nice summarization, neighbor:thumbup:

[gellie]

I never really cared to have the iphone cradle. I had a phone cradle in my s500 an always left the phone in the car!.Better idea to have the ipod cable(in glove compartment) and keep your iphone in your pocket.:thumbup:

[JediJD]

That is the one for the regular iPhone...not the 3G.

[JesseJames]

I have checked a couple of dealers and ebay. I don't think these adapters are widely available yet.