any one have an i-pod installed yet?

[Raikkonen]

I bought an I-pod... I did not realize BMW charges $149 for the cable plus one hour labor. They make it sound like the car is ready for it.. however, it cost $250 to get it in? I hope it is worth it!

[wavewuver]

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52316&highlight=ipod

[04CiGuy]

just buy iTrip for your iPod... dont need to hook anything up... its wireless and broadcasts directly through your radio... mine is crystal clear... :)

[TKrotchko]

just buy iTrip for your iPod... dont need to hook anything up... its wireless and broadcasts directly through your radio... mine is crystal clear... :)

If you're satisfied, that's great, but I've found the sound to be flat, and not even as good as FM radio. The only good thing is that its not very expensive.

[Raikkonen]

My local BMW dealer told me... $225 to hook it up and use the i-pod controls to run it or $450 to hook it up and use the steering wheel controls... BMW is making it seem pretty simple in their tv ads and on the website (as if it is ready to go now) when is reality it cost more than the actual i-pod to get running.

[sbono13]

My local BMW dealer told me... $225 to hook it up and use the i-pod controls to run it or $450 to hook it up and use the steering wheel controls... BMW is making it seem pretty simple in their tv ads and on the website (as if it is ready to go now) when is reality it cost more than the actual i-pod to get running.

BMW of San Francisco charged me $120 to install the ipodyourbmw kit. I bought the kit myself from a different dealer (Mountain View) for 150. $370 total WAS more expensive than the Ipod Mini that I bought to go with it, butI paid less in total than they charge for the factory CD changer, so I have no complaint.

[Raikkonen]

sbono... I want to make sure I have it right. So you bought the kit that allows you to put the i-pod in your glove box and they installed it for you? If so is this the kit that allows you to use the steering wheel controls? or the one that forces you to use the i-pod controls.

[sbono13]

sbono... I want to make sure I have it right. So you bought the kit that allows you to put the i-pod in your glove box and they installed it for you? If so is this the kit that allows you to use the steering wheel controls? or the one that forces you to use the i-pod controls.

Yeah, the one that uses the steering wheel controls (www.ipodyourbmw.com). It was $150 for the kit and $120 for the installation.

[Raikkonen]

thanks!

[operknockity]

just buy iTrip for your iPod... dont need to hook anything up... its wireless and broadcasts directly through your radio... mine is crystal clear... :)
Anyone compared the iTrip to the Belkin TuneCast II :dunno: :dunno:

[weoilmen]

Hay I have both the Blits-Safe and the Sound Gate cross-over systems
The Blitz-safe about $100. bucks. I plugged it into my CD changer wiring minus The CD changer in my wife's M3, If you don't have a CD changer this is the way to go because you can't use one. I then ran a set of RC cables from the Blitz-safe up into the car, I can use the ipod in the car now. :thumbup:

As for the Sound Gate System I had it installed in the trunk for about $330. I now have use of the stock head unit plus the CD changer and the ipod, I access all three via a Three way switch inside the car, It looks stock. :thumbup:
Regards,
Mike T

[m3labs2]

I paid $120 for the ipod adapter and $130 to have the local BMW dealership install it. I have not had any issues with it. The steering wheel controls work fine.

Just in case you haven't heard: (1) if you have a CD changer, you will have to disconnect it in favor of the ipod; (2) you can only access the ipod via playlists named BMW1 thru BMW5; and (3) of course the BMW head unit doesn't give any track info other than track number.

However, I am very happy with this setup. I created one playlist that has all the songs on my ipod. I set it the ipod on shuffle, hook it up, and "away we go".

The biggest drawback is that the ipod has exposed all the limitations of the "premium" HK system. To BMW: a $50,000 car deserves a properly engineered sound system and not this anemic system.

[shimmers]

I paid $120 for the ipod adapter and $130 to have the local BMW dealership install it. I have not had any issues with it. The steering wheel controls work fine.

Just in case you haven't heard: (1) if you have a CD changer, you will have to disconnect it in favor of the ipod; (2) you can only access the ipod via playlists named BMW1 thru BMW5; and (3) of course the BMW head unit doesn't give any track info other than track number.

However, I am very happy with this setup. I created one playlist that has all the songs on my ipod. I set it the ipod on shuffle, hook it up, and "away we go".

The biggest drawback is that the ipod has exposed all the limitations of the "premium" HK system. To BMW: a $50,000 car deserves a properly engineered sound system and not this anemic system.

You mention the drawback of exposing the limitations of the "premium" HK system. What are you talking about here? The adapter will work with the "premium" HK system, right? I have this system with the cassette deck and cd changer (2003 model) and just ordered the ipod adapter, I hope it will work.

[sargepug]

Anyone compared the iTrip to the Belkin TuneCast II :dunno: :dunno:

Good question, I just bought the Belikin kit and would like to here comparisons. I will be hooking it up tonight. The only problem is, is that my 325ci only has one outlet and I NEED my radar plugged in. So I will probably have BMW install their system and use the Belkin in my other cars. One outlet in a $35k car is B.S., unless I am missing something!

[Tanning machine]

One outlet in a $35k car is B.S., unless I am missing something!

You can get an adapter that converts the flashlight socket into a 12VDC, cig lighter sized plug.

Or you can go to the Shack and get a splitter.

Do you need an outlet for your blender, fryolater, and fax machine too?

[Tanning machine]

You mention the drawback of exposing the limitations of the "premium" HK system. What are you talking about here? The adapter will work with the "premium" HK system, right? I have this system with the cassette deck and cd changer (2003 model) and just ordered the ipod adapter, I hope it will work.

I believe you cannot use the iPod adapter and the CD changer, so I would confirm this and then cancel the order. (I thought I read it doesn't work with the cassettes, either, but I could be confusing it with Sirius or XM).

As for limitations, I assume he means sonic range and what not, although really the CD player could do that as well, if not better, than an iPod, the output quality of which will never be better than a CD.

[sargepug]

You can get an adapter that converts the flashlight socket into a 12VDC, cig lighter sized plug.

Or you can go to the Shack and get a splitter.

Do you need an outlet for your blender, fryolater, and fax machine too?


Yes Please! :rofl:

Where can I get the flashlight adapter?

[operknockity]

Where can I get the flashlight adapter? I don't have the part number handy, but you can do search for the info, then go to your local BMW dealer parts department to get it or order it on-line from Pacific or Circle BMW.

[wingspan]

Yes Please! :rofl:

Where can I get the flashlight adapter?

www.pacificbmw.com

Item: 82 11 0 004 073
Quantity: 1
Description: Auxiliary Power Adapter
Price (each): $5.89
Item Total: $5.89

[sargepug]

Thanks guys! :thumbup:

[random woman]

I got the Ipod/BMW adapter installed the first day it hit the dealer. It works fabulously!

Just to correct some misconceptions -- if you go this route (rather than a simple aux adapter) you CAN still use your CD changer. What you cannot do is also have satellite radio or a nav system with your Ipod adapter.

Also, while you must create playlists in advance, you can also use the CD changer button #6 to access your entire collection -- select it, hit random, and then you're off. You don't need to create a playlist to do that.

Sometimes I wish I had satellite radio instead (like when I want to hear stuff other than my own music) but other than that I am very pleased. The sound quality is outstanding -- far superior to FM transmitters or casette transmitters. And the control through the steering wheel is also great.

Like others here, I paid $149 for the adapter and $150 for the installation.

Get it! It's worth it!

[ljh824]

I love my Itrip. works great and 90% of the time is crystal clear!!!

[phrider]

Anyone compared the iTrip to the Belkin TuneCast II :dunno: :dunno:Howard, I tried the Radio Shack fm modulator -- for about a day. The LA area FM band is just too crowded to have much luck with an fm-based link as you move around town.

I gave it away.... and got an Aux adapter for my Alpine headunit. And I'm about to sell it or give it away, too, since I'm adding the Alpine iPod adapter as soon as it arrives at my favorite car audio installer's shop.

PS: For the Alpine iPod adapter, see http://www.alpine-usa.com/driveyouripod/ for a demo or http://www.alpine-usa.com/products/leading_technology/leading_tech_kca-420i.htm for specs.

[operknockity]

Howard, I tried the Radio Shack fm modulator -- for about a day. The LA area FM band is just too crowded to have much luck with an fm-based link as you move around town.

I gave it away.... Thanks for the info. Is the RatShack unit just a rebadged Belkin? If so, is it a TuneCast or TuneCast II? The latter is supposed to be an improved unit, though except for the auto on/off I'm not sure what was "improved".

A friend here at work uses an iTrip and says that he gets good results except that now and then he does have problems with his selected transmit frequency getting overloaded from a real station. I was thinking of the Belkin unit because it has the ability to set up 4 preset frequencies so switching amongst them is easier than fumbling with the iTrip's special playlist system.