2005 330i HK Business CD Plays MP3 Files

I have a 2005 330i Sedan build date of 09/04, no nav, Premium & Sport Package.

The following info may be old news to some of you so I apologize in advance if this is "review"...

I just got the car about 3 weeks ago. My HK Business CD playes MP3 files off a CD-R perfectly. The head unit sees each folder as a seperate "disc", just like the Alpine CHA-S634 CD changer sees regular CDs, and each track then appears within those folders. Example: TR04-10 (Folder 4, Track 10)

Navigation is not too bad if you have the disc organized by folder rather than just 200 MP3 files thrown on the disc in the root. Track access was just as speedy as a regular CD. Sound quality is perfect - I ripped at 192k Stereo 44.1 and the files sound great! I put 7 CDs worth of music on the disc.

Anyway, the dealer had no clue this was even possible. They were totally surprised - they should pay US to teach THEM! Now if BMW could just release a software or head unit upgrade that displays the MP3 tags that would be the ultimate...Later all!!

SO the navigation system lets you play mp3s?

I DO NOT have the Nav System and I don't think the Nav system has anything to do with it.

Sorry, misread your post. Navigation has a lot to do with it. The 2005 3 series have MP3 capabilities from the stereo (surprised your dealer did not know that?). I've read that hte NAVIGATION tuner dose not have mp3 capability!

That is unfortunately correct. Even the Navigation in the upcoming E90 won't have the MP3 capability.

Lack of MP3 feature in the year of 2005 is unacceptable, IMO, but those, who are following BMW's audio development over the years, won't be surprised. Remember how many years did it take BMW to integrate a CD Player behind the NAV ? or and MD Player, which was a waste of investment and probably have been ordered maybe 10 or 20 pieces in all these years ?

I just locked a price on the 330 CIC I'm considering. I put in the navigatino system. I read it also don't even have ipod compatibility then (argh).

Will I be able to do ANYHTING to get an IPOD connected to it?

Originally Posted by elmalloc

I just locked a price on the 330 CIC I'm considering. I put in the navigatino system. I read it also don't even have ipod compatibility then (argh).

Will I be able to do ANYHTING to get an IPOD connected to it?

AUX input? Check the Audio Forum...there is tons of info. about iPod, Phatbox and other MP3 player integrations.