Reference - E60 MP3 Playback Functionality Retrofit

Update on DVD playback.

After reading a post in the E63 forum from cobradav where he had success with a DVD burned in iTunes, I decided to see if iTunes would work for me, and it does. I put 3.8 GB on a DVD--worked fine including folders with artist/album/track.

When that worked, I was curious why Nero didn't work, so I reviewed all the settings and found that the default is to burn a multi-session disc, so I unchecked that option and burned a DVD, and it worked. Attached are the settings I used in Nero.

Now I'm going to buy some double layer DVDs, to see if I can get 8+ GB on a disc! If I can, with 3 of those I'll have more than my 20 GB iPod, and iDrive integration!

Finally got around to buying some double layer DVDs, and I'm hapy to report that they work in the DVD drive. I burned 2 DVDs (using the settings in Nero from my post above), each with just over 8GB, and they work great.

After doing some research, it seemed that Verbatim DVD+R DL DVDs were getting the best reviews, so I got these (got them at Best Buy):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817131163

Stream's production date was 11/04. Mine is 9/04 and my dealer attempted the retrofit. Didn't work with my production month/year so it looks like Stream's date is the earliest that would work, either that or his is just an anomaly.

Dealer said over the phone that based on my vehicle's VIN number and production date it was not likely to work but they would attempt it anyway. Took my E60 (09/04) in for the service and after about 5 hours my SA called me and said the computer recognizes the MP3 update but the MP3 discs still won't play. So software is updated but the hardware is not capable to decode it. I made a point to ask if they attempted the retrofit and it failed or if they just didn't attempt at all based on the production date. SA said they attempted but it failed, and given that all my radio presets/memory settings were blanked, I'm thinking he's truthful. Software CIP (22.XX) won't be out until April so there 'might' still be hope for me.

On a related note, I had them activate the AUX input kit I installed and although AUX is now listed in the Entertainment sources of the iDrive, no audio comes out when connected. Time to get my butter knife out again...

Originally Posted by E60orBust

Stream's production date was 11/04. Mine is 9/04 and my dealer attempted the retrofit. Didn't work with my production month/year so it looks like Stream's date is the earliest that would work, either that or his is just an anomaly.

Dealer said over the phone that based on my vehicle's VIN number and production date it was not likely to work but they would attempt it anyway. Took my E60 (09/04) in for the service and after about 5 hours my SA called me and said the computer recognizes the MP3 update but the MP3 discs still won't play. So software is updated but the hardware is not capable to decode it. I made a point to ask if they attempted the retrofit and it failed or if they just didn't attempt at all based on the production date. SA said they attempted but it failed, and given that all my radio presets/memory settings were blanked, I'm thinking he's truthful. Software CIP (22.XX) won't be out until April so there 'might' still be hope for me.

On a related note, I had them activate the AUX input kit I installed and although AUX is now listed in the Entertainment sources of the iDrive, no audio comes out when connected. Time to get my butter knife out again...

On MP3--have you tried playing a MP3 CD? Perhaps the dealer had an inferior quality CD (apparently not all MP3 CDs will play)

On aux input--did you switch the connector leads (see bottom of page 6 of instructions below)? I've heard of many times when dealer didn't, and car had to be brought back.
aux input install instructions

I'm pretty sure I switched the connector plugs. With SAT and a CD changer already taking up both spots I figured I had to combine the plugs on my initial install - BUT the SA did mention the service tech opened the dash up to "double-check" my work. I'm about to dive back in to double-check his work to make sure everything was put back securely.

With the MP3 disc, I have an MP3 cd-player in my JEEP that has a disc in it that was previously burned with single-session setting and I'm going to try that disc in the dash to see for myself.

I'll be out in the garage for a while now. Wish me luck.

::Edit::
Update. Just finished some oil changes and some other misc maintenance on my other vehicles, but back to the bimmer.
I ordered the aux kit from bavauto.com and just did a direct plug in, using the BAVAUTO harness instead of the Car's original harness. That's where I goofed. I assumed Bavauto already had the plugs in the right spots. Instead of being in Pin's 7, 2 and 8, I was in pin 8, 9 and 5. Re-wired in at sweet, sweet music started playing. I probably did the same error the BMW mechanics do that causes a return visit by the customer, i.e. Car wires into AUX harness into Radio unit (and assuming the pins are correct) instead of AUX wires into Car harness into Radio unit and making SURE the pins are correct.

I am going to pick up my car from the dealer after the mp3 retrofit today. Unfortunately after two programming attempts it does not work. My car does not have the navigation and he said it was needed for it to work.

Originally Posted by Rick545i

I am going to pick up my car from the dealer after the mp3 retrofit today. Unfortunately after two programming attempts it does not work. My car does not have the navigation and he said it was needed for it to work.

If you check the attachment called MP3 drives in the first post of this thread, unfortunately it confirms what your dealer said:
(M-ASK, MY06 only)

M-ASK refers to non-nav cars. Since the 545i didn't change to MY06 in March '05 like the rest of the US E60 cars, looks like it won't work on your car.

I was aware of the specifics on the update but I still had to give it a shot since there were only theories floating around and no one knew for certain if the retrofit would work. But now with the help of a lab rat we all know. I had them put in the aux input while it was in so now I can enjoy mp3 music. Thanks everyone for your help.

bump

Originally Posted by Ågent99

bump

Not to question one of your sizeable post count, but isn't this thread a Sticky, and therefore not in need of being "bumped"?

Hi, my local dealers have no clue about the MP3 retrofit. Can anyone is Southern CA recommend any dealers? I tried Southbay, Long Beach and uhm Santa Monica (<- bad choice i know:P)

Originally Posted by tonmonde

Hi, my local dealers have no clue about the MP3 retrofit. Can anyone is Southern CA recommend any dealers? I tried Southbay, Long Beach and uhm Santa Monica (<- bad choice i know:P)

I'd suggest bringing them copies of the SIBs I attached to my first post.

Thanks i will try taking the print outs. I gave the service guys the SIB #s over the phone, but they still didn't have a clue...

Hey thanks Stream, i took the print outs to my dealer and now my MP3 CDs work great!!!

Originally Posted by tonmonde

Hey thanks Stream, i took the print outs to my dealer and now my MP3 CDs work great!!!

My pleasure!

Now burn some double layer DVDs w/ 8GB each!

Picked up my car from the dealer yesterday with the update (had to bring SIB printouts).

Thank you stream for the info!!!

Just one question: has anyone tried playing mp3 cds from the changer?

Since the update I can play them through the in-dash player but not the changer.

Has anyone tried this?

Thanks.
Igor

Originally Posted by igord

Picked up my car from the dealer yesterday with the update (had to bring SIB printouts).

Thank you stream for the info!!!

Just one question: has anyone tried playing mp3 cds from the changer?

Since the update I can play them through the in-dash player but not the changer.

Has anyone tried this?

Thanks.
Igor

The CD changer won't play MP3 files. The in dash CD player will, as will the in dash DVD (nav) player. Burn a few 8GB double layer DVDs and you're all set.

I hope to have my car updated this week. I will definitely bring the SIB with me.

Originally Posted by stream

The CD changer won't play MP3 files. The in dash CD player will, as will the in dash DVD (nav) player. Burn a few 8GB double layer DVDs and you're all set.

ah cool, thanks.

i kinda like the nav part, i'm ok with 1 mp3 cd + 6 regular

Success!

Originally Posted by Me530

Success!

Congrats!

bump

Has the status changed at all wrt MP3 CD playback capability for:

-'04 E60 545
-build date 4/04 as I recall
-non-nav
-CD in dash + Logic7 6 CD Changer

...meaning has this been enabled by ensuing sw updates? I take it that it wasn't capable as of the pdf doc being written which is disappointing.

Or must I go another route (suggestions welcome), including but not ltd to giving up hope? TIA

I know this is a 5 series thread but does anyone know if there is a fix for a 2006 E90 330i that would allow me to play DVD's or data CD's (burned with MP3 files) in my car with iDrive / Nav system?

in case anyone is looking for a good price on dual layer DVD's , office max has 10 packs of dual layer verbatim's for $15 or 15 packs of memorex for $19, by far the cheapest ive found so far