iPhone Cradle project, BMW 2008 535i

This is a very low cost project for installing a very convenient cradle for an iPhone in a BMW, total cost should be under $20
I really did not like the place not the price for the OEM cradle inside the middle console box.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Snap-in-Media-Cradle-Adapter-Apple-iPhone-4-OEM-New-/150608230471
I don’t know why it should cost $250 for such a simple thing especially since the car comes pre-wired for iPhone

I got my BMW 535i 2008 as CPO, it came prewired for the iPhone and had the BMW cable, if you don’t have one or a spare one like I did, you can get it much cheaper here
http://www.ebay.com/itm/280771694214?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
I got this cable and tested it and works very well, I keep this as a spare cable in case I need one in the future.

The idea is to install one of these cradles next to the stick shift where it is easier to put in and out
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130613485196?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
These are the best and least expensive cradles out there for the iPhone, work best even for G4, I use them everywhere, home, office, car ...

Since the OEM cable was short to run from the box, I first thought of getting an iPhone cable with USB and stereo cables, like this one
http://www.amazon.com/KHOMO-iPhone-Connector-speakers-audio/dp/B0056399MG/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1330015843&sr=8-11
This didn’t work, apparently it lacks the special circuitry the OEM one has

Next I tried the iPhone cable extension like this one
http://www.amazon.com/HIGH-QUALITY-GATOR-CRUNCH-Extension/dp/B005OO5R1Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1330015998&sr=8-4
That didn’t work either, obviously the OEM cable used different connection points out the 31 pin connector.

So my last option was to use USB and STEREO extension cables
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180796689435?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140612876925?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

And this worked perfectly, so all you need is these extension cables ($6 for both) and the cradle with your preferred color (under $9), I personally think the black or silver will go well with a bimmer

While it's quite a bit more $$ than your solution, I have to say that the spec.dock is really slick and definitely worth the money. Solid and looks like it is factory. http://stores.homestead.com/2point5/...V2I/Detail.bok

Thanks blittler
It sure looks slick, but honestly besides the heft $150 compared to $15 I spent there is the issue of wiring/installation, the way I did mine took me 5 minutes, the spec.doc requires opening up parts of the dash/console and might void the car warranty if there is wiring involved unless of course installed professionally which means additional $$
If I am doing wiring then I am installing the video module and have live TV

BTW - the spec.doc is advertised for the iPod, you may want to make sure it will work for and charge the iPhone!!

I am doing a custom cradle installation now. Wil post pics later as I am on a business trip.

Here's my 2 cents...and how my setup actually is. Go buy yourself a used ipod (less $$ than a new one) and sync it with the same music you have on your iphone. I'm using my daughter's old ipod since her touch screen and wifi are messed up but everything else still works. You keep the ipod in the console full time and don't worry about it unless you need to sync new music. This is extremely handy since it now frees up your iPhone for other things (talking, texting, reading Facebook....Not while driving of course ) I just mount my iPhone to a little Kensington air vent bracket and have the phone on bluetooth.