iPod interface installation DIY

I'm not sure what you need for a base sound system.
Here's what I do know. My premium system had a CD changer so the electrical wires where there and the MOST cables were there.
The electrical stuff is easy, you need a +12V, ground and a switched +12V (ignition).
MOST, not so easy. MOST if the optical data cables that send and receive the audio/video signals. They are configured in a ring bus system. You could tap in between the CIC. On the back of the CIC are two optic cables. You would need to replace one of them with a longer one to go to the interface and then a short one from the interface to go back to the CIC.
The problem is, I'm not sure anything else up front is on the MOST bus. The display might be, I don't remember. If not, you would have to run the optic cable back to the trunk to tap the other side in.
Good luck.

Originally Posted by Sport Mode

I pulled open the door on the 6 CD Changer. I don't see a pigtail or a connector in the slot where the 6 disc changer would go. Could it be stuffed down below or is it likely not installed with the base system?

You won't see the pigtail until you remove the CD changer completely. It's there, it's just hooked up to the installed changer right now.
The factory MOST iPod unit will take the place of the changer.

Originally Posted by IppoJ

You won't see the pigtail until you remove the CD changer completely. It's there, it's just hooked up to the installed changer right now.
The factory MOST iPod unit will take the place of the changer.

It seems pretty simple - if there is a cable there - but I don't have a 6 CD changer and I don't see a cable.

Is there ALWAYS a cable there or is it possible to have no cable?

Originally Posted by ********

You are correct. They should do it for free! PM me with your email address and i'll send you the original BMW bulletin that enables you to have it done for free. Just show them that and they'll do it for free guaranteed! I'll also send along the original BMW install instructions for the interface.

Is that for any programming, software update, or iPod related? I just bought a 530i, and software is obsolete... in addition, i want iPod integration as well.., wondering if I can use it
Thanks

Is the bulletin for free programming still available? If so, can u send it to janghwanlee1@gmail.com thanx

[QUOTE=********;3437963]yeah you have to bring er in to get the MP3 retrofit which they'll try to charge you but show them the bulletin and they'll have to do it for free


Can you send me the bulletin please.

My email is tonykeom@gmail.com..Thank you

My email is j22bonez@aol.com thanks

Originally Posted by ********

You are correct. They should do it for free! PM me with your email address and i'll send you the original BMW bulletin that enables you to have it done for free. Just show them that and they'll do it for free guaranteed! I'll also send along the original BMW install instructions for the interface.

Hey I was wondering if you can send me the instructions of the installation please Ill appreciate it Bricktown777@hotmail.com thank you

Originally Posted by BMW7_CEO

Hey I was wondering if you can send me the instructions of the installation please Ill appreciate it Bricktown777@hotmail.com thank you

Just a FYI to you guys who are asking the Original Poster for instructions. He has been banned so he is not seeing your posts. No idea why he was banned, I was not around when it happened, but he seemed like a knowledgeable contributor.

Originally Posted by Yorgi

Just a FYI to you guys who are asking the Original Poster for instructions. He has been banned so he is not seeing your posts. No idea why he was banned, I was not around when it happened, but he seemed like a knowledgeable contributor.

Oh man really that sucks. Thanks bro for informing us about it but do you know by any chance where we can look up the instructions ?

funny to see this thread still alive and kicking after so many years

Here's the bulletin for everyone to enjoy. beware... you must be under warranty for BMW to cover this.

Anyone know where I can get an Ipod modification from. Thanks.

I would like a copy of the bullentin also. fmamgmt@aol.com

Hello
I 'm Jackie
I 'm new . I want to say Hi everyones
I 'v just bought 650i con. I found bmw forums a lot of interesting about garage mechanic . all who love car, repair yourself, enjoying work on car, taking care thing you love.
I love this site , I can learn working on my baby.
see ya.

Ok, this may be slightly off topic, but also relates IMO.

08 650i with CD changer, Aux and USB input jacks in the console, Sat was supposedly active as part of the original buy (according to paperwork I have from dealer).

Two issues, first the USB jack does nothing to either recognize or charge iPhone 5 and Aux works like a charm for Pandora, etc. but of course, nothing on the iDrive display relating to where the Aux signal is originating.

That's acceptable for what it is, but when I jack in an OEM USB cable, nothing, can't even select USB and get fed an error. (i'm assuming the USB jack is an iPod interface).

Second issue, attempted to activate Sat and there is no ESN listed when the screen indicates to note ESN and call Sirius.

Since I can't figure out how to display the radio ID, Sirius has given me an ID based on the VIN and attempted activation about a dozen times and nada.

I'm taking the car to my dealer (CPO) on Saturday, but after reading this thread top to bottom, just thought I'd ask for any experiences and remedies that might keep me from having to go.

Thanks in advance!

Kevin W
IN
07 550i; 08 650i (and love both!)

I had a 2008 550i with the same 6FL usb option. You need a special BMW cable that has both a usb and an RCA mini jack on it. You plug into both of those holes, other end is an ipod 30-pin - worked great on my iPhone 4S. With the iphone 5 and the lightning connector I will need to figure it out. I have a retina ipad w/ lightning and it hooks up fine to my other cars, audio and album art only, no videos (like I care, don't have any on it!) - using an Apple 30-pin to lightning adapter. Have yet to try in the BMW... Others have probably got this all sorted out, probably even the dealers or the coders out there?

Originally Posted by Sport Mode

This is a great thread. Lots of good info here. Thanks to all prior posters.

Some of the posts go back many years so I want to make sure I have the latest set of options in July 2012. Here is my situation:

2006 BMW 650i
Base sound system
No 6-CD Changer in the glovebox
In dash CD plays MP3s

I pulled open the door on the 6 CD Changer. I don't see a pigtail or a connector in the slot where the 6 disc changer would go. Could it be stuffed down below or is it likely not installed with the base system?
....
Since I don't see a cable where the 6 CD changer goes, do I need more than these kits offer?

Here are the three main choices I know of as of June 2013:

BMW's own MOST iPod adapter kit - and possibly even doing a 6FL upgrade if using later head units... (look into CIC for CCC, ETC.)

Dension gateway 500 series of iPod Adapters - what I just ordered

MoBridge - good stuff to include ipod as well as pre-amp into the MOST ring, etc...

Your car is set up like mine it seems, no SA 672 CDC or SA 694 CDC Prep.

Installation instructions are out on the web for the OEM kit that works for us. Biggest difference in the 2 OEM kits (part #'s have changed over time - use RealOEM to confirm current: ours is listed as "Retrofit Kit 65 41 0 412 881" in those instructions) is that our kit seems to include a ~2' length of MOST cable and elec. (12v + and ground - no problem to get those connected!) wires in the snap-in plugs to connect at the back of your head unit over to the glovebox area... Cars with CDC or CDC Prep already have these things taped up over in that area...

They tell you to be sure the car is flashed to the latest I-stage status (Progman I guess?) before programming.

I think that any of the three choices I listed above would work - all replicate the 6-disc CD changer in the MOST ring and the retrofit coding tells the car that you now have it... Basically, you have to get the fiber optic cable (find the one that is lit up when ignition is on and car not running (I actually have a pull-down access flap or panel at top center inside of my glovebox that has a pair of MOST fiberoptic cables (no wires though) plugged in a harness integrated into that flap on the back side - one with black plastic sheathing, the other bare orange/red... My car has the Logic 7 DSP audio system, not sure if that dictates why I seem to have an extra MOST cable hidden above the glovebox opening even though my option sheet does not list the CDC or CDC Prep...

I intend to see if one of these cables is lit up and if a daisy chain of these with my new adapter would work. Anyone else found this in their non-CDC car and did it work? By the way - how to get to the back of the head unit? If I have to pull it out, it seems much like a 550i (E60) for which I have a Bentley manual; however the central dash a/c vent piece is throwing me off. Does that just pull our like the much longer center to right trim piece on the E60? Or is there something else done first to gain access to hidden screws?

Back to the kits - I chose the new Dension 500SBT, model #GW52MO2 (an eBay seller in TN is selling the Dual FOT model (lets you keep, or find one to use, your OEM CD changer and retails at $699) for $499 - basically same price as others are selling the ...MO1 model that does not allow the extra MOST port so you cannot keep or use the OEM CDC. There are older GW51's out there even cheaper, but this new GW52 offers iPhone 5 compatibility using the stock lightning cable - and it offers bluetooth A2DP so it is not just for your phone, but also for streaming your music! This makes Pandora or anything else on your i-device (and Android or BBerry I would think) able to stream out for our older cars with the M-ASK or CCC nav head units. If you dive in and buy a CIC HD head unit, Combox, optional items beyond that, and all the coding, you get a full-on OEM setup - but for thousands of dollars... For now I am willing to stay with CCC and get the Dension up and running. This may be all I need.

If you want the OEM solution, those kits are out there as well, just run the part #'s to be sure that you are getting one of 3 or 4 different part #'s that changed over time for the Non-CDC kit. If you find the kit intended for use with an existing CDC or for cars that have CDC Prep, then you don't get tat 2' cable - but you can order one as a BMW part...

Wish me luck - any tips?