iPhone 5 cradle?

Originally Posted by Vortec4800

Oh ok, well if it's a retrofit I have no idea.

Either way the 30-pin to lightning adapter doesn't do iPod out, so that wouldn't work anyhow. I'd say try to use the normal cable.

Okay, I did it tonight and here's what I have discovered...

Indeed, the BMW apps do work with the lightning cable direct into the USB console port. However, all music is coming out of the phone and not through the car's speaker system. That is, for Web Radio and MOG. I could not get the audio to come through the speaker system at all. I wonder if I need to connect a second wire - like from the headphone jack to the vid/aux RCA jack...

For you that said BMW apps worked, did Web Radio and MOG audio come through your car speakers? Or through the phone?


Hmmmmmm... if this is how it's supposed to be due to no more iPod out, then I guess I could very well be SOL.. lol


Edit: Maybe I do need the adaptor:

BMW spokespeople made it emphatically clear that owners will still be able to listen to music, podcasts and other audio over the built-in stereo, along with accessing BMW Apps and Mini Connected features using the combination of the new Lightning adaptor fitted to the existing 30-pin connector and the duo of USB and 1/8-inch audio jack supplied by both BMW and Mini. So yes, the tunes will continue to flow, but the automaker's PlugIn feature – enabling video playback while stationary and the mirrored Apple interface – is officially out.

Originally Posted by Vortec4800

Oh ok, well if it's a retrofit I have no idea.

Either way the 30-pin to lightning adapter doesn't do iPod out, so that wouldn't work anyhow. I'd say try to use the normal cable.

Okay, I found a solution - using the normal cable AND using a stereo patch cable to connect the headphone out of the iPhone 5 to the 1/8" jack in my console. Now the audio from any audio type BMW Apps (web radio, MOG, Pandora) comes out of the car system rather than the iPhone. So that is great! Also, the iPhone5 also shows up as an external device so that can be accessed, and I get the album covers too.

SO, that is great except for one thing... when I connect the iPhone5 to the USB in the console, the bluetooth audio connection is disabled. That shouldn't be a problem and I don't believe it affects the telephone function (that I did not check b/c I don't use the iPhone for the phone service, I use another cell phone) but it might affect others.

Maybe the adaptor will allow both USB and bluetooth audio connection to coexist? Then again, if the telephone function still works, I guess it's moot.

Anyway, just pointing that out because a message appears on the iDrive screen telling you that the bluetooth audio connect is being disconnected due to the USB audio connection (which I don't fully understand because it's obvious I'm getting the audio through the 1/8" jack and not the USB connection).

But for now, everything is great now. Just a few more wires that I'd like, but it's ok.

I get that message too. Bluetooth Audio is disabled whenever I connect via USB. It's pre-iPhone5 normal.

Originally Posted by Vortec4800

FWIW all those apps should still work with a normal USB cable to Lightning cable without the cradle. I know it isn't quite as convenient, but at least you won't totally lose all your music.

Good point. Unfortunately, for those of us with the older iDrives, we still have to use the dongle from BMW that splits out the Apple adapter to both a USB cable AND a stereo jack for the audio. (from the dealer loaners I've taken out this year, it seems that the dongle is still required?) Pretty silly design honestly. I don't understand why BMW couldn't have gone the extra half inch of effort and send the audio straight through the USB port like every single other auto manufacturer does. It annoys me that my crappy (old) GMC Envoy has a better iPhone implementation than my BMW 535xi does...

Thoughts? Has anyone ever gotten around this problem?

Originally Posted by Mahoneywc

Good point. Unfortunately, for those of us with the older iDrives, we still have to use the dongle from BMW that splits out the Apple adapter to both a USB cable AND a stereo jack for the audio. (from the dealer loaners I've taken out this year, it seems that the dongle is still required?) Pretty silly design honestly. I don't understand why BMW couldn't have gone the extra half inch of effort and send the audio straight through the USB port like every single other auto manufacturer does. It annoys me that my crappy (old) GMC Envoy has a better iPhone implementation than my BMW 535xi does...

Thoughts? Has anyone ever gotten around this problem?

Yeah, I don't know why they use the analog audio in the older iDrive systems. Hopefully now that Apple stopped putting analog out on the lightning port new manufacturers and designs will be "persuaded" to use the digital connection instead.

My girlfriend's 2009 135i rocketship needs the Y cable. We've found that the $20 Y cable from Amazon works much better than the $100+ BMW cable. Go figure.

Thanks for the info about Amazon. Good to know there are less expensive options out there!

BUMP. Any updates on iPhone 5 ETA?

NOT available for order in the US. Hope it is here by September when I get my new X3 to replace my 2004 model!

However, note the 399€ price tag!

Originally Posted by scm53

NOT available for order in the US. Hope it is here by September when I get my new X3 to replace my 2004 model!

However, note the 399€ price tag!

€399 euros? Wow, that's over $500!

I certainly hope it is cheaper once it's introduced here in the States but it won't be. What a rip. I think I will just keep my iPhone 4.

Info received today...applicable for Canada, possibly North America.

April 15, 2013

Aftersales – ConnectedDrive

Due to the technical differences between the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 5, Snap-In Adapter development has taken longer than expected.

The iPhone 5 Snap-In Adapter will not be available until early Q3 2013.

In the interim, customers can connect their iPhone 5 to the vehicle by using the factory cable which is included with their phone; utilizing the USB port.

For vehicles requiring a Y-Cable to connect an Apple product, the customer will need to use the Y-Cable in combination with the Lightning to 30-Pin Adapter available at any Apple Store.