iPod Advice

Picking up 328xi with Pro Logic and iPod/USB port and Navi on 10/31. I want to buy an iPod to bring with me that I will ultimately dedicate to leaving in the car. I'm thinking a non-movable hard drive mini, probably 8MB might be best application? Thoughts? Any experience with this configuration?

I have found the USB sticks to work just as well!

I have 2 x 2GB sticks that hold plenty of music. Easy to navigate (artist/genre/etc.) with I-drive.

Really don't need the iPod...

fyi

You can get a Iomega Portable Hard drive with 160GB at Costco for $99 (with coupon) which you could plug into the USB port of the car. Check it out: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...se=&lang=en-US

Disclosure: I don't have personal experience with the above setup and I did not take my advice as I have a 30GB iPod. Also, I do not own stock in Iomega or Costco.

BMW specifically states that hard drives are not supported.

Some people have reported that certain drives do work.

DRM is not supported except on iPod.

YMMV.

Originally Posted by Flyboy01

Picking up 328xi with Pro Logic and iPod/USB port and Navi on 10/31. I want to buy an iPod to bring with me that I will ultimately dedicate to leaving in the car. I'm thinking a non-movable hard drive mini, probably 8MB might be best application? Thoughts? Any experience with this configuration?

The iPod Mini is soooo 2005, and I don't think they ever made an 8G version. If you want to go with flash-based memory versus a disk, at least get a Nano.

For this application, I wouldn't be concerned with flash memory versus a hard drive though. iPods buffer the data, so jolts will not cause them to hiccup. Unless you plan to do extensive off-roading in your Bimmer, to the point where you might damage the HD.

If you are just looking for something to use in the car only, buy a 4G iPod on eBay for cheap. The older models get cheaper each time a new version comes out, and you're going to be sticking the thing inside a pouch inside of your center console, so who cares if it has a color screen or the latest case design???

These iPods are damn addictive though, so be careful!!! (Advice from a household with only 2 people but 5 different iPods, soon to be 6 because I can't fit my music on my 80G...)

Almost all dock connector iPods work fine. I've used a 2nd Gen iPod nano (8gb) and an 80GB 5.5 Gen iPod video with mine. It just depends on how much music you want with you. They all work the same. Be sure to get the 6FL cable from your CA before you leave.

I like the iPod Nano because it has great functionality with the car and it does not require much space.

Anyone know if the iPods charge in the car?

Originally Posted by cosmos

Anyone know if the iPods charge in the car?

If you're using the 6FL cable, yes.

What else would you use? I thought there was only one way to connect the iPod to BMW?

Originally Posted by cosmos

What else would you use? I thought there was only one way to connect the iPod to BMW?

People without 6FL can use aux port, but you don't get the same functionality.

I have an 8GB nano in the glove box velcroed out of the way. Works great.

I am not sure how much large USB sticks can go, but I think a large one cost just as much as an iPOD.

If you go the iPOD route, I recommend solid state (no hard drive).