X3 iPhone Snap-in Adapter

Please don't refer to answers in other threads. This pertains to the 2011 X3 ONLY.
I ordered the car with "Smartphone Integration" (which cost extra) only to be informed at delivery that "total" integration required the additional adapter, and that they were not yet available. To-date, continually (weekly) checking with three separate parts departments at Northern California BMW dealers since I took delivery of my 2011 X3, the snap-in adapter for the iPhone 4 is NOT available.

Not too disappointing or anything.

Seems like they are changing how iPhones integrate with the X3 starting in April with the introduction of option 6NR. I have an iPhone 3G, I purchased the iPhone 3G 3GS snap in media adaptor. It will display the music on my iPhone, make it look like its playing, but you cannot hear the music. Others have reported this problem as will.

They are coming out with a new 3GS 4G snap in adaptor that will work with option 6NR which is available for X3s built after March.

It would be great if our current 2011 X3s were field upgradable to 6NR but not one has yet said this is the case. If not I guess we'll keep using the Y adaptor.

If anyone has a snap in adaptor for ANY iphone playing music(you can hear) with their 2011 X3, can they let us know what they did.

Thanks.

Not sure if this helps you out, but found this part at Tischer BMW:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

I'm not sure what is happening as of 4/11 with the 6NR option, but I'm ordering the 6NR and will find out in June.

Thanks for the link. I paid the $228 at the dealer for the media adaptor which "should" have worked. Others 2011 deliveries have installed the media adaptor on their X3 and are reporting the same problem playing music with their iPhones.

My hope is that either the new adaptor or 6NR will prevent this problem for others.

Maybe I'm overlooking something obvious - I did try turning up the volume on the radio and iPhone. So if anyone has their iPhone playing music thru the snap-in adaptor let me know.

Not sure what is happening, but the F25 X3 should have option 6VC, which is the Combox Controller. With the Combox controller the Y cable is not needed and to play music only the Apple USB 30 pin cable is required to plug into the armrest USB. The iPhone has to be in the music play mode and the iDrive selection is via the AUX/USB for the music. At least this is how it is for my 2011 335is which has the Combox and same iDrive software as the X3.

The advantage of the clip-in adaptor is to have the phone use the car's antenna system, which will theoretically boast the reception.

Try the iPhone without the adaptor and just the Apple 30 pin USB cable.

Wonder if the 6NR will require the adaptor?

Don't see a 6VC for the X3 just 6NF 6NL and 6NR. The iphone works great with the apple white 30 pin USB connector or Y-cable just not the media snap-in adaptor. Still looking for someone with an iPhone that plays music with a snap-in adaptor on a 2011 X3.

The 6VC is not a customer option, should be listed on your factory build sheet. The dealership can pull this up for you. 6NF = 6VC being added when that option is selected and the order is entered triggers 6VC being added.

Some of us have been sold snap-in adaptors and were told repeatedly they were media adaptors when in fact they are music adaptors. These will not actually play music.

To play music with a snap-in adaptor on a 2011 X3 built after September, only the following 2 media adaptors will work.

3G/3GS 84219229004
4G 84212199392

Neither is shipping in the US as of today. Until they ship, using the Apple white 30 pin USB connector works great for playing music and seems to provide all the music functionality as the media snap-in.

Iphone 3GS snap-in adaptor works fine for the phone. Iphone playes music via bluetooth, tracks not visible, changing tracks with the big knob works fine.
The whole snap-in adaptor is actualy useless as except for a better reception with the antenna. When I connect the Iphone via USB, I have both contacts and music tracks visible on the screen.

There are 3 iPhone 3G adaptors-

basic - charges phone and utilizes antenna
music - for BMWs made before Sept 2010 music over USB
media - for BMWS made after Sept 2010 music and cover art over USB

You likely have the basic 3G snap-in if the music is playing over BlueTooth.

In California having the BMW talk control of the iPod app on the iPhone is preferable since touching your iPhone while driving is Illegal in California. Never mind that with option 6NR you'll soon be able to FaceBook and Twitter from your BMW, we still can't touch our iPhones.

Was just told today by my parts dealer in Chicago that delivery dates for iPhone 4 music and media cradles have now been pushed back to July according to their system. Lovely. I understand that the media adapter will essentially do the same thing as the existing USB connection (which works fine) with possible improved signal, but I want this snap in option simply for convenience. I've noticed I don't routinely get in my car, seach under the adaptor arm for my cord, plug in the phone and place the phone in the missing snap-in area before driving off. However, I WILL use it more when it's as easy as snap-n-go I bet.

Are there any reputable OEM options for these?

Originally Posted by Tauvil

Was just told today by my parts dealer in Chicago that delivery dates for iPhone 4 music and media cradles have now been pushed back to July according to their system. Lovely. I understand that the media adapter will essentially do the same thing as the existing USB connection (which works fine) with possible improved signal, but I want this snap in option simply for convenience. I've noticed I don't routinely get in my car, seach under the adaptor arm for my cord, plug in the phone and place the phone in the missing snap-in area before driving off. However, I WILL use it more when it's as easy as snap-n-go I bet.

Are there any reputable OEM options for these?

Delay possibly due to crisis in Japan?

I bought the USB/aux/12volt x3 cable at the dealer and the iPhone/iPod with USB/aux adapter at best buy for my 328 and it works perfectly. I can not only see the artist and tracks, but the album covers as well. The only reason I bought the BMW cable was because it charges at the same time. I just keep my iPod in the car and my iPhone in my pocket for Bluetooth phone calls. This way I never have to worry about connecting my phone in the center console.

aside from an Iphone adapter, can someone tell me what the standard set up is in the X3 for an Itouch (IPOD)? I know the Ipod interface is standard although is that specifically the center console adapter which illustrates the artwork, charges it, etc...? Thanks.

Originally Posted by 3284me

I bought the USB/aux/12volt x3 cable at the dealer and the iPhone/iPod with USB/aux adapter at best buy for my 328 and it works perfectly. I can not only see the artist and tracks, but the album covers as well. The only reason I bought the BMW cable was because it charges at the same time. I just keep my iPod in the car and my iPhone in my pocket for Bluetooth phone calls. This way I never have to worry about connecting my phone in the center console.

In my X3 the white USB cable that comes with the iPhone will charge the iPhone so its not clear that the AUX/USB cable from BMW actually does anything that the white Apple cable does not do.

I really like the idea of just leaving an iPod in the car. I have forgotten to take out my iPhone many times although now I'm getting into the habit.

I'm still waiting for my media snap-in adaptor in hopes that cell reception via the car antenna with the media adaptor will be better than the music snap-in adaptor they originally gave me. The music adaptor did not give much improved cell reception over having the phone in my pocket.

Has anyone got an iPhone 3G/3Gs or i{hone 4 media adaptor yet??

Originally Posted by jasonskitchen

aside from an Iphone adapter, can someone tell me what the standard set up is in the X3 for an Itouch (IPOD)? I know the Ipod interface is standard although is that specifically the center console adapter which illustrates the artwork, charges it, etc...? Thanks.

For an iPod touch, the white Apple USB cable plugged into the X3 USB port does everything that a snap-in adaptor would be able to do with the iPod app running in an iPhone plugged into a MEDIA snap-in adaptor.

The above applies to playing music. If you have option 6NR then you need the snap-in adaptor for the additional BMW apps to work. I know that 3GS and 4G iphones are compatible with 6NR. I don't know about the iPod touch.

Thanks ScottX3 -- one additional question -- where is the USB port in the car? Wasn't sure if it was on the dash or maybe in the glove...Happy to hear that would charge it as well.

The USB port is in the armrest compartment, so you can connect your iPod and leave it there if you have an extra iPod.

Originally Posted by Stevonovitch

Please don't refer to answers in other threads. This pertains to the 2011 X3 ONLY.
I ordered the car with "Smartphone Integration" (which cost extra) only to be informed at delivery that "total" integration required the additional adapter, and that they were not yet available. To-date, continually (weekly) checking with three separate parts departments at Northern California BMW dealers since I took delivery of my 2011 X3, the snap-in adapter for the iPhone 4 is NOT available.

Not too disappointing or anything.

I know the feeling. I got that option as well but it is pretty useless now. Another option that I find useless was Sirius radio. It wasn't much but still sitting useless, not even activated yet. I use USB thumb drive to load music.

Originally Posted by M Power

I know the feeling. I got that option as well but it is pretty useless now. Another option that I find useless was Sirius radio. It wasn't much but still sitting useless, not even activated yet. I use USB thumb drive to load music.

For sirius / xm I plan on using the droid app and connecting my phone via the aux port.
Much cheaper in the long run.

Originally Posted by ScottX3

For an iPod touch, the white Apple USB cable plugged into the X3 USB port does everything that a snap-in adaptor would be able to do with the iPod app running in an iPhone plugged into a MEDIA snap-in adaptor.

The above applies to playing music. If you have option 6NR then you need the snap-in adaptor for the additional BMW apps to work. I know that 3GS and 4G iphones are compatible with 6NR. I don't know about the iPod touch.

Will the white cable also charge an iPod (not iPhone) if it plugged into the armrest? A post a few above says you need the BMW iPhone charging cable. Don't want to waste the money if it serves no purpose.

Thanks
-CR

The white cable works just fine on the iphone or an ipod.

Hey please check out this attached PDF...should answer all of your questions.

I just ordered my 35i a week ago and I went through all of this with my dealer and fully understand the requirements. The new "BMW Apps" feature is an free app in the app store (called BMW connected) however it will ONLY work on X3 vehicles manufactured after 4/11...no exceptions....they are not retrofitting anything made prior to 4/11.

If you want BMW apps you also need Nav and BMW assist. BMW apps also adds "smartphone integration" as a required option but at no charge. You do NOT need the snap in adapter for your iphone to work from here on out....however if you want the "FULL" integration, meaning video playback and the ability to change your nav screen to look like an ipod, then you need the snap in adapter which is extra. Snap in adapter also is supposed to increase signal strength. Seems like a no brainer since it really isn't that expensirve.

However please read the PDF...it fully explains. Also note that this is iphone specific...not droid or anything else.

Does that mean BMW Apps can be retrofitted if your production was after 4/11? As of now I don't have an iPhone but you never know in 6 months.

Originally Posted by cer2225

Does that mean BMW Apps can be retrofitted if your production was after 4/11? As of now I don't have an iPhone but you never know in 6 months.

From the way it was explained to me, only vehicles built after 4/1/11 will have BMW apps available...so that's the first part. Now whether you can add them afterwards to a car built after 4/11 I'm not sure. I actually think not but don't quote me... I know that you need the nav package setup in order to do so...so you need that.