IPOD 2005 525i

I got my 525i last week, and I am disappointed by the lack of stereo options. The standard HK system is marginal at best. It lacks depth. I cannot install an MP3 player, a sub, or new speakers. No one in town will work on it, including the dealership. Does anyone know if there is a official BMW IPOD adapter for the 2005 525i or the aux inputs. The service departments at the 2 BMW dealerships in Houston, TX are telling there is not.

Originally Posted by kleinen

I got my 525i last week, and I am disappointed by the lack of stereo options. The standard HK system is marginal at best. It lacks depth. I cannot install an MP3 player, a sub, or new speakers. No one in town will work on it, including the dealership. Does anyone know if there is a official BMW IPOD adapter for the 2005 525i or the aux inputs. The service departments at the 2 BMW dealerships in Houston, TX are telling there is not.

You're out of luck. I had the same issue, and eventually took the hit and bought a 545 with the Logic 7 system.

Basically, putting in your own subwoofer is completely impossible........only place to put it is in the trunk and it's so well insulated all it does is make your car shake and you don't hear anymore bass really.

Also, the radio is so complex and tied into the i-Drive shops don't want to touch it.........

iPod adapter not available yet for E60 from BMW. Upgrading the system is very difficult because of the MOST system in the car (also used in many other high end cars), basically a fiber optic LAN ( http://www.mostnet.de/technology/index.php ). Plus iDrive adds complexity.

After numerous dead ends, I have decided that there is no upgrading the stereo system at this point. Doh! $45k car with a $200 stereo system.

I heard rumours that there would be a software upgrade available in March 2005 that would allow my regular CD player in the 2005 525i to read MP3s. Can anyone confirm this?

You can have an aux input installed. I have it for my 545i and know of many others that have it installed. It seems that some dealers don't know you can do it.

Some others have installed subwoofers, amps and other stuff to upgrade there E60 systems.

As far as software update for mp3, could be next release, or the one after that, I really don't think anybody knows. I just went for the Aux input.

Originally Posted by kleinen

After numerous dead ends, I have decided that there is no upgrading the stereo system at this point. Doh! $45k car with a $200 stereo system.

I heard rumours that there would be a software upgrade available in March 2005 that would allow my regular CD player in the 2005 525i to read MP3s. Can anyone confirm this?

I'm dead serious..........return the car. Get the Logic 7 or the car is semi worthless. Who wants to drive with that horrible system.