iPod & BMW

Does anyone know if I can install a newer BMW radio in my 2001 330i to make it iPod compatible?

My local BMW dealer in Salem, OR says that BMWs official word is that it won't work. All their literature says you need a 2002 or newer car to have an iPod work. But I can't see why it wouldn't if you installed a newer radio. Has anyone else out there tried this yet?

Originally Posted by cdeister

Does anyone know if I can install a newer BMW radio in my 2001 330i to make it iPod compatible?

My local BMW dealer in Salem, OR says that BMWs official word is that it won't work. All their literature says you need a 2002 or newer car to have an iPod work. But I can't see why it wouldn't if you installed a newer radio. Has anyone else out there tried this yet?

I would recommend going with the ICElink from Dension anyway. It has way more functionality than the BMW solution which locks out the iPod UI. It would work just fine with your 2001 without changing the head unit. The site is: www.densionusa.com. I have a 2005 and I chose that option and like it.

I'd try calling Rasmussen or Kuni in Portland first. My buddy uses Rasmussen for service on his 325 and his wife's Mini, and he says they are great. Those guys at DeLon are morons. I was just there last week. The SA tried to tell me that XI's are not all-wheel drive and that they only had autos on their lot...even though he had just showed me a five-speed.

and I'm not real happy with it, because I lose all control of the iPod's functionality. Not to mention I was REALLY bummed that I can't see a display of song, artist or what's in that Playlist that I setup in iTunes. I spent $140.00 for the kit from E-bay and had my local shop put it in without any problems and they charged me 1 hour of labor. It was cheaper than the dealer. I was told you had all the controls and visual display on your head unit, by the salesman from BMW.

If you really want ipod to work properly, just get the deck replaced. I didn't know there even was a new head unit for 2002+ , why couldn't they just change it when new models came out 325i, 330i, seems like the right thing to do, ah'well