Bryan330i said:
Yea, but look at it like this. Why do we buy BMW’s? A lot of people say they are overpriced. I think of Apple as the BMW of the computer world, more expensive but also higher performing, better performing, with a stronger quality product. Like a Chevy engine in a Cavalier (Windoze) and the engine in a BMW M5 (Apple)
Sure, the Chevy gets you where you need to go, but the BMW (Apple) does it with fine-tuned engineering.
Way to go Bry... I couldn't have said it better myself. I don't believe my BMW was overpriced... just like I don't believe the iPod is over priced. This is a clear case of "you get what you pay for." If you want a cheaper car, get a Chevy Cavalier (and be prepared for ho-hum boring experiences). If you want a cheaper digital audio player get a Dell DJ (and be prepared for ho-hum boring experiences -- and last year's technology). Great observation.
SUBSILVER -- you asked questions about my head unit, etc. I've got the BMW Navigation system (as depicted in my signature pic). Here's my iPod set-up:
1.] BMW AUX port in glove box
2.] BMW Glovebox Power Adapter
3.] Belkin Auto Kit for iPod with dock connector (3G iPod)
4.] Engineered Audio Wireless Remote for iPod (3G iPod)
5.] Male-to-Male stereo mini-plug
The AUX port was installed by the dealer -- he threw it in as part of my delivery package when I picked up the car. The part costs about $40 and installation can run from $150 - $250 depending on whether or not you have the NAV head unit.
I bought the glovebox power adapter from Bavarian Auto Sport but I think you can buy it directly from BMW as well. It converts the flashlight port in the glove box to a standard DC power port. If you want to get it from Bavarian Auto Sport, here's their URL:
http://www.bavauto.com./shop.asp
I got the Belkin Auto Kit for iPod directly from Belkin's website for $50. I've heard you can get them cheaper elsewhere. The cool thing about this kit is that the power port has a built-in amplifier, so you can amp-up the sound coming out of the iPod. The iPod's built-in headphone amp isn't strong enough to drive the speakers on my HK system in the car without being turned up all the way, which causes distortion. This adapter uses the iPod's "true" audio-out function (via bottom of the iPod). After connecting to the dock port on the bottom of the iPod, I simply connected one end of the stereo mini cable into the "audio out" plug on the Belkin power plug's amp port, and the other end into the female BMW AUX port (all within the glove box) -- now it works like a charm. Here's the Belkin part number: F8V7058-APL
I ordered the wireles remote (actually named RemoteRemote) from Engineered Audio's website for $40. This is a cool device. It comes in two pieces -- a receiver dongle and a remote. The dongle plugs into the iPod's headphone jack. Here's the URL:
http://www.engineeredaudio.com/products/remote.html
So, the BMW Power adapter is connected to the flashlight port, and the Belkin power adapter is attached to the other end. The two-ended mini-jack is plugged into the BMW AUX port and into the Belkin power adapter's AMP port; the Belkin power adapter is connected to the iPod's dock port; the Remote dongle is plugged into the iPod's headphone jack. All of that lives in my glove box -- I have an iPod I use exclusively in the car, so I rarely take it out (except to add new music). The remote lives in my ashtray. Whenever I want to switch songs, I simply pop open the ash tray and hit a remote button to go forward / backward or pause my playlist. This is a great solution because I didn't have to run a wire through my dash. The wireless remote is fantastic.
One final cool feature is that whenver the BMW Alarm is activated, all power is switched off. When the power is cut, the iPod goes into sleep mode. So when I deactivate the alarm and start the car, all I have to do is hit the pause button on the remote and it will start the iPod, picking up right where I left off in the song that was playing.
All of this sounds complicated (I probably made it more complicated than I needed to in this description) but it's really easy to put together.
Let me know if you have other questions.
![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")
