iPod Installed! Comments/Observations

[karpman9]

Well Friends, I got my iPod installed today.

When I dropped it off, my service consultant informed me that the Sirius Radio that came preinstalled in my ZHP would still work with after the iPod was installed. I was psyched!

Later this afternoon, my ZHP was ready for pick up. As I was about to enter my service consultant's office I noticed that he was in conference with his/my service technician. A minute or two later, he waved me in to tell me that my iPod was all set, but that Sirius was non-compatable with iPod. Bummer...........Not too sure what to do, but they were both really cool and said to take home the car and try out the iPod and settle up later. OK......so here are my observations and thoughts.

I must say right-off-the-bat, the sound from the Ipod is AWESOME! I AM very impressed with the sound quality (bass response, dynamic range, spatial imaging, volume etc.)

However, I am NOT impressed that I cannot fast forward or fast reverse while a song is in play.

I am NOT impressed that the display on the head unit gives NO useful information whatsoever about the CD, title, artist, track number, track title, etc.

I am NOT impressed that even without any useful information, that the track numbers recycle to track number '01' after track number '99' is finished. For example, If I knew that track numbers 2350-2950, were my Genesis or YES CDs, then at least I could immmediatly scroll to that area, and probably over time remember exactly what track numbers corresponded to which CDs.

I am NOT impressed that I can create ONLY 5 playlists of my chosing from my iTune library.

I am NOT impressed that I have to CREATE playlists in the first place.

I am NOT impressed that there is a 2 second dead space between tracks which can really bite when listening to a live recording of which I have many.

I am NOT impressed that I loose my Sirius Radio.

I AM however in AWE with the sound quality and having over 3500 songs at my fingertips.

Over the past 6 weeks, since I first got my ZHP, which is also my first BMW, I have truly learned the concept of what TRADE-OFFS in life are really all about.

What to do.........What to do. I suspect I'll keep the iPod intact and ditch the Sirius. Over 3500 songs!!!!!

Thanks for reading.

 

[CaveDweller]

However, I am NOT impressed that I cannot fast forward or fast reverse while a song is in play.

Try pressing and holding the top channel change button on the steering wheel. That fast forwards CD's so it may work on the Ipod.

I am NOT impressed that the display on the head unit gives NO useful information whatsoever about the CD, title, artist, track number, track title, etc.

That's an I-Bus limitation

I am NOT impressed that even without any useful information, that the track numbers recycle to track number '01' after track number '99' is finished. For example, If I knew that track numbers 2350-2950, were my Genesis or YES CDs, then at least I could immmediatly scroll to that area, and probably over time remember exactly what track numbers corresponded to which CDs.

Same issue with my MP3 cd changer

I AM however in AWE with the sound quality and having over 3500 songs at my fingertips.

How the hell could you ever listen to that many .

What to do.........What to do. I suspect I'll keep the iPod intact and ditch the Sirius. Over 3500 songs!!!!!

I think you have chosen wisely. Why pay a monthly fee when IPOD gives you a pretty impressive playlist? [driving2]

Enjoy!

 

[ra328i]

i unfortunately can't get the ipod in my 2001 because for some retarded reason, bmw didn't make it compatible for my model 330. so i've been looking into this phatnoise phatbox, http://www.phatnoise.com/products/digitalmediaplayers/bmw.php. the best part about this setup is this http://www.phatnoise.com/downloads/bmw_SSA.pdf. the bad news is the price..... 800.00!!! but i guess if you want to keep it stock,... like me,.... this is the best and only option excluding the ipod... consider yourself very lucky my friend!!!

 

[TheBry]

i unfortunately can't get the ipod in my 2001 because for some retarded reason, bmw didn't make it compatible for my model 330. so i've been looking into this phatnoise phatbox, http://www.phatnoise.com/products/digitalmediaplayers/bmw.php. the best part about this setup is this http://www.phatnoise.com/downloads/bmw_SSA.pdf. the bad news is the price..... 800.00!!! but i guess if you want to keep it stock,... like me,.... this is the best and only option excluding the ipod... consider yourself very lucky my friend!!!

Have you considered getting the AUX port in your glovebox (a BMW part)? I had one installed when I got my car, then when Apple / BMW released the true iPod port, I thought I'd switch to that -- no luck though -- it's incompatible with cars that have the BMW Nav system. So, I'm stuck with my own cludged together BMW AUX port glovebox set-up. It's actually a pretty nice arrangement... I just don't get to see "track 1, 2, 3", etc. on my head unit.

 

[rickhuizinga]

I had the Phatbox in my 2004 3 series, but returned it within a week of installing it. The reason: the sound quality was poor.

This was not due to MP3 compression as I had been using FLAC lossless compression, rather it was analog audio loss. The music lost its clarity & top end.

A Phatnoise engineer blamed the Blitzsafe converter that is required to connect the Phatbox to a BMW. Specifically, he indicated that the Phatbox outputs line level audio out (L,R,Gnd) and the BMW CD-changer interface only has differential (L+,L-,R+,R-) inputs.

Rick

 

[ra328i]

rick.... you just saved me some serious cash!!!! i'll just buy a stock cd deck and put that in. i currently have a tape deck and i just don't feel like it fits in with everything else. a cd changer for me would be a flat out waste. thebry,... i probably will take a look into the aux import in the glove box. how much does that cost anyway?

 

[rickhuizinga]

The AUX in is about $40 if you install it yourself.

The iPod adapter is $119 from Circle BMW.

 

[ra328i]

and i need both to install an ipod right? remember, i have a 2001 330i...

 

[karpman9]

CaveDweller and all,

Thanks for the comments and support for keeping the iPod. I did try to hold down the top channel change button on the steering wheel, but it simply fast forwards/reverses the track numbers, and in multiples of 10 tracks at a time.

I did set up the platlists tonight. Just over 1000 songs on 5 lists. That should do for a while, and if I stop being so picky.......just for a minute........I can quickly realize that this set-up, quirks and all, blows away having to change out an equal number of discs!

My iPod is here to stay!

Thanks again!

 

[finally330i]

You can fast forward through tracks in random or repeat mode only and you can switch to those modes while listening to a track. Check out the owners manual at www.ipodyourbmw.com

 

[andreyiv]

ra328i, I have an equivalent (It looks exactly the same and is made by the same company but it has a "Rover" badge instead of the BMW badge on it) of the BMW Business CD player in my car and I am thinking of selling it, I just want the mp3 capability and thinking of going with an alpine unit. If you are interested in it just tell me and we can talk about the price.

 

[gpoints]

karpman9,
If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost total (less the IPod)?

Thanks.

 

[ra328i]

yo andrey!!! if it's for an e46, just give me the part no. and i'll see if it's compatible in my 330. if it is,.... let's start at 150.00.

 

[TheBry]

and i need both to install an ipod right? remember, i have a 2001 330i...

No... you don't need both the iPod kit and the BMW AUX port. You need one or the other (if your intent is to use a 3G or higher iPod). If you want the same (no exposed wires) setup I have, you'll need the following:

WHAT TO BUY:
1.] BMW AUX port in glove box
2.] Belkin iPod car charger (the belkin charger has a built-in amp plus audio-out using the iPod's true audio-out port -- the 32-pin plug on the bottom of the iPod -- not the headphone jack)
3.] BMW Power Supply (uses the flashlight charging port in glovebox to charge iPod).
4.] Wireless remote for iPod (controls iPod using RF signals via a keyfob I keep in my ashtray)
5.] Male / Male mini-stereo cable (the shorter the better)

HOW TO INSTALL:

(all of this happens in the glove box)
Have BMW AUX port installed (or do it yourself); plug BMW power supply into flashlight recepticle; plug belkin charger into female-end of BMW power supply; plug one end of male/male mini-stereo cable into belkin charger/amp; plug other end of mini-stereo cable into BMW AUX port; connect belkin charger/amp to iPod; connect remote dongle to iPod.

Shut the glove box and you're done. I use my remote from the ashtray, and sometimes if I'm parked with the top down and want to wander around the car (like at a tailgate party or something) I'll leave the stereo on and am able to control the music selection remotely from up to 30 feet. It's pretty cool.

 

[andreyiv]

ra328i, I think the player is for e36s but I am not 100% sure. I will try to find out the most I can about it, see if it fits your car and all that. I'll also try to provide pics and such. Oh and 150 sounds good to me, I will even ship it for free.

 

[andreyiv]

Little update. Heres an ebay auction for the same thing except it has the BMW badge http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...tem=7915410415&category=38641&sspagename=WDVW . I qill try to get pics of the actual unit sometime soon. Oh and just like the one on ebay, one of the tabs that hide the allen key is broke but I managed to stick it up there that it looks almost like nothing happened. I'll take the pic of the HU in the car so you can see everything, oh and besides the tab, everything else seems to be just fine.

 

[esaheatac]

Check out Alpine's new iPod hook-up. It's a direct connection to an Alpine HU.
http://www.alpine-usa.com/products/leading_technology/leading_tech_kca-420i.htm

 

[ra328i]

awwww man.... sorry andrey. that is definitely an e36 unit. the e46 units are much much slimer and a bit longer, (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48612&item=5714651606&rd=1). i really do appreciate your offer though!!!

 

[karpman9]

Hello friends,

After two days of driving w/the iPod, and my initial comments still withstanding, I must say that after all of that initial disappointment, I love this iPod! The play lists are easy to create, and since we are all smart enough to purchase BMWs, we are all certainly smart enough to remember our play lists. After all, my BMW CD player, didn't give me any useful information on the head unit either. I am pleased.

To: Finally330i,

Thanks for the tip on the fast-forward function! Works like a charm! Makes it much more enjoyable for me as I like to fast-forward/reverse all of the time. Thanks again.

To: gpoints,

I don't know how much the whole installation plus adapter cost. My very cool service consultant hasn't charged me yet. I left him a message yesterday to follow-up and to pay the open invoice but he has yet to return my call. I think he feels bad they yanked-out my Sirius without my consent. I'll update you when I pay. Could it be a freebie on BMW? Maybe.....but unlikely.

Cheers!

 

[drkeng]

KP9: I think I warned you about the Sirius incompatibility it's kind of amazing what they don't know at the dealers or don't tell you. Glad you're happy with the iPod. I'm still liking the variety of Sirius and my son likes the ESPN and NFL channels.

Caveman: Do you have the Alpine CD/MP3 player or a different one? How's the sound quality? I'm thinking seriously about it to be able to carry around large collections of Rush, Yes, Genesis, etc. How's navigating to different tracks? Cost??