BMW iPod Interface
Discussion
Had it installed this week. Absolutely fantastic. Seamlessly integrated with the iDrive controller and screen. Lets you select artists, albums, playlists, podcasts the lot! Displays the artist and trackname on the screen.
The dock connector is routed out in the glove compartment. no messing around with phono lead - sound quality is excellent.
Pauses when you get an incoming call or switch off the ignition. Struggling to find fault with it.
Highly recommended
The dock connector is routed out in the glove compartment. no messing around with phono lead - sound quality is excellent.
Pauses when you get an incoming call or switch off the ignition. Struggling to find fault with it.
Highly recommended
I see you have a 3 series so YMMV. I have an E60 with the ipod interface and after living with it for a while I've decided it's less than ideal. Granted it's way better than a CD changer but menu navigation is very clunky. It always defaults to the first item in a directory which makes moving between artists/albums very awkward if you have lots and they are both late in the alphabet. An A-Z shortcut option like the phone menu would be a welcome addition.
You are also limited to 250 artists/albums and 500 songs per directory. If you have more on the ipod they simply don't show up and cannot be accessed. The random option only works within the current directory (so a max of 500 songs) and isn't very random at all, it frequently plays the very next track. Skipping to next track when on random does just that when the expected behaviour would be to skip to the next random track. The number of playlists is restricted too. Overall it just feels like it wasn't properly user tested.
I've had a good moan at BMW customer service who were very nice but just defended how hard it was to get working in the first place and promised a software update for July. They suggested it was a minor fix only as the limit is memory in the car's idrive setup. Hey ho.
You are also limited to 250 artists/albums and 500 songs per directory. If you have more on the ipod they simply don't show up and cannot be accessed. The random option only works within the current directory (so a max of 500 songs) and isn't very random at all, it frequently plays the very next track. Skipping to next track when on random does just that when the expected behaviour would be to skip to the next random track. The number of playlists is restricted too. Overall it just feels like it wasn't properly user tested.
I've had a good moan at BMW customer service who were very nice but just defended how hard it was to get working in the first place and promised a software update for July. They suggested it was a minor fix only as the limit is memory in the car's idrive setup. Hey ho.
S1XXR said:
I waited 6 weeks for the updated version. Not seen any of the problems you refer to. Has very obviously been thoroughly tested. Far and away the best car to iPod integration I've seen.
This isn't easy to discuss like this but can you elaborate a bit for me please? For example, if you are navigating via the idrive menus from an artist beginning with Z to another artist beginning Y? On mine you press up on the idrive to go up a level and it will default to the first artist in the directory, which begins with an A and then you need to scroll through nearly 250 artists to get to the artist you want. How does that work on yours?
I'm also guessing there are better limits on the updated version? How many artists/albums can you have per directory?
Like I said, it's much better than CDs but it's such a nearly product. My pal who has a nano and less than 500 songs in total thinks I am a whinger and sees none of the issues I talk about on his 5 series but many of the limitations only become apparent when you hook up an ipod with tons of music on it.
trackdemon said:
Is this a dealer fit option or 3rd party? You mention iDrive integration - do you know if there is a version compatible with a Z4Coupe (we have nav, so looking for track list on nav screen I guess).
Dealer fit, took 'em hours as it needs a software update to the whole car. Just ask if they do it for the Z4. Shows up on the screen on my 5 series.
trackdemon said:
Is this a dealer fit option or 3rd party? You mention iDrive integration - do you know if there is a version compatible with a Z4Coupe (we have nav, so looking for track list on nav screen I guess).
Hi Steve
It's an official BMW product, intended to be fitted by your dealer. Uses the screen to naivgate your iPod interface and select the tracks, albums, playlists or podcats you want to listen to.
Don't know about Z4 Couple. Check with BMW UK or your dealer.
How you getting on with your Z4? Perfect car for your sideways driving style!
Got any trackdays planned yet for 07?
Jubal said:
S1XXR said:
I waited 6 weeks for the updated version. Not seen any of the problems you refer to. Has very obviously been thoroughly tested. Far and away the best car to iPod integration I've seen.
This isn't easy to discuss like this but can you elaborate a bit for me please? For example, if you are navigating via the idrive menus from an artist beginning with Z to another artist beginning Y? On mine you press up on the idrive to go up a level and it will default to the first artist in the directory, which begins with an A and then you need to scroll through nearly 250 artists to get to the artist you want. How does that work on yours?
I'm also guessing there are better limits on the updated version? How many artists/albums can you have per directory?
Like I said, it's much better than CDs but it's such a nearly product. My pal who has a nano and less than 500 songs in total thinks I am a whinger and sees none of the issues I talk about on his 5 series but many of the limitations only become apparent when you hook up an ipod with tons of music on it.
OK let me see...in terms of navigation, yes you have to navigate alphabetically. You can of course create playlists to avoid having to wade through hundreds of songs or albums, not ideal I know but a pragmatic solution.
The manual makes reference to a 500 song limit on cars equipped with business navigation and 1000 song limit on 7 series cars. I have 30 gigs worth of music on my iPod (6000+ tracks) and it does take half a minute or so to load up a large directory the first time you attempt to view.
S1XXR said:
trackdemon said:
Is this a dealer fit option or 3rd party? You mention iDrive integration - do you know if there is a version compatible with a Z4Coupe (we have nav, so looking for track list on nav screen I guess).
Hi Steve
It's an official BMW product, intended to be fitted by your dealer. Uses the screen to naivgate your iPod interface and select the tracks, albums, playlists or podcats you want to listen to.
Don't know about Z4 Couple. Check with BMW UK or your dealer.
How you getting on with your Z4? Perfect car for your sideways driving style!
Got any trackdays planned yet for 07?
Will contact dealer then, thanks!
Really quite impressed actually, its a really good fun thing to chuck around - not as technically competant as a Cayman but more character. Not sure what you mean about my driving style
May be @ Bedford on the 20th
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