[Keith]

I just came back from my local dealer after enquiring about the availability of the iPod Kit for E90 with Logic 7 audio. I was told that BMW is still working on it and that there was no indication as to when (or even if) it will be available. Be that as it may....The BMW guy then, just as a matter of interest, decided to check their network for any updates and found this....

USB/iPod interface retrofit kit - 65410427467

It just came out today, but this unfortunately still does not help me as the installation manual stated, and I quote... These installation instructions only apply to cars with SA 662 (Business radio) or SA 667 (Audio radio).

...but I thought it might help you.... (if you don't already know).

I have both the installation and user manual and will see if I can post it later..

Use it..don't use it... :rocks:

[Keith]

Here's the user and installation manuals as promised...

[scandluz22]

Did he give you a price? And thanks for letting us know...

[oneshare325]

this is kinda cool....

[marmite]

ooh ooh ooh!

I've been waiting (and putting off) for so long to get Dension GW500 installed, but balked at cost of having to buy CDC that I didn't want to get recode etc. (see thread http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...75#post1384475)

USB/IPod refrofit is what I want! But am unsure whether this part is suitable for me. I have Professional Radio/CD on my UK Mar 06, 330d Touring. I think it's part code is SA663.
Now, SA662 and SA667 don't even appear on the spec list if you configure a UK bmw now, so I'm not even sure what they are / how they differ..

can anyone help??

[parachute]

subscribed

[Keith]

Originally Posted by scandluz22

Did he give you a price? And thanks for letting us know...

No, I didn't enquire about the price, but whatever it is, you'll probably get it for much cheaper when or if it arrives in your country. The prices of BMW accessories in South Africa are very much overpriced.

[drkeng]

I was gonna wait until I got it next week, but the cat's out of the bag. I actually got a Dension that I hope they'll take back like they said they would if I couldn't install it. No way would the dealer code the car for a CD changer, which the Dension needs; I had found an installer. My next idea was to get the dealer interface, which also emulates a CD changer. If I didn't like it, I was gonna see if I could swap it for the Dension, since I think the car would have been coded for a CDC. So I made the appointment for the install. When I made the appointment, I was informed that the price was not the $600 I was originally told by the service guy who said they couldn't do the code, but $775. When I asked what the difference was, I was told that for E93, it's a USB adapter interface; my CA looked it up and read something about a MOST BUS. I'm hoping that this will be faster, possibly just like 6FL. If the dealer can do it, I may see if they can do it this Thurs instead of next (when I can get a loaner).

What I don't get is why they don't send out letters or something to people without 6FL. It shows how little they care about you after the sale. My CA knew I was miffed about not being allowed to delay my build to get 6FL; wouldn't it have been great if she had seen this was available, thought of me and notified me. It's just chance that I found about it before reading it here.

So there it is, $775 retail. Double 6FL.

I'll post pix and a review as soon as I get it. Can't wait.

[marmite]

I just spoke to my dealer (UK) and they confirmed that this retrofit kit is _not_ compatible with my car - because I have 'Professional Radio' not Business Radio.
Still confused exactly what the latter is, maybe it's a US difference? Is 'Business Radio' part of standard US spec. ? I can't see it when I spec out car for UK.

Very annoying, I hope they bring out a retrofit option that is compatible with my car soon

I wish there was some more definitive source of information than the dealers - they seem to know very little in reality, only reading out what's on a database. There must be people in the know at BMW who know ETA for things like this...

[MINNOW]

Anyone else notice the last page of the manual, under "additional information" it mentions for maximum sound quality select Apple Lossless?
I thought the factory installed 6FL was limited to 256 kbps?

[tintivilus]

Originally Posted by MINNOW

Anyone else notice the last page of the manual, under "additional information" it mentions for maximum sound quality select Apple Lossless?
I thought the factory installed 6FL was limited to 256 kbps?

the format limitations are for USB mass storage. when you're using the iPod to do the decoding (with the Y cable), it necessarily supports anything the ipod can play.

[MusicMan]

Originally Posted by drkeng

I was gonna wait until I got it next week, but the cat's out of the bag. I actually got a Dension that I hope they'll take back like they said they would if I couldn't install it. No way would the dealer code the car for a CD changer, which the Dension needs; I had found an installer. My next idea was to get the dealer interface, which also emulates a CD changer. If I didn't like it, I was gonna see if I could swap it for the Dension, since I think the car would have been coded for a CDC. So I made the appointment for the install. When I made the appointment, I was informed that the price was not the $600 I was originally told by the service guy who said they couldn't do the code, but $775. When I asked what the difference was, I was told that for E93, it's a USB adapter interface; my CA looked it up and read something about a MOST BUS. I'm hoping that this will be faster, possibly just like 6FL. If the dealer can do it, I may see if they can do it this Thurs instead of next (when I can get a loaner).

What I don't get is why they don't send out letters or something to people without 6FL. It shows how little they care about you after the sale. My CA knew I was miffed about not being allowed to delay my build to get 6FL; wouldn't it have been great if she had seen this was available, thought of me and notified me. It's just chance that I found about it before reading it here.

So there it is, $775 retail. Double 6FL.

I'll post pix and a review as soon as I get it. Can't wait.

Can't wait to see your pics! Called my dealer yesterday. They had no idea what I was talking about. I even gave them the part number. Still no clue.

[shragon]

nice! however, i believe us-spec cars without logic-7 and i-drive are "bmw professional"?

[drkeng]

Tomorrow it is; I moved it up a week for everyone.

I have Logic7, the US standard audio system and iDrive. They said it's USB; hopefully that means an improvement over the old dealer kit, given the higher price. Hopefully I'll get some quick pix and a quick review of it's functionality and sound, probably start a new thread, tomorrow. I have to work this weekend, but I'm off again next Wed and Thurs for more news.

[etik]

Ordered ! I will get it installed by 11 October ! can't wait !
In Belgium my dealer is perfectly aware of the 6fl retrofit kit.

[marmite]

Can I ask one of you over there in the States, who are ordering or know dealer who supplies this kit to do me a huge favor ??

Could you ask them if there it is possible for this kit or alternative to be retro fitted to a car with Professional Radio/CD (non iDrive) ??

I've asked my dealer (in the UK) but they know squat, but they've been mis-intormed / lacking in knowledge before..

Thanks for helping me out!

[drkeng]

Tomorrow/Today it was. Dropped it off at 7:30 and told them I needed it back by 4. Called at 4, was told it wouldn't be ready until tomorrow as the tech working on it left for the day, uncoded. No, wait, someone else took over and it will be ready within the hour. Fifteen minutes later, they call and it's ready; just gotta get it "cleaned up." Makes me think of a wash. I get there 30 minutes later and the cashier asks me if I want it washed. I just want it and it was sitting just outside the service entrance; I just ask for the key. She says someone will bring it around front. So I go out front. Three minutes later, no car, so I walk back around and my car's in the same place. Just the key please I ask, but then I'm informed the car isn't done; it's still taken apart re-the glovebox. So I have to get a loaner 328 for the night.

They have a sign about giving them "5" for things like having the work done when prominsed, getting it right the first time, overall satisfaction. Hmmmm...Wonder what I should give them for this.

BTW, it was under $600, so I wonder what I got.

[jmonier]

Price sounds just like the existing dealer installed iPod adapter which plugs directly into the iPod and does NOT include USB. I hope for your sake that I'm wrong but the original post said that the USB kit only worked with the lesser radios that are not available on US spec cars.

[drkeng]

My thoughts exactly. Especially since the pdf above says installation doesn't require coding.

It does sound like the adapter connects to the car audio system through a MOST type connection, which may be different than older cars. What that means for speed and any limits on songs/playlists/..., I will soon find out. One guy also said that Nano's don't always work so well, because they use flash memore, but my son has an old iPod that I could probably switch to if needed. Same guy said I'd have to buy some additional cable, but when I went to get my work parking card, I saw the cord and it has a typical iPod connection; you can imagine my confidence in his knowledge of his products. Unfortunately, I'm on call this weekend, which means about 25 hours of work Sat and Sun, so I won't have a lot of free time til Tues night; then I have Wed and Thurs off.

If there's a USB connection coming, I'm gonna have to say that's what I was expecting (it is what I was told) and they should replace it.

Oh, again, my current mood: :mad::mad:

[canucklion]

drkeng, keep us posted, can't wait to see the end results!

[sapperelite]

I have to ask, are you talking about a kit to retrofit the IDrive so that an IPOD will connect via the IDrive? I think so but I can't be sure. I was too foolish to pay the money when I ordered the car and now I am kicking myself for not doing it. Thanks,

[marmite]

Originally Posted by marmite

Could you ask them if there it is possible for this kit or alternative to be retro fitted to a car with Professional Radio/CD (non iDrive) ??

Anyone, heard know answer to this?