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BMW adaptor questions

Please choose the appropriate forum for this topic. Thank you. I have recently fitted a BMW adaptor and find to my dismay that the head unit in the car overrides the controls on the iPod. Is there any way to change this, so music & playlist selection etc can be done from the iPod? Any advice or suggestions appreciated.
[320 byte] By [petermorley] at [2007-11-10 14:36:04]
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# 1 Re: BMW adaptor questions
I assume that you are talking about the genuine BMW iPod adapter kit. If not please specify exactly what you have.
As far as I know there is no way to do what you want. The whole point of the BMW kit is that the iPod is in the glovebox out of reach and control is done via the head unit or steering wheel controls.
In the BMW kit you only have 6 playlists anyway (BMW 1 ->6) as the kit just emulates the CD stacker so playlist selection is rather limited even if you could use the iPod.
K1W1 at 2007-11-15 15:53:11 >
# 2 Re: BMW adaptor questions
Yes, the adaptor is a genuine BMW part, fitted by a BMW dealer.
I understand their logic of emulating the CD changer, but if I had known that before I installed the kit I would not have done so ...
Can you recomend any other kit / adaptor that will do what I want? Is there any way I can modify or change some of the components to make the kit do what I want? In other words salvage at least part of my investment?
petermorley at 2007-11-15 15:54:11 >
# 3 Re: BMW adaptor questions
My rep was telling me that www.mp3yourcar.com has a BMW adapter out now. You might want to check them out and see if they have anything to offer you.
GavinD at 2007-11-15 15:55:20 >
# 4 Re: BMW adaptor questions
I guess it's a case of buyer beware. BMW actually have quite a bit of information on their "iPod your BMW" site so it's not like the way the kit works is a secret or anything.
Unfortunately, as I understand it once the kit is fitted you can no longer use the CD changer (ever) as some of the pins on the back of the HU are removed. This possibilly means that other vehicle iPOd kits may not work as well.
My suggestion is to go back to your dealer and see if you can arrange to swap your complete HU / iPod kit with somebody who wants one and put their original HU back into your vehicle. At least you will then be able to start from scratch again.
K1W1 at 2007-11-15 15:56:14 >
# 5 Re: BMW adaptor questions
Did you not discuss the functionality with your service advisor before the installation? I just had the kit installed in my wife's X3 and our service advisor was very upfront about the kit's limitations.

As others have mentioned, some simple homework (5 min google search) would have revealed the limitations as even the BMW website is pretty explicit about them. You should have gone with the auxillary input that BMW also offers which will allow full IPOD functionality at the expense of control through the car's headunit.
lifeinabox at 2007-11-15 15:57:13 >
# 6 Re: BMW adaptor questions
I have the official BMW/Ipod hookup. Yes, the 5 playlist thing is a beating. But something happened last week. Normally you hit the mode button to go from radio to ipod. But this time, my ipod would not play. I took it out of the glovebox, and the display had the charging icon. When I hit play on the ipod, music started. Normally, the display would have read "BMW OK to disconnect". I don't know if Tiger did something (or itunes 4.8) or if some kind of a glitch is at work here. The display on the BMW used to be- 123456. Now is _____6. I choose 6 then I have to control via ipod. Now I can get to any song I wish, but before I was a safer driver.
Digital_Tim at 2007-11-15 15:58:23 >
# 7 Re: BMW adaptor questions
6 was always the playlist that played every track on the iPod. It sounds like you have a loose wire or something.
K1W1 at 2007-11-15 15:59:15 >
# 8 Re: BMW adaptor questions
I have just got the BMW ipod adapter fitted.
Sounds okay (apart from some of the quieter tracks).

However, I have noticed that the ipod only seems to pause when I change the Mode to radio. When I turn off the stereo (while the mode is ipod) the ipod stills continues to play.

The same thing happens when I turn off the engine when the ipod is playing.

I have noticed that the ipod screen does show the ipod pausing for a split second, but then switches back and continues playing (when I turn the radio off or turn the engine off).

The only way to pause it seems to be to switch to radio before I turn the radio or engine off or disconnect the ipod completely.

My Question is...is this right or should I take it back to get the connections checked.

Thanks
Peterdelve at 2007-11-15 16:00:18 >
# 9 Re: BMW adaptor questions
Peter,
"The only way to pause it seems to be to switch to radio before I turn the radio or engine off or disconnect the ipod completely."

That is not the way it works. Get it checked out. However, The ipod does not charge when the the car is off. I leave mine in the car almost all the time. This resulted in charging the battery 30 min twice a day. Not good for rechargables.
Digital_Tim at 2007-11-15 16:01:26 >
# 10 Re: BMW adaptor questions
Mine pauses instantly when I switch to radio mode. So does yours pause the instant you turn of the stereo or ignition then?

Mine does appear to turn off but only 20-25mins after I have turned off the ignition or stereo.

Thanks
Pete
Peterdelve at 2007-11-15 16:02:27 >
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