Cheaper alternative to BMW iPod interface for AUX-equipped cars

[Traveler]

Found something interesting at machines KLCC two days ago.http://us.kensington.com/html/14492.htmlFor RM299, you can use this to plug in your iPod via the AUX interface, keep your iPod charged, and have a steering wheel remote to control playback (play/pause, next track, prev track, shuffle on/off). Drawbacks: no track info on player, must manually select playlist on iPod). Benefits: better quality than FM transmitters, closest thing to the full iPod interface I've seen so far, can still retain use of CD changer.I bought it right away and have been using it for the past 2 days. So far, am quite happy with it as I save >RM1k vs the iPod interface, and I can still retain use of my CD changer. There is also another model for RM329 or so, which is basically the same but has dash mounted holder for the iPod.

 

[saat]

But if you have an LCI, you can buy an iPod interface cable which connects to the USB port and the headphone jack and you've got full control on the steering and display on the dash. The cable cost RM450 from BMW. Sure beats spending RM2.9K to fit and iPod interface.

I didnt need to buy the cable you suggested before I fitted the iPod interface.

I simply bought a RM15 mini headphone jack to mini phone jack cable.
Connected the iPod for charging using the normal iPod USB cable and use the headphone cable to connect to the AUX jack next to the USB port.

Wallah for RM15, I got the same as your.

Sorry to bust your bubble.

P.S. I lied, I got fedup of the cheap mini headphone cable and I bought myself a better cable from Belkin for RM45 in Singapore.

 

[Traveler]

if you have an LCI

That's the difference right there. I don't have an LCI, and not all pre-LCI cars have a USB interface to use the USB-iPod cable. I checked with Sapura and they confirmed they could not do a USB interface retrofit to my early '07 325i Sports, while later '07 models apparently come with the USB interface.

For AUX cars, USB is a no go. So it's either the iPod interface (say bye bye to your CD changer), or use a AUX-mini headphone jack (manual control from iPod itself, no charging unless you use a cigarrette lighter socket to iPod charger), or use a FM transmitter (also manual control from iPod, no charging without a cigarette lighter socket to iPod charger). Of these. everything is manual control from the iPod itself, except for the iPod interface.

I prefer the Kensington which has a remote (battery powered) which is mounted on the steering wheel - more refined look, and I don't have to take my eyes off the road.

Don't worry, you didn't bust my bubble, you were busting a different bubble hehe.

 

[saat]

FYI.

I have both an LCI which I'm using the RM450 Cable

and

a pre-LCI with USB/AUX which I initially used the RM15 cable. I have since installed an iPod interface. I dont understand when you say "For AUX cars, USB is a no go".

FM Transmitters are not worth the trouble. The sound quality is bad.

I have a friend with an 07 325i Sports with iDrive but no AUX.

 

[Traveler]

a pre-LCI with USB/AUX which I initially used the RM15 cable. I have since installed an iPod interface. I dont understand when you say "For AUX cars, USB is a no go".

FM Transmitters are not worth the trouble. The sound quality is bad.

I have a friend with an 07 325i Sports with iDrive but no AUX.

By "For AUX cars", I meant cars with AUX-in but no USB (like my 07 325i Sports with iDrive, AUX-in, but no USB). I enquired with Sapura to do a USB retrofit, so I could have a USB port as well, but after checking they said it wasn't possible. Something to do with the head unit not having USB capability.

Since I don't have the USB option, I had to go for an AUX approach, so I retain use of my CD changer, and get better quality than the FM transmitter approach. All the ones I had seen before, required manual control of the iPod (by this I meant you had to use the iPod's control wheel itself. The Kensington allows me to control the music via a remote mounted on the steering wheel. Not as good as the BMW iPod interface, but about RM1.3k cheaper.

 

[bmw7833]

This is a great news for me!!!!!!!

Edited: So sad, can not use in my car..

 

[Traveler]

This is a great news for me!!!!!!!

Edited: So sad, can not use in my car..

How come cannot use in your car? You don't have an AUX input?

 

[bmw7833]

How come cannot use in your car? You don't have an AUX input?

e39 dont have AUX input, right?

 

[haywire]

might be an old thread, but to BMW 7833:

I have just retrofitted an aux input to my 2003 E39..works fine. just plug and play..required a bit of drilling to where you want the end, where you cucuk the 3.5mm connector..

 

[bmw7833]

might be an old thread, but to BMW 7833:

I have just retrofitted an aux input to my 2003 E39..works fine. just plug and play..required a bit of drilling to where you want the end, where you cucuk the 3.5mm connector..

Bro, PMed u.

 

[macdaque]

But if you have an LCI, you can buy an iPod interface cable which connects to the USB port and the headphone jack and you've got full control on the steering and display on the dash. The cable cost RM450 from BMW. Sure beats spending RM2.9K to fit and iPod interface.

You mean with the USB port, you still need a specialised USB interface from BMW? My friend's Honda Accord with USB port, just plug in iPOD using the charging / USB cable, and hey presto, the iPOD is detected with "iPOD" showing on the LCD, and can select songs using steering control and show titles. If Honda can do that, why can't BMW?

 

[Traveler]

You mean with the USB port, you still need a specialised USB interface from BMW? My friend's Honda Accord with USB port, just plug in iPOD using the charging / USB cable, and hey presto, the iPOD is detected with "iPOD" showing on the LCD, and can select songs using steering control and show titles. If Honda can do that, why can't BMW?

I suspect the BMW cable is just a iPod connector to USB&headphone jack cable. Probably can get it much cheaper elsewhere. The higher price is for the official seal of approval

 

[saat]

I suspect the BMW cable is just a iPod connector to USB&headphone jack cable. Probably can get it much cheaper elsewhere. The higher price is for the official seal of approval

I would not like to put it as "just a iPod connector to USB&headphone jack cable".

I have tested several commercially available cables including the normal iPod-USB cable and none of them work. The first issue is getting a cable that has both aux output and data interface. There are data interface cables but there are none with aux out via the iPod plug. There are aux output cable but all of them use the headphone output and they do not have the data interface at the same time. All data interface cables including the iPod-USB cable CANNOT be used to control the play.

I am unable to get the pinout to fashion my own cable by modifying some commercially available cable. I didn't want to bother and got my Misus a BMW cable.

If you find a cheaper alternative to the BMW cable that is commercially available, I think members here will be very grateful.

 

[nizan1979]

Wah this is good. I am getting one tomorrow.