BMW + iPod = Near Miss

So everyone knows about the Apple - BMW team up to put iPod adapters in some BMW models so you can just plug your iPod in and go. This sounds great, except they left a few very rough edges. Engadget makes a list:

1. You can’t use it with a BMW with a CD Changer, Satellite radio, GPS navigation system or cassette. So, that means most/all the people who got a BMW are out. Who doesn’t get at least one of those in their BMW?

2. Playlists. You need to make separate playlists on your iPod called BMW1, BMW2, etc…AND the track titles do not show up in the BMW, it just says track1, track2, etc…Blah.

I have to agree with what they are getting at. It’s a great first step to have a built in attachment for your iPod in the car since that’s a primary listening location, but the adapter needs to work with you, for you, not against you. The iPod is great because of it’s simple and it works - if the adapter negates that simplicity, what is the point?

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So everyone knows about the Apple - BMW team up to put iPod adapters in some BMW models so you can just plug your iPod in and go. This...

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ifdez

Well, when I bought my X5 I ordered it without CD changer (too lazy to change the cartridge contents often, so same music for months). I was expecting for something like this to come. A pity not to have text on BC display but that should have been an extremely good job from BMW, and they are not that good at last...

November 03 2004 at 4:24 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

ifdez

November 03 2004 at 4:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

It is not entirely true that you cannot add the iPod interface to a BMW that has a cd-changer - all you have to do is disconnect the changer (why would you want to keep using it anyway if you have an iPod?). Although the iPod kit takes the place of the connection from cd-changer to radio you also have to remove the power connector from the changer or you get some strange effects as with it the changer is still on the car's bus. For example if you leave the power connected and remove the cd-changer's cartridge the head unit recognises that and displays a message "No Cartridge". If you have an alarm installed that will get upset too.

August 02 2004 at 7:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

haouka

Mr. Like most of my colleagues, I have a BMW 320 with the standard BMW Business Package which includes leather seat, radio+CD, steering wheel controls, other goodies but no cassette, no cd changer, no satellite, ... If it was not for the limited control offer by the BMW/iPod, i would jump on the solution

July 14 2004 at 8:05 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Brett Jolly

iPod your BMW, really what is the point. If you have US$50k.+ to go and buy an X5, then you are surely going to put in SatNav, at the very least a CD Changer. Now looking on the iPod site, it tells you that you cannot even fit it to the X5 4.6si or the new X5 4.8is, or any of the new 7 series, or just about any BMW purchased in the last five years.....unless of course you bought a 320i with no cassette, no cd changer and no satelite.....but then you probably wouldn't have steering wheel control over your stereo component now would you. So why are iPod and BMW making such a big thing about what essentially is a useless and at incompatibale linkage?

July 14 2004 at 7:26 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply