Comments on: BMW 3-series and iPhone Compatibility User Report

By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:07:12 +0000

Luis, how did you get Pandora to play? On my iPhone, the radio keeps using the Ipod function and when I start Pandora, it takes over for a second then stops playing returning control to the Ipod app…

By: Luis

Luis — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:42:40 +0000

beside bluetooth call & receive, contact list I could play Pandora with the IPOD adapter. It said that i wont charge the phone but my dead battery phone sprang to life after couple minutes connected

By: ashwinder

ashwinder — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:21:47 +0000

i downloaed music on my iphone with lime wire and i tunes but it does not play in my 328i 2008 can you help me what might be the problem

By: rob hall

rob hall — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:12:48 +0000

Hi, I have just purchased a BMW 3 series with usb interface for use with my ipod (No idrive). I have used the standard ipod usb cable without the bmw AUX connector and the ipod work ok (ish) My only problem is I am unable to scroll through the artists quickly (reaching the B’s and C’s takes 10 minutes) – does anyone know if using the proper BMW usb cable with Aux connector will fix this? Dont wanna pay for one if the results are the same!

Also I understand you are able to create ‘lists’ for playback – does any one know how to do this? (Not playlists on the ipod -a list in the BMW?)

By: JSP

JSP — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:26:45 +0000

bsd107, thanks for the reply,

i have tried the following to no avail;
- uninstalled i-tunes & reinstalled an older version (7.6)
- restored factory settings via itunes
- deleted all playlists
- reset the i-pod by holding the menu & select keys
- called apple support; while friendly they were clueless & didnt offer support on this issue.

Kinda sucks, seems to be a black hole in the support world, since bmw & apple wont support it. like someone said, i guess i have a $400 car charger!

If anyone else has any suggestions please let me know.

Im going to take my i-pod to an Apple store to see if they can do anything on site. Will post something if i get results but doubtful.

By: bsd107

bsd107 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:25:23 +0000

@JSP: No idea, but have you tried force-rebooting the Nano? If that doesn't work try doing a factory restore of the Nano?

By: JSP

JSP — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:55:38 +0000

I have a 328i with the I-Pod adapter. The I-pod (nano 4gig 3rd generation) worked for a few months, then I went away for a week and now when I plug it in it is stuck on “loading data from audio device”. Its reading the I-pod, because I can see the I-pod name at the bottom left of the screen. I took it to the dealer and they were able to connect other I-pods to the car. Anyone know how to fix this? (saw a few similar posts but no response on how to fix it.)

By: Bavar

Bavar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:29:59 +0000

For anyone looking for the dual-use functionality mentioned above, bsd107 seems to have found some good info.

There are some great posts at http://www.bmwblog.com/2008/07/11/iphone-3g-and-bmw/#comment-53656 describing a new option that will allow use of the iPhone as both a phone in cradle, and access to the music on it. Cheers!

By: bsd107

bsd107 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:59:19 +0000

Laith, thanks for the update. If I can find out where to send such a request in the US, I will do so. I hope that BMW Germany will come back to you with some indication that they will work on it….

By: Laith

Laith — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:55:25 +0000

Sorry for the late reply – didn’t get an email like last time reminding me of your input.

I just sent an email describing the problem to BMW Sweden and they told me they’d forward the question to Germany. Hopefully we’ll get a solution for this…

By: bsd107

bsd107 — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:21:09 +0000

Laith,

I’m surprised that BMW makes you choose between having the Snap-in cradle for iPhone, OR using the iPhone as an iPod. This is extremely disappointing. I would certainly want to use the Snap-in adapter, but want full phone & iPod functionality at the same time.

I couldn’t find any way to contact BMW about this issue. I have to think that it’s possible for BMW to make a new cable that performs all the connections neccessary using the iPhone snap-in adapter.

Do you know an email address where we can inquire? (I expect that most dealers would be useless in solving an issue like this….)

By: Laith

Laith — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:06:26 +0000

Thanks for the reply – that’s my point exactly. If you use the Y Cable (which is a usb and a 3,5mm cable) you have full functionality since usb is charging and transferring songs while bluetooth uses the phone. But the snap in adapter is made to keep the Iphone neetly in place and also connect it to the car antenna. Therefore using the snap in adapter would be preferred and you avoid the cables etc.

My guess at this point is that the dealership needs to split my usb port underneeth the armrest to point at the “old” usb port and also to mapp against the snap in adapter interface. Only then will the Iphone get (through the cable) Ipod, Antenna and Power and through bluetooth the phone functionality like any other phone

By: bsd107

bsd107 — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:38:25 +0000

I found this info on the BMW Wireless site :
http://www.wireless4bmw.com/info/CingularATT_Apple_iPhone_03.21.08.pdf

They mention a “Y-cable for connecting iPod/iPhone to the USB connector”.

Is this the standard cable that comes with the car’s factory iPod/USB option? Or is it a new cable that allows use of the Snap In adapter? No part number is given….

By: Laith

Laith — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:08:32 +0000

Regarding the question of the BMW Iphone snap in adapter. Just bought a couple of minutes ago, tried to plug it in with my friends Iphone. The phone started charging but there’s no life signs from the Ipod towards the Idrive – can’t see and it doesnt show/say anything when connected.

When you enter the Ipod interface on the Iphone, you can navigate as usual and when playing music it is played back through the Iphone internal speaker.

We suspect that the USB interface is missing from the Snap In adapter to the IDrive system. What do you think?

By: bsd107

bsd107 — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:42:10 +0000

Has anyone installed the “Apple iPhone Snap in Adapter” available from BMW dealers? (PN: 84 10 9 182 792) It looks like an awesome dock for the phone in the center armrest. Described as “The system provides a safe and secure place to dock your Apple iPhone while driving and will charge your phone battery when the vehicle is running. Adapter also provides a connection to the roof mounted telephone antenna on your car for improved cellular reception. ”

Great features, but my question is, if you use this Snap in Adapter, does it also perform the iPod integration (assuming that the car also has that option factory installed)?

As “Snap in” adapters are available for several different phones, I’m worried that it will not allow connection to the iPod/USB adapter at the same time (which would be needed for the iPod integration to the iDrive and audio system)….

Anyone tried this? (You can find this accessory at http://accessories.bmwusa.com.) This is available for the 335i Sedan, for example….

By: mary

mary — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 02:13:27 +0000

the message says “ERROR”

By: damdai

damdai — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:09:14 +0000

Mary, Mary, quite contrary… perhaps it would help if you could maybe, possibly include the error message, maybe?

By: mary

mary — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:53:44 +0000

I just bought a 2007 328 xi with the armrest iPod connectivity and everytime i plug in my ipod , an error message comes up. I havent been able to figure out what im doing wrong … any ideas?

By: Irv Robinson

Irv Robinson — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 07:21:17 +0000

Mike, I have never heard of this issue before. Sorry.

Can you try another ipod to see if you can reproduce the error?

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:22:24 +0000

Last Friday, I just purchased a new X5 with the armrest iPod connectivity. On Friday night, I connected my iPod and everything worked great. On Saturday morning, I kept getting “Loading Data From Audio Device …” and nothing happens. Took it in, and they said it was a problem if you have less than 26 songs on your iPod. So, I loaded up 70 and I am still having the same issue. Help !!