Hi guys,I am currently looking to connect my iPad 2 to my BMW e90,I have seen that when connecting an iPhone one needs the iPhone connector to the iPhone and a USB n aux split cable,do I also need it for my iPad?and also where do I get the USB/aux connector,the one located in the armrest console,as mine only got an aux connector,tx
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Aux/USB connector
- Thread starter parshi
- Start date
msm
Well-known member
parshi said:
If you don't have a USB connector (i.e. Aux only), there is no way to connect and iPhone/iPad without purchasing a proper BMW USB retrofit kit, which needs to be fitted by someone who can also code the radio/computer.
There are aftermarket options too, but I'm not sure what's available locally.
I'd be keen on more responses to this thread though, as I would also like to know what's available locally and at what price.
Hey,
Depends on what you want your i-pad to do in your car?
For music only, the AUX connector alone should be sufficient, yet basic.
That being said, after an hour of use on long trips you would want to have the ability to re-charge while on the go, which would make the USB port installtion a requirement instead of optional, as the cables running from the 12V siggy lighter in your ashtray don't work around the console and gear lever...
Then when you realize how many pedestrians you're about to kill cos you're constantly feeling up and looking at your iPAD instead of the road, you'll want steering controls and integrated display... Nevermind skipping, finding, fwd and rev on tracks....
Then you can debate adding Bleutooth too...and while we're at it, sommer add wifi so you can connect to hotspots while you sit an wait for your KFC drive through order to be done...
Eventually you'll realise that none of the parts for the current model of car you have would support this and you'll start looking at the aftermarket options on e-bay...
You'll read reviews online and find that none of them really suit your needs...
Then you'll start looking at what the new cars do... You'll look at whats in the new BMW 5 series...
You'll speak to your bank manager.
You'll cry...in the shower to soft music.
...and at the end of this you'll be writing CD's with MP3 tracks in your boxers (cause you can make it work). (note CD's, not DVD's as they're not supported)
...then you'll re-write them all with a proper directory structure and better filenames cos "David_Guetta_Remix_1_2008_Ibiza playone.www.mpthreefiles.net.mp3" does'nt scroll nicely on your display....
...but wait, there's more...
You'll then re-build a file structure grouped on 0-99, A-F, G-M, N-S,T-Z because the menu scroll on the head unit won't allow recursive scrolling from Z to A meaning you have to scroll 5 minutes to get to your track you want...
At which point you tune to the local radio stations and make peace with what you have and enjoy the sound of your old 6 cylinder engine and tell yourself that the new four-pot turbo crap is for tree hugging hippies anyways...
Next?
Depends on what you want your i-pad to do in your car?
For music only, the AUX connector alone should be sufficient, yet basic.
That being said, after an hour of use on long trips you would want to have the ability to re-charge while on the go, which would make the USB port installtion a requirement instead of optional, as the cables running from the 12V siggy lighter in your ashtray don't work around the console and gear lever...
Then when you realize how many pedestrians you're about to kill cos you're constantly feeling up and looking at your iPAD instead of the road, you'll want steering controls and integrated display... Nevermind skipping, finding, fwd and rev on tracks....
Then you can debate adding Bleutooth too...and while we're at it, sommer add wifi so you can connect to hotspots while you sit an wait for your KFC drive through order to be done...
Eventually you'll realise that none of the parts for the current model of car you have would support this and you'll start looking at the aftermarket options on e-bay...
You'll read reviews online and find that none of them really suit your needs...
Then you'll start looking at what the new cars do... You'll look at whats in the new BMW 5 series...
You'll speak to your bank manager.
You'll cry...in the shower to soft music.
...and at the end of this you'll be writing CD's with MP3 tracks in your boxers (cause you can make it work). (note CD's, not DVD's as they're not supported)
...then you'll re-write them all with a proper directory structure and better filenames cos "David_Guetta_Remix_1_2008_Ibiza playone.www.mpthreefiles.net.mp3" does'nt scroll nicely on your display....
...but wait, there's more...
You'll then re-build a file structure grouped on 0-99, A-F, G-M, N-S,T-Z because the menu scroll on the head unit won't allow recursive scrolling from Z to A meaning you have to scroll 5 minutes to get to your track you want...
At which point you tune to the local radio stations and make peace with what you have and enjoy the sound of your old 6 cylinder engine and tell yourself that the new four-pot turbo crap is for tree hugging hippies anyways...
Next?
P
petrivanzyl
Guest
Or get a F30 and spend the whole weekend loading album art and making playlists.
P
petrivanzyl
Guest
msm said:
Go home as there is nothing to do at work anyway...
maxxis
New member
You’re better off with an Android retrofit in the car that supports CarPlay.
Unless you have the USB port in the armrest there isn’t much else to do. Bluetooth streaming?
Ps. The usb in the glove box (if you have one) isn’t for charging. Only mp3 copying and software updates.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Unless you have the USB port in the armrest there isn’t much else to do. Bluetooth streaming?
Ps. The usb in the glove box (if you have one) isn’t for charging. Only mp3 copying and software updates.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
billionairebum
///Member
Are the Android retrofit units are decent?
supertramp
Active member
Yup the only way you can have all the functionality of the telephone, blueteeth, iPod etc and be able to play this through a USB is by getting a OEM retrofit or the way of FISCON unit which costs a fortune see link:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLUETOOTH-...511967?hash=item3ab4170a1f:g:O9oAAOSw~gRVqBLU
I just use the AUX facility and connect my iPod through this and charge it through the cigg lighter in the middle console, the only sh*t is you cannot change songs, artists and see them on the middle screen or use the knurl wheel/iDrive to select etc...… so I make major playlists on my Pod but still have to "manually" change past a song using the iPod itself so yup a hassle of note but if you want that functionality it's going to cost you R7k and more!!
WHY BMW left this out on some of their vehicles just beats the crap out of me, I mean even the Sparky's are coming out with these functions as standard "really" ………….. :blueCry:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLUETOOTH-...511967?hash=item3ab4170a1f:g:O9oAAOSw~gRVqBLU
I just use the AUX facility and connect my iPod through this and charge it through the cigg lighter in the middle console, the only sh*t is you cannot change songs, artists and see them on the middle screen or use the knurl wheel/iDrive to select etc...… so I make major playlists on my Pod but still have to "manually" change past a song using the iPod itself so yup a hassle of note but if you want that functionality it's going to cost you R7k and more!!
WHY BMW left this out on some of their vehicles just beats the crap out of me, I mean even the Sparky's are coming out with these functions as standard "really" ………….. :blueCry:
billionairebum
///Member
supertramp said:
I am still looking into the retrofit or the Android head units so please excuse my lack of knowledge. I see there are a few Android units for around $400, how would that compare to a retrofit done locally and is there anyone doing them? I think 5k-7k is a fair price to pay to have all the functionality, but I have no clue on the retrofit costs.
