BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-12-2011, 11:07 AM   #1
robwoods
Private
United Kingdom
11
Rep
78
Posts

Drives: BMW 220d Gran Tourer Auto
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Nottingham, UK

iTrader: (0)

iPhone Connectivity?

Apologies if this has come up before, but can I use my normal Apple iPod cable to connect iPhone 3Gs to the USB port in the armrest, or do I need BMW's special cable?

It says I can use the Apple cable in the brochure but it doesn't seem to work. It just says 'Not connected' on the screen.

2nd Gen X3 with Bluetooth and USB Audio delivered 2 days ago.

Any thoughts?
Appreciate 0
      05-12-2011, 01:05 PM   #2
gareth12468
First Lieutenant
Canada
7
Rep
325
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 xDrive 28i
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW X3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by robwoods View Post
Apologies if this has come up before, but can I use my normal Apple iPod cable to connect iPhone 3Gs to the USB port in the armrest, or do I need BMW's special cable?

It says I can use the Apple cable in the brochure but it doesn't seem to work. It just says 'Not connected' on the screen.

2nd Gen X3 with Bluetooth and USB Audio delivered 2 days ago.

Any thoughts?
I don't have navigation and I need to use the Y cable provided by BMW to connect my wife's iPhone 3Gs.....
Appreciate 0
      05-12-2011, 02:02 PM   #3
sfax
Brigadier General
sfax's Avatar
United Kingdom
91
Rep
3,855
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by robwoods View Post
Apologies if this has come up before, but can I use my normal Apple iPod cable to connect iPhone 3Gs to the USB port in the armrest, or do I need BMW's special cable?

It says I can use the Apple cable in the brochure but it doesn't seem to work. It just says 'Not connected' on the screen.

2nd Gen X3 with Bluetooth and USB Audio delivered 2 days ago.

Any thoughts?
I think on depends on whether you have nav. With pro nav, definitely yes, all you need is the white Apple USB cable (I used to have a 3G and that worked). Without nav, I'm not sure, you may need a Y-cable that connects to USB and aux sockets in the arm rest. Hopefully someone without nav can put me straight if I'm wrong
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      05-12-2011, 03:58 PM   #4
Alanintx
ATAP
Alanintx's Avatar
United_States
4
Rep
165
Posts

Drives: 2017 Midnight Blue 430xi GC
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DFW

iTrader: (0)

There is a thread on this somewhere in this forum that goes into this issue in great detail.
Appreciate 0
      05-12-2011, 04:07 PM   #5
sfax
Brigadier General
sfax's Avatar
United Kingdom
91
Rep
3,855
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alanintx View Post
There is a thread on this somewhere in this forum that goes into this issue in great detail.
Yup, here

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=507610

but it's for US specs and refers to the technology pack so I wasn't sure on UK equivalent
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      05-12-2011, 04:21 PM   #6
doukeyi
Enlisted Member
doukeyi's Avatar
United_States
1
Rep
48
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Jose, CA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post
Yup, here

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=507610

but it's for US specs and refers to the technology pack so I wasn't sure on UK equivalent

Great thread. Is there any way I could bookmark this thread in this forum? I would like to keep it handy when I need to take a look
__________________
I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant
Appreciate 0
      05-12-2011, 04:26 PM   #7
sfax
Brigadier General
sfax's Avatar
United Kingdom
91
Rep
3,855
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by doukeyi View Post
Great thread. Is there any way I could bookmark this thread in this forum? I would like to keep it handy when I need to take a look
No, but you can just add it as a normal bookmark/favourite in your browser because all thread pages have a unique URL. Create an XBimmers folder and you're away

I found it by searching for "USB white" but I knew it was there
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      05-12-2011, 04:51 PM   #8
bluesmachine
Private First Class
No_Country
38
Rep
169
Posts

Drives: 2023 X5 45e blue/cognac
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: N'England

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW X3 35i  [0.00]
1998 BMW 328ic  [0.00]
I have an X3 35 with nav in the US and a 3Gs and the white cable produces the same error message that my ipod can't be read. not the biggest deal with bluetooth but still curious why it wont work.

my 6NR cradle comes in in a few days so i'll see how that is.
Appreciate 0
      05-12-2011, 04:56 PM   #9
sfax
Brigadier General
sfax's Avatar
United Kingdom
91
Rep
3,855
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bluesmachine View Post
I have an X3 35 with nav in the US and a 3Gs and the white cable produces the same error message that my ipod can't be read. not the biggest deal with bluetooth but still curious why it wont work.

my 6NR cradle comes in in a few days so i'll see how that is.
Do you have the tech package? If yes, have you tried a USB flash drive (should also let you play music)? Could be a fault.
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      05-13-2011, 10:10 AM   #10
robwoods
Private
United Kingdom
11
Rep
78
Posts

Drives: BMW 220d Gran Tourer Auto
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Nottingham, UK

iTrader: (0)

I only have the cheapest UK Bluetooth option, but it comes with USB Audio connectivity which is advertised as giving the full iPhone integration (albeit with the small non-nav screen). Supposed to get track names, artwork etc etc.

The 'Y' cable is just accessing the music via a 3.5mm audio plug, which is fine except it gives none of the on screen track info etc.

The UK X3 brochure says "When you use the optional USB audio interface together with an original Apple iPod USB cable you can have the original album cover for each track blah blah........ USB Audio interface is standard with all Bluetooth options."

So I beleive it should work, but just doesn't. The dealership are going to try it with the 'special' BMW USB cable, but I fail to see why I should have to buy that when the brochure is so explicit.

Anyone else in UK have the entry level bluetooth, non-nav and made this work?
Appreciate 0
      05-13-2011, 10:25 AM   #11
sfax
Brigadier General
sfax's Avatar
United Kingdom
91
Rep
3,855
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

The Y cable is USB and aux. See link I posted above. It has a picture of one

The brochure re. USB is wrong. It's actually talking about 6NF Telephone USB Audio Interface which isn't standard, it's a cost option, and it's related to snap-in adapters being able to play music on mobile phones
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      05-13-2011, 12:51 PM   #12
tank531
Deckhand
tank531's Avatar
United Kingdom
5
Rep
389
Posts

Drives: F25 2.0D SE xDrive (Sep 11)
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Coventry - UK

iTrader: (0)

sfax - if ever you are out of work you have a 2nd career lined up already. Perhaps a once and for all 'BMW technology white paper' in .pdf posted here, for free download, with images should sort it once and for all? Could I propose you change your status from L Col. to CTO?
Appreciate 0
      05-13-2011, 04:35 PM   #13
sfax
Brigadier General
sfax's Avatar
United Kingdom
91
Rep
3,855
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tank531 View Post
sfax - if ever you are out of work you have a 2nd career lined up already. Perhaps a once and for all 'BMW technology white paper' in .pdf posted here, for free download, with images should sort it once and for all? Could I propose you change your status from L Col. to CTO?
Haha, it's born of frustration that BMW are so bad at explaining their tech options all the way through the organisation from HQ in Germany to each country's useless customer service departments to dealerships who seem to just make things up rather than be honest and say they don't know. <Deep breath>
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      05-14-2011, 10:16 AM   #14
pwdrskr
Private First Class
pwdrskr's Avatar
United_States
11
Rep
160
Posts

Drives: 2013 Audi allroad
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (1)

I have a Y-cable I'm not using. $20 US + shipping if you want it.
Appreciate 0
      05-16-2011, 02:51 AM   #15
robwoods
Private
United Kingdom
11
Rep
78
Posts

Drives: BMW 220d Gran Tourer Auto
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Nottingham, UK

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the offer pdwrskr, but I'm going into the dealership today in Nottingham for them to explain it to me. I'll be taking my brochure as evidence!

Completely agree with sfax, they have absolutely no idea what the tech in their car does (apart from the original design team I hope!). The sales people are still stuck with engines and trim choices as the main options, whereas these days iPhone connectivity and quality of loudspeakers is nearly just as important to most.
Appreciate 0
      05-16-2011, 12:14 PM   #16
Redbhuna
Private
United Kingdom
6
Rep
61
Posts

Drives: F25 X3 Auto Mineral Silver
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I've got basic bluetooth and no Nav. Can't use the white iPhone/iPod cable so I tried the Y cable my wife has for her mini (3rd party one from Singapore via eBay, works a treat for £10 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=290456988853)

It lets me pick my iPhone in the CD/Multimedia list and I can choose albums/artists/playlists etc. via iDrive and the screen display the track info but no Album art. Sorry for the quality of the pick but the short cable meant I couldn't get a good shot with the phone (iPhone 4).
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      05-17-2011, 03:07 AM   #17
robwoods
Private
United Kingdom
11
Rep
78
Posts

Drives: BMW 220d Gran Tourer Auto
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Nottingham, UK

iTrader: (0)

Thanks Red. The dealership have lent me a Y Cable which works a treat with my non-nav basic-bluetooth X3. I tried a SendStation Pocketdock which I already own, which is a little block that plugs into the iPhone's dock connector and provides mini-USB and 3.5mm audio, but this didn't work. So I'm not sure what is special about these Y connectors but you seem to need one.

I need to mount my iPhone on the dashboard so I can use TomTom so the next challenge is to get extender cables and see if it still works then.
Appreciate 0
      05-17-2011, 05:11 AM   #18
sfax
Brigadier General
sfax's Avatar
United Kingdom
91
Rep
3,855
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by robwoods View Post
I tried a SendStation Pocketdock which I already own, which is a little block that plugs into the iPhone's dock connector and provides mini-USB and 3.5mm audio, but this didn't work. So I'm not sure what is special about these Y connectors but you seem to need one.
The Y connector does the decoding of the mp3 data to audio (and outputs to the AUX socket) as well as charging the iPod/iPhone, and it also manages the interface so that you can control track selection and see track information displayed on iDrive. Unless you use something else that does all of this, it won't work.

Cars with nav have the decoding and interface built into the iDrive and so don't need the Y cable to do these things, just a USB connection
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      05-17-2011, 05:21 AM   #19
robwoods
Private
United Kingdom
11
Rep
78
Posts

Drives: BMW 220d Gran Tourer Auto
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Nottingham, UK

iTrader: (0)

Thanks sfax, indeed I received this from Sytner in Nottingham today

'With option 6NH, Bluetooth hands-free facility with USB audio interface the customer will not have ComBox and will need to use the Y-cable. As you know with the Y-cable it is not possible to view album art display or contact cards.'

Combox is the thing that decodes within iDrive, that I do not have. I wish they would say some of this in the brochure so that we can make more informed buying decisions!
Appreciate 0
      05-17-2011, 06:18 AM   #20
sfax
Brigadier General
sfax's Avatar
United Kingdom
91
Rep
3,855
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by robwoods View Post
I wish they would say some of this in the brochure so that we can make more informed buying decisions!
Completely agree. The information in the brochure is confusing in places and too vague in others. It also contains quite a few mistakes for good measure. Fortunately, forums like this one can usually give more info but I'm sure lots of people never visit a forum and are left very frustrated by the lack of information.
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:09 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST