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
      03-27-2011, 05:35 PM   #1
sblove
Enlisted Member
sblove's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
37
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

iPod Connection Issue

Hi all,

I have plugged in two separate iPods into the AUX plug in the center console. I have tried two separate cables. I cannot get it to work. Where would I see the iPod songs show up in my iDrive? Has anyone else has problems with the system acknowledging your iPod? Frustrated and my dealer can't seem to help me. Scheduled it for service, though the service manager thinks I'm a bit crazy.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Not sure if it matters, but I have all the packages (technology, premium, etc.) so I don't think I'm missing a component for this to work.

Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2011, 05:38 PM   #2
TrikinCurt
Private First Class
4
Rep
108
Posts

Drives: X3 35i Mineral Silver
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Hudson,WI

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sblove View Post
Hi all,

I have plugged in two separate iPods into the AUX plug in the center console. I have tried two separate cables. I cannot get it to work. Where would I see the iPod songs show up in my iDrive? Has anyone else has problems with the system acknowledging your iPod? Frustrated and my dealer can't seem to help me. Scheduled it for service, though the service manager thinks I'm a bit crazy.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Not sure if it matters, but I have all the packages (technology, premium, etc.) so I don't think I'm missing a component for this to work.

Thanks!
What do you mean by aux plug? Just use your iPod USB cable and you are good to go.
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2011, 05:46 PM   #3
sblove
Enlisted Member
sblove's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
37
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

I plugged my iPod USB cable into the USB port (also known as AUX) in the center console. The iDrive does not recognize either iPod
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2011, 06:02 PM   #4
Powerrunner
Second Lieutenant
United_States
3
Rep
275
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 35i 2011
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Naperville

iTrader: (0)

Connecting and selecting iPod

Using the iPod USB cable, plug the iPod in and then plug the cable into the center console.

From the iDrive press Menu, then select CD/Multimedia from the Menu. Your iPod should appear, select iPod and you should be good to go. Good luck.
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2011, 08:05 PM   #5
MA78
TK-421
MA78's Avatar
United_States
18
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (0)

You need to use the Y adapter. It should have been given to you by your CA upon delivery.
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2011, 08:10 PM   #6
Powerrunner
Second Lieutenant
United_States
3
Rep
275
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 35i 2011
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Naperville

iTrader: (0)

Y adapter! I just used the iPod USB cable that came with my iPod and that worked perfectly.
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2011, 08:20 PM   #7
Batman2000
Enlisted Member
0
Rep
32
Posts

Drives: E53 X5/F25 X3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Panama

iTrader: (0)

It depends of your iDrive version... Mine (in Panama/Latin America) does not recognize the iPod with the standard cable. You may need the Y cable, as I do.
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2011, 08:22 PM   #8
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)

When I first got my new F25 (with most of the packages), I had the same problem. The Ipod worked with the Y-cable from my previous BMW, but not my Ipod cable. My BMW sales guy, who is pretty knowledgeable, insisted it should work.

I switched out Ipod cables and it worked! Even shows album artwork on the Idrive screen.

Make sure you are using a newer Ipod USB cable. I think Apple tweaked the design sometime in the past couple of years. I can tell which are my newer Ipod cables as they have a lower profile Ipod connector.
Appreciate 0
      03-27-2011, 08:27 PM   #9
MA78
TK-421
MA78's Avatar
United_States
18
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (0)

If you don't have tech/nav, you will need the Y adapter.
Appreciate 0
      03-30-2011, 09:47 AM   #10
sblove
Enlisted Member
sblove's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
37
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

So I tried my friend's iPhone 4 in my car last night. Turns out that it works beautifully. My iPod is "too ancient" for this car, which is why it won't recognize it. Perhaps a new iPod is in order...?
Appreciate 0
      03-30-2011, 09:51 AM   #11
MA78
TK-421
MA78's Avatar
United_States
18
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sblove View Post
So I tried my friend's iPhone 4 in my car last night. Turns out that it works beautifully. My iPod is "too ancient" for this car, which is why it won't recognize it. Perhaps a new iPod is in order...?
That shouldn't be...

How old is your iPod and what software version are you running?
Appreciate 0
      03-30-2011, 10:06 AM   #12
jaymk5
Bheem (Powerful and Fearful)
jaymk5's Avatar
United_States
6
Rep
212
Posts

Drives: "OnOrder" BMW X3 35i SpaceGray
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Plymouth, MN, USA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sblove View Post
I plugged my iPod USB cable into the USB port (also known as AUX) in the center console. The iDrive does not recognize either iPod
AUX is different from the USB cable, attached image shows the AUX cable, one end of which you will be connecting to your headphone port in your ipod/iphone and the other end to the AUX port in your car (I am not sure if X3 has a AUX port)
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      03-30-2011, 10:40 AM   #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)

My iPhone 3G (2 years old) works fine with the standard white USB cable, as does my 1 year old iPod Nano (5th gen I think). How old is your iPod - which gen?

It's not AUX you're plugging into. The AUX is a phono socket that is next to the USB in the armrest - as per jaymk5's picture.

If you plug in your iPod using a standard USB the display on your iPod should change to Accessory Connected (or something like that). You should then see your iPod under external devices in the Music Collection on iDrive
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      03-30-2011, 11:27 AM   #14
sblove
Enlisted Member
sblove's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
37
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (0)

Let me clarify: when I said AUX, I meant the USB port in the center console. Sorry that was unclear.

My iPod is 5+ years old. As I said, fairly "ancient."
Appreciate 0
      03-30-2011, 11:37 AM   #15
MA78
TK-421
MA78's Avatar
United_States
18
Rep
610
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sblove View Post
Let me clarify: when I said AUX, I meant the USB port in the center console. Sorry that was unclear.

My iPod is 5 years old. As I said, fairly "ancient."
Try updating it to the latest software. Might be the problem right there.
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2011, 02:31 PM   #16
Vero Munster
New Member
South Africa
5
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2d
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Johannesburg

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW X3  [0.00]
Tried everything in the book to get my IPod nano (?2'nd generation)working. Used old and new cables without success. The Ipod just hangs on the "Do not disconnect" message. Iphone 3gs works perfectly!
Any new suggestions?
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2011, 02:33 PM   #17
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 Vero Munster View Post
Tried everything in the book to get my IPod nano (?2'nd generation)working. Used old and new cables without success. The Ipod just hangs on the "Do not disconnect" message. Iphone 3gs works perfectly!
Any new suggestions?
I don't think older iPods will work at all via USB. Not sure but think it only came in at 4th gen
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2011, 02:38 PM   #18
Vero Munster
New Member
South Africa
5
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2d
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Johannesburg

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW X3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post
I don't think older iPods will work at all via USB. Not sure but think it only came in at 4th gen
Thanks a lot. Do you think it is worth it to buy a Y-cable or rather a new Ipod?
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2011, 02:50 PM   #19
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)

All comes down to cost really and which iPod you have. Doubt there's any noticeable difference in sound quality between Y and iDrive. A newer iPod nano then maybe, a newer high capacity iPod classic not worth the money just for the car. Just buy a new 32GB USB flash drive, $30-$50, use it only for car and leave it in the car, that's what I do
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      08-04-2011, 11:14 PM   #20
Vero Munster
New Member
South Africa
5
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2d
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Johannesburg

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW X3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post
All comes down to cost really and which iPod you have. Doubt there's any noticeable difference in sound quality between Y and iDrive. A newer iPod nano then maybe, a newer high capacity iPod classic not worth the money just for the car. Just buy a new 32GB USB flash drive, $30-$50, use it only for car and leave it in the car, that's what I do
Thank you for the advice!
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 07:02 AM   #21
pacecapt
Private
9
Rep
85
Posts

Drives: 2022 X3 M40i
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2014 BMW 435i  [0.00]
2013 BMW X3 28i  [0.00]
Nano works with BMW Y Cable!

I also have an older IPod Nano and when we picked our new X3 up at the factory on Monday the Nano would not work with just the Apple cable. Yesterday I tried the same Nano with the Y adapter that came with our 2011 528i and it worked perfectly. Must be something with the need for USB and Aux input using the Y cable. My dealer says he keeps them in stock so will get one from him.
Appreciate 0
      01-15-2013, 10:56 PM   #22
cfos
New Member
0
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 xDrive28i
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: MST

iTrader: (0)

Thankful for this thread! Had issues with my antique 1st gen. Nano. Y cable from dealer and it works.
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 05:54 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