New iPod Interface

martieg · 09-16-2006, 09:08 PM

I received a letter from BMW to take my car for a quick check (my SOS never worked well, since they couldn't locate my car). - fixed.

I took the opportunity of this visit to the shop, and ordered the new iPod interface. It's $595 before taxes.

Guess what - it didn't work at all. I will take it Monday again, they suspect the software was not properly installed.

Any experiences with the new iPod interface?

rlc · 09-16-2006, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lecatrache

I received a letter from BMW to take my car for a quick check (my SOS never worked well, since they couldn't locate my car). - fixed.

I took the opportunity of this visit to the shop, and ordered the new iPod interface. It's $595 before taxes.

Guess what - it didn't work at all. I will take it Monday again, they suspect the software was not properly installed.

Any experiences with the new iPod interface?

If that price includes installation labor then you paid $275 for the install. BMW estimates 1-1.5 hours labor for the install and software coding should not be charged to the customer (you). List for the unit is $319.95 and if you are a BMWCCA member you should have gotten a discount off the list price. I got the BMWCCA discount and paid 1.5 hrs. labor - out the door under $450.

The iPod interface works great with the exception of a few quirks with random play and track playback after you shutdown and restart the car. Do a search of this forum and you will find just about everything regarding the iPod.

JSpira · 09-16-2006, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlc

BMW estimates 1-1.5 hours labor for the install and software coding should not be charged to the customer (you).

True but if the installation takes 3 hours, the dealer can still charge 3 hours. Lots of people here have posted quotes from dealers for 2-3 hours of install time.

rlc · 09-17-2006, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

True but if the installation takes 3 hours, the dealer can still charge 3 hours. Lots of people here have posted quotes from dealers for 2-3 hours of install time.

Also, true. Thats why I used the word "ESTIMATES". Lots of people here have also posted being charged 1-1.5 hours - one guy says he got it free. If the OP knows that maybe he can question the dealer's quote - or maybe try another dealer in his area. Of course, if you're in a place like Honolulu where there is no competition, you're screwed.

As I see it this is the greatest value of these forums. It levels the playing field a little. In the past you went if you went to the dealer you were pretty much in the blind as to what might be needed for a repair, or what a certain part would cost, or how much a new car cost the dealer. They could tell you anything and you had no information to check on the validity. Now, these forums provide some info on those matters that at least gives us some ability to ask informed questions.

For instance, my dealer did not want to install my iPod adapter because they had never done one and were convinced they needed a version of PROGMAN software that was not yet released. This forum gave me information that allowed me to question that. I made a call to BMWNA - they talked with the dealer and I had my installation done two days later. It works fine with no PROGMAN update, just the preliminary flashing and coding mentioned in the instructions. When I picked up the car both the SA and the Parts Mgr. thanked me for pressing the issue. The parts guy had a list of 20 customers waiting to buy when the installs began. The SA was sick of turning away callers wanting the iPod installed. Info from this forum made that possible. It's a great resource.

martieg · 09-19-2006, 05:11 PM

Thanks for your replies.

My latest report: The iPod interface is up and running, and works very well. I have the iDrive and is a very good integration. I plan to upgrade my iPod to the new 80 GB model and upgrade my files to 320 KBPS.

My only frustration is that the guys at the BMW dealership are not knowledgeable of this technology - they did not know the new interface was out when I requested it, and it was not installed properly (I had to go back to have the new software downloaded). Also the attitude is of no urgency at all, and they treat you like they're doing you a favor - come on, I'm paying over $600 for this thing, and you're making a big profit on it!

Anyhow, I recommend the interface and forget about CD's!

09-16-2006, 09:08 PM	#1
martieg Texas 311 Rep 769 Posts Drives: 330i Black Sph PP/SP/NV/MTk Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	New iPod Interface I received a letter from BMW to take my car for a quick check (my SOS never worked well, since they couldn't locate my car). - fixed. I took the opportunity of this visit to the shop, and ordered the new iPod interface. It's $595 before taxes. Guess what - it didn't work at all. I will take it Monday again, they suspect the software was not properly installed. Any experiences with the new iPod interface?
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09-19-2006, 05:11 PM	#5
martieg Texas 311 Rep 769 Posts Drives: 330i Black Sph PP/SP/NV/MTk Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Thanks for your replies. My latest report: The iPod interface is up and running, and works very well. I have the iDrive and is a very good integration. I plan to upgrade my iPod to the new 80 GB model and upgrade my files to 320 KBPS. My only frustration is that the guys at the BMW dealership are not knowledgeable of this technology - they did not know the new interface was out when I requested it, and it was not installed properly (I had to go back to have the new software downloaded). Also the attitude is of no urgency at all, and they treat you like they're doing you a favor - come on, I'm paying over $600 for this thing, and you're making a big profit on it! Anyhow, I recommend the interface and forget about CD's!
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