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Re: Anyone iPod their BMW?

I have a Mini Cooper on order, and researched options for iPod connection. Mini Cooper happens to be a division of BMW. I don't know whether they use exactly the same iPod adapter, but the descriptions of their functionality look similar, and in any case it seems to be a generic way of integrating iPod to a car stereo.

There are two basic ways of connecting an iPod. The simple way is to use an Aux Input (line-in) port on the stereo head unit. This is just like using Aux Input on your home stereo. You can use it to connect any external device: iPod, MiniDisc, Walkman, etc. You would have to operate the device directly (not from the steering wheel), although you can still control volume from the steering wheel.

The other way is to use an iPod adapter. This makes the iPod appear to the car stereo as a CD changer. On the iPod, you have to set up playlists that the stereo head unit will access like CDs on a changer. For the Mini Cooper adapter, you would set up 5 playlists named MINI1 to MINI5. You access them like selecting disc 1-5 on a disc changer. A real downside I see is that you have to know in advance what you might want to listen to in the car, and set it up in playlists with iTunes. Also you can only navigate through a playlist using next/previous track. In other words, you don't have the full function of the iPod's click wheel and menus. However, within these limitations you do have control of music selection from the steering wheel's audio buttons, and the adapter will power and charge the iPod. On the Mini Cooper's OEM setup, I believe the stereo does not display track title, only disc (playlist) number and track number. However, there are aftermarket stereos and adapters that will display track title. You need to check what is the case for the units supplied from BMW.

I opted to use the plain Aux Input. I don't want to have to set up special playlists, and I prefer to operate the iPod the same as one normally would. This is really not a good thing to do while driving, but in the end there are compromises for either the aux input or the adapter approach.

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