[terrypin]

Does anyone else have issues with USB memory sticks?

Over the last week or so, these are the problems I've had, all using the arm rest socket. (I will avoid using the glove box now that I've imported a music collection, as that socket is awkward to reach.)

1. Sticks that originally displayed playlists (.m3u), no longer do so. On selecting the Playlist icon with the iDrive controller and pressing it, either nothing happens at all or the message 'No entries' appears. This has had me baffled for days.

2. One 64 GB stick consistently takes over a minute before a connection is made.

3. My new 64 GB stick doesn't connect at all. I suspect that's because to my surprise it's formatted in some fancy new format type called exFAT. This required a Microsoft KB update patch to my XP PC before I could apply that format to it. I'll see if Amazon will replace it.

Have others found 32 GB capacity sticks the most reliable types? And 64 GB unreliable?

Does it matter whether you remove a stick while it's playing a track? Or while ignition is on?

Is playlist structure (where to place them and what syntax to use) a significant factor? How about the type (e.g. M3U or WPL)?

My 2012 F30 manual seems silent on these practical details.

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

[fshubert]

I never found USB sticks to be trouble-free. When I tried one the first time, the car would not read it. I found out that the car wanted a stick formatted to FAT32. After that, it read it fine every time. Sometimes there was some flakeyness in what it read, but for the most part, I left it plugged in all the time with music on it (in the arm rest).

[kitster]

I'm currently using a Sandisk 64GB Ultra Fit USB 3.0. No issues so far, only time I've noticed it was slow to start up was when I've added a huge amount of new music.

[f30GTR]

I only use patriot usbs and have not had issues at all. Best part about patriot that they are water proof. Washed mine number of times.

[mcleod52]

I have a 32 gb stick (sandisk ultra) as my primary music source for the car. I've noticed some lag sometimes and was contemplating breaking the music into smaller sticks - one for each genre. As it is the 32 is full and I have to scale back what I put on it.
Your comments on a 64 has me putting the breaks on getting one.

[terrypin]

Thanks all. I'll continue experimenting and report back if I come to any more confident conclusions.

One point that does already seem clear is that several delays always occur with a freshly made or edited USB stick:

1. The usual short delay for iDrive to boot up (unlike instant Radio).
2. The inserted USB stick becoming recognised in External Devices
3. The Playlists icon turning from grey to an active white
4. Another longish after clicking it before playlists appear.

(Tracks are then immediately playable.)

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

[terrypin]

The problems I had were due to several factors:

1. The delays described above, when using a stick which was different to the last one used. Not surprisingly, the car remembers the earlier track structure. If you're impatient as I was then that can easily muddy the water. And sometimes a fresh stick's playlists don't get recognised at all, no matter how long you wait. Then removing and replacing seems to succeed.

2. The method used to make the playlists on my PC, and the care taken with any editing.

3. Failing to double-check that the sticks used were all formatted as FAT32.

Terry, East Grinstead, UK

[Fjk]

Windows or Mac can easily reformat a USB drive to FAT32

[fshubert]

Originally Posted by Fjk

Windows or Mac can easily reformat a USB drive to FAT32

Windows for sure. I'm not a Mac user. But when you go to format the drive, you get a pull-down menu to pick FAT32 from.