Armrest USB

Manchesterr · 12-07-2011, 06:18 PM

Is it possible to retrofit USB in the armrest?

I'd like to be able to control my iPhone / iPod, and view playlists etc, but only have the aux port. Is this possible?

A side question, I bought the iPhone cradle, and am I right in saying that all it is, is a glorified charger? As you can't play music, and the aux port is covered, so you can't even charge it and have it connected to the aux port

If so, it's going back.

225_AB · 12-07-2011, 07:42 PM

And connects to the shark fin aerial

Manchesterr · 12-08-2011, 12:35 AM

Is there anyway to connect to aux?

NickP · 12-08-2011, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc_ab

And connects to the shark fin aerial

It does on some phones, not the iphone though....

Manchesterr · 12-08-2011, 01:36 AM

You're joking Nick?

NickP · 12-08-2011, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manchesterr

You're joking Nick?

No, the iphone doesn't have an external aerial connector....

Laney · 12-08-2011, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickP

No, the iphone doesn't have an external aerial connector....

Thats just ridiculous. Circa £70 for a an iphone charger which prevents you from using the headphone jack. What a waste of money. I was going to get it purely for the signal boost.

jjbirch530d · 12-08-2011, 03:16 AM

i have a iphone 4s and looking to play music, bluetooth works fine and siri works better in the car too, but i have the snap on phone option but cant see the point paying £70 for the iphone cradle

Laney · 12-08-2011, 03:55 AM

BMW quoted me £521 for the iPod retrofit. I believe the 6FL (USB retrofit) is more like £600.

My quick and simple work around for the USB retro fit is this:-

I've bought a USB Cigarette lighter adaptor which i've plugged in in the centre armrest
I've bought an iPhone to USB/3.5mm jack cable and plugged that in.
My iPhone sits (or more lays down) in the ashtray opening.
I've installed the BMW link software on the iPhone to access my music as its got nice big buttons etc so I can navigate through my music easily.

It cost me just over £10 (delivered) for the bits from Amazon. The same bits are available on ebay.

I'm looking at options to locate the iPhone somewhere higher up the dash at the moment.

225_AB · 12-08-2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickP

No, the iphone doesn't have an external aerial connector....

The snap in connector has circuitry for aerial connection by inductive coupling I have been told.

NickP · 12-08-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc_ab

The snap in connector has circuitry for aerial connection by inductive coupling I have been told.

That would make sense then, all of the external aerials I have seen for the iphone have been inductive coupling....

Pyth_UK · 12-08-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc_ab

The snap in connector has circuitry for aerial connection by inductive coupling I have been told.

+1

W2S · 12-08-2011, 05:15 PM

Hi Manchesterr,

the oem usb kit costs 227 + vat part number B65.41.0.445.465

Guide to fitting and thread

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1254426570 PDF

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45991

or if you want to do a combox with usb retrofit

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=597961

DavS1 · 12-09-2011, 02:59 PM

I don't have I drive - does USB work without? I'm sick of having to look down to change tunes!

crypticc · 12-09-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavS1

I don't have I drive - does USB work without? I'm sick of having to look down to change tunes!

Yes. The original 6fl does. You get menus just like I drive in the normal hear unit, play lists, albums, etc

DavS1 · 12-09-2011, 03:34 PM

Ah sweet, thanks. something I might think about!

ALPANDY · 12-10-2011, 12:56 PM

I can't believe this option is so rare. I have looked at a few cars now, all high spec but only one had the usb in the armrest. Personally if I were buying new this would be a must have. I think having to look down at your ipod to change tracks/see display etc is a bit stoneage. I have a kenwood aftermarket unit fitted in my Alpina which has a usb in the armrest and displays everything on the motorised screen. Whereas my mother has an e93 with a much better spec than mine (i-drive etc) but her ipod doesn't charge and doesn't display on the nav screen.

bmwak · 12-18-2011, 09:05 AM

Sorry to bump up an old thread but am looking to do the 6FL retrofit myself (I used to do installations of bluetooth kits and stereos in the past so is a doddle for me), but note that the it says it will require coding. Is this something an Autologic equipped garage can easily do or is it a dealer job. Anyone have any ideas on how much it would cost to have this upgrade done?

12-07-2011, 06:18 PM	#1
Manchesterr Private 7 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	Armrest USB - Retrofit? Is it possible to retrofit USB in the armrest? I'd like to be able to control my iPhone / iPod, and view playlists etc, but only have the aux port. Is this possible? A side question, I bought the iPhone cradle, and am I right in saying that all it is, is a glorified charger? As you can't play music, and the aux port is covered, so you can't even charge it and have it connected to the aux port If so, it's going back.
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12-07-2011, 07:42 PM	#2
225_AB Major 65 Rep 1,377 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: May 2010 Location: buckinghamshire iTrader: (1) Garage List 2014 M235i [0.00] 2009 BMW 330D [0.00]	And connects to the shark fin aerial
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12-08-2011, 12:35 AM	#3
Manchesterr Private 7 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	Is there anyway to connect to aux?
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12-08-2011, 01:36 AM	#5
Manchesterr Private 7 Rep 86 Posts Drives: 320d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	You're joking Nick?
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12-08-2011, 03:16 AM	#8
jjbirch530d Banned 2 Rep 103 Posts Drives: bmw 5 series Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: n devon iTrader: (0)	i have a iphone 4s and looking to play music, bluetooth works fine and siri works better in the car too, but i have the snap on phone option but cant see the point paying £70 for the iphone cradle
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-08-2011, 03:55 AM	#9
Laney First Lieutenant 15 Rep 365 Posts Drives: F32 435dx ms, E90 330d ms Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: York / Nottingham iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 F32 435d xDrive [0.00] 2006 BMW 330d [8.00]	BMW quoted me £521 for the iPod retrofit. I believe the 6FL (USB retrofit) is more like £600. My quick and simple work around for the USB retro fit is this:- I've bought a USB Cigarette lighter adaptor which i've plugged in in the centre armrest I've bought an iPhone to USB/3.5mm jack cable and plugged that in. My iPhone sits (or more lays down) in the ashtray opening. I've installed the BMW link software on the iPhone to access my music as its got nice big buttons etc so I can navigate through my music easily. It cost me just over £10 (delivered) for the bits from Amazon. The same bits are available on ebay. I'm looking at options to locate the iPhone somewhere higher up the dash at the moment.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-08-2011, 05:15 PM	#13
W2S Private 13 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 335D A M Sport Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Essex iTrader: (0)	Hi Manchesterr, the oem usb kit costs 227 + vat part number B65.41.0.445.465 Guide to fitting and thread http://www.e90post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1254426570 PDF http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45991 or if you want to do a combox with usb retrofit http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=597961
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12-09-2011, 02:59 PM	#14
DavS1 Major 53 Rep 1,272 Posts Drives: Emfree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	I don't have I drive - does USB work without? I'm sick of having to look down to change tunes! __________________ Monte Carlo Blue M3 Comp
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12-09-2011, 03:34 PM	#16
DavS1 Major 53 Rep 1,272 Posts Drives: Emfree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Ah sweet, thanks. something I might think about! __________________ Monte Carlo Blue M3 Comp
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12-10-2011, 12:56 PM	#17
ALPANDY Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 245 Posts Drives: E90 LCI 330d M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (1)	I can't believe this option is so rare. I have looked at a few cars now, all high spec but only one had the usb in the armrest. Personally if I were buying new this would be a must have. I think having to look down at your ipod to change tracks/see display etc is a bit stoneage. I have a kenwood aftermarket unit fitted in my Alpina which has a usb in the armrest and displays everything on the motorised screen. Whereas my mother has an e93 with a much better spec than mine (i-drive etc) but her ipod doesn't charge and doesn't display on the nav screen.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-18-2011, 09:05 AM	#18
bmwak Major 106 Rep 1,235 Posts Drives: 440i M-Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London iTrader: (4)	Sorry to bump up an old thread but am looking to do the 6FL retrofit myself (I used to do installations of bluetooth kits and stereos in the past so is a doddle for me), but note that the it says it will require coding. Is this something an Autologic equipped garage can easily do or is it a dealer job. Anyone have any ideas on how much it would cost to have this upgrade done?
	Appreciate 0 Quote