[BonanzaNLD]

Why can I get cover flow with my iPhone 4 in my Mini Cooper and not in a 50k EUR BMW (using the Y-cable)? Knowing, they are using the same software?

I know BMW makes a lot of money on all the options, but to actually turn of some options in the iDrive software to let us spend hundreds of bucks extra... feels like a complete rip-off.

Is there some sort of a central BMW email address where you can send your questions to?

[E90Fleet]

Are you using the Y-cable or USB in the Mini ?

Many Apple functions are not available over the Y-cable on the F30 and require teh Advanced USB connection option so the USB cable can be used.

[BonanzaNLD]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Are you using the Y-cable or USB in the Mini ?

Many Apple functions are not available over the Y-cable on the F30 and require teh Advanced USB connection option so the USB cable can be used.

I am using exactly the same connection method in both cars: one plug goes into the USB, the other one in the AUX. So I don't see any reason why cover flow is possible in the MINI and not in the F30.

[ramonE90-NL]

Im using the original apple charger cable in my armrest, and that works fine in my car (business nav).

[CasZy NL]

What is cover flow?

[BonanzaNLD]

Originally Posted by CasZy NL

What is cover flow?

It shows the cover art from the albums on your iPhone, something like this:



And yes, it's just a small thing. But why is this enabled on MINI free of charge, while I would need to buy the enhanced bluetooth to get it on the BMW (EUR 700)?

[Robin_NL]

I didn't order it just because of that ridiculous price. All the internet/gadgetry stuff BMW wants to sell us is way too pricey.

[BonanzaNLD]

Originally Posted by Robin_NL

I didn't order it just because of that ridiculous price. All the internet/gadgetry stuff BMW wants to sell us is way too pricey.

Exactly my point.

When you want another suspension, leather, etcetc, sure, I understand it. But turning off options in standard software... that is just ripping us off.

[PrinceBarin]

Originally Posted by BonanzaNLD

Exactly my point.

When you want another suspension, leather, etcetc, sure, I understand it. But turning off options in standard software... that is just ripping us off.

Totally agree. Too expensive and the option permutations are too confusing.

[dmontic71]

Is there a way to "jail break" the BMW software like people do on their iPhones?

[J1n]

Originally Posted by dmontic71

Is there a way to "jail break" the BMW software like people do on their iPhones?

+1


Being in software business for many years .. to be honest it is the easiest way to make a profit.

Please upload hack here :

[E90Fleet]

Its not the software, its the hardware
The standard F30 system does not have the combox module needed for this.
Some earlier models like the E90 had it standard but to reduce the cost of the base system on the F30 they made it optional since most of their customers never use it.

With the Advanced USB option you have all these functions available

[TomasCro]

its funny when you say to expensive when here in my country basic 328i without sport/modern/lux costs 60 000 $. I would be more then happy to buy a car and all the extras at your prices :P

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by TomasCro

its funny when you say to expensive when here in my country basic 328i without sport/modern/lux costs 60 000 $. I would be more then happy to buy a car and all the extras at your prices :P

We would all love to buy the almost half price US BMW's.

[BonanzaNLD]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Its not the software, its the hardware
The standard F30 system does not have the combox module needed for this.
Some earlier models like the E90 had it standard but to reduce the cost of the base system on the F30 they made it optional since most of their customers never use it.

With the Advanced USB option you have all these functions available

You don't need a combox to show "cover flow" on the display. It's just a BS excuse. It's a little bit of data to be sent over the USB/AUX, nothing more, nothing less.

[jtuds]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

We would all love to buy the almost half price US BMW's.

[jtuds]

I am going to call it cover art.

So, using the Y cable, you don't get cover art.

I understand why that's frustrating, but for 80% of the songs on my iphone, there's no cover art because I downloaded the song for free.

Also, how often are you driving with the audio data on your idrive screen?

As long as you can do everything else with the Y-cable, then I'd be happy...but that's me. I agree that BMW disabling software features just to make you pay more is garbage.

Doesn't Merc do the same thing with the c63 AMG? You have to add an option package to get 30 more hp, which is just a software adjustment.

[Blake P]

So there's nothing for bimmers similar to VAG-COM/VCDS software for VAG cars? It's so nice being able to make all kinds of coding changes on my A4.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by BonanzaNLD

You don't need a combox to show "cover flow" on the display. It's just a BS excuse. It's a little bit of data to be sent over the USB/AUX, nothing more, nothing less.

Tell that to the guys that wrote the software and technical manuals for the combox and the F30 technical manuals.
Processing Album art over USB is one of the functions of the combox

[BonanzaNLD]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Tell that to the guys that wrote the software and technical manuals for the combox and the F30 technical manuals.
Processing Album art over USB is one of the functions of the combox

Basically, if I understand it correctly, BMW has removed the combox from the standard options and is now asking us to pay 700 EUR to have it put back in, so we can get some basic functionality back in the car. Sounds not too logical to me, except when you want to rip off your customers.

I'll stop moaning about it, before you know it, I am going to cancel my order

[Feanor]

Honestly I think BMW do themselves out of a lot of sales with BS like this. Their options are so over-complicated and confusing that not even the dealers understand them all properly - as I've said before a mate of mine got so annoyed with it all that he walked out of the dealership and bought a Citroen (a very impressive-looking limited edition thing, doesn't look at all like a Citroen) - he's not interested in driving dynamics so was happy to have a car that came with a simple, straightforward tech package.

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by BonanzaNLD

Basically, if I understand it correctly, BMW has removed the combox from the standard options and is now asking us to pay 700 EUR to have it put back in, so we can get some basic functionality back in the car. Sounds not too logical to me, except when you want to rip off your customers.

I'll stop moaning about it, before you know it, I am going to cancel my order

The advanced Bluetooth is an entirely different system and is designed with the GSM receiver and modem, an integrated exterior communication antennae as well as more so the upgrade is not just cover art and music streaming.

And with your MINI you paid for that option as well so it was not free, there are four setups in the MINI for getting music to the car- you have the most expensive option if you have cover art- so compare apples to apples.