M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => General Topics => Topic started by: FL318is on August 14, 2006, 11:49:12 AM

Title: Ipod
Post by: FL318is on August 14, 2006, 11:49:12 AM
Does anyone have an Ipod setup in their car?

 Also is there a way to determine the OEM radio code.  We disconnected the battery and I don't think I have the code in my paperwork.
Title: Ipod
Post by: M42boy on August 14, 2006, 12:29:13 PM
Quote from: FL318is
Does anyone have an Ipod setup in their car?

 Also is there a way to determine the OEM radio code.  We disconnected the battery and I don't think I have the code in my paperwork.

Unfortunately, you need to give the dealer the code off the back of the radio, as well as a copy of your registration.  They will supply you with the code.  

But, look through the paperwork in your glovebox first.  Maybe the previous owner kept his code card or wrote it down in the back of the Owner's Manual (like I did).  

For removing the radio, you need to unscrew the tiny allen screws holding it in.  I don't know if it's a standard metric size, but you can buy the radio tool from Bavarian Autosport for pretty cheap.
Title: Ipod
Post by: M42boy on August 14, 2006, 01:31:31 PM
^^
Also, forgot to mention...   Look for a CD changer or Aux plug at the back of the factory radio.  If there is one present, it should be relatively easy to add a direct link for your iPod.  

Call these guys.  They may have an adapter hookup for our factory radio to interface with the iPod.  

http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/ourphilosophy.php
Title: Sounds good!
Post by: FL318is on August 15, 2006, 08:05:35 AM
Thanks for the info.  Will keep everyone posted.
Title: Ipod
Post by: Crunk3 on August 16, 2006, 11:50:27 PM
i got the new alpine 9857 and the ipod cord....it works amazingly u can controle your ipod from the deck wiht no wait for song to load
Title: Ipod
Post by: Eurospec on August 17, 2006, 01:14:56 AM
Quote from: Crunk3
i got the new alpine 9857 and the ipod cord....it works amazingly u can controle your ipod from the deck wiht no wait for song to load
How's the sound quality?
Title: Ipod
Post by: Febi Guibo on August 17, 2006, 12:53:05 PM
I researched this a little last year and...

- my OEM radio (like most of us) was the alpine infrared slider thing; it predates later alpine radios that had a more sophisticated CD changer cable bus thing;

- there wasn't an IPOD type adaptor available for the OEM radios

I swapped in a C43 cassette deck (blaupunkt) from a 99 E36 m3 (I think) and used a metra harness adaptor and antenna adaptor (motorola to 'euro') and it works pretty well.

(http://ee1394.com/bmw/radio_install.jpg)

with the C43 deck (or the C33 I think) ...there are a ton of aftermarket Ipod hookups, plus, their is a factory aux cable kit; you can also home-brew yer own changer cable relatively easily. I think someone used the plug end off an internal CD-ROM computer cable and matched the pins up ...or something.
Title: Sounds...
Post by: FL318is on August 17, 2006, 02:11:35 PM
...like a plan.
Title: Ipod
Post by: M42boy on August 17, 2006, 02:14:06 PM
Quote from: Febi Guibo
I swapped in a C43 cassette deck (blaupunkt) from a 99 E36 m3 (I think) and used a metra harness adaptor and antenna adaptor (motorola to 'euro') and it works pretty well.

I think your IMG link went dead...  Can you send us a picture of your dash with the head unit in it.  I'd like to see what you got going.
Title: Ipod
Post by: Febi Guibo on August 17, 2006, 02:20:47 PM
replaced img link... getting it now?
Title: Image
Post by: FL318is on August 17, 2006, 02:45:37 PM
Received!
Title: Ipod
Post by: Crunk3 on August 18, 2006, 01:21:44 AM
Quote from: Eurospec
How's the sound quality?

same as cd quality :D
Title: Ipod
Post by: BrandC on August 18, 2006, 02:48:24 AM
Quote from: FL318is
Does anyone have an Ipod setup in their car?


I have a really ghetto Ipod setup in my car, I'll take pics tomorrow.

I just used velcro on one side of my Ipod case and one on the e-brake console, and use an analog tape player that you use with your portable CD players. Works great, way better than the Itrip radio tuner.
Title: Ipod
Post by: M42boy on August 18, 2006, 09:12:22 AM
Quote from: Crunk3
same as cd quality :D

Yeah, if you use a "direct link" the quality is amazing.  

BrandC is right...  The FM modulated options (like using iTrip) SUCK!!!  I bought one and took it back the next day.  The tape deck method is a ghetto setup, but much better than FM.  

I might try the tapedeck method in the meantime as well though!  :cool:

Febi..  that unit looks great!  The display matches the OBC perfect and everything.  Looks factory original, and I see the CD-BUS option, so iPod wiring made simple.  

Is there NO aux input on the stock 318iS radio at all??
Title: Ipod
Post by: Febi Guibo on August 18, 2006, 09:51:15 AM
I looked, and short of deconstructing the Cd cable pinouts (not hard I suppose) or opening up the unit itself, no aux inout for the alpine slider radio.

I have to confess, the C43 radio looks great in an E30; I shaved the HVAC panel to get it to sit flush, and epoxied some mounting ears to get it to stay put with the headunit's retaining clips.
Title: Ipod
Post by: akorcovelos on August 22, 2006, 11:59:35 AM
Havn't pulled the radio out yet, but I have the original infrared slider unit, but my radio has controls for a disc changer and the car came with a booklet for the trunk changer. If the head unit has display controls for an in trunk disc changer shouldn't there be an output on the back of the unit that can be used for the Ipod?
Title: Ipod
Post by: Febi Guibo on August 22, 2006, 12:59:55 PM
it's certainly possible... but the later model radios have a lot more out of the box ipod options, and generally sound better too.

if you can find the schematics for the pin out, that would be great.

A long time ago (in a galaxy far, far...), this company tried to make a 'generic' cd changer cable for the infrared slider radio to avoid the $$$ bmw changers... maybe they can help...

http://peripheralelectronics.com/


this page has a ton of info also:
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e30/stereo/
Title: Ipod
Post by: M42boy on August 22, 2006, 09:47:23 PM
I like anything with audio tips from a/d/s directly!!  :D

BTW, I wonder if there was some connection with BMW and a/d/s as the model numbers for thier component speakers systems looked coincidently like a lot of our favorite BMW models..   (i.e. 320is seperates)