While waiting for my 325i to arrive, I get an email from BMW about "iPod" - ing your BMW. Seems late model Bimmer owners now have the option of having the stealership install a cable from the factory audio system that terminates in the glovebox. You plug your iPod in there, out of sight, it charges, and you can control its function from the buttons on the steering wheel. Audio unit display shows track/playlist information. Awesome!

Then I see the fine print: "Not available for the 2006 3-series sedan". Huh?
What the heck is up with that?

There's much better aftermarket setups anyways. Check out the iceLink.

at least, not yet, according to their website.

Not sure how it could be better than the setup I described though. Details?

a quick study of their website indocates that what BMW is offering **IS** the iceLink system, or something very close to it.

Dension does NOT currently offer full iPod integration for the e90. They only offer Icelink Lite, not Icelink Plus, which means you only get battery charging and a direct audio connection to the BMW radio. This is pointless since the car already has the auxillary port, and there are cheaper solutions for battery charging.

Dension IS working on full integration with battery charging, a direct audio connection, steering wheel and radio controls, and text display of playlists, track names, etc. They have been promising this part (Icelink Plus) for over a year now, but have not yet delivered.

BMW is also working on the part and an official PDF from the company, posted on e90post.com, shows it should be released in mid-June, but details there are sketchy too. For instance, whether it will work with navigation-equipped cars, etc.

FYI: the reason for the delay seems to be because the e90 uses the MOST fiber optic system. Dension says they just figured out how to work on this system and should have their Icelink Plus out soon, but who knows.

In the mean time, I suggest you contact Dension and ask to be put on the e-mail notification list to be contacted when the part is ready. The more of us that call, the faster the part will be released. Their sales number in the US is 866.822.3673 x121.

well in my 06 330i there is a audio imput plug in the center console, just get the imput plug and plug and play

well in my 06 330i there is a audio imput plug in the center console, just get the imput plug and plug and play

thats just an aux INPUT. They want to be able to control the songs through the iDrive system

thats just an aux INPUT. They want to be able to control the songs through the iDrive system

WRONG. Don't have iDrive. Don't want iDrive. Will not be on the car I've ordered. **DO** want to control iPod using steering wheel buttons and the display on the head unit.

Not rocket science, but apparently BMW, Dension, etc. have chosen not to make a solution available. Sad.

If you really want it, then call Dension and keep asking for it. That's what I keep doing. We have to generate interest.

Their sales number is 866.822.3673 x121.

Seriously, if I'm the only one asking for it, we will never get it.

Also, ask to be put on their e-mail notification list. The longer that list grows for the e90, the shorter we'll have to wait.

I just got my 325i last week and I was planning on buying an iPOD just for the car, now this is bad news cuz i thought id be able to control it from my steering wheel. On a side note when playing mp3 CDs I like to set the list on random but its not jumping to a random song when I change the song, only when the whole song is over it goes to another random song. Is there a way to change this ?

If the car will support mp3 CDs, why do you need an iPod?

If the car will support mp3 CDs, why do you need an iPod?
How many songs can you get on a CD? 120 or so...I'd rather have thousands

i fit eight or more cds on one mp3 disk

I just got some magazine called bavarian auto or something yesterday and it has an Ipod connection that will allow you to control it with your steering wheel controls. It is at www.bavaauto.com.

After quickly reading, it looks like it connects where the 6 disk changer would connect in the trunk. It has a long cord, so you could probably rig something up to where you can connect it in your center console. Then you would be able to use your steering wheel controls on it. It did have a disclaimer that it doesnt work with nav and may pose a problem if used with 6 disk players. Since, I dont know of any of the bimmers having 6 disk in-dash changers, I am guessing they were talking about the changers in the trunk. Yet, that seems to obvious to even mention.

I am also sure that there are many other companies who have something designed for you.

PS: you must drive alot b/c I dont think I even listen to a whole cd, much less a mp3 cd and not even close to an ipod. I am just not in the car long enough.

Its not about listening to massive amounts of music, its about having the choice of listening to what you want when you want without having to have a book full of cd's to dig through.

I use my ipod in the car through the aux port and its kinda pain to have to use the ipod and get to where I need to go. It would be tons easier (and safer) to be able to use the steering wheel controls, but this will have to do for now.

I just got some magazine called bavarian auto or something yesterday and it has an Ipod connection that will allow you to control it with your steering wheel controls. It is at www.bavaauto.com (http://www.bavaauto.com).

After quickly reading, it looks like it connects where the 6 disk changer would connect in the trunk. It has a long cord, so you could probably rig something up to where you can connect it in your center console. Then you would be able to use your steering wheel controls on it. It did have a disclaimer that it doesnt work with nav and may pose a problem if used with 6 disk players. Since, I dont know of any of the bimmers having 6 disk in-dash changers, I am guessing they were talking about the changers in the trunk. Yet, that seems to obvious to even mention.

I am also sure that there are many other companies who have something designed for you.

PS: you must drive alot b/c I dont think I even listen to a whole cd, much less a mp3 cd and not even close to an ipod. I am just not in the car long enough.

This is the USA Spec kit, and can be found for much cheaper elsewhere if needed. this kit does not give you ID3 text on the display like the ice>Link Plus does.

Its not about listening to massive amounts of music, its about having the choice of listening to what you want when you want without having to have a book full of cd's to dig through.

I use my ipod in the car through the aux port and its kinda pain to have to use the ipod and get to where I need to go. It would be tons easier (and safer) to be able to use the steering wheel controls, but this will have to do for now.

Or having that one song you want to listen to ready when you want it. :D