wats the difference between ipod and usb adapter to ipod interface adaptor? one is $400 the other is $320, wats the deal here?

The $320 must be the dealer installed option. It's $320 for the part + labor. Also it doesn't integrate as well wtih the car as the factory option.

The Ipod adapter (400 option) is the box in the glove box the links directly to the I drive display, and shows all your Ipod info on the screen. You can drive the Ipod with the little twisty stick thing in the center console. It also charges the Ipod. The USB works for people that don't have the multi function display (I Drive). I don't know much more about it that. The dealer told me that was what the difference was. Plug for the I drive system, for sure, but it works pretty well.

The Ipod adapter (400 option) is the box in the glove box the links directly to the I drive display, and shows all your Ipod info on the screen. You can drive the Ipod with the little twisty stick thing in the center console. It also charges the Ipod. The USB works for people that don't have the multi function display (I Drive). I don't know much more about it that. The dealer told me that was what the difference was. Plug for the I drive system, for sure, but it works pretty well.

They didn't do a good job explaining it to you.

The dealer installed iPod adapter (probably the $320 one the OP is referring to) is installed in the glovebox. It terminates in an iPod Dock connector and will provide iPod-like navigation and display whether you have iDrive or not (looks better with iDrive though). This option can be installed on any of the E9x 3-series cars.

The factory option (the $400 one listed on BMW website) was only available starting 3/07 on the E9x 3-series. It terminates as a USB connector in the glovebox next to the standard AUX in connector. There is a special Y-cable (free in USA, extra cost in Canada) that plugs into BOTH the USB and AUX and then into the Dock connector on your iPod. It then provides the iPod-like functionality through either iDrive or regular radio. The added bonus of this option is that the USB connector can be used separately for other types of USB media (thumb drives, etc).

Mine has the Y cable deal that connects to the glove box and the Ipod. I have the I drive as well. You can run the factory option without I drive?

oh....thanx aftp302. u guys helped me from this confusion. i kno wat i'm gettin myself into, haha. =D

The good thing about the $320 dealer installed adapter, it that it lets you navigate up and down from the steering wheel. With the standard Aux adapter, I keep having to look at my iPod to switch songs. Kinda like every other teenage girl I see texting while driving.

With part number. Just so everyone knows what we're talking about.

The good thing about the $320 dealer installed adapter, it that it lets you navigate up and down from the steering wheel. With the standard Aux adapter, I keep having to look at my iPod to switch songs. Kinda like every other teenage girl I see texting while driving.
I can do that with my USB option! Something wrong with your car? or are you just connected via the AUX not the USB to Y adapter?

man! i'm confused again....which do i get now?

I can do that with my USB option! Something wrong with your car? or are you just connected via the AUX not the USB to Y adapter?

I didn't get the USB option. It wasn't even available when my car was delivered. I just have the Aux port.

man! i'm confused again....which do i get now?
If your car hasn't been built/ordered yet, get the USB option, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. Otherwise you have no choice but the dealer installed option. In the US the 400$ includes the price of the Y adapter cable, here the option is 35$ and the cable is extra at 60$ when/where I got it.

Mine has the Y cable deal that connects to the glove box and the Ipod. I have the I drive as well. You can run the factory option without I drive?

The Y cable does NOT come with the dealer installed glove-box located option. The Y cable ONLY comes with and can only be used with the factory USB option (option code 6FL).

And yes, ANY of the iPod options (dealer installed or factory installed) can be used with or without iDrive.

The good thing about the $320 dealer installed adapter, it that it lets you navigate up and down from the steering wheel. With the standard Aux adapter, I keep having to look at my iPod to switch songs. Kinda like every other teenage girl I see texting while driving.

Keep in mind the $320 is just the parts price. You will end up paying ~$500 for it once installation is added.

And what you're talking about is the AUX jack which is STANDARD on all our cars, not either of the OPTIONAL audio connectors that we're discussing.

If your car hasn't been built/ordered yet, get the USB option, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. Otherwise you have no choice but the dealer installed option. In the US the 400$ includes the price of the Y adapter cable, here the option is 35$ and the cable is extra at 60$ when/where I got it.

I think you meant to say $350 and not $35 right?

hm....ok 6FL

I'm confused too. I ordered the Ipod and USB adapter and assume it is the USB port and AUX port located inside the armrest. I got the cable that connects to my iphone and it utilizes both the USB and the AUX while charging the IPHONE. I haven't found any connections in the glove box. The IPHONE works very good and I can control through the IDrive all the features of the IPOD function. Am I missing something here? Should I have some connections in the glove box as well?

The good thing about the $320 dealer installed adapter, it that it lets you navigate up and down from the steering wheel. With the standard Aux adapter, I keep having to look at my iPod to switch songs. Kinda like every other teenage girl I see texting while driving.

Not anymore.

I had a 2007 328xi with the dealer installed iPod adapter in the glove box, but now (long story, another time) have a 2008 328xi with the factory iPod adapter in the console.

I don't have iDrive.

All of the iPod functions, song, artist, play list etc. displays on the radio display, and I can move forward and backward through the songs using the steering wheel controls.

I never have to look at the iPod while driving. In fact, the iPod interface does not appear to even function while connected.

Also, be aware that the software integration with the factory adapter in my experience is LIGHT YEARS ahead of that for the dealer installed option...not just better, but infinitely superior. I will never buy such an option as dealer installed again.

OK. Now I'm confused. Here's the deal. I do not have iDrive. I only have the standard Aux jack in the center console. If I get the $320 adapter installed, will I be able to change songs on my iPod using the steering wheel? I mean, BMW's item description says I will be able to, right?

man this thread is stirring things up a lot!

I'm confused too. I ordered the Ipod and USB adapter and assume it is the USB port and AUX port located inside the armrest. I got the cable that connects to my iphone and it utilizes both the USB and the AUX while charging the IPHONE. I haven't found any connections in the glove box. The IPHONE works very good and I can control through the IDrive all the features of the IPOD function. Am I missing something here? Should I have some connections in the glove box as well?

No. The factory option (6FL) which gives you the USB in addition to the standard AUX in the center console is all you need. Combined with the dealer supplied Y cable, this allows full control of the iPod from the radio (iDrive or not) and from the steering wheel.

OK. Now I'm confused. Here's the deal. I do not have iDrive. I only have the standard Aux jack in the center console. If I get the $320 adapter installed, will I be able to change songs on my iPod using the steering wheel? I mean, BMW's item description says I will be able to, right?

Yes. If you do not have the factory installed option (6FL), but you have the dealer install the dealer installed iPod option ($320 plus installation) then you will have full control of the iPod from the radio (iDrive or not) and from the steering wheel. This option puts the connector in the glovebox.

man this thread is stirring things up a lot!

I don't know much, but I do know this set of options. Others are confusing the situation, but it's simple really.

Also, be aware that the software integration with the factory adapter in my experience is LIGHT YEARS ahead of that for the dealer installed option...not just better, but infinitely superior. I will never buy such an option as dealer installed again.

I am jealous. If there was one thing that would cause me to upgrade from my MY07 to a MY08 or MY09 it would be to get the 6FL option. The new software is so much better than what comes with the dealer installed option (which I have).

I am jealous. If there was one thing that would cause me to upgrade from my MY07 to a MY08 or MY09 it would be to get the 6FL option. The new software is so much better than what comes with the dealer installed option (which I have).
Yeah I got lucky this way by getting an April 07 build. It is the best option I got, oh yeah the suroof, heated seats, sports package are too great options :D. Love the cruise control too.

The good thing about the $320 dealer installed adapter, it that it lets you navigate up and down from the steering wheel. With the standard Aux adapter, I keep having to look at my iPod to switch songs. Kinda like every other teenage girl I see texting while driving.

With the dealer installed adapter would you see the information on the radio display? I currently have the standard aux adapter and it's a pain having to look at your ipod to change the songs...if the dealer installed adapter works with the radio display I may give it some serious thought...

i went ahead and added the $400 ipod/usb option.

i went ahead and added the $400 ipod/usb option.
Good move, you won't regret it. Make sure you get the Y-adapter cable at delivery, many dealers seem to forget to give it out. You also get a small USB extension cable.

With the dealer installed adapter would you see the information on the radio display? I currently have the standard aux adapter and it's a pain having to look at your ipod to change the songs...if the dealer installed adapter works with the radio display I may give it some serious thought...

Yes you will see the iPod information on the radio/nav display.

i went ahead and added the $400 ipod/usb option.

Good choice. You will not regret it. And again, I am jealous!! :)

Good move, you won't regret it. Make sure you get the Y-adapter cable at delivery, many dealers seem to forget to give it out. You also get a small USB extension cable.

koo, i'll make sure those r included, b4 i leave the lot.

You definitely won't regret it. I ordered my 335xi in March and added 6FL two days later after realizing that after dropping close to 50K another 400 was nothing. It i the best option I got...correction, 2nd after the bluetooth phone integration.

Also, make sure you have the Y cable. I got mine with a standard USB cable and had to go back for the Y.

Good move, you won't regret it. Make sure you get the Y-adapter cable at delivery, many dealers seem to forget to give it out. You also get a small USB extension cable.Parts makes us turn in the USB extension when we get the Y-cable for a PDI car.

Parts makes us turn in the USB extension when we get the Y-cable for a PDI car.
wow, that is a cheap parts dept., no offense to you. What would they do with an 10c extension cable! You still need it too if you plan to stick in a thumb USB stick instead of your ipod since the center armrest will probably not close.

wow, that is a cheap parts dept., no offense to you. What would they do with an 10c extension cable! You still need it too if you plan to stick in a thumb USB stick instead of your ipod since the center armrest will probably not close.

The parts manager is probably selling them for $.01 buy it now with $10 shipping on eBay! :D:D:D

thanx guys for all the help in deciding on the 6FL option

thanx guys for all the help in deciding on the 6FL option
come back and tell us how you like it once you get the car, assuming you don't commit suicide from the anguish of waiting ;);).

If your car hasn't been built/ordered yet, get the USB option, YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. Otherwise you have no choice but the dealer installed option. In the US the 400$ includes the price of the Y adapter cable, here the option is 35$ and the cable is extra at 60$ when/where I got it.
Just a reminder that the cable will not be in your car if you order factory Ipod and do ED, the US dealer will install it before delivery. Bummer. I was all set to soar thru the Alps with Wagner's Flight of the Valkyrie screaming from the speakers. Had to settle for a Swiss yodeling station on the radio.:guitarist

come back and tell us how you like it once you get the car, assuming you don't commit suicide from the anguish of waiting ;);).

hahaha, thanx. will do. i'll be anxiously waiting to drive and post up pics of my AW/coral red 335i :buttrock