ipod feature in an e36?

[EuroBeem]

Maybe some of you dont know, but on e46 BMW's they came out with an ipod feature where you can just plug your ipod into the glove comparment and play all your songs.

Could this feature be installed on my 97 328i or would i need to get the e46 steering wheel which allows me to control the volume and enables me to switch tracks?

[El Presidente]

No. Ipod=circa 2002. Last E36=circa 1998.

[brien4787]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id...12&type=product

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id...mcat33100050012

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id...12&type=product


i have middle one, it works okay...

[El Presidente]

you lose much of the quality when you use one of those though. Im also moving this to audio.

[007ben]

Alpine will be releasing an Ipod adapter for their AI enabled HUs.

[wulley1]

that would be great if they did. I have the middle fm unit listed above and think the SQ is crappy.

[007ben]

it is scheduled for sometime this fall.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...ecomingthisfall

[bitcore]

FM is shit. It's dynamic range is nowhere near CD quality.
It's probably best to get a head unit with line inputs and put a headphone jack in the glove compartment..l You'd have to controll the IPod as usual, but it'd sound much nicer.

I guess if you REALLY wanted to you could butcher up a wrecked E46, take it's steering wheel and head unit and use it's guts to run the IPod and get the audio signal directed into where the CD changer inputs go... :lol: Big mess though.

[007ben]

the HU wouldn't fit in a e36 with out lots of work. If i could get my alpine to use the steering controls I'd get a newer wheel for my ride.

[Cgarjeff]

I have an 3e6 and an ipod, I merely use a cassette adapter. It works like a charm! No background noise at all...Of course I have to use the ipod controls, but so what...It works

[brien4787]

ya the FM will give you a lose of quality, but it is just another option.

[007ben]

no cassette player.... I don't think there is anything even in my home can can play a tape....

alpine does have line-in adapters as well.... for thoses of us with alpine HUs.

[gabeshmabe]

If you have an aftermarket headunit with an auxilary input, you can hook your ipod up to it. For about $20 parts and labor, I got BestBuy to run a wire from the headunit to my center console. I drop my ipod into the cupholder, plug it in, and I'm good to go.

[007ben]

yes thats a good solution too.

The alpine one wil also charge your ipod and i belive allow control from the HU.