Smartphone Integration / Usb Options - a warning to note.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 2:51 pm

The recent announcement by BMW of the integration of iPhone applications has revealed a nasty surprise for some of us who thought we had the right spec as we had the Media Package included. Unfortunately a significant option is not included in this pack and a number of Dealers do not appear to understand the implications of it being missed.

If you have the new CIC based iDrive system, and possibly the older CCC based version you can have a USB option with the code 6FL which allows USB connectivity. If you want to be able to use a smartphone connected to the right adapter as your music source, charge it and use it as a phone simultaneously then you MUST also have option code 6NF.

The option is a mere Â£75 with a new car. Retrofitting is apparently not possible, although I am having discussions with my supplying dealer over how they're going to solve the problem. Their sales person had no idea that without this separate option being added the functionality is limited and upgradeability (the whole idea of the new CIC and Combox Controller installations) of the iDrive is reduced. To be fair to him, he is mortified and I'll see how things go over the next couple of days. Worst case I'll try to reject the car as not meeting the requirements discussed at the point of sale and start again. Best case BMW and the Dealer come up with the parts required.

For anyone looking at speccing any new BMW make sure you don't lose out because of this. You need options 644, 6FL and 6NF plus 609. 6NF is missing from the BMW website configurator for some models which makes it easier to miss.

X5Trace · Post by **X5Trace** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:18 pm

Yes I have been having discussions today with my dealer on this one with no joy so far I'm afraid. From some of the other threads I've read there will be a number of owners

I think BMW need to make this option an automatic inclusion with immediate effect and not from 1st April which is what I've been told today by the dealer.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:21 pm

The Dealer is now investigating with BMW GB, but I don't hold out much hope either. The Dealer has been left in no doubt that I believe they are at fault as their salesperson appeared not to understand how all of the options work together. I'm not blaming the salesperson personally as the description of the option on their spec system is less than helpful. I think it's described as MP3 connectivity, whereas in the US it is described as Smartphone Integration which makes much more sense. What I have said to them is to find out exactly what is different and price it up.

Having spent some hours investigating it myself, it appears (stress on the 'appears') that the differences for vehicles fitted with the Combox Controller (6VC) which was built in from Week 40 of 2010 are that the phone rest and baseplate onto which the relevant media adapter fits in the centre armrest is different and all needs changing. Also it appears that there is either another connection to the USB Hub (if fitted), or Combox controller (if not). The Combox has a spare USB connection.

Whether or not all of the loom is installed I don't know, but it may be nothing more complex than changing the hardware out, putting the extra USB harnesses in and that's it, job done. There may need to be some recoding, and that is the unknown factor at present. As ever BMW are being less than helpful.

I think BMW may have to face up to the fact that there product descriptions are not helpful, some of their sales teams in the Dealerships do not have the depth of product knowledge required for the huge array of technology that it available in different forms across multiple vehicles and which could have a serious impact if missed. The Sales Manager is now dealing and we'll see what transpires before making any other decisions. He even said I'm surprised it isn't fitted! It was never discussed at the sale time so I would not have known to ask especially when confronted by numbers, poor descriptions and no other info. If the man says that a facility isn't available which runs the phone and its built in MP3 player from the cradle then who am I to argue? Now I know that statement was wrong. Hence being more than a little annoyed. I'm not so much bothered about this new 6NR option as finding out that the option to do what I wanted to with a Smartphone is available and has been sine 2008!! On top of that, it's only a Â£75 change which is not much on a Â£64k car.

My guess is BMW may be forced to offer a retrofit kit if this issue is as widespread as it's beginning to look and they cannot take their present 'Ostrich' approach to the problem. On the other hand, BMW GB have been shown to have little interest in customers in the recent past so anything could happen, including nothing at all!! I guess if customers start handing cars back because they've been misinformed about options and potentially missold the car then that could make somebody sit up and pay attention.

MJim · Post by **MJim** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 3:36 pm

@X5Sport, very good of you to put that post up. I was fortunate in speaking to a knowledgeable dealer who told me to also order the 6FL. What is the 644 though? I'm assuming that's the bluetooth that's covered by the 633 bluetooth phone prep + telematics per the media pack in my case?

acideraser · Post by **acideraser** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 4:09 pm

Agree BMW isn't very helpful on this and absence of option in car configurator is not good at all. I came to a dealer with configured spec so i did not discuss any other options with him at all, except getting discount on the specs I had in mind already.
Now my only hope is that dealer will be able to fit this option later though don't hold my breath for that.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:43 pm

I think 644 has been replaced by 633. In addition, any BMW ordered now will have 6FL included by default but may not get 6NF (which is shortly to be renamed 6NR) without adding it. 644 is or was the basic Bluetooth and 633 is that plus telematics. The general feeling is BMW should have made 6NF part of the media package as well as keeping the naming convention the same all over the world, rather than making it another Â£75 upgrade with a less than clear name.

I am still awaiting a response from my dealer about adding 6NF. I have warned them that I went with their advice and am holding them responsible for fixing it. Even if BMW say there's no retrofit at present, I still expect them to get the parts needed and put them in. Worst case they get the car back as I was mis-sold part of the spec. I don't expect to go down that route unless it is absolutely the last resort.

From the work I have had done researching this, it looks as if the changes required are to replace the telephone support and baseplate in the armrest and add USB cabling to enable the ports either back to the Combox, or to the USB Hub if fitted - and I have no idea how you tell whether you have one or not. The main query at present is around how the Combox 'prioritizes' the use of the USB ports. It is not known whether there is a software 'switch' the needs loading, or adding the other hardware and wiring will result in the whole system being automatically recognised.

Awaiting events as they say..............

MJim · Post by **MJim** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:28 pm

Very sorry to hear you're having to go through all that hassle, but really hope they get it sorted for you. As you say, should def be included in the Media pack - Â£75 is pennies in the context of a Â£2300 odd option.

MJim · Post by **MJim** » Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:57 pm

Just called dealer re getting 6NR added, but apparently my car is already in build, and also 6NR is not yet being added on to new cars anyway. Spoke to BMW Customer Services to find out if will be available as a software update for those with media pack and the 6NF option - apparently not. Just have to hope that position changes and also that I'm not charged a fortune for the privelege...

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:59 pm

This points towards the latest update from BMW in the US

http://www.m3post.com/forums/attachment ... 1298410777

It does say that this cannot be retrofitted to X series vehicles made before 04/11, which contradicts an earlier statement that it would be a software download for previous BMWs as long as they had 633/644 plus 6FL and 6NF. What on earth is going on BMW? There appears to be some info referred to by BMW GB which says that 6NR can be retrofitted!!

acideraser · Post by **acideraser** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 3:06 pm

What options have to be fitted to enable playing music from an iPhone and control it with idrive?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

NewX5 · Post by **NewX5** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 3:52 pm

[quote=""acideraser""]What options have to be fitted to enable playing music from an iPhone and control it with idrive?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/quote]

The professional nav works fine controlling music from iphone although don't really need to use as have hard drive and USB option.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 4:18 pm

You need to have 6FL to allow you to use the standard white ipod/iphone cable and control the device via the idrive. If you want to be able to do that, charge the phone, connect it to the outside sharkfin antenna and use the phone then you need 6NF as well.

If you don't have 6NF then you run the audio via a cable and all the phone functions possible via the Bluetooth, but no external antenna is available. I think the USB port will charge the device. I now have the basic snap-in adapter and that connect to the antenna and charges the phone. No control over phone or ipod function is possible except via bluetooth with its limitations.

I talked with the Dealer again yesterday and I don't think they understood what needs doing. I drew them simple pictures and have sent them the wiring interconnects so they have now got a clearer idea. I have a copy of a BMW document which describes the systms. If needed, I can send a copy to Sp3ctre for adding to this site. It still looks like a new telephone support, snap-in adapter base, snap-in adapter and USB connection may be all that is required. Basically the bits in the armrest other than the Aux connections and a connection. There is no 'brown box retrofit kit' from BMW themslves but that does not mean it can't be done if the parts list can be identified correctly. I think I have done that now using Realoem and am waiting to see what the dealer comes back with. The techies are having a look over the next couple of days starting Monday.

NewX5 · Post by **NewX5** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:04 pm

Is 6FL an additional option you require to use iphone from usb in arm rest if so I have been given foc as I certainly did not request any other option?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:12 pm

Sure is. It is included as part of the media pack. There is another USB port in the glovebox which goes to the CIC in the dash. That one is used to load software updates, new maps and your music for storage on the CIC Hard drive (12GB Partition).

acideraser · Post by **acideraser** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 5:21 pm

Thanks X5Sport but I am confused now

I don't know how to check if I have 6NF and or 6NF, but I definitely have Media pack, so will it let me have my songs/playlist on Nav screen and control via xDrive

?

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