Iphone 5 connection.

[brenflys777]

The Z4 I've just bought has a standard professional stereo with DAB, but no idrive/satnav.

My last car was an e92 which had no problems connecting the iphone 5 ( for use as iPod ) using standard apple usb/lightning cable, but the e89 is showing that the cable is not supported. Do I need to buy a BMW adapter or is the iPhone 5 not compatible?

Cheers Bren

[wegras]

The Z4 I've just bought has a standard professional stereo with DAB, but no idrive/satnav.

My last car was an e92 which had no problems connecting the iphone 5 ( for use as iPod ) using standard apple usb/lightning cable, but the e89 is showing that the cable is not supported. Do I need to buy a BMW adapter or is the iPhone 5 not compatible?

Cheers Bren

If you are trying to play music do you have a usb and aux in sockets if so you need a Y cable from BMW and a lightning to 30 pin adapter from Apple

[kevinmarkwhite]

Its the age of the car that determines which cable you need.

The older cars needed the Y cable, but newer ones only need the Apple USB cable. Not sure of the dates involved though, but my 09 1'er needed the Y cable, whereas our '11 1'er doesn't (and both had the USB and AUX IN socket under the armrest). Dont think the Z4 does either (although cant remember testing it).

[brenflys777]

Thanks for the replies, the Z4 is a '12 model but needs the Y cable. I've picked one up today and its all working great.

[kevinmarkwhite]

Thats interesting. Our '09 1'er needed the Y cable...it had the Pro stereo.

Both the '11 1'er and the '62 Z4 have iDrive and I thought they only needed the USB cable. Perhaps its the iDrive that makes a difference.

Maybe I need to double check.

Glad you got it sorted though!

[SynapticFire]

I think BM's speccing system is completely bonkers, because my landlord has a '12 118d with iDrive and needs the Y cable!

[kevinmarkwhite]

Is it something to do with speccing usb audio perhaps? Mine have that.

[Andrew*Debbie]

Yes.

[brenflys777]

I paid the 42 pounds for the Y-cable and it works perfectly. Weirdly my last Z4 with the idrive didn't need it to connect to an iphone 4. All works brilliantly now, thanks for the help

[robbie]

I paid the 42 pounds for the Y-cable and it works perfectly. Weirdly my last Z4 with the idrive didn't need it to connect to an iphone 4. All works brilliantly now, thanks for the help

I got the same cable from eBay for £6...

[Quadracer]

I paid the 42 pounds for the Y-cable and it works perfectly. Weirdly my last Z4 with the idrive didn't need it to connect to an iphone 4. All works brilliantly now, thanks for the help

I got the same cable from eBay for £6...

I needed the Y cable for my 2013 and was stung £42 too and saw them on eBay a week later

[Maniac]

Some people have had issues with the eBay cable (some), I went bmw. It's silly money but it also works.

[ewwimbledon]

I got the dealer to throw y cable in for free only to find apple cable works better as you get album artwork which does not come up with the y. Are you guys saying that if I upgrade to iPhone 5 from 4 I have to go back to the y cable?

[Quadracer]

I got the dealer to throw y cable in for free only to find apple cable works better as you get album artwork which does not come up with the y. Are you guys saying that if I upgrade to iPhone 5 from 4 I have to go back to the y cable?

No, just the little apple adapter chat changes the 30 pin to the new small fire one.