iPod & iPhone integration

[heavymetalthunder]

Hi, I have been researching iPod and iPhone integration options into an E85 and a little confused on whether I can achieve what I want - I don't have a Z4 yet but currently in the market for one and planning prospective mods already!

I have a Pioneer single DIN head unit in my current car which I am very happy with, it has two USB ports - one has an iPod connected in the glovebox which plays music when the car starts (continuing where I left off) and the other connects to my iPhone 6s via a lightning USB cable to charge it and also can play music or pipe sat nav directions from Apple Maps through the head unit. The head unit also has bluetooth for calls.

I am wondering what the best way would be to replicate this in a Z4? I have seen a potential car that I am in negotiations with, it has the sat nav and 10 speaker Carver DSP audio system (plus CD changer). I was looking at the Intravee which seems to integrate well with iPods, but wouldn't cater for the iPhone. There is also the Parrot system which obviously solves the bluetooth/calls issue, but for music it isn't as well integrated, and also I have read it bypasses the car amps and doesn't sound great (I am quite into my music/hi-fi and appreciate a decent system) so not too sure.

I could sacrifice the dedicated iPod and just stick to using my iPhone for music and calls. Or stick with the iPod through the Intravee and find some way to get bluetooth integrated for calls and a way of keeping the iPhone powered? Would a Parrot system and Intravee work together?

Does anybody have a similar setup? Any ideas on how I can get my 'ideal' setup running? Any thoughts appreciated, many thanks

 

[swilsco]

There is also the Parrot system which obviously solves the bluetooth/calls issue, but for music it isn't as well integrated, and also I have read it bypasses the car amps and doesn't sound great (I am quite into my music/hi-fi and appreciate a decent system) so not too sure.

I have the Parrot system in my car. I would say it is well integrated for music .. it has bluetooth, line-in, USB, SD card. Also, not sure what you mean by bypassing the car amp, mine doesn't seem to, all speakers are on.

 

[Georgio]

Plus one on the Parrot system to solve all your needs, I have the i9200 and all my music is on a SD card that slots in the back. Factor in the bluetooth connectivity for both phone calls and sat nav via google maps on my phone and it's a complete package.

 

[heavymetalthunder]

Thanks, I agree that the functionality of the Parrot kits looks ideal but there are many comments on poor sound quality when using them for music.

Also, not sure what you mean by bypassing the car amp, mine doesn't seem to, all speakers are on.

The specs for the Parrot state "Digital Class-D 20W amplifier" and looking up on a few car audio specialist sites they even state "Sound quality is achieved via the MKi built-in digital amplifier. Please Note: As with all music bluetooth hands free car kits the music produced will not be the same quality as that from a car stereo. This is because the kit uses its own amplifier to play the music, and although reproduction is very good, customers should not expect crystal clear, complex music sounds, from a hands free kit."

 

[Georgio]

I would find someone who has a Parrot fitted and have a listen before being put off by internet blurb. In real terms I can't tell the difference between my BMW CD player and the Parrot system, both sound excellent and are plenty loud enough, the difference being I can fit hundreds of albums on my Parrot and only 6 in my CD changer...

 

[heavymetalthunder]

Thanks for the response. Are there any Z4 owners with a Parrot around the Brighton area? If not I guess I could just buy the Parrot and give it a try, if I am not happy with the sound then get an Intravee for music and then use the Parrot just for calls.

Also I notice the Parrot has an old style 30 pin connector, I assume I would have to buy a Lightning adapter? Or could I just use my usual Lightning cable into the USB port?

 

[WelshZ4coupe]

Hi there, I've used a grom kit. It was exspensive at £120 but i didn't want to use a parrot kit as I wanted the whole interface as BMW intended, this kit was as simple to fit as the YouTube clip suggests.

Can't recommend it enough, you can find it on eBay and amozon