Sorry another iPod bonehead question

[WaZZZZman]

Please forgive me, but I am an old geezer and someday you will be one also or a geezeret, which ever gender you are. I purchased an iPod for the first time the other evening. I was going to use one of those external FM transmitters to send the iPod audio to the car radio, but after asking about it on the forum here and getting no response, :headbang: and talking to sales people who, off the cuff, told me they do not work very well, I started to look for other alternatives.

I did a search here on the forum and saw a lot of ideas and ways others have done the task. I maybe smart enough to accomplish it as others have done. But I do not really know what I am working with and do not know how to find out, so maybe some of you wiper snappers oke: out there can give this old man some help. Being that I do not know what packages came with this used 2004 Z4 2.5i.

A local person turned this particular car in off lease and I bought it. There was not even a manual supplied with it. The car came to me as is and it seems to be in excellent shape.

I know that there is supposed to be a 1/8th inch plug in the ashtray area to plug aux devices into. This would be the easy way if there was a plug there. What is there is a new looking plastic box that still has some item stickers on it. The box was just loose in the ashtray area. Please look at the photo below to see what I am talking about. Maybe the other owner took the aux port with them. :wink:



Now look at the photo below to see what the area looks like just under the plastic tray. Pay especial attention to the little receptacle on the lower right side. There are wires connected to that receptacle. Does anyone know what they are for? If I had a schematic for the wiring of the Z I could figure it out, but I do not have such and do not know where I can get one.



If any of you would be so kind as to help me, I would be very appreciated and maybe I can help you in the future. Thanks :driving:

 

[grdz4roadster]

WaZZZZman...unfortunately, your Z4 model does not come with an Auxillary Input Jack installed. As far as I know, that was not installed until the 2007 models. I have a 2006 Z4 model and with help from people on this site, I was able to install the Auxillary Input Jack myself. It takes less than 30 minutes to do. Here is the link to the How to:

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1483

1. You have to order the Auxillary Input Jack. There are two types, the ashtray type or the cable which can be installed on the panel under the A/C controls.
2. You have to remove the Center Vents;
3. You then unscrew 2 screws that hold the stereo in place;
4. You then remove the panel under the A/C controls;
5. You then plug the wire into the back of the stereo and pass the wire under and through the panel opening;
6. You then drill a hole and secure the jack into the panel.

Don't be intimidated as this is really an easy modification. Otherwise, if you decide to have the dealer install it, you'll be charged $200 to $300. I hope this helps.

 

[JBZ4]

I am also techo iliterate. I am planning a roadtrip and rather than lugging my CD's I would rather pick up an IPOD. What needs to be done to use one on a 2007 Z4? Is it plug and play? :driving:

 

[WaZZZZman]

WaZZZZman...unfortunately, your Z4 model does not come with an Auxillary Input Jack installed. As far as I know, that was not installed until the 2007 models. I have a 2006 Z4 model and with help from people on this site, I was able to install the Auxillary Input Jack myself. It takes less than 30 minutes to do.

Thanks grdz4roadster, I have looked at that link and it sure seems complicated to me and I have seen ref. to using special tools etc. to get the gril off. And can anyone tell me what that port in the tray is for with wires attached. I would not think BMW would put a jack there just for fun???????? Thanks OZ

 

[AlanL]

WaZZZZman - have you visited any of your friendly local car sound shops yet? Car Toys should be up in your neck of the woods and may have some useful ideas on how to get your car up to the task. Also check with some of the online places:

Bavarian Soundwerks

European Auto Source

 

[gannet]

The aux input is not a hard thing to do The vents come out with a little help from a flat head screwdriver.

I just bought the part from the dealer. Placed it in the panel under the air con controls - modified the part given by taking the face plate off (only secured with a figure nut)

The only complication I came across was the cd changer shares the same plug but again it is simple to merge the plugs with a little help from a pin or similar to remove wires from one plug and put them in the same holes in the other.

Can only think the wires you are referring to are the cigarette lighter power etc.

Hope this helps. I can scan in the installation instructions my dealer gave me if it will help? Just let me know.

 

[ovrkll]

WaZZZZman...unfortunately, your Z4 model does not come with an Auxillary Input Jack installed. As far as I know, that was not installed until the 2007 models. I have a 2006 Z4 model and with help from people on this site, I was able to install the Auxillary Input Jack myself. It takes less than 30 minutes to do.

Thanks grdz4roadster, I have looked at that link and it sure seems complicated to me and I have seen ref. to using special tools etc. to get the gril off. And can anyone tell me what that port in the tray is for with wires attached. I would not think BMW would put a jack there just for fun???????? Thanks OZ

There is a small led in the ashtray compartment that lights up the ashtray itself (throught the small hole on the right side of the ashtray)

 

[WaZZZZman]

WaZZZZman...unfortunately, your Z4 model does not come with an Auxillary Input Jack installed. As far as I know, that was not installed until the 2007 models. I have a 2006 Z4 model and with help from people on this site, I was able to install the Auxillary Input Jack myself. It takes less than 30 minutes to do.

Thanks grdz4roadster, I have looked at that link and it sure seems complicated to me and I have seen ref. to using special tools etc. to get the gril off. And can anyone tell me what that port in the tray is for with wires attached. I would not think BMW would put a jack there just for fun???????? Thanks OZ

There is a small led in the ashtray compartment that lights up the ashtray itself (throught the small hole on the right side of the ashtray)

Thank you everyone who responded, and yes it is the light for the ashtray. It looks like there is no quick way of doing this other than going to the dealer to have it done by them. In looking at the list of parts, I think I am well over 50% of what the dealer will do it for. I am going to try one of the local Car Toys places just to see, but past experience with the electronic expertise demonstrated my confidence level is not what it should be. I’ll keep you all posted with what I finally do. Thanks gang you were a great help.

 

[rabman5]

WaZZZZman, Sometimes your best tool is your checkbook.