USB interface for BMW Head Unit

H

Hotride

Active member
 Nth Qld
apologies in advance if this topic has been covered, but i searched and couldn't find anything.

Firstly i have an 08 323i and it has usb/aux input in the center console, and since having these features, i have really come to appreciate them.
My daily driver is however an 03 Z4 3.0 which does not have these inputs, and i find myself really wanting for them, so i was looking for some advice on how to add such a thing.

My car has the sat-nav headunit. ( it has 10 speakers, im not sure if it has dsp, but would appreciate somebody telling me how to figure it out) and a 6 CD changer.
So my mission is to have both USB and AUX input added in, i have been looking around alot without to much success, however recently i have discovered a device called the BMW / GROM USB/iPod interface adapter(GROM-USB2-BMW) by a company called GROM. It claims to give the user usb, ipod and aux control from the head unit/steering wheel controls and its cost is not unreasonable at 125USD

i was wondering has anybody bought or tried to install this unit? or can anybody suggest another type of USB input that could be installed into my car? i havent seen any reviews for the grom product, I know it uses the cd changer plug, hence i will lose use of that, but if it does what it claims it's worth it for me, so i will buy one... (I will add a photo guide/ how to for this product if i decide to get it). Any comments about this product or other possible solutions would be greatly appreciated
 
http://www.gromaudio.com/store/usb_adapters/grom-usb2-bmw.html

sounds too good to be true :o
 
This one went for £36.20! :|

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-GROM-AUDIO-USB%2FIPOD-MP3-ADAPTER_W0QQitemZ130366938320QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20100215?IMSfp=TL100215127002r26237
 
But if you have to pay full whack it comes in at well over £100 with shipping and taxes...thats halfway towards a new head unit with the necessary inputs.....? :|
 
I have emailed the UK ebay seller because the facelift Z4 doesnt seem to be on the compatibility list... I will update when I hear back. :thumbsup:

Granted it's new HU money but the audio is so well integrated into the dash and the screen I cannot go aftermarket with this car...
 
lacroupade said:
But if you have to pay full whack it comes in at well over £100 with shipping and taxes...thats halfway towards a new head unit with the necessary inputs.....? :|
Click to expand...
so you are getting the features for half price then :lol:

To keep it OEM and have all those features I think £100 is a bargain.

I did notice about the post facelift not being on the list, but mine is pre so didn't worry about it :lol:
 
there must be a catch, it's a relatively old product so someone would have mentioned this in the past.
 
I already have a similar Phatnoise - Phatbox system which plugs into the standard 6 disk changer socket and uses a 180gig harddrive to store the music. Controlled via standard head unit, works faultlessly but cost £400. If this system works it would be a much cheaper alternative. I've ordered one for the Volvo, I'll let you know how it goes.
 
ok, i think i will buy one today and give it a try, seems like the best option.

only issue is it wont work with dsp stereo, i have -
part no. 677 Hifi System Professional - am i right in assuming thats a non-DSP model?
 
ok. after reading a few threads, i jumped in the car and opened my menu screen and i found DSP option starring me in the face... looks like no grom for me, just when i thought i found the solution.
I think i may have to look into upgrading my head unit if that will support the USB interface.... anyone know where i may get one on the affordable side?
 
what do you want to do with the USB interface? If you want to plug in an iPod/iPhone and have Sat-Nav then an Intravee is a popular choice.
 
well i do have an iphone... but i prefer USB input to any other form, so simple and quick to update my music (i have it oem in my 07 323i). might look into the intravee tho.
 
Just fitted the GROM to my runaround Volvo. Very easy installation, done in under 10mins and does exactly what it should. Plug a USB stick full of mp3's into the lead in the glove box and away you go. Highly recommended. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
There isn't any mention of how the GROM unit displays information (CD TEXT etc) or indeed how you can navigate through the track listings.

Pity that the Intravee doesn't have USB in.
 
TH3R4POR said:
what do you want to do with the USB interface? If you want to plug in an iPod/iPhone and have Sat-Nav then an Intravee is a popular choice.
Click to expand...

hi,

but i understand the intravee II is no longer in production???
 
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