Y-adaptor for iPod

[sars]

Have had a look through lots of old post and cannot seem to find an answer to this, but if there please point me in the right direction and don't shout. My local dealer wants to charge me £43 for the y-adaptor which connects the iPod/iPhone to the USB and Auxiliary input, the BMW website states that this is required to play the copy protected files such as AAC or MP4

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/navigation/audio/_shared/pdf/bmw_usb_audio_information_2009_en.pdf

So has anyone tried the standard Apple USB cable with AAC format files or am I going to have to part with £43 for a cable, I mean its not like the USB interface was cheap either

Many thanks, Sarah

 

[MikeS]

sars, If you want to keep the IPOD connected to the car while you listen then you need the y adaptor. I paid 39.95 for mine from the dealer but I expect cheaper can be found on the web. However, if you have the hard drive you can simply transfer all of your music from your Ipod to the hard drive using the apple usb cable plugged into the usb port in the glove box. I have never tried connecting the ipod to the armrest usb using the apple lead.

 

[Breaker]

I only use the hard drive also. I don't have the USB under the armrest on my car, only in the glove box, so I can play an iPod over the system using the mini jack input, but can't control it with the iDrive and wheel buttons.

I have my iPhone in the OEM snap-in cradle now which works well for the phone, but no iPod connectivity through it because I haven't the iPod connection option (hence no USB under the armrest).

 

[wegras]

If the 09 Z4 set up is the same as the 1 Series then
The Apple USB cable will play sound but you have no control at head unit
The Y cable allows track control etc through the car's system and is frankly worth while if you use your ipod frequently
Try Joe at Sopers of Lincoln, generally they seem to undercut normal Dealer prices.
BMW charge for the cable since it is unique to the iPod.
The USB feature handles all MP3 players

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