ipod install 1998 bmw m3

[shloreroomph4]

Need help!

i just bought a 98 bmw m3. it has a 6 disc changer (trunk mounted). I saw the ipod you bmw ads but to my dismay its only for 2002 and above. I was wondering if there was any way to get the dealer to install it in an older one, and if not, what are my other options. I would prefer not to use the tapes or the transmitters because i have tried those and do not like them. any ideas or suggestions would be great!

[brodog2525]

You should call or go buy a bmw dealership and then post what they say here. Welcome to iPodLounge.com

[neocor]

I am in a similar boat. This new adaptor sounds so cool. And I hate my Truck Mounted 6 Disc CD Changer. It has gone bad twice. I have the casette adaptor for the iPod and not to mention the sound quality sucks.
I am of the view that this new adaptor should work on the Trunk mounted CD changer interface. I am going to go to the dealer this week sometime and check it out.
It will be a shame it does not work.

[bhb399mm]

Originally posted by shloreroomph4
Need help!

i just bought a 98 bmw m3. it has a 6 disc changer. I saw the ipod you bmw ads but to my dismay its only for 2002 and above. I was wondering if there was any way to get the dealer to install it in an older one, and if not, what are my other options. I would prefer not to use the tapes or the transmitters because i have tried those and do not like them. any ideas or suggestions would be great!

The Blitzsafe BMW AUX Kit will change your CD changer input to a pair of RCA inputs. You may have to disconset your CD changer, but if you have a CD in dash and an ipod, you souldnt have any problem. I think blitzsafe also makes an AUX input adapter for use with an existing CD changer. When you have a pair of RCA inputs, the install posibilities are endless. You may not be able to control your ipod with your head unit, but you'll be able to listen in your car.

Your other option is replace the stock head unit with one with RCA inputs.

Do alittle research in the forum if you need ideas for an install. Check out my signature for links to my installs. good luck

[Blue_Dawg]

try crutchfield.com. They have tons of stuff to fix this kind of thing.

[shloreroomph4]

Ok so i called the bmw dealership and talked to one of their service reps about installing an ipod into my 98 bmw m3. She checked the car and told me that it could not be done because the cars have to be pre-wired in order to install the ipod. I still need help in what i should do!!!!!!! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[shloreroomph4]

Yes i have finally found the solution to all of our ipod installation problems. It is called the Alpine KCA-420i or Ai-net. You can find out more about it here: http://www.alpine-usa.com/ipod/

The jist of is is that you can plug your ipod into this thing, which connects it to you alpine head unit. with this you can listen to your ipod throught the car. The best part about this is that you HAVE FULL CONTROL OVER YOUR IPOD. This means that you can select your songs, playlists, or whatever through this, so its not like that stupid ipod you bmw crap where you can only choose from 5 playlists. Another highlight is that you can see the song name, album, artist, and track number right on the head unit. This (lifesaver and genious invention) also charges your ipod while you listen to it. It looks like those guys at alpine have been putting some long hours into this project and it appears that it will all pay off! This thing is like a dream, i hope that it lives up to my expectations!!!!!!

[bhb399mm]

yeah.. thats not out yet tho.. we've been talking about alipine's ai-net ipod interface for some time on this site

[Tom@densionusa]

Originally posted by shloreroomph4
Need help!

i just bought a 98 bmw m3. it has a 6 disc changer (trunk mounted). I saw the ipod you bmw ads but to my dismay its only for 2002 and above. I was wondering if there was any way to get the dealer to install it in an older one, and if not, what are my other options. I would prefer not to use the tapes or the transmitters because i have tried those and do not like them. any ideas or suggestions would be great!

The ice>Link will be applicable to your BMW and allow control of the iPod through your steering wheel controls as well as charging.

[carpetbagger]

of course, it would help if he had steering wheel controls.

[Tom@densionusa]

Originally posted by carpetbagger
of course, it would help if he had steering wheel controls.

The MY1998 BMW M3 has steering wheel controls for track selection. For vehicles without steering wheel control, track selection can be made via the radio as well.

[carpetbagger]

you have a pic of your wheel? i haven't seen steering wheel controls on the 3 or 4-spoke wheel on the e36.

[Tom@densionusa]

Originally posted by carpetbagger
you have a pic of your wheel? i haven't seen steering wheel controls on the 3 or 4-spoke wheel on the e36.

My mistake, the steering wheel controls did not appear on the e36 BMWs, only on the e46. In MY1997 it seems only the 5 and 7 series had the steering wheel buttons. I was going off my e39 (540) and assumed BMW offered steering wheel controls across the board at that particular time.

The only "e36-like" vehicle with steering wheel control would be the e37 vehicles, as seen in the Z3 and M Roadster/Coupe.

But we are getting off topic here.:

The ice>Link BMW interface is applicable to all MY1997+ BMWs with exception of the new 5/6/7 series. (fiber optics).

[carpetbagger]

i'm sorry, but he really doesn't need ice-link.

ice-link is going to take away his cd-changer, so now all he has is the ipod and the tape player...well, what if he still wants to listen to cd's? seems like he is SOL.

imho, he should just pick up a cd/mp3 hu with an aux input. if that means he waits for the alpine setup, fine...but he doesn't have to. he could find something with an aux input on the back or a front panel input. now he has a line-in ipod, cd and mp3 cd capabilities, and possibly xm/sirius.

no offense, but i think that's worth the extra money over the ice-link. not that i think ice-link is bad. my friend has it in his e46 (and that's a story in and of itself), but in this application, the original poster would be best suited to an aftermarket hu offering more flexibility.