335i - CD Changer - BMW alternatives?

[SpdKlzU]

Hey guys, just picked up a new 335i and love it! Just wondered how many of you sprung for the BMW CD changer ($720!)? Any aftermarket alternatives? Isn't it really a Alpine or Pioneer unit badged with the BMW logo?

Any help appreciated!

[joec1101]

Just get an iPod and plug it into the aux jack - you can fit way more music on any iPod than any cd changer will hold.

[SpdKlzU]

Thanks, funnily enough I don't own an iPod, but I do have lots of CDs (some mp3 CDs too). I think for now I just want the CD changer (it is MP3 compatible too).

Any CD changer alternatives that you guys know about?

[Barry626]

Hey guys, just picked up a new 335i and love it! Just wondered how many of you sprung for the BMW CD changer ($720!)? Any aftermarket alternatives? Isn't it really a Alpine or Pioneer unit badged with the BMW logo?

Any help appreciated!

I wish it was $720.00 I paid $1128.00 installed.
It's great & MP3's work super!

I won't buy it again because of high price.
Ipod will be in my next car if there is a next car :)

[SpdKlzU]

I wish it was $720.00 I paid $1128.00 installed.
It's great & MP3's work super!

I won't buy it again because of high price.
Ipod will be in my next car if there is a next car

WOW that's expensive! Guess I'll have to get used to this new German car lifestyle!

You bring up another good point - I was thinking I could just install this myself. Do you know what was involved? Anyone install one of them yourself?

Thanks!

[Barry626]

WOW that's expensive! Guess I'll have to get used to this new German car lifestyle!

You bring up another good point - I was thinking I could just install this myself. Do you know what was involved? Anyone install one of them yourself?

Thanks!

Not sure all that has to be done?
I do know the car needs to be reprogramed.
Plus left side panel with cut out needs to be replaced.
Panel alone I believe is $100.00?

[SpdKlzU]

Not sure all that has to be done?
I do know the car needs to be reprogramed.
Plus left side panel with cut out needs to be replaced.
Panel alone I believe is $100.00?

Oh so that panel needs to be replaced? I thought that little plastic cover popped out and it went in there.

You don't think you could snap a picture of how it's installed by any chance? If so that would be awesome!

(I'd post a smiley but apparently I'm not allowed yet... :-)

[awise1961]

I had my dealer install the BMW six disk changer in the compartment in the trunk prior to picking up my new 335i Sedan. I paid $ 695.00 installed.

Al. Wise

[Mark335i]

Thanks, funnily enough I don't own an iPod, but I do have lots of CDs (some mp3 CDs too). I think for now I just want the CD changer (it is MP3 compatible too).

Any CD changer alternatives that you guys know about?

I also considered the CD changer, but was convinced by the $700 price
(:flipa) to go with the 8GB Ipod Nano ($249) and a retractable cord ($20) to plug into the Aux Input in the console glove box. It was the best decision ever. I so far have about 850 songs on the Ipod (with space for 1150 more) and never have change any CD cassettes in the trunk which I always considered a PITA. I also got tired of listening to those 6 CD's pretty quickly. I just put the Nano on "Shuffle" and it is like having your own Sirius channel. The ITunes software is free and a piece of cake to load your CD's to the Nano. Just my $.02 :alrightbmw

[kristine's 335i]

absolutely agree with the ipod solution vice the CD changer!!!! Or any good MP3 player. I love the sound coming out of my speakers on the 335.

[aftp302]

Hey guys, just picked up a new 335i and love it! Just wondered how many of you sprung for the BMW CD changer ($720!)? Any aftermarket alternatives? Isn't it really a Alpine or Pioneer unit badged with the BMW logo?

Any help appreciated!

Regarding aftermarket CD changers, I know in my MB C230 the CD changer was manufactured by a mainstream company (Alpine I believe) but the audio system uses a fiber optic connection so there was no option for an aftermarket alternative. I don't know if the BMW's use a similar system or not though.

FWIW I got the factory changer in that car (C230) and haven't used it in 3 years because I've been using my 60GB iPod. I own over 1100 CD's and it's nice to have every single one of them plus playlists available at any time without worrying about toting along a bunch of CD's or switching them in and out of the cartrige all the time. I also did not order the CD changer for my 335.

Even the most expensive iPod (80GB) for $350 plus a cable for $10 or less will get you more than you get with the CD changer for at least half the cost. Plus you can then use the iPod wherever you go! :)

[Barry626]

I had my dealer install the BMW six disk changer in the compartment in the trunk prior to picking up my new 335i Sedan. I paid $ 695.00 installed.

Al. Wise

You sure lucked out u got changer for retail & no installation charges.
Takes few hrs + cost of panal + bracket. Guess u got it all free?
Or dealer somehow worked it in your price of your car??

[SpdKlzU]

Okay thanks for all your input guys! You've convinced me to go the iPod route. Just picked up an 8GB Nano for $239 from Costco.

Did any of you buy the optional BMW iPod integration kit?

It doesn't look like there is a DICE HD radio/iPod kit available yet. Do you think it's worth waiting?

Thanks again!

[shelltox]

Hi guys

I'm kinda in the same boat looking at the iPod option but wondering whether the BMW iPod integration kit will allow you to control the volume from the steering wheel volume controls together with the other available buttons option.

If this works, then it's definitely a good route to go.

Thanks.

:redspot

[aftp302]

Hi guys

I'm kinda in the same boat looking at the iPod option but wondering whether the BMW iPod integration kit will allow you to control the volume from the steering wheel volume controls together with the other available buttons option.

If this works, then it's definitely a good route to go.

Thanks.

:redspot

Not sure what you mean by "together with the other available buttons option" but the short answer to your question is yes. The iPod integration kit (still be re-vamped for the new e90 and e92) will use the dock connector and will give you iPod control (volume, song selection, etc) along with charging the iPod. Volume will most certainly be controllable from the steering wheel (like previous BMW iPod kits) but as for the rest of the controls, probably a combination of through iDrive and/or radio based controls.

According to my CA there is no date for the release of the new integration kit, I am hoping it's soon because my 335 is due in around 1/31. If not I'll just use the AUX input in the armrest until the kit is available.

There is a section of the BMW site at http://www.bmwusa.com/ipod which is currently showing a page saying they are updating the site. I assume that as soon as the new kit is available, this page will be updated as well so you could monitor that page every couple days.

[Mark335i]

According to my CA there is no date for the release of the new integration kit, I am hoping it's soon because my 335 is due in around 1/31. If not I'll just use the AUX input in the armrest until the kit is available.
My dealer has the E92 Ipod kit in stock ($319 kit / $225 Labor). I didn't think it was worth it. Using a Belkin retractable cable and a Kensington charger, I plug into the AUX input in the console, and use the power plug alongside it. I put the Nano on the small tray in front of the console armrest. I control volume from the steering wheel controls. Since I leave the Nano on "Shuffle" almost all the time anyway, I didn't worry about controlling or displaying tracks on the radio screen. I just turn it on and :guitarist

[shelltox]

$319 + $225 sounds like it's really steep for this convenience. Perhaps have to stick with the old fashion CD changer ie manually changing them. Anyway, thanks for your input guys - this is sure a great help !

Cheers!

[lauyeung]

I also considered the CD changer, but was convinced by the $700 price
() to go with the 8GB Ipod Nano ($249) and a retractable cord ($20) to plug into the Aux Input in the console glove box. It was the best decision ever. I so far have about 850 songs on the Ipod (with space for 1150 more) and never have change any CD cassettes in the trunk which I always considered a PITA. I also got tired of listening to those 6 CD's pretty quickly. I just put the Nano on "Shuffle" and it is like having your own Sirius channel. The ITunes software is free and a piece of cake to load your CD's to the Nano. Just my $.02

Hi Mark,

Can you link where you purchased your retractable cord?

Thanks,
Larry

[Mark335i]

Hi Mark,

Can you link where you purchased your retractable cord?

Thanks,
Larry

Here you go. Even though it says 2-3 weeks on the delivery, I got mine in less than one week.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=C5E4FE34&nplm=TK879LL%2FA

Some people are going with the Monster Cable ICharger and combining it with a "mini-to-mini" cable to the AUX input in the console for line output from the Ipod rather that amplified. Here is that link:

http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Cable-Ultra-Low-AICHG2-IP/dp/B00015GYTU/ref=pd_bxgy_e_text_b/102-0982495-6941719

[blk4est]

My dealer has the E92 Ipod kit in stock ($319 kit / $225 Labor). I didn't think it was worth it. Using a Belkin retractable cable and a Kensington charger, I plug into the AUX input in the console, and use the power plug alongside it. I put the Nano on the small tray in front of the console armrest. I control volume from the steering wheel controls. Since I leave the Nano on "Shuffle" almost all the time anyway, I didn't worry about controlling or displaying tracks on the radio screen. I just turn it on and :guitarist
Mark335i,
Do you have the Navigation/iDrive option? Just curious if this setup works without the Nav/iDrive.
Thanks

[Mark335i]

Mark335i,
Do you have the Navigation/iDrive option? Just curious if this setup works without the Nav/iDrive.
Thanks
I do not have IDrive (absolutely on purpose).

[lauyeung]

Why absolutely on purpose? Is iDrive Navigation that bad?