DIY IPod MOST Adapter Install in 2006 M5

mcw331 · Aug 28, 2006

Finally Tackled it today total 30-45 min.

The BMW instructions posted in the previous thread are helpful but a little different.

Notablely: 1. No need to disconnect power 2. Fiber Optics are already connected to the X18180 connector 3. No need for software flash

My car 2006 built week 49 Dec '05. Aux input installed after delivery. Software version updated to 21.02 (I think?) when they did steering angle sensor.

Here goes step-by-step (pics to follow). Remove all cd's from changer before beginning.

1. REMOVE GLOVE BOX:

Open glove box and remove the 2 pins holding the box up on each side by pinching the tip with needle nose pliers and pushing outward then pull from the head of the pin.

Close the glove box and remove the two hinge plates on the bottom (2 screws each)

Open box and gentle lift off.

2. REMOVE 6-DISC CHANGER:

Flip down small flap on lower left and right corners to expose torque bolt.

Loose both bolts A LOT (this pulls the retaining tabs on the side in so it will slide out)

Gently slide out 6-Disc Changer.

Disconnect the X18180 Connector (4pin +2 fiber optic)

3. CONNECTING IPOD interface:

Test first by connecting X18180 and the Ipod cable to the interface. Then connect Ipod and then turn on car. It should work. It takes a little bit to load all the music. I then switched back to another source and turned the car off.

4. Sliding Interface into the slot:

Place felt on top and bottom of Interface and slide into place (wires towards the front of the car BUT run the IPod end of the connection cable out next to the interface so you can feed it into the glove box next).

I used the wire ties to secure it into place and shimmed both sides with a small piece of felt. Trim ties.

5. Replace Glove Box:

Set on support bar alighn and close. Make sure no uneven gaps exist between the box and dash.

Replace hinge plates to the bottom.

Test alignment while opening and closing.

Replace pin for the two supports (Strap & Piston)

Feed a small amount of Ipod connector into glove box and check that closeing the box doesn't crimp the wire.

Viola!

Good Luck. Now I'm gonna go play with the functions etc.

m_five · Aug 28, 2006

Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup: Doesn't seem difficult at all.

mcw331 · Aug 28, 2006

m_five said:
Thanks for sharing. :thumbsup: Doesn't seem difficult at all.

No Problem. It's pretty really pretty easy once you figure out how to take it apart. Pics are now attached and labeled.

Mike

jfenley · Aug 29, 2006

Great job!

Doesn't the MOST bus accommodate many devices? Isn't there a way to also keep the changer?

mcw331 · Aug 29, 2006

jfenley said:
Great job!

Doesn't the MOST bus accommodate many devices? Isn't there a way to also keep the changer?

Thanks.

I believe the problem was that the MOST Bus does accomadate multiple things but they are all occupied by Tuner(AM/FM/Weather), Sat, DVD, Aux, CD & CD Changer. Unfortunately since there was no other open slot if all options are installed one must go... they designed around replacing the Changer.

Good trade off... 6 cds for over a 1000 cds(or at least 250)

Mike

Jster · Aug 29, 2006

About a week ago I called the BMWNA guy listed on the internal release memo to ask him about the six-disk changer ("say it doesn't have to go") but was only able to leave a VM. He was great and left me a VM saying they really had no way of keeping the six-disk changer in the glove box or moving it to the trunk with the ipod attach. What I didn't think to ask was dropping the in-console CDROM, replacing it with a blank, and keeping the six disk changer. Maybe someone that is doing the install on their own can test this. Since I was having the dealership do the ipod install tomorrow I will ask them as well.

bbamrah · Aug 29, 2006

thanks! this is a great guide

mcvaughan · Aug 29, 2006

Nice work, Mike! I installed mine about an hour ago per your excellent instructions. I had planned to do it over the weekend, but got busy. I had some time tonight, and saw your post and decided to go for it. It went as expected, but I took a bit longer in mounting the interface. I wanted to ensure that I was completely satisfied with the mounting, knowing it would not rattle under any circumstance. In the process I went through about 20 zip strips trying to perfect it.

Thanks again.

AUH M5 · Aug 29, 2006

This looks great! Thanks mcw331 for the info and pics.

Do you all think this would work without software coding if my car already has been upgraded recently? The issue is I don't have an AUX input in my car and I understand that requires the dealer to activate that. Is that also necessary to get the ipod to work?

mcw331 · Aug 29, 2006

AUH M5 said:
This looks great! Thanks mcw331 for the info and pics.

Do you all think this would work without software coding if my car already has been upgraded recently? The issue is I don't have an AUX input in my car and I understand that requires the dealer to activate that. Is that also necessary to get the ipod to work?

Yes you should be fine. No aux need for the Ipod.

I mentioned it because my service guy said I couldn't put it in beacuase I already HAD an aux installed. Lucky for me because I finally got time to do it and saved a couple of hundred buck$.

It simply replaces the 6-disc changer.

We now know it works with V21 software with no reflash (it may work with older versions also?)

Mike

mcw331 · Aug 29, 2006

mcvaughan said:
Nice work, Mike! I installed mine about an hour ago per your excellent instructions. I had planned to do it over the weekend, but got busy. I had some time tonight, and saw your post and decided to go for it. It went as expected, but I took a bit longer in mounting the interface. I wanted to ensure that I was completely satisfied with the mounting, knowing it would not rattle under any circumstance. In the process I went through about 20 zip strips trying to perfect it.

Thanks again.

Great glad it worked for you. What did you Zip tie to?

Mike

6speed · Aug 29, 2006

Great Stuff!

Simple question though....where did you purchase it from? Your BMW dealer?

Cheers ///

mcw331 · Aug 29, 2006

6speed said:
Great Stuff!

Simple question though....where did you purchase it from? Your BMW dealer?

Cheers ///

Yes purchased from dealer. Part number 65 11 0 403 651 as previously posted on this board (you may have to give them the part number) mine came in in two days.

Mike

bbamrah · Aug 29, 2006

I bought my car in March and have had no software update other than the 1200 mile service. I installed it and it worked fine!!

AUH M5 · Aug 29, 2006

mcw331 said:
Yes you should be fine. No aux need for the Ipod.

I mentioned it because my service guy said I couldn't put it in beacuase I already HAD an aux installed. Lucky for me because I finally got time to do it and saved a couple of hundred buck$.

It simply replaces the 6-disc changer.

We now know it works with V21 software with no reflash (it may work with older versions also?)

Mike

Thanks Mike, now let's just hope my local dealer has the part!

SANguru · Aug 30, 2006

great instructions. I just installed mine today. took about 20 mins. You would think though that they would make a better bracket for it instead of having zip ties.. kinda ghetto if you ask me. At least it works well!

mcvaughan · Aug 30, 2006

AUH M5 said:
This looks great! Thanks mcw331 for the info and pics.

Do you all think this would work without software coding if my car already has been upgraded recently? The issue is I don't have an AUX input in my car and I understand that requires the dealer to activate that. Is that also necessary to get the ipod to work?

No Aux in my car and it went in just fine.

If you've had the SZL sensor replaced recently then it more than likely has 21.x code already.

mcvaughan · Aug 30, 2006

mcw331 said:
Great glad it worked for you. What did you Zip tie to?

Mike

I zip tied mine similar to the dealer instructions, I believe. I used two ties to secure it under the top of the CDC bracket. I used one piece of felt between the module and the bracket. The zip ties went through the front most holes in the module and around the CDC bracket. I went through a lot of ties (zip, secure and then ultimately cutting) when I didn't like how I had it mounted. After about 20 mins of that I found a method I was pleased with.

I have the cover plate on order, but I don't think I'll even be using it. I ordered it after realizing it wasn't included with the kit.

trans_lux · Sep 2, 2006

Thanks for a great guide! :thumbsup:
Very simple install roughly 30min. Saved $300+ by DIY!
Sound quality is much better than the aux. input better A-D converters, no filters?? I also feel the interface is easier to use than the Dension that I had in my M3.

Tim_M · Sep 7, 2006

I don't know what the recode does - whether it is the same software as the CD changer but when they hooked my car up to DIS-PLUS (in the UK) it came up as needing a re-code for the iPod interface.

I'll see if my screen displays more than 250 albums.

Tim

mcw331 · Sep 12, 2006

Yes if you have a small hex wrench to loosen the cd changer bolt on the right... you can do it without taking off the glovebox. My wrench was too big and I wanted to see everything. I'd add the no glovebox tip to the above diy.

Thanks,
Mike

///Marshall · Sep 12, 2006

I'm curious about whether a software upgrade is necessary
for this. My dealership insists that the CD software needs to be replaced
by the IPod software and are quoting me, in my mind, a ridiculous labor
cost of $670. Given the ease of installation outlined above I'd much
rather do it myself and save a bit of change.

So what's the story? I called BMW NA and they said no. My dealership
says they don't know what they are talking about. The "Original BMW
Accessories" install guide seems to indicate yes. The do-it-yourselfers
seem to indicate that it isn't? My head hurts. :confused3

BigHat · Sep 12, 2006

Quick question. Might the bolts that hold the CD changer in place be TORX bolts? I think that's what you meant, but I can't see it clearly. If you can confirm and know the size of the wrench req'd that would be great.

Thanks for this. You're saving me bucks. Of course, I have to insure the process in the same on a 650i, but it almost has to be.

Tim_M · Sep 12, 2006

///Marshall said:
I'm curious about whether a software upgrade is necessary
for this. My dealership insists that the CD software needs to be replaced
by the IPod software and are quoting me, in my mind, a ridiculous labor
cost of $670. Given the ease of installation outlined above I'd much
rather do it myself and save a bit of change.

So what's the story? I called BMW NA and they said no. My dealership
says they don't know what they are talking about. The "Original BMW
Accessories" install guide seems to indicate yes. The do-it-yourselfers
seem to indicate that it isn't? My head hurts. :confused3

That's rediculous. My dealership charges £362 to supply and fit the iPod interface including the recode and 17.5% VAT. Both the dealer installation insructions AND the service computer tell the technician to recode the car. It appears that the car works without it if it had a CD changer fitted - maybe the software for the CD changer is the same as for the iPod - but the instruction definitely insists that a recode is required.

Tim

mcw331 · Sep 12, 2006

NO Hexhead.
size 2.5mm (3/32 inch).
Don't let the Stealers charge you hundred$ for this it is too easy. If it does work for with your older software have them update it for some other reason.

Mike

///Marshall · Sep 12, 2006

The whole install would cost me a thousand. I was pretty insulted by the
quote. To the point of losing my business for good. I'm going to call
around just for my own edification but in the end it seems like a do-it yourself job. Thanks for the input.

DIY IPod MOST Adapter Install in 2006 M5

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