My iPod "integration" solution

Argelius · 10-18-2005, 06:02 AM

I just got a 2006 330xi and am lovin' it!

I, too, am disappointed with with all the hype of "iPod Your BMW" a few months/years ago, that their most advanced car does nothing more than have an AUX input.

My solution was to buy a RF (radio frequency)
iPod Remote

I've velcroed it to the dash and it really works well. I can change tracks, and fast forward/reverse. No display on the Nav screen, obviously, but it makes changing tracks easy...

LEDZEP · 10-18-2005, 06:05 AM

Someone else had a similar solution and strapped the remote to the hand brake. I liked that idea. It's too bad those remotes aren't available in black! Then it wouldn't stand out like an Irishman at a rap concert!

JamieA · 10-18-2005, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Someone else had a similar solution and strapped the remote to the hand brake. I liked that idea. It's too bad those remotes aren't available in black! Then it would stand out like an Irishman at a rap concert!

LOL @ Ledzep, you always say the funniest things...

Argelius · 10-18-2005, 06:26 AM

Actually...i bought some black paint specifically for plastic. Haven't gotten around to trying to paint it without mucking up the buttons...

bluesea · 10-18-2005, 06:36 AM

Since the remote can be taken apart (they offer different colored faceplates), it can be painted. I might do it using a matt or semi-matt black for my black interior.

I just ordered one.

Thanks for the heads-up on this item.

Argelius · 10-18-2005, 06:51 AM

You are welcome! (i didn't know they had different face plates...)

Another advantage of this particular RF remote (im contrast to the one offered by Griffin) is it supposedly has a very long range -- something like 300 feet vs Griffin's 30 (I'm guessing on the numbers...cant recall the exact ones and I am geekily posting this via my Treo while on the elliptical machine at the gym...

puck724 · 10-18-2005, 11:30 AM

i use the griffin and its been working fine for me and im the one that straped it to the handbrake. nice idea about changing/painting the face plate though, i never though about it.

LEDZEP- i have an irish friend that has been to a rap show...funniest night of his life, everyone gave him looks like he had the plague..haha..

Argelius · 10-19-2005, 05:43 AM

Here's my iPod remote, now painted black. Much better than white!

magmd · 10-20-2005, 12:34 PM

oooOOOooo

Now painted black....that is something I could get into

What kind of paint was it??? I am assuming you just brush painted with caution around the buttons...and did not take the unit apart, right??

Argelius · 10-20-2005, 12:40 PM

I must say it blends in very well. I only had semigloss (rather than flat) black paint...so if it was flat, it might be even more unobtrusive...

magmd · 10-20-2005, 12:41 PM

hey...see my edit above

Argelius · 10-20-2005, 01:14 PM

I used semi-gloss black spray paint.
The cover actually snapped off really easily. The buttons are just a little rubber "mat" that also easily comes out.

So I just spray painted to cover (didn't do the back)...let it dry, then snapped everyting back together!

LEDZEP · 10-20-2005, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puck724

i use the griffin and its been working fine for me and im the one that straped it to the handbrake. nice idea about changing/painting the face plate though, i never though about it.

LEDZEP- i have an irish friend that has been to a rap show...funniest night of his life, everyone gave him looks like he had the plague..haha..

Good, I'm glad credit can go where it's due. I couldn't remember and I'm always too lazy to search.

I also really like the painting it black idea (guess the Rolling Stones were on to something there). So what's the difference between the little one and the bigger one? I've always heard (and chosen to believe) that size doesn't matter.

magmd · 10-20-2005, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argelius

I used semi-gloss black spray paint.
The cover actually snapped off really easily. The buttons are just a little rubber "mat" that also easily comes out.

So I just spray painted to cover (didn't do the back)...let it dry, then snapped everyting back together!

Sweet! I am going to look into it 4sure!

Meatnog · 10-21-2005, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

I've always heard (and chosen to believe) that size doesn't matter.

She only said that to make you feel better, Led

puck724 · 10-21-2005, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatnog

She only said that to make you feel better, Led

buuurn

JamieA · 10-22-2005, 09:36 PM

That looks excellent Argelius, I am going to have to do this myself! Thanks for the tip and pics.

LEDZEP · 10-23-2005, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meatnog

She only said that to make you feel better, Led

Damn! I knew it.

10-18-2005, 06:02 AM	#1
Argelius Private 19 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2011 535xi (on order) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago, IL USA iTrader: (0)	My iPod "integration" solution I just got a 2006 330xi and am lovin' it! I, too, am disappointed with with all the hype of "iPod Your BMW" a few months/years ago, that their most advanced car does nothing more than have an AUX input. My solution was to buy a RF (radio frequency) iPod Remote I've velcroed it to the dash and it really works well. I can change tracks, and fast forward/reverse. No display on the Nav screen, obviously, but it makes changing tracks easy... Attached Images __________________ Currently Driving: 2010 Lexus HS 250h
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10-18-2005, 06:05 AM	#2
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Someone else had a similar solution and strapped the remote to the hand brake. I liked that idea. It's too bad those remotes aren't available in black! Then it wouldn't stand out like an Irishman at a rap concert! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious Last edited by LEDZEP; 10-20-2005 at 06:04 PM..
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10-18-2005, 06:26 AM	#4
Argelius Private 19 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2011 535xi (on order) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago, IL USA iTrader: (0)	Actually...i bought some black paint specifically for plastic. Haven't gotten around to trying to paint it without mucking up the buttons... __________________ Currently Driving: 2010 Lexus HS 250h
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10-18-2005, 06:36 AM	#5
bluesea New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: E39 M5/E90 330i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: CA. iTrader: (0)	Since the remote can be taken apart (they offer different colored faceplates), it can be painted. I might do it using a matt or semi-matt black for my black interior. I just ordered one. Thanks for the heads-up on this item.
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10-18-2005, 06:51 AM	#6
Argelius Private 19 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2011 535xi (on order) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago, IL USA iTrader: (0)	You are welcome! (i didn't know they had different face plates...) Another advantage of this particular RF remote (im contrast to the one offered by Griffin) is it supposedly has a very long range -- something like 300 feet vs Griffin's 30 (I'm guessing on the numbers...cant recall the exact ones and I am geekily posting this via my Treo while on the elliptical machine at the gym... __________________ Currently Driving: 2010 Lexus HS 250h
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10-18-2005, 11:30 AM	#7
puck724 COLTS 4 LIFE!!! 99 Rep 1,746 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: california iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	i use the griffin and its been working fine for me and im the one that straped it to the handbrake. nice idea about changing/painting the face plate though, i never though about it. LEDZEP- i have an irish friend that has been to a rap show...funniest night of his life, everyone gave him looks like he had the plague..haha.. Attached Images __________________ 2006 330i --sapphire black--black leather --alumminum trim --premium package --cold weather package --park distace control --automatic transmission --navigation with iDrive
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10-19-2005, 05:43 AM	#8
Argelius Private 19 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2011 535xi (on order) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago, IL USA iTrader: (0)	My iPod "integration" solution, Part Deux Here's my iPod remote, now painted black. Much better than white! Attached Images __________________ Currently Driving: 2010 Lexus HS 250h
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10-20-2005, 12:34 PM	#9
magmd Major General 160 Rep 5,271 Posts Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (13) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	oooOOOooo Now painted black....that is something I could get into What kind of paint was it??? I am assuming you just brush painted with caution around the buttons...and did not take the unit apart, right?? __________________ 2006 330i \| Black Sapphire Metallic \| Step Auto \| Navi with iDr \| Sports Pkg \|OEM Rear Spoiler \| 3M CS35 Tint \| H&R Sport Springs \| Koni Yellows \| Advan RS Racing Hypersilver: 19x9 et22 19x10 et20
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10-20-2005, 12:40 PM	#10
Argelius Private 19 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2011 535xi (on order) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago, IL USA iTrader: (0)	I must say it blends in very well. I only had semigloss (rather than flat) black paint...so if it was flat, it might be even more unobtrusive... __________________ Currently Driving: 2010 Lexus HS 250h
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10-20-2005, 12:41 PM	#11
magmd Major General 160 Rep 5,271 Posts Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (13) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	hey...see my edit above __________________ 2006 330i \| Black Sapphire Metallic \| Step Auto \| Navi with iDr \| Sports Pkg \|OEM Rear Spoiler \| 3M CS35 Tint \| H&R Sport Springs \| Koni Yellows \| Advan RS Racing Hypersilver: 19x9 et22 19x10 et20
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10-20-2005, 01:14 PM	#12
Argelius Private 19 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2011 535xi (on order) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago, IL USA iTrader: (0)	I used semi-gloss black spray paint. The cover actually snapped off really easily. The buttons are just a little rubber "mat" that also easily comes out. So I just spray painted to cover (didn't do the back)...let it dry, then snapped everyting back together! __________________ Currently Driving: 2010 Lexus HS 250h
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10-22-2005, 09:36 PM	#17
JamieA Colonel 93 Rep 2,168 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Adelaide, Australia iTrader: (0)	That looks excellent Argelius, I am going to have to do this myself! Thanks for the tip and pics. __________________ '05 E90 325i \| '06 E90 325i \| '08 E90 325i LCI \| '13 F30 328i M-Sport \| '14 F10 535d M-Sport Current: '19 G01 X3 M40i
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