Anybody using iPhone 5/5S Music/Media Snap-in adapter

[cuddapah]

Anybody using iPhone 5/5S Music/Media Snap-In adapter part # 84212351309 ? I would like to know its functionality especially music and videos.

[JR956678]

Originally Posted by cuddapah

Anybody using iPhone 5/5S Music/Media Snap-In adapter part # 84212351309 ? I would like to know its functionality especially music and videos.

I have a 2014 Z4 with that Snap-in adapter. The car shows music available as a "USB source" and I can play music on the phone through the Snap-in adapter. I can also play music from the phone via the phone's Bluetooth connection even if the phone is not docked.

I don't know about Video as I don't have any on the phone, but from time spent reading on an X3 forum I believe there's an issue with the iPhone 5S and the lightning connector not passing a video stream like the older 30 pin connector on previous iPhones used to do.

[JR956678]

Originally Posted by cuddapah

Where did you purchase this snap-in ? I couldn't find it here in USA.

I bought the car at an Orlando, FL dealer and while I was waiting for the final detailing of the car I went to their parts department and asked if they had it and they did.

ETA

I think my post was somewhat in error; I've done some more research on an iPhone forum (where this topic has been beaten to death several times) and found that there are actually 3 BMW part numbers:

84212351307 - ($135) supports charging and the external connection to the vehicle antenna but does not support a USB media connection.

84212351309 - (???) this snap-in supports charging, antenna and USB media for older (pre March 2013 build dates) CIC nav systems (that do not use digital audio)

84212351308 - ($250) this snap-in supports charging, antenna and USB media for newer NBT nav systems (that DO use digital audio)

So - depending on when a car was built you may need a 84212351309 or a 84212351308 - it has to match the Nav system to work. My Z4 was built Nov 16, 2013 so it should have the NBT nav system and I have the 84212351308 span-in and it works.

ETA2

Apparently there is yet another part number - released in Germany - 84212358659 - but it doesn't seem to work. I did read a post that stated the 84212351308 works with a CIC nav system IF you change some coding in the MEDIA module - changing the USB2_IPOD_AUDIO line from "ANALOG" to "DIGITAL" which would seem to make a CIC unit work like the NBT.

Over on the Apple forum everyone seem to be pretty p***ed at BMW for not getting this mess straightened out by now. I can't say as I blame them. The most intelligent explanation I read states:

Snap-in Adapters are available in 4 distinct versions:
Phone –Charging and enhanced reception only used when retrofitting a base plate.
Music – For vehicles with SA 6NF produced up to 9/2010 (10/2010 for X5/X6)
Media – For vehicles with SA 6NF and 6NR produced from 9/2010 (10/2010 for X5/X6)
Connect – Specific to NBT (next best thing update to CIC) vehicles and support BMW APPS, these include many MY2013 SA 6NF 6NR optioned vehicles and most MY2014 SA 6NR 6NS vehicles.*

It appears that the Phone version is 84212351307, the Connect version is 84212351308 and the Music and Media versions are not clear. 84212351309 is possibly one and 84212358659 may be the other but the snap-in has to match the nav system in order to work and dealers seem to be confused about what snap-in will work with which vehicle. My success seems due to the fact that I have two vehicles that have NBT nav systems (late 2013 build dates) and two 84212351308 snap-ins.

[cuddapah]

Thanks for the info :-)
I tried using connect version part# 84212351308 (no coding changes). There is no sound. Parts manager told me media version is likely to be released in Jan this year. So far it is not released in USA. It is available in Australia. I was wondering if it worth getting it from there without knowing for sure whether it works or not.

[QUOTE=JR956678;15832960]I bought the car at an Orlando, FL dealer and while I was waiting for the final detailing of the car I went to their parts department and asked if they had it and they did.
[QUOTE]

[2011CrazE89]

I hate the fact that I can't stream my music via Bluetooth on my 2011 30i. Having an Aux cable running out my center counsel is getting old. Yet I can stream wirelessly on my wife's Hyundai. Go figure......

[CeEl]

I tried whichever one came out last fall (?) for my 2012 Z4 and it didn't work right. I think I posted my experience in another thread on this forum.

The other issue with it is that you can't have any sort if case for the phone. Pain to take the phone out.

AnywY, you did the right thing: make sure you can try it at the dealer and make sure it works as advertised.

[JR956678]

Originally Posted by cuddapah

I tried using connect version part# 84212351308 (no coding changes). There is no sound. Parts manager told me media version is likely to be released in Jan this year. So far it is not released in USA. It is available in Australia. I was wondering if it worth getting it from there without knowing for sure whether it works or not.

That symptom would fit the xxx308 with a CIC module - that's exactly what users on the Apple forum reported unless they coded the CIC to accept a digital audio input.

When Apple used the 30 pin connector they had a lot more circuits to use but when they went to the small Lightning connector they gave up a lot of circuits and went to a digital audio output only and that's part of the root cause of the problem.

I think it could be risky to get the Media snap-in unless it would be KNOWN to work. The Apple forum made mention of a German snap-in (xxx369) that was released and then recalled because it didn't work and it would be a shame to order something from outside the country, have it not work and then try to get a refund. Dealers in the US seem to be willing to accept a return if the snap-in doesn't work with your car because I think that happens - a lot.

Originally Posted by CeEl

I tried whichever one came out last fall (?) for my 2012 Z4 and it didn't work right. I think I posted my experience in another thread on this forum.

The other issue with it is that you can't have any sort if case for the phone. Pain to take the phone out.

I believe the xxx308 was out last fall; it was listed on Shop BMW when I got my X3 in November and I ordered from that website. But the X3 is a 2014 with an NBT module so the xxx308 is the right snap-in for that module and it worked. The same xxx308 snap-in works on the 2014 Z4 but with so many different snap-in models and so many different entertainment modules, confusion seems to reign supreme.

And you are right - if you want to use the snap-in you can't have a case on the iPhone - a screen protector seems OK but there's just no extra room for a case. Probably out of necessity - there are so many different cases of different sizes I don't know how you could make a one-size-fits-all snap-in.

[mbetoni]

Excuse me if I'm being ignorant, but I'm not sure I get the purpose/need of the snap-in adapter. Perhaps that's because my car is a 2014 and has the tech package?

I have my phone plugged in with a lightning cable (usb) in the center console and it sits in the little velcro pocket that came with the car attached to the lid of the console (underside). Charges the phone, and all my music is displayed on the nav, makes phone calls, messages, etc - everything I expected it to do.

FWIW my wife's 128i is a 2012 w/ tech package, things work exactly the same in her car as in mine.

[cuddapah]

Lightning to USB cable works ok. But the snap-in adapter as per BMW ..
"it provides a connection to the roof mounted telephone antenna on your car for improved cellular reception. For vehicles with BMW APPS, this adapter is required to fully utilize all features of this option."
As far as I know, lightning pins don't have any antenna pin. Maybe the snap-in connects to the iPhone metal around it and improves cellular reception.

Originally Posted by mbetoni

Excuse me if I'm being ignorant, but I'm not sure I get the purpose/need of the snap-in adapter. Perhaps that's because my car is a 2014 and has the tech package?

I have my phone plugged in with a lightning cable (usb) in the center console and it sits in the little velcro pocket that came with the car attached to the lid of the console (underside). Charges the phone, and all my music is displayed on the nav, makes phone calls, messages, etc - everything I expected it to do.

FWIW my wife's 128i is a 2012 w/ tech package, things work exactly the same in her car as in mine.

[JR956678]

Originally Posted by cuddapah

As far as I know, lightning pins don't have any antenna pin. Maybe the snap-in connects to the iPhone metal around it and improves cellular reception.

As far as I know, the Lightning connector doesn't have any antenna pins (though the 30 pin connector did). It doesn't necessarily need one though as an external vehicle antenna - with or without some amplification - could easily induce a boosted signal to the iPhone's internal antennas - similar to how the Wilson iPhone Booster works. I have nothing that suggests that the BMW snap-in does this - only that I think it could. For the price they charge - it darn well should.

[mbetoni]

I guess I've just never encountered any antenna/reception issues in my car, why I never considered it.

Now, ask me how my reception is WALKING home from work through downtown Chicago. Lake St, Grand Ave, Kinzie around the river are all totally dead zones. ARGHGH.