![]() |
|
![]() |
08-23-2015, 12:51 PM | #1 |
New Member
![]() 4
Rep 28
Posts |
2012+ E89 Z4 aux audio thread (steaming +/or USB)
<Edited for clarity>
THE ASK: ---------- tl;dr -- looking for clarity on digital audio for e89. Does your car play music directly from a USB stick? if so, AAC or MP3 only? How about BT streaming - was COMBOX optional after 2012? I found a 2015 35is and neither streaming nor USB audio worked. Trying to sort out the variables and will put together a summary that hopefully helps others (and prospective buyers). BACKGROUND: ----------------- So I've been searching and trying to sort out bluetooth, USB, etc for the 35i/35is models. There is a lot of information and hopefully I can pull a bunch together in this thread - but I need your help. From the VIN report, there are a lot of variant options and I'm pretty sure some remapped at LCI. For instance, I was looking at a 2015 is that is supposedly loaded. I wasn't able to stream from an iPhone 5s or Android Lollipop phone. I also wasn't able to play any music from a USB stick loaded with iTunes files (m4a) - from either USB socket. d'oh! Using the 1/8" audio jack is soooo 2001 and from what I read LOW QUALITY. double d'oh! didn't have a cable to test it either, so triple d'oh! 2015 35is options: 6AE TELESERVICES 6AK CONNECTEDDRIVE SERVICES 6AM REAL TIME TRAFFIC INFORMATION 6AN CONCIERGE SERVICES 6AP REMOTE SERVICES 6NH HANDS-FREE FACILITY W. USB INTERFAC 609 NAVIGATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL 620 VOICE INPUT SYSTEM 655 SATELLITE RADIO 677 HIFI SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL 7S9 CONNECTEDDRIVE SERVICES PAKET NOTES:: No COMBOX. Hrm. I thought all got those in NA for 2013+. 2013 35i (which I don't have direct access to but am considering purchasing). 6AA BMW TELESERVICES 6AB CONTROL TELESERVICES 6FL USB-/AUDIO INTERFACE 6NF EXT.CON.OF THE MUSIC PLAY.I.MOBILPH 6NR APPS 6VC CONTROL COMBOX 609 NAVIGATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL 620 VOICE INPUT SYSTEM 639 COMPLETE PREP. CELLULAR PHONE USA/CDN 655 SATELLITE RADIO 677 HIFI SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL Notes: COMBOX is explicitly listed on this one. Would this one stream? How are USB sticks handled? RANT: ------- I am flummoxed that a car >2012 DOESN'T come with BT streaming worked out (and I appreciate that this has been ranted about on other threads). Apparently, COMBOX apparently fixes this and I thought all cars built after a certain date were supposed to have it? Regarding USB, am I right in my reading that even late model cars require you to copy files to the internal HDD (12GB only) and that the only file format supported is MP3? Zowie. Really puts a damper on the possible purchase of a modern luxury sport convertible. As I'm only able to have limited contact to examples (they're not common around here and I'm not in a big city), I can't test much without a couple hour drive. Yesterday ended up being a bust. Last edited by IMR; 08-23-2015 at 08:46 PM.. |
08-24-2015, 09:37 AM | #2 |
Colonel
![]() ![]() 255
Rep 2,386
Posts |
USB sticks have to be plugged into the port in the glove box to stream. The one in the center console will not work for this application.
BT - Your phone must first be paired to the car. Press CD near the iDrive knob. Scroll to Bluetooth and select. Scroll to your phone in the menu and press Option near the iDrive knob. Select Configure Phone. Audio must have a check mark in the box next to it. If not, scroll to Audio and select. Scroll to OK and select. You can now play via BT. If you ever plug your device in via USB, your BT connection is deactivated and you have to go through the steps above to turn Audio back on. Hope this helps
__________________
2016 340i XDrive, EBII/black, 6 MT, M Sport, Track Handling, Cold Weather, Tech, Lighting, Driver Assistance Plus.
2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA. |
Appreciate
0
|
08-24-2015, 12:56 PM | #3 |
35is driver
16
Rep 60
Posts |
USB in console
I can play music through either USB port. It may be because it's an I-Drive and both ports show up as multimedia source on the screen. The port in the glovebox is the only one that can load updated maps and software, though.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-24-2015, 11:13 PM | #4 |
New Member
![]() 4
Rep 28
Posts |
Thanks gents!
I may have also figured out why the usb stick I tried wasn't recognized; it was formatted exfat rather than fat32. BMW doesn't like this common format. FAT and FAT32 only. Also Mac computers don't format fat32 without a bit of hacking. TIL. Also no bit rates over 256 Mbps allowed. MP3, AAC, WMA and WAV ok. FLAC, ALAC, etc are not supported. For BT, combox is required, but was that fitted standard after a given year? I didn't see it on the vin report for a 2015 35is which was otherwise loaded. |
Appreciate
0
|
08-26-2015, 02:38 AM | #5 |
First Lieutenant
![]() ![]() 84
Rep 329
Posts |
Just one word of advise: If you´re an audiophile guy, you will be vastly disappointed by the BMW (no matter which) Audio System, it is plain garbage. The tweeters will die very soon (happend to me twice, both sides) as soon as you turn up the volume (especially while driving top down), the bass is non existent, and midranges tend to have distortion.
Yes I tested it with HiFI Test Files, not with some streamed youtube songs. I went for an Aftermarket setup and now I am entirly happy. |
Appreciate
0
|
08-26-2015, 10:31 AM | #6 | |
New Member
![]() 4
Rep 28
Posts |
Quote:
Would love thoughts on this. Is it an impossible dream? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-27-2015, 02:37 AM | #7 | |
First Lieutenant
![]() ![]() 84
Rep 329
Posts |
Quote:
![]() My car has no I-Drive since it is not my Daily Driver anyway, and the installation of a soundsystem on a Z4 without the I-Drive is easier to do I´ve been told. I have purchased and installed the following: -Jehnert Sound System http://www.jehnert.de/en/shop/e89-ro...y-soundsystem/ -ETON ECC600.4 Amplifier (RMS) 4 x 130 W @ 4 Ω -Alpine Radio CDA-137BTI -I have insulated the doors and cabin against any possible rattling and distortion noises. (Yeah, I am THAT audiophile) I might create a thread with pictures right now, but several members on this forum have gone for the Jehnert option: http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthre...hlight=jehnert But a "classic" sound system swap on the existing spots is no big deal: http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthre...hlight=jehnert I have the Jehnert system for 2 years now, and it is still awesome, I regret nothing. When driving top down at higher speed and you still hear the music on a enjoyable level is really a blast. To me, the car became even more special. If you want some pictures, I will gladly upload them for you, just tell me what you wanna see ![]() |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-27-2015, 10:50 AM | #8 | |
Private
![]() 6
Rep 96
Posts |
Quote:
Top up or down. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-27-2015, 01:55 PM | #9 | |
Lieutenant General
![]() ![]() ![]() 3195
Rep 10,509
Posts |
Quote:
I don't consider myself an audiophile but it seems like with top down or top up with relatively minimal sound proofing it isn't going to be a great audio experience no matter what By the way, OP. with a '12 non i drive you can play USB through the center console, or hook up your iphone via usb to stream music. (non i drive means no bluetooth audio streaming) |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-27-2015, 02:15 PM | #10 | |
Private
![]() 6
Rep 96
Posts |
Quote:
However, my old 3 Series Vert had the WORST speakers and reception i have ever had. I replaced the head unit and the disc player with Kenwood Excelon components and it was much improved. My Z4 stereo is far and away better than that. Having said that, I am not an audiophile either, so some may have much higher standards than I do. Besides, sometimes it's more fun to listen to the engine/exhaust. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-27-2015, 04:43 PM | #11 |
Lieutenant General
![]() ![]() ![]() 3195
Rep 10,509
Posts |
My base of comparison is the HK in F30 and F80 and base 11 speaker stereo in my '08 E90 328, all of which I found better than the my E89 premium audio.
Not fair though to compare a fixed roof sedans and a vert |
Appreciate
0
|
08-27-2015, 07:53 PM | #12 |
New Member
![]() 4
Rep 28
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-30-2015, 09:06 AM | #13 |
Private First Class
![]() ![]() 23
Rep 141
Posts |
I have the basic 4 speakers each side plus the center on the dash. ("Professional"). It is hard to tell but I don't think the center speaker works. Does anyone know how to remove the grill so I can check it out.
To the OP, We know how you feel especially if you are an audiophile. Germans don't get it. Porsche and Audi are just catching up also. The Z4 is still a great addictive drivers car. |
Appreciate
0
|
10-31-2015, 05:54 PM | #14 | |
Private First Class
![]() 41
Rep 184
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Tags |
audio, streaming, usb |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|