Okay....I searched and found several threads that discuss specific iPod options but I didn't find any that clearly defined the differences in each factory-installed option in a single thread. The options are a bit confusing to someone who hasn't yet taken delivery of a car. For those of you with one of these options, please enertain my questions...

I ordered my '08 MCS here in Germany a few weeks ago and have an estimated build date the first week of August. I have another week to update my build specs and have been considering options for using my iPod classic in the mini. I don't plan on using any dealer-installed options due to the fact that the dollar is dosen't buy all that much against the Euro these days...so I'm limited to the following factory options (w/stock stereo, no Nav)

1) Bluetooth and USB/iPod Adaptor ($500)
or
2) Comfort Bluetooth with USB/iPod Adaptor ($1000)
or
3) Convenience package ($1500)

Questions...

A) Does the Convenience package include option 1 or option 2?
B) Can option 1 be controlled by the Multi-function steering wheel?
C) Where will the iPod adaptor be located in each of the options?
D) Do all three options allow the iPod to charge while playing?
E) What capabilities will I have with my iPod without any of the options above...via the Aux port?

Thanks,
Tank

 

LOL mines not her yet, but ordered the conv package, was going to buy a ipod but i found out here you can use a USB flash drive....

 

For me the biggest difference was the comort option comes with the centre armrest. I hate the centre armrest, so wouldn't order it no matter how much I wanted BlueTooth.
'I don't know, what does the description say?
Yes
With both you'll have USB/Aux jacks on the bottom of the radio, into which you can plug in the supplied Y-Cable and attach the iPod to the other end of the cable. The cable is too short to be much use, unless you get extensions, it'll only reach to the passenger footwell cargo net.

That's the advantage of the other option, you're not considering, the iPod is in the hidden compartment.
Yes.
You'll have all the capabilities the iPod has, the car has no control of the iPod, its just a way of getting the audio into the radio.

I find a simple third party solution like the Griffin Auto pilot does a better job of being an iPod adapter than the factory solutions do. I find the factory solutions to be mainly just annoying, you gain control from the radio or MFSW, but you lose the best feature of the old adapter. The old one just started playing when you started the car and stopped when you stopped. The new one has the annoying habit of starting the iPod at the beginning of the song, if you make lots of short trips you hear the same song over and oner.

I wouldn't have bothered with the factory solution for Shawn, if it hadn't have come free with the bluetooth option. I use the AutoPilot in Tristan instead of the dealer installed adapter.

 

A) Does the Convenience package include option 1 or option 2?B) Can option 1 be controlled by the Multi-function steering wheel?C) Where will the iPod adaptor be located in each of the options?D) Do all three options allow the iPod to charge while playing?E) What capabilities will I have with my iPod without any of the options above...via the Aux port?

 

Thanks a bunch for the quick responses!

 

With regard to sound quality, is any option better than the other? For those with no Bluetooth/USB adapter, how is the sound quality through the Aux port?

 

Are there any additional dealer charges for preparing any of these options?

 

The dealer installed adapter has an installation charge, quite a big one. The others are factory installed and there should be no additional charge.

 

They sound good to me, they should be all the same as they're all a directly wired connection. You can get the same sound quality with the Aux-in as the others if you use an Aux out on the iPod, rather than the headphone socket. Basically you need something which connects to the dock connector of the iPod for the best sound.

 

Just got back from my first 450 mile run in the MCS (Astro) and I have the BT/iPod cable with the options. iPod mates just fine, but what I hate is it will NOT shut off when car is off.

The non Nav display is pretty tough to use too, lots of scrolling, and since we are new at this, it took some work. Much faster to have passenger manipulate iPod first, then we got it working fine.

Not great, but better than nothing.