Our Product Research Team
At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere.
That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box,
verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs.
We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.
Features
Overview: The iSimple iPod
interface for BMW (ISBM72) allows you to connect your iPod to select BMW factory
radios. ISBM72 consists of an interface module, factory radio harness and 20'
iPod connector cable. This device allows full track-up, track-down, FFWD and RWD
control of your iPod directly from either the BMW factory radio or the vehicle's
steering wheel controls, just like a factory CD changer would operate. The
ISBM72 provides digital-quality sound and charges your connected iPod
while in use.
Vehicle Compatibility: This interface works with the following
1996-2006 vehicles (as of 6/19/2012).
- 1996-2006 BMW 3-Series
- 1996-2003 BMW 5-Series
- 1999-2005 BMW X5
- 1999-2003 BMW Z3
- 2003-2005 BMW 2005
- 2001-2006 Mini Cooper
Note: The ISBM72 does not retain factory
CD-changer functions. The ISBM72 is not compatible with DSP radios ("DSP"
will be indicated on a button on the front of the factory radio) and
does support vehicles equipped with iDrive. Please use the
Crutchfield Car Selector to verify compatibility with your vehicle.
iPod Compatibility: The iSimple iPod interface for BMW
(ISBM72) is "Made for iPod/iPhone" compatible and supports the following
iPod/iPhone model features when connected to a compatible BMW factory radio as
of 6/19/2012:
|
iPod/iPhone Model |
Generation |
Media Type |
Control Type |
Display Type |
Charge |
|
Audio |
Video |
Radio |
iPod/iPhone |
Song/Artist Info |
Track Info |
|
dock connector |
3rd |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
clickwheel
color |
4th |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
mini |
1st |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
| 2nd |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
video |
5th |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
classic |
80GB |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
120GB |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
160GB |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
iPod nano |
1st |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
2nd |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
3rd |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
4th |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
5th |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
6th |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
iPod touch |
1st |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
2nd |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
3rd |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
4th |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
iPhone |
2G |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
3G |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
3GS |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
4 |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
|
4S |
Y |
N |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
Y |
Note: Apple iPod/iPhone software updates may change
functionality results. If you download a newer software version, you may
need to reset the factory radio and your iPod/iPhone to regain
functionality. If this doesn't work, you may need to revert to the older
software version or wait until an newer software update is available.
Programming: The ISBM72 interface module features 8
dip-switches used to program the iSimple BMW interface to your BMW factory
radio. These dip-switches must be set before the interface is plugged into the
vehicle.
Installation: The iSimple BMW interface module is
designed to be installed in the factory CD changer location of your BMW. The
factory CD changer will need to be disconnected from the factory pre-run
harness in order to connect the iSimple BMW interface (you will loose your
CD-changer). If you vehicle is not equipped with a factory CD changer, you will
need to located the factory pre-run harness. This may involve the removal of the
center console, glove box, or carpeted side panels in the truck. Once the
factory pre-run CD changer harness is found, connect the ISBM72's vehicle
specific harness. The 20' iPod connector cable is then run through the vehicle
to your desired mounting location for your iPod.
Controls: To select your iPod from your BMW factory
radio, press the button on the factory radio that would normally activate the
factory CD changer. The iSimple BMW interface is accessed like the BMW factory
CD-changer. You can then use the factory radio's controls, steering wheel
controls, or the iPod's controls to operate your iPod.
-
Radio Control: With the iSimple BMW interface, the
radio will control the iPod as if it were a factory CD changer. Therefore,
operation will be done by using the same buttons you would use to control
the factory CD changer. Basic functions such as Track Skip, Fast-Forward and
Rewind can be used.
-
Steering Wheel Control: If your vehicle's steering wheel
controls have the ability to select track and control the forward and rewind
functions of your factory CD changer, then they will also control these same
functions on your connected iPod.
-
iPod Control: The iSimple BMW interface does not
disable any functionality of the iPod. The iSimple BMW interface
allows you to keep full control of the iPod from the click wheel. You can
browse files and change playlists on your iPod. You can also skip songs
forward and backwards from your iPod.
Information Display: Some BMW factory radio's may show
disc and track numbers on the display of the unit. The iSimple BMW interface
does not send any information from the iPod to the radio. This means that the
disc and track numbers shown on the display will not and cannot reflect the song
number on your iPod due to the complex nature of the music library.
