Features

Overview: This adapter allows an iPod with a dock connector to be connected to and controlled by the factory radio in select BMW and Mini Cooper vehicles. Please check the Crutchfield Vehicle Selector to confirm compatibility with your vehicle.

iPod Compatibility: This adapter is compatible with virtually any iPod with the Dock Connector. This includes (but is not limited to) iPod G3 (3rd generation, firmware version 2.2), iPod G4 (4th generation, firmware version 3.2), and iPod mini (firmware version 1.1).

Playlists: The factory radio can access six discs when a CD changer is connected, this is synonymous with six playlists on the iPod. The first five are custom playlists arranged using iTunes software. The sixth playlist is a Play All command which plays all the songs on the iPod. There is no limit to the number of songs on a playlist, but the song number display on most factory radios is only two digits so after 99 the display restarts at 01.

Playlist Names: In order for the adapter/factory radio to recognize a playlist, it must be named BMW1... through BMW5... Text can follow the BMW name and number, such as BMW3_artistname or BMW2-jazz. For a given disc slot (1-5), if there is no playlist named BMW followed by that number, that disc slot will not be available.

Auxiliary Input: In addition to the iPod input on the PA10-BMW there is an auxiliary input (RCA) for use with another source, such as a DVD system, satellite radio, etc. The aux input is accessed at disc 6 track 1 using the factory radio controls. This aux input can be used with or without the iPod connected. When using the aux input the Play All mode is moved to the Disc 5 slot and the BMW5 custom playlist is lost.

Controls: The iPod is controlled using the CD Changer commands on the factory radio, so there is no need to access the buttons on the iPod or see the display. In fact the iPod enters an External Control mode and neither the controls on the iPod nor the display is active. Use the Radio's Disc Select controls to access the 5 custom mobile playlists, the Play All mode, and the auxiliary input. Track select, forward and backward, works just like on a CD. Other commands include shuffle play, scan (plays first 10 seconds of each track), Fast Track Search (skips forward or backward 10 tracks), and Fast Forward/Fast Reverse within a song (available in shuffle mode only).

Battery Charge: The PA10-BMW charges iPod battery when connected. Charging stops after 1 hour of non use to prevent draining the vehicle's battery.

CD Changer Port: The adapter uses the factory radio's CD Changer port so if the vehicle has an existing outboard CD Changer it must be disconnected.

Pause: When a non iPod source is selected on the radio (AM/FM/Cass/CD) the iPod pauses.

Resume: If the iPod is not disconnected after use, it will resume playing where it left off when you restart the vehicle. If you're listening to a BMW playlist portably and you plug the iPod into the adapter, playback continues from the previous spot.