universal ipod cable - surprise

[Lex 696]

Still revelling from my free USB + Telephone in the Cupra, went to the dealer and asked about the cradle. Rather than spend €170 on the SEAT cable/dock, thought I'd try the old Y cable out of my BMW that had ipod option - what the hey and guess what - it works!! full ipod functionality!

so if this helps anyone, have a look at some y-cables (usb+audio jack > ipod jack) off the bay as it may very well work in your car and you can save a packet. The BMW one is only £35 if I remember right

 

[markmeus]

I tired the ford fiesta one in my car and it wouldnt work - however they way it's plugs were designed made if very difficult to insert the usb socked as the audio one was so big.

Good to know that the BMW one does work. I'd love to know why SEAT think their cable derserves such a high price!

EDIT: Looking on ebay the BMW one appears to have a little box of tricks as part of the cable, the Ford one didn't have that - it was just a straight cable so that could suggest why it didnt work.

Is the BMW one a tight fit - looking like it doesn't have an L shaped audio connectior so does it not get in the way of the USB connector?

 

[Lex 696]

Yes it is a tight fit - but it fits

does so without much cable distortion so it should be okay.

The little box is the essential part. Thats what formats the track info for the stereo display as far as i can gather. when i was looking for it they said be aware of the cheaper cables from asia that dont have this essential technology - these are the ones on the bay for about a tenner.

good thing is we now know that if money is tight, the £30 BMW works which is 50% of the SEAT one

 

[CDNY18]

is it something like this? or am i way off the mark?

 

[Lex 696]

Its like this:

 

[The poloman]

Has anyone got a link to where we can buy these leads? Does it work with the iPhone too?

 

[Lex 696]

Has anyone got a link to where we can buy these leads? Does it work with the iPhone too?

ebay or any BMW dealership - dont have an iphone so i cant check for ya

now i'm not advocating buying BMW parts over SEAT just so its clear, I just want to tell you it works if cost is the overall deciding factor

 

[NickJames]

I got a cable for 2 pounds 2 connect my iPhone both ends are like the jack wer the earphones go works mint

 

[CDNY18]

What version iPhone have you got I'm gunna try that is it just a aux one?

 

[NickJames]

Yerh just aux I got the 3Gs

 

[NickJames]

I got mine from the Market aux cable 1metre long works all good only £2 hope helps

 

[CDNY18]

Lol thanks just tried it now with a 40mm one. Orders the wrong one ages ago and had a rumage. Thanks for that it's saved me a couple of quid

 

[NickJames]

No worries dude

 

[Lex 696]

What version iPhone have you got I'm gunna try that is it just a aux one?

they do work but bare in mind you only get analogue sound, not digital

 

[markmeus]

An aux cable is ok - but it doesn't charge your iPod, show track names or let you control it from the steering wheel which is the beauty of the BMW and SEAT USB cables.

I've always just plugged a memory stick into the usb socket which works fine, but it would be nice to have the option of full control of the iPod so i might look into getting a bmw/mini lead.

 

[craigmk6]

im waiting delivery of one for £8 ill let you know how i get on!

 

[splinter26]

i dont have the usb option, wanting a cheaper retrofit option but can'y seem to find anything decent

 

[moomog]

i dont have the usb option, wanting a cheaper retrofit option but can'y seem to find anything decent

My car was missing the usb option when it arrived and my dealers are supposedly working on a fix to get one fitted retrospectively. They tried to get away with just throwing a Dension unit in it but I told them I was rejecting the car because it was not what I ordered. Last time I spoke to them someone else had complained about the same issue.

 

[mrcoyote]

Anyone got a BMW part number for this cable?

 

[UncleFester]

Try that ....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-iPOD-CABL...bleAudio_MP3PlayerCarKits&hash=item3caef2b024

Or here for the genuine one.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-MINI-USB-...bleAudio_MP3PlayerCarKits&hash=item27b2d67a5a