535i '90 iPod Problems

[Zushyman]

I have a BMW 535i year 1990 and I've tried all kinds of stuff to get my iPod to work with the stereo. The stereo is the typical anti-theft one that comes with the car. Not sure how much more descriptive I can be on that. I've tried the following:

1) Cassette adapter that goes into the iPod headphone jack. For some reason when I popped in the cassette the stereo just spit it right back out.

2) FM tuner. This is alright but I have to hold the iPod in my lap at all times while in use. Also on some songs that are slower paced the static is unbearable.

3) Re-writable CDs. Stereo would not play them but they play the non-rewritable CDs do work. However, the non-rewritables are inconvinent if I get a new song.

I need to find something that is compatable with my iPod that has no static. Is there a product out there that can do this? I realize the stereo is pretty old and I'm guessing thats why the cassette converter did not work.

[BMWDriver]

Other than CDs, there was nothing in those days to play like today. So there's no auxiliary input that you could use, unless hacking into the CD changer cabling which you would not want to do. I certainly don't know how or if it could be done.

The only other option is to get a new head unit.

[billygoat777]

Get a new head unit with aux input.

[bmw_525i]

"1) Cassette adapter that goes into the iPod headphone jack. For some reason when I popped in the cassette the stereo just spit it right back out."

I have a cassette adapter and it works fine. I just have to put my finger in it to push down a little to engage it also to get it out i have to pull it out a little bit. Also the fm transmitters are unrelialbe and cause a lot of static.

[RallyD]

check with these people.
http://www.carplayer.com/compatibility.html

I've got a kenwood deck circa 1998 and got a cable for about $20 that goes into the cd changer plug. I never tried to do this with the stock stereo.

[Derek A.]

For $80 you can get a decent head unit, that will play mp3 off a cd, aux input jack and 20 years of tuner technology improvement

[BMWCCA1]

I use an older version of this and like it fine:

http://www.newertech.com/images/trafficjamz_400x250_0408.jpg

But the new one sure looks like an improvement! $19.99 (http://www.newertech.com/products/trafficjamz.php)

[pingu]

I got myself an Alpine CDA 9887 head unit. The downside is that it's not the cheapest and you'd have to replace your head unit. The upside is that you plug in your iPod into the Alpine and the Alpine then controls your iPod - so if you want to change song you can do this from the front panel of the Alpine (as opposed to trying to navigate the iPod controls while driving and then crashing into something).