XSeries-forum

Anyone been able to get the internet radio working on their car. Have had a google at it, and the only reference I can get is that a pandora application through IPhone, (but pandora is not available outside USA).

I use a Nokia N8 so app would be no good anyway.

Is their another way to get internet radio?

Comes as one of the options you can order on new BMW & Mini cars, needs the full media package and the car to have been built from the Autumn of last year. We have it in the Mini (built Nov 2011). It also uses your own mobile to provide the data feed I think - but I can't confirm that bit. You also need either the BMW or Mini 'Connected' App, which means it's currently an iPhone only system although rumour has it Android options may be in the works too. Another required part is the 'Media' type iphone adapter at just over £170!

The US also has the Sirius satellite radio service, but again Europe has nothing like that in service, or presently planned and is not under the footprint for either Sirius or XM. The nearest might be DAB, but even that is very limited - and coverage can be problematic.

Which probably leaves you needing a mobile phone running a browser and feeding audio via an aux input to the onboard audio system.

Even though my MY2011 X6 has the 'Combox' and on board mobile phone including Assist, I still can't get it as the BMW App preparation was not available until early 2011 and cannot be retrofitted (BMW's choice not to permit it, no technical reason as it's mainly firmware so I'm told) as it needs a different Combox. Non-OEM upgrades are being done, but they aint cheap!

i just plug my iphone to hauligan and i get the internet radio worlwide with unlimited data . i have the tunein app on iphone and it transfers the song info and all on the screen. in the US i had sirius on one vehicle and i had XM on another. both were great. when i shipped the pacifica over here no luck on reception for sirius here.

[quote=""X5Sport""] ..uses your own mobile to provide the data feed I think.. [/quote]
When buying I assumed car streamed it itself via the internet option, so I added (option 614 & another £95 - full media pack also req).

I also added option 6NR Mobile Application preperation as Salesman said its the next big thing :
NOW, after reading it is clear the apple i phone is req with the free app loaded in order to get this to work it also allows facebook & twats blogs. bit of a PIA, at £130 6NR option price its not end world. Wifes phone contract due for renewal in April so will go for iphone and get stung for another few quid.

[quote=""X5Sport""]Even though my MY2011 X6 has the 'Combox' and on board mobile phone including Assist, I still can't get it as the BMW App preparation was not available until early 2011 and cannot be retrofitted (BMW's choice not to permit it, no technical reason as it's mainly firmware so I'm told) as it needs a different Combox. Non-OEM upgrades are being done, but they aint cheap![/quote]

Combox ? Wazisthis ?
My car was built as a 2012MY, I take it its a standard build item ?

The Combox Controller replaced the old telephone units (TCUs?) in BMWs. If you have your 'build sheet' you will see option 6VC on it. Installation started around Week 40 of 2010 (my X6 was one of the first with it as it was built that week). It carries the phone, USB interfaces and a few other clever media bits like video decoding. It first appeared in the current model 5 & 7 series before the 'Xs' got it.

It was supposed to be completly upgradeable but the truth has turned out to be rather different. There are at least three completely different versions (you probaby have the 2nd or 3rd Gen modl) each of which adds new functions. The 6NR option was initially supposed to be a firmware upgrade to version 1, but BMW decided until very recently there would be no upgrades, stopped producing version 1 and introduced version 2 (and possibly 3 later still).

What the physical differences are is unclear but they look the same, and have the same connections to the optical and wired busses. I don't know where it is on the E70, but on the E71 it's behind the left boot side trim panel (and a pain to get at!).

EDIT 6NR can bow be added to post 03/11 BMWs which have the right options (Combox, Bluetooth, USB & Smartphone Integration). BMW introduced activation codes last year which killed all those cars where a retrofit had been carried out by one of the groups offering such. The code works against the original order and if the 6NR code was not on the order, but is found active, then the software update kills it!! Proper activation codes are becoming available - but they are not cheap!

I'm having another go at finding if I can get the 6NF ption added as a retrofit. Mind you, a free tethering cobtract would be better, but Orange charge extra should you want to tether, evn though I have already paid for a monthly data allowance! Crooks!

[quote=""X5Sport""]If you have your 'build sheet' you will see option 6VC on it.[/quote]
Dont have that, but cant find it available on build site of BMW.

I have all the media options fitted, so I'm assuming my car must have the latest combox as it was a 2012MY build.
ZXB Media pk
614 Internet
6NF Telephone USB audio interface
6NR Mobile application preperation
601 TV

Apparantly updates are available.
See here - links to software updates
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showth ... p?t=589834

[quote=""X5Sport""]but Orange charge extra should you want to tether, evn though I have already paid for a monthly data allowance! Crooks![/quote]
know what you mean about orange I've been with them for 7 years and keep saying thats the last time when renewal is up for discussion

With that list you've got a Combox. Next time you're in your Dealer's, ask them to print out your build sheet. It lists every option fitted whether you ordered it, or the factory added it as a default. You won't find the Combox on their site or option list as it's a factory option code.

........I know what you mean about Orange, and I joined them two weeks after they launched. I guess I'm a slow learner

[quote=""X5Sport""].... you've got a Combox. Next time you're in your Dealer's, ask them to print out your build sheet... [/quote]