gplank

Can anyone tell me about the functional difference using Bluetooth vs. the wired connection in the center console?

Of course, the wired connection will charge the phone, but what else?

Would I ever want to use the wired connection instead of Bluetooth if I have an iPhone 5?

On my old X5, the BMW app on the iPhone (i.e., Pandora, Facebook, etc.) only worked if the iPhone was physically connected to the USB port in the center console, and only if the app was running....which, of course, seemed totally stupid, since any phone call would shut if off.

Thx

GTscrub

After three days with the car, I notice that I can only make phone calls with the BlueTooth connection and I can only play music with the direct iPhone connection.

Can anyone receive text messages to the car with the iPhone?

katiesdad7

If I try to play music with the bluetooth it keeps stopping. I can however make calls with the bluetooth. But you can't get messages over the command system with the IPhone.

tbal

Odd, i've never had that problem... Using the Iphone 4s. Havent tried it lately with the iphone 5

jtorrebl

Bluetooth audio works well for me with iPhone 4a and 5, no pauses. The latest software for command does read incoming unread texts off the iPhone.

jtorrebl

This is an iPod cable for audio only.

Pitazorro

Bluetooth connection music quality is not as good as wired connection, like bluetooth headphones.
This may be better with bluetooth V2.0 or 3.0.
The difference is like listening to an mp3 128 kbps compared with 320 kbps.

tbal

Are you kidding me? I have noticed NO difference between bluetooth and pluging it in. It comes down to what quality the songs you have to begin with. Bluetooth Audio has come along WAYYYYYYYYS

Pitazorro

I just tried bluetooth audio in my ML and thought so. There are various information at some websites. Of course bluetooth audio is better now. This website below has some information.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57...udio-vs-wires/

jtorrebl

Bluetooth in iPhones is v4.0 now, but I don't think that affects quality. It's more of a battery efficiency thing.
Bluetooth Audio is digital and plugged in iPods are analog FYI . So quality should be better on bluetooth

BlackSL

ipod connection allows you to go through playlists etc, while bluetooth can not.
The wife plugs it into the connector for music and switches Bluetooth on for phone calls.

lumix

pandora only works via bluetooth.
saved music in iphone can be played via both bluetooth and wired connection.

lumix

sound quality of pandora via iphone is low.

GMW

Select the playlist from your iphone and press play then connect to the bluetooth. It should work fine.

GTscrub

Hmmmm.. I can only get Pandora to work with iPhone connection and not BT.

How do I get the text go to command?

jtorrebl

I have excellent sound quality with pandora. Does pandora sound bad for you on your home audio system? If not then it should sound good in the ml

Thimee

I played with Bluetooth a little while taking a look at an ML at the dealer the other day - the quality is night and day between this and wired stereo connection (same as iPhone plug in jack). I would never use Bluetooth in real life as the loss in fidelity is really noticeable once you listen for it. However I suspect that those who listen to talk radio, or are not someone who actually "listens" to music (lots of people I know just have it on in the background for noise sake), then Bluetooth audio should fit the bill just fine. Kinda like satellite radio - I cannot stand it, others love it...

As to Pandora - if you subscribe to Pandora One ($36/year) you get the option to increase the audio stream to 192k/sec (on iPhone open Pandora, go to Settings - Advanced and toggle Higher Quality Audio to ON)

If you really like wireless, and want good quality audio from an iPhone, I would suggested getting an Airport Express, and connect the audio output to the RCA jack. This gives you a localized wireless network in the car, which the iPhone will detect and allow you to stream audio using Apple propriety streaming techniques (AirPlay). However to be honest, it's probably easier just to plug the phone into the provided adapter...

Update: Here is a technical blog containing some of the reasons why Bluetooth audio sounds bad: http://www.wirelessaudioblog.com/wab...-a2dp-ste.html

According to Apple design guidelines (https://developer.apple.com/hardware...Guidelines.pdf page 16), the most you'll get out of Bluetooth audio is a 128K stream for MPEG 2/4 AAC Codecs.

stas2007

I am not as car audio crazy as used to be back in the day. Personally I love Bluetooth audio in the ML, its just so convenient! I cant hear the difference between Bluetooth and regular connection.
-It works flawlessly with my iphone 5
- I use iPhone 5 for gps all the time- the music actually lowers volume half way when SIRI is telling me where to go, very cool!
-music automatically lowers when dialing/answering calls
-if the music source is set to Bluetooth audio, when i start the car, everything connects and starts playing automatically,

Basically main reason I like Bluetooth Audio is because the iphone stays in my pocket unless I am using it for GPS.

katiesdad7

Do you have the GPS in the ML?

stas2007

No, I didn't order GPS with mine