Can you put an MP3 stereo in a 2000 BMW 528i and still use steering wheel controls?

Answer 1

the 3 people above me obviously are just guessing at an answer. the real answer is yes, they make converters for situations like this. i have one in my truck.

any stereo that has a wireless remote control can be controlled by your steering wheel buttons. the converters plug in behind your stereo - in the dashboard, cost around $50, and usually have to be special ordered, so plan ahead :)

Answer 2

i'm not sure if any of the above responders know how BMW electronics work. The steering wheel controls are self contained I-Bus modules. They don't just ground a wire and increase volume or skip a track. They actually send digital codes (I-BUS messages) to a specific address (like headunit, CD changer, etc.).

The reason why your factory radio/headunit responds to these signals is because it was made to understand the I-Bus messages and is connected to the I-Bus. If you want an aftermarket headunit to work with these controls, you require one of the following:

1. the unit natively understands I-BUS, which is BMW specific and not many headunits are made to understand I-Bus. The one aftermarket unit i know of that does is made by Becker, but that was as a result of a failed partnership program with BMW.

2. you need a I-Bus message converter that will translate the I-Bus messages to whatever your aftermarket unit understands.

You can buy an I-BUS USB module for about $80. If you know how to program, you can learn more about I-BUS at "HackTheIBUS" yahoo group. The I-BUS message protocol is not difficult, just not the standard among aftermarket electronic devices.

Physically, tapping into I-BUS is easy... it's a two-wire system, one is 12V high and the other is ground. Grounding the 12V signal for a certain period generates a binary 1. In this way, the digital messages are generated.

In short, the answer to your question is likely NO. Unless the stereo was made to work with BMW's I-BUS, or you buy/build a I-BUS translator, your steering wheel controls will not work. As far as I know, I don't know of any company that makes an I-BUS translator for stereo headunits.

Now, if you just want MP3 capability (and not an MP3 stereo headunit), you have a few options that work with I-BUS, both factory and aftermarket:

1. factory 4/2006 production and newer 6-disc CD changer. this newer CD changer understands MP3 files on a CD.
2. IPOD integration from BMW. ask dealer about this option.. not something i recommend.
3. IPOD integration with Dension/ICELINK. If you're going to integrate an IPOD, this is the way to go. Find more via google.
4. aftermarket MP3 Alpine CD changer. in combination with a Soundgate adaptor (this is an I-BUS translator unit), you get the same as #1. Before last year, this was the way to go for an MP3 capable Cd changer. but now that BMW has one from the factory, might as well get that one.

Answer 3

I would check with an audio store, but if it is being plugged right into your cars stereo that the steering wheel controls already work for, then I dont see why they wouldnt.

Answer 4

Talk to your dealer. There's an OEM iPod hookup that should work with all e39 stereos. It uses the tuner +/- buttons on the wheel to change playlists (and the volume control as well).

Answer 5

If you understand wiring a great deal or if you know the right person and have enough to pay them then yes :-]

Answer 6

Poptarts are intended for the toaster but I find it too time consuming. No one I know eats them toasted. It's perfectly fine to eat them "raw" lol.

Answer 7

http://www.crutchfield.com
best place around for electronics & advice. if you buy the stereo from them, you get FREE tech support for LIFE.
Highly recommended!!!!

Answer 8

depends on the type and if you get a real prof to do it