BMW 328XI CONVERTIBLE 2008 E93 Owner's Manual
Page 181 of 272
Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 179Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
AUX-In port
You can connect an external audio device, for 
instance an MP3 player, and play audio tracks 
over the car's loudspeaker system. You can 
adjust the tone using iDrive.
Connecting
Lift up the center armrest.
Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8"/3.5 mm
To play audio tracks over the car's loudspeaker 
system, connect the headset or line-out port of 
the external device to the AUX-in port.
Starting audio playback
The audio device must be switched on.
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to call up 
"Entertainment".
3.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller until "AUX" is selected and press the con-
troller.
4.Select "AUX IN" and press the controller.
5.Adjust volume and tone, if necessary.
Via programmable memory keys
You can store the "AUX" function on a program-
mable memory key to start audio playback, refer 
to page21. 
Page 182 of 272
USB-audio interface
180
USB-audio interface
You can connect audio devices, e. g. an iPod or 
a USB device (MP3 player, USB stick) to the 
USB-audio interface. They can be operated via 
iDrive.
Standard audio formats, e.g. MP3, WMA, WAV 
(PCM) and AAC, and playlists in the M3U format 
can be played.
Due the variety of audio devices on the market, 
it cannot be guaranteed that every device will 
be operable on the vehicle. 
Ask your BMW center about what audio devices 
are suitable.
Connecting
Lift up the center armrest.
1Connection for audio playback:
TRS connector 1/8"/3.5 mm
2USB interface
Depending on your vehicle's equipment 
version, it may contain a storage pouch 
for your audio device. The pouch is located 
under the center armrest.<
iPod
To connect the iPod use the BMW cable 
adapter for Apple iPod. For more information, 
contact the BMW center or go to the Internet: 
www.bmw.com
To play audio tracks over the vehicle's loud-
speaker system, connect the iPod to ports 1 
and 2.The iPod's menu structure is supported by the 
USB-audio interface.
USB device
To connect the device, use the included 
flexible adapter cable to protect the USB 
interface and your USB device against physical 
damage.<
To play audio tracks over the vehicle's loud-
speaker system, connect the USB device to 
port2.
After the device is connected for the first time, 
the information on all tracks (e. g. artist, type of 
music) and the playlists are transferred from the 
USB device to the vehicle. This procedure may 
take some time. The duration depends on the 
USB device and the number of tracks.
During transfer, you can select the tracks using 
the directories and file names.
After transfer, you can call up the tracks using 
the information and playlists.
Information from up to four USB devices or for 
about 20,000 tracks can be stored on the vehi-
cle.
If a fifth USB device is connected and if more 
than 20,000 tracks are to be stored, the infor-
mation on existing tracks may be lost.
Music tracks with integrated Digital 
Rights Management (DRM) cannot be 
played.<
Starting audio playback
Via iDrive
If the audio device has a device name, the name 
is displayed.
1.Press the   button.
This opens the start menu.
2.Move the controller backwards to call up 
"Entertainment".
* 
Page 183 of 272
Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 181Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility
3.If necessary, move the highlight marker to 
the uppermost field. Turn the controller 
until "AUX" is selected and press the con-
troller.
4.Select "USB" or the name of the audio 
device and press the controller.
Playback begins with the first track.
Via programmable memory keys
You can store the "USB" function on a pro-
grammable memory key to start audio play-
back, refer to page21.
Selecting a track
You can call up the tracks using the playlists 
and information. With USB devices you can also 
call up tracks using the file directory. The tracks 
can be displayed if they have been stored in the 
Latin alphabet.1.Make your selection, e.g. "Playlists" or "Art-
ists", and press the controller.
2.Select a track and press the controller.
Displaying information about the track
Any information about the current track that has 
been recorded can be displayed, e.g. the name 
of the artist.
1.Press the controller during playback.
2.Select "Details" and press the controller.
The information is shown for the current track. 
Page 184 of 272
USB-audio interface
182
Repeating tracks
1.Select the current track and press the con-
troller.
2.Select "Repeat track" and press the con-
troller.
Stop repeating:
1.Press the controller.
2.Select "Repeat track" and press the con-
troller.
Random play sequence
You can play the tracks in the selected list in 
random order, e. g. all tracks of a single artist.
1.Select the current track and press the con-
troller.
2.Select "Random" and press the controller.
Stop random play:
1.Press the controller.
2.Select "Random" and press the controller.
Fast forward/reverse
Buttons on the steering wheel or CD player:
 Press and hold the button for the 
corresponding direction.
Notes
Do not expose the audio device to 
extreme environmental conditions, e. g. 
very high temperatures, refer to the operating 
instructions of the audio device. Otherwise the audio device may become damaged, which 
could compromise safety while driving.<
Depending on the configuration of the audio 
files, e. g. bit rates greater than 256 KBit/s, the 
files may not play back correctly in every case.
Notes on connecting
>The USB-audio interface acts as the power 
supply to the connected audio devices, pro-
vided that this is supported by the audio 
device. Therefore, do not connect the USB 
audio device to the power socket in the 
vehicle during operation.
>Do not forcibly connect the plug to the USB 
interface.
>Do not connect devices such as fans or 
lamps to the USB-audio interface.
>Do not connect USB hard disks.
>Do not use the USB-audio interface to 
charge external devices. 
Page 185 of 272
Navigation
Entertainment
Driving tips
 183Reference
At a glance
Controls
Communications
Mobility 
Page 186 of 272
Page 187 of 272
Communications
This chapter describes how to use the
telephone, BMW Assist and TeleService.
Communications 
Page 188 of 272
Telephoning
186
Telephoning
The concept
Your BMW is equipped with a full mobile phone 
preparation package. After pairing a suitable 
mobile phone with the vehicle once, you can 
operate the mobile phone via iDrive, the buttons 
on the steering wheel or via voice commands.
Once a mobile phone has been paired with your 
vehicle, it is automatically recognized as soon 
as it is inside the vehicle while the engine is run-
ning or the ignition is switched on. You can 
store the pairing data for up to four mobile 
phones simultaneously. If several mobile 
phones are detected at the same time, the 
mobile phone last paired can be operated via 
the vehicle.
Using the telephone inside 
the vehicle
Using the snap-in adapter*
The so-called snap-in adapter, a holder for 
mobile phones, allows you to charge the mobile 
phone's battery and connect the mobile phone 
to your vehicle's outside antenna. This ensures 
better network reception and consistent repro-
duction quality. Please contact your 
BMW center to find out for which mobile 
phones there are snap-in adapters available.
For your safety
A car phone makes life more convenient in 
many ways, and can even save lives in an emer-
gency. While you should consult your mobile 
phone's separate Owner's Manual for a detailed 
description of safety precautions and informa-
tion, we request that you direct your particular 
attention to the following:
Only make entries when the traffic situa-
tion allows you to do so. Do not hold the 
mobile phone in your hand while you are driving; 
use the hands-free system instead. If you do 
not observe this precaution, your being dis-tracted can endanger vehicle occupants and 
other road users.<
Suitable mobile phones
Please ask your BMW center which mobile 
phones with Bluetooth interface are supported 
by the mobile phone preparation package and/
or which mobile phones are compatible with the 
snap-in adapter. By virtue of their particular 
software versions, these mobile phones sup-
port the functions described in this Owner's 
Manual. Malfunctions may occur with other 
mobile phones.
Care instructions
You can find what you need to know about car-
ing for your mobile phone in the separate Caring 
for your vehicle brochure and in the mobile 
phone Owner's Manual.
Operating options
You can operate the mobile phone* using:
>Buttons on the steering wheel, refer to 
page10
>iDrive, refer to page191
>Voice commands, refer to page197
>Programmable memory keys, refer to 
page21
Avoid operating a mobile phone recognized by 
the vehicle via the mobile phone's keypad, oth-
erwise malfunctions may result.
Making phone calls with the 
BMW Assist system*: BMW Assist 
calls
You can use the BMW Assist System via the 
hands-free unit for BMW Assist calls.
* 
Page 189 of 272
 187
Entertainment
Reference
At a glance
Controls
Driving tips Communications
Navigation
Mobility
When the status information "BMW Assist" or 
"BMW Service" is displayed in "Communica-
tion", only BMW Assist calls are possible.
It may not be possible to establish a telephone 
connection using the mobile phone while a con-
nection is being established to BMW Assist or 
while a call to BMW Assist is already in 
progress. If this happens, you must unpair the 
mobile phone and the vehicle if you wish to 
place a call with the mobile phone.
Start-up
Pairing the mobile phone with the 
vehicle
The following prerequisites must be met:
>Compatible mobile phone: the mobile 
phone is supported by the full preparation 
package mobile phone. You can obtain 
information on the Internet at: 
www.bmw.com
>The mobile phone is ready to operate.
>The Bluetooth link is activated in the vehi-
cle, refer to page191, and in the mobile 
phone.
>Depending on the mobile phone, some 
default settings may be necessary for the 
mobile phone: e. g. using the following 
menu items:
>Bluetooth switched on
>Connection without confirmation
>Reconnection
>Depending on the mobile phone type, the 
power-saving mode setting, for example, 
may result in a paired mobile phone not 
being detected by the vehicle.
>For pairing purposes, define any number as 
the Bluetooth passkey, e.g. 1. This Blue-
tooth passkey is no longer required after 
pairing has been successful.
>The ignition is switched on.
Pair the mobile phone with the vehicle 
only when the car is stationary, to avoid endangering the car's occupants and other 
road users by being distracted.<
Switch on ignition
1.Insert remote control all the way into the 
ignition lock.
2.Switch on ignition without operating the 
brake or clutch or pressing the start/stop 
button.
Preparation via iDrive
iDrive, for operating principle refer to page16.
3.Press the   button to call up the start 
menu.
4.Press the controller to open the   menu.
5.Select "Settings" and press the controller.
6.Select "Bluetooth" and press the controller. 
Page 190 of 272
Telephoning
188 7.Move the highlight marker to the second 
field from the top, select "Phone" and press 
the controller.
8.Select "Pair new phone" and press the con-
troller.
9.Select "Start pairing" and press the control-
ler.
The Bluetooth name of the vehicle is dis-
played.
Preparation via the mobile phone
10.Further steps must be carried out with the 
mobile phone and vary depending on the 
model. Please refer to your mobile phone's 
operating instructions, e.g. under the topics 
of Searching for a Bluetooth device, Linking 
or Pairing.
The Bluetooth name of the vehicle also 
appears on the mobile phone display.
11.Select the Bluetooth name of the vehicle on 
the mobile phone display.
Pairing
Depending on your mobile phone, you will see 
messages, first on the mobile phone display or 
on the iDrive, requesting you to enter the same 
Bluetooth passkey previously determined by 
you.
12.Enter the Bluetooth passkey.
Depending on the mobile phone, you will 
have approx. 30 seconds to enter your 
Bluetooth passkey on the mobile phone 
and the Control Display.
13.Move the highlight marker to the third field 
from the top, select "Confirm passkey" and 
press the controller.
14.Wait several seconds until the "Communi-
cation" menu is displayed.
The next time you use the mobile phone inside 
the vehicle, it will be recognized within no more 
than 2 minutes as long as the engine is running 
or the ignition is switched on.
With some mobile phones it may be nec-
essary to make certain settings for a per-
manent Bluetooth link, e. g. using the authoriza-
tion or secure connection menu item, refer to 
your mobile phone's operating instructions.<