VW iPod Adapter
August 21, 2006 – 8:58 am by Matt Radel
Filed under Cool Stuff
A fella on YouTube posted a groovy little video of the VW iPod adapter in the Rabbit.
Check it out:
I’ve been wondering what that extra $180 bones nets ya. It looks like they attempted to simulate the iPod interface, but I think they fell a little short. It also seems to take awhile to pull in the tracks, but that could have a little something to do with the iPod (I think Apple cut a few corners in the 4G line). And for that kind of cash, why can’t there be a built in dock? The cord feels bulky, and I can buy the same thing aftermarket. I dunno. I’m thinking VW could have done better. The logo on the iPod is cool though. What do you guys think?
Many thanks to decoy4000 for posting the video.
VW iPod Adapter
August 21, 2006 – 8:58 am by Matt Radel
That’s major weak sauce, looks like a $20 adapter to go from iPod to stereo aux (simulating the disc changer) and not much else. Volvo’s is very similar, right down to the logo at the startup screen.
VW used to sell this 200gb removable harddrive that you would hook up where the CD changer goes (left rear corner) and it interfaced with the in-dash stereo perfectly. The harddrive could easily be removed and hooked up to your computer (with USB) to add/remove tracks. Last time I checked they were clearing these babies out for about $200.
Oh by the way, it’s was called PhatBox. They last sold them for $99, but you can’t find them new anymore :(
Yeah, they don’t work with the Mark V generation, just ask Timmau. Though I think he’s looking to sell his…
Yeah, nice that they’re offering the integration, but I would expect a far cleaner integration than just a cord if the manufacturer is offering the integration. Like a little dock built into the center console or something like that.
link to product (to save others searching ;))
So Where do you get the frickin’ cord. My wife bought a 2006Beetle one year ago. It advertises that it is already ipod compatible. I see a jack input under the dash but no one at VW can tell me what kind of cord I need. Please help.
T
No one at VW can tell you? Wow. That sucks. I’d think you’d be able to find one here:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/0.RSLID?mco=AA4C6E70&nclm=iPodCablesandDocks
If not, I’d call Apple. They’re tops in customer service, and they should at least be able to point you in the right direction.
I own a 2005 Jetta 2.5 pkg 1. I just dropped my car off at a dealership (Drew VW in La Mesa, CA) to have the Ipod adaptor installed in my car. I’ll pick the car up in the morning, 12.28.06, and I hope I’m happy. I don’t know anyone with an Ipod capable VW. Does anyone have any experience with this adaptor? Any comments?
I don’t know of anyone, but please post your feedback! I’d love to hear about it.
I plan on taking my jetta in to have the IPOD link up installed at my local VW dealership. Does the connection work with all IPODs or just certain models.
Am I correct in that it would NOT work with the latest version of the IPOD (the 1gb shuffle, the size of a quarter)?
Any feedback is appreciated!
Hmmmm, I’m rethinking this whole IPOD link process…
http://nslog.com/2006/01/03/official_vw_ipod_adapter_some_good_some_bad/
The hookup shouldn’t work with the new shuffle, as it’s powered through headphone jack. But it’ll work with the current nanos & iPods.
I JUST BOUGHT AN EOS, 01/11/07. I MENTIONED ABOUT THE IPOD. THOUGH THE SALESPERSON SAID THAT HE WOULD PROVIDE ME WITH THE INFORMATION, E FORGOT IT. AND I FORGOT TO ASK FOR IT WHEN I TOOK THE CAR.
NOW I LEARN ABOUT THIS IPOD ADAPTER, WHICH I COULD HAVE GOT FOR ONLY $199. NOW I HAVE TO PAY $400 FOR THE SAME TO GET IT INSTALLED BY THE SAME DEALER.
HAS ANYONE GONE THROUGH THE SAME ORDEAL?
I have heard about some folks getting nailed by the dealer after they roll off the lot, as I suppose it’s considered “after market”.
I suggest you complain to the dealer about the salesperson’s bad memory and demand to have the adapter installed at the $199 mark. If they say no, there are plenty of other adapters available.
i have a 2005 vw jetta 2.5 pkg 1 and i purchased a itrip fm transmitter, but i got alot of static sopmetimes in my reception, are there any other transmitters that would not cause any static or is the one sold at the dealer the only one.
There are several listed at the Apple Store link above – basically I think you’re gonna have to go the route of a wired adapter. Success with the itrip seems to vary depending on what area you’re in.
Yeah, just purchased an ‘07 Jetta with iPod adapter . . . HATE it. Sure I should have researched it, but every other car owner I know with an iPod adapter is still able to operate the iPod with the clickwheel and still able to see the album art on the screen. Seriously, there is NO way this item should cost more than $30. Definitely disappointed. Wish I’d come here first. Ultimately, I probably didn’t end up paying for the adapter (as a result of the negotiation process). I’m just pissed that I have this (essentially) useless adapter. To anyone reading this page do NOT get the adapter.
Hey, my dad got a Jetta also this year. The ipod adapter has been paid for but it hasnt been installed yet until this tuesday. Im thinking about cancelling this and having consider someone installing an aftermarket adapter so ill be able to control and choose my songs from the ipod itself. I would just like to know if its possible for installing this aftermarket adapter that comes out of the glovebox and so will it be all worth it? Thanks.
In Australia VW want to charge $360 to have the adapter factory fitted after you purchase a VW. The salesperson made no attempt to sell me one at the time I purchased the car, despite me asking all about various accessories including floor mats, window tinting, boot liners, scuff plates, etc. I can’t believe that VW charge so much to fit a cable! I just hope that the next generation Golf has an iPOD adapter standard, and displays data other than a track number.
I just bought the adapter at my dealership this morning, without realizing the iPod’s controls would be disabled when it is connected. I’m seriously disappointed.
Does anyone who designed this thing actually use an iPod? I’ve got over 2000 songs on mine! Who wants to click through all that with the CD player controls? Or have to mess with managing a bunch of play lists just for your car? I’m taking this kit back to the dealership and I’m buying an aftermarket kit that works properly.
Not worth $150, especially when there are kits available for less $$ that let you use the clickwheel.
Ok, so I have an IPOD adapter fit into the center console behind the two cup holders. I have the newest Jetta, and am just wondering how in the world do I work the thing?
I put my pot into the socket and it says its on, but then I have no idea how to actually use it to listen to music. What am I doing wrong, please help. Thanks.
I haven’t used one first hand, so I can’t really be a TON of help. I was under the impression that you would have a dock connection (the wide flat hookup at the bottom of the iPod) for the in-car system, and then you navigate your tracks via the stereo interface. The interface is supposed to mimick the iPod interface (like in the video above), but from what I’ve heard, it doesn’t quite cut the mustard.
Of course if you have a third party, non-VW adapter, things could vary greatly.
Yes, I slide it into the docket, but when I turn the stereo on, nothing pops up besides the normal stations of the radio. I can’t figure out how to take it to the IPOD itself, which button do I click?
You have to hit the “CD” button for the ipod to play. From there move from track to track with the turn knob that you tune radio stations with.
its funny that u had that ipod problem with the dealer. since my dealer fucked the residual price up… in order to apologize for the huge inconvenience. he took 3000 off the price… haha that sucks dude… should have done research!!!
I get a low “hum” or a feedback-type buzz when I play my new iPhone through the aux jack in the glove compartment. (I’ve had my 2007 Passat for a year and never played anything through that jack till this past weekend.) If I turn down the treble it helps, but I like lots of treble. Is this typical or is my input flawed?
Yeah, I think that’s kind of typical. I used to have interference from my Moto RAZR as well. It’s probably worse with the iPhone because it will check your email every 15 minutes (by default), so it actually uses radio waves more frequently than a normal phone. The only way around it is to keep the phone away from the radio and speakers.
My dealer told me to press CD twice.
See if that works.
I have a 07 Jetta, and I had an iPod adapter installed after i got the car. Did this so i could use the radio controls and wouldn’t have to screw with the click wheel on the iPod. The adapter only works half of the time. I’ll plug it in and it will start playing the song I wanted for a minute or two and then the screen will either say NO MAGAZINE or NO CD and then cut back to my CD player. It’s really inconvenient and aggravating, and what I would like to do is disengage it so I could just use the input jack. Is there anyway this can be done without losing more money on this?
Hi Everyone,
I would urge anyone thinking about having the VW ipod adapter installed not to do it. Ever since I had mine installed, one of my speakers has not been working, all that is coming out of it is fuzz. VW told me I had blown a speaker and it was not in any way associated with the adapter. I did not believe that for one minute. I kept asking them if there have been any issues with the adapters and they kept telling me no. They replaced the speaker, and tried to charge me $175 for it. After they replaced it, the speaker kept doing the same thing (obviously not blown). After much arguing and complaining on my part (this is unacceptable), they are now telling me they have actually had a lot of problems with the ipod adapters, and that they are willing to take mine out and give me my money back. Meanwhile, my ipod has crashed while being used in the adapter, and won’t restart. Just don’t do it!!!
Question for Eric…Do you work for VW? Your answers seem very one-sided. Also, I would expect purchasing an item from a “reputable” company should allow me some comfort in quality and service. Not so. After they way I’ve been treated by VW, I would not buy another car from them. Its not because of an ipod adapter, its because of the manner in which they are handling the problem. You can’t argue with that, Eric.
I just bought a 2009 Eos and the adapter hasn’t improved any. It is located in my center console and works the same way as described in all the other posts. I get the first five playlists only and get no song or artist information. It is the only disappointment I have with my new Eos, but it is a big one.
I have an 07 Passat with 6 disk CD Changer. I have an auxillary input. I can’t seem to get my ipod to play. I press the CD button and hold, but nothing. What could i be doing wrong? I am connecting the ipod with an auxillary cable to the input.
Greetings folks, I’m posting today after experiencing frustration with VW of America’s “i-pod” adapter. I just purchased a 2009 Jetta and paid an extra $200 for the adapter. Seeing that I was purchasing a state of the art 2009 car, I was unimpressed with the lack of functionality with the “i-pod” adapter, in fact calling their old version an “i-pod adapter” this late in the game is misleading to me as now adays most i-pod adapters in car stereos show the song title and band on the screen and are pretty fully functional. What really got me hopping mad is that VW come out with a new fully functional ipod adapter before installing this old one in my car. The new version uses the satalite radio instead of the CD function and allows access to 250 play lists, capable of playing every track on the i-pod, displays artist name, song title, playlist name… all shown on screen.
VW of Amercia, when asked if a new version exists, insisted that I had the latest version and would not let on to the new version. I was told by one dealer that they are simply using up the old stock before factory installing the new one and they agreed it was lame… the dealer I found this through said they’d be happy to install the new one, they have 5 in stock. the part is $280 plus 1.5 hrs install time… it would cost me an additional $500 . but waite, I just paid extra to have the old one factory installed!
I’ve lodged a formal complaint with APPLE, since VW of America is misleading customers over the phone by not letting on that a better adapter is available and that they are knowingly installing the old version to unwitting customers (and I got misinformation from multiple reps). VW now tells me that the case is closed and that they are not willing to admit any wrong doing or make any reparations.
Buyer be ware, the new more functional Ipod adapter is part number 1K0051510A, accept nothing less than an adapter that meets today’s standards!
So, all in all, what do you guys rec for an ipod adaptor? I recently bought a 07 jetta 2.5 (no GPS) and was told the adaptor was $360 and would be in the glovebox (as all the above, I gather). I’ve seen online they are avail for $140. which should i get?
First time VW
So what adapter do yuo guys rec then? I recently bought an 07 jetta 2.5 no GPS and dealer said adapter would be 360 and in the glovebox as well. Ive seen them online for 140. Reccomendations?
First time VW
@ lyle: To be honest, I’m a bit removed from the game on this. I’d take a look at Apple’s site for some recommendations…they’re usually on the money:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/ipod_accessories/car_audio
I have an 07 jetta and never once been able to get the ipod adapter to work. Maybe because i have the new shuffle? Still, i have an ipod and an ipod adapter…it seems reasonable to expect it to work since it’s not called a ‘certain types of ipod adapter’. It would be better off as simply an aux jack.
I always expect cutting edge, user friendly, and innovative features from VW… i have no idea how they managed to come up with this useless piece of junk.
I have an 08 Jetta with the iPod adapter in the center console and I’ve had terrible problems with it! It worked fine, albeit not very conveniently, until August when a friend used my adapter to charge her iPod during a short ride. After that it crashed and I was told I needed a new part. I got a new part installed Thanksgiving week and three weeks later it broke again! Stupidly, I forgot to take it to get looked at until a year later and the warranty ran out. I was told two weeks ago that I would need an entirely new adapter for $550 (this after I paid them $100 to look at it and tell me it was broken). They insisted that no one else ever had problems! I’m glad I found this site because I thought it was just me.
The service rep said I could buy an adapter to through FM radio, which is unacceptable because in the NY metro area there aren’t enough blank stations to go through. She said it wouldn’t be possible to use a cord hook up. Soooo frustrating because the iPod adapter was a big part of why I wanted this particular model.