[GameGod]

I haven't seen this mentioned and a quick search didn't bring up any results.

Is the aux input (under the armrest, next to the USB socket) no longer present in the 2018 builds?

Thanks.

[jparnes1]

USB runs power and audio so no need for an aux jack.

[GameGod]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

USB runs power and audio so no need for an aux jack.

Thanks, but I wanted somebody with a 2018 build to confirm it's gone, because I didn't see it mentioned anywhere.

[beto_L.A.]

Originally Posted by GameGod

Thanks, but I wanted somebody with a 2018 build to confirm it's gone, because I didn't see it mentioned anywhere.

2018 GC no AUX input, just USB... the times of analog audio are slowly going away...

[kern417]

Not a GC but I only have USB in my coupe. I was surprised but not really dissappointed. I also can't find the extra power outlet in the passenger's footwell. I only have the one between the cup holders.

[GameGod]

Originally Posted by beto_L.A.

2018 GC no AUX input, just USB... the times of analog audio are slowly going away...

Originally Posted by kern417

Not a GC but I only have USB in my coupe. I was surprised but not really dissappointed. I also can't find the extra power outlet in the passenger's footwell. I only have the one between the cup holders.

Thanks guys

[GameGod]

@kern417:
Did you decode your vin and see if you have option 575 (Additional 12v Power Socket)?

[kern417]

Nope, I thought it came standard. I never use them so like I said, not really disappointed. Just unexpected. I'd rather have an extra USB jack to be honest.

[TCo4482]

I guess I am old fashioned but I miss the aux input, I like to play Pandora thru the aux rather than the App in the car. I just think the sound is better. I have tried playing it through the USB but could not get it to work.

[n49ex]

I’m also disappointed. I like to use it to inject an audio signal generator to set the equalizer for flat sound....

[Mike5215]

Aux In is better than nothing but it's the least desirable signal path. You're basically taking audio that's been passed through the device's tiny (and noisy) headphone amp, and then re-amplifying it. You're also using the device's onboard DAC, whereas with a USB connection the car's DAC handles the decoding and the device's DAC is bypassed.

Bluetooth would be a step above analog aux-in. While it does use a form of compression, the equivalent bitrate is quite high. Pandora, which streams at a relatively low 128 kbs bitrate should sound fine via Bluetooth Audio. Spotify's 320kbs bitrate might sound mildly colored by the BT compression (you'll hear it mostly in the cymbals, which get extra shimmery). Even Tidal at Lossless CD quality over BT sounds decent on the BMW's HK system.

But the big surprise to me about the USB connection in my 2018 is that it supports hi res 24 Bit audio at up to a 192 khtz sampling rate off a thumb drive (but not a USB hard drive... not enough power in the port). None of my previous Mercedes could do that. In fact, my 2010 S550 didn't have Bluetooth Audio at all. You got an Ipod interface with an Aux jack, in a car that MSRP'd for $106,000.

[Tagg67]

I know this is an old thread, but wanted to share my findings. I have a 2018 F30 and it only has the USB under the arm rest. I wanted to hook my Apple Ipod classic up to it but didn't think it would work since I don't have an Aux-in Port. Well, I plugged it in with the 30 pin connector and then the USB and everything worked on my idrive screen.