Does the Snap In Adapter really Boost Signal Strength?

2012X5&Baby · 05-24-2012, 10:49 PM

Ok so I have realized that BMW dealerships and BMW customer relations are all a bunch of half wits.

So far BMW as far as I can see, BMW is doing false advertising as the bmw snap in adapter does not work to boost signal strength. It is too expensive of an option to NOT be able to use the car antenna. (I didn't buy that option to be able to use twitter while driving...)

To test your signal strength (from an Iphone) dial *3001#12345#*

You will notice your signal bars will be replaced with a negative number after a few moments, the more negative the number, the worse your reception is.

You can now plug into your "snap-in adaptor" and you will notice... NO INCREASE OF STRENGTH....

Anybody else see anything different?

(Note: To exit Test Mode, press the Home button)

This was done on a brand new Iphone 4s and a brand new Media Snap In Adapter on a 2012 X5.

doug_999 · 05-24-2012, 11:36 PM

Where I live, AT&T is not Scottish - yet I still have it. If I am on a call and I remove the phone from the snap in adapter in a low signal area, I will LOSE the call. Almost 100% of the time.

So for me, I can promise you, WITHOUT the snap in adapter, I could not use my phone. No gimmick.

PS - this has been the case with my 550, M5, X6, and 1M. All do the same.

2012X5&Baby · 05-25-2012, 12:02 AM

Well I have Sprint, have you tried the signal test provided by apple as I posted above?

Did you get an increase in signal?

Otherwise, I feel kinda skeptical. I WANT PROOF! lol

doug_999 · 05-25-2012, 05:25 PM

When at work (where I have great reception), I noticed no difference. However, when I got to my town, where reception is spotty, in the adapter, it read -86, removed it read -92. Then I went home. At my house the signal is terrible, so much so that I got one of those in house cell antennas AT&T offers. NOT connected to that antenna, my results were, in adapter -98, removed from adapter -111.

So just as I thought, it makes a difference. However, the difference only really shows up in bad areas. I guess you can't make a really good signal better, but you can make a bad one better.

Ejacksonx9 · 08-13-2018, 01:56 PM

I was considering the snap in adapter. My issue would be losing sight of the phone.
I too use a QI charger connected to the air vent. However, I replaced my 335 with a 740. So, that blocks the screen now.
I'm wondering if I use the USB plug in the compartment if it could also potentially boost that signal? Anyone know?

Kraftwerk AG · 08-13-2018, 06:00 PM

This post has been dead since 05/25/2012... You may want to post over on the 740i forum since this forum's for X5's. Does anyone still use an iPhone 4?

05-24-2012, 10:49 PM	#1
2012X5&Baby Registered 1 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW X5 Black Join Date: May 2012 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	Does the Snap In Adapter really Boost Signal Strength? Ok so I have realized that BMW dealerships and BMW customer relations are all a bunch of half wits. So far BMW as far as I can see, BMW is doing false advertising as the bmw snap in adapter does not work to boost signal strength. It is too expensive of an option to NOT be able to use the car antenna. (I didn't buy that option to be able to use twitter while driving...) To test your signal strength (from an Iphone) dial 3001#12345# You will notice your signal bars will be replaced with a negative number after a few moments, the more negative the number, the worse your reception is. You can now plug into your "snap-in adaptor" and you will notice... NO INCREASE OF STRENGTH.... Anybody else see anything different? (Note: To exit Test Mode, press the Home button) This was done on a brand new Iphone 4s and a brand new Media Snap In Adapter on a 2012 X5.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-24-2012, 11:36 PM	#2
doug_999 Brigadier General 2542 Rep 3,968 Posts Drives: 2011 1M/2021 992/2023 X3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	Where I live, AT&T is not Scottish - yet I still have it. If I am on a call and I remove the phone from the snap in adapter in a low signal area, I will LOSE the call. Almost 100% of the time. So for me, I can promise you, WITHOUT the snap in adapter, I could not use my phone. No gimmick. PS - this has been the case with my 550, M5, X6, and 1M. All do the same. __________________ 2011 1M, Black loaded sans sat radio 2021 911 C4S Gentian Blue, manual 2023 X3 M40i - loaded sans Park Assist
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2012, 12:02 AM	#3
2012X5&Baby Registered 1 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW X5 Black Join Date: May 2012 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	Well I have Sprint, have you tried the signal test provided by apple as I posted above? Did you get an increase in signal? Otherwise, I feel kinda skeptical. I WANT PROOF! lol
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2012, 05:25 PM	#4
doug_999 Brigadier General 2542 Rep 3,968 Posts Drives: 2011 1M/2021 992/2023 X3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	My results When at work (where I have great reception), I noticed no difference. However, when I got to my town, where reception is spotty, in the adapter, it read -86, removed it read -92. Then I went home. At my house the signal is terrible, so much so that I got one of those in house cell antennas AT&T offers. NOT connected to that antenna, my results were, in adapter -98, removed from adapter -111. So just as I thought, it makes a difference. However, the difference only really shows up in bad areas. I guess you can't make a really good signal better, but you can make a bad one better. __________________ 2011 1M, Black loaded sans sat radio 2021 911 C4S Gentian Blue, manual 2023 X3 M40i - loaded sans Park Assist
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-13-2018, 01:56 PM	#5
Ejacksonx9 Registered 1 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2015 740li Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Mcallen texas iTrader: (0)	USB Plug I was considering the snap in adapter. My issue would be losing sight of the phone. I too use a QI charger connected to the air vent. However, I replaced my 335 with a 740. So, that blocks the screen now. I'm wondering if I use the USB plug in the compartment if it could also potentially boost that signal? Anyone know?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-13-2018, 06:00 PM	#6
Kraftwerk AG Major 460 Rep 1,025 Posts Drives: Mein F Fünfundachtzig Einhorn Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: RIP Florian Schneider-Esleben iTrader: (8)	This post has been dead since 05/25/2012... You may want to post over on the 740i forum since this forum's for X5's. Does anyone still use an iPhone 4? Attached Images Last edited by Kraftwerk AG; 08-13-2018 at 06:08 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote