[Saunders17283]

Originally Posted by noushy

So my recommendation if you want to go home brew is a Samsung PM981 m.2 drive and they can be found for $300 for 2T and less for 1T or 512GB. I used an SSK enclosure which is sleek but cooling is ok, I had an Intel 660p fail and not sure it was that case. Link is here SSK Aluminum M.2 NVME SSD Enclosure Adapter, USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) to NVME PCI-E M-Key Solid State Drive External Enclosure (Fits only NVMe PCIe 2242/2260/2280) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MNFH1PX..._gK3zEbKMYNPD0 but I found this enclosure although larger to be better for cooling if you put it in the closed armrest SHINESTAR NVME Enclosure, Based on USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) to PCIe Gen 3 x2 Bridge chip, Include 2 USB Cables, Fit for Samsung 970/960 EVO/PRO/WD Black NVME SSD, Hot Swap, Plug and Play https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F9VQ4XC..._NL3zEbQB35571 but amazon says currently out of stock. I am sure there are others. I would buy this if you want something prebuilt as they never fail and are fast enough to copy lots of data to. Samsung (MU-PA1T0B/AM) T5 Portable SSD - 1TB - USB 3.1 External SSD , Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073H552FJ..._RM3zEbD8Y0MSJ

Noushy

I tried to use a Samsung T5 500GB I had laying around to connect to the center console USB-C and it doesn't show up. Is there a specific format it needs to be in? i.e. FAT32, EX-FAT, etc...

[noushy]

Originally Posted by Saunders17283

I tried to use a Samsung T5 500GB I had laying around to connect to the center console USB-C and it doesn't show up. Is there a specific format it needs to be in? i.e. FAT32, EX-FAT, etc...

Try EXFAT

[limeypride]

Originally Posted by noushy

Try EXFAT

I believe the car supports FAT32, EXFAT and NTFS. FAT32's kinda pointless for this purpose, though, assuming movies are part of the content you're trying to get at.

[Saunders17283]

Originally Posted by limeypride

I believe the car supports FAT32, EXFAT and NTFS. FAT32's kinda pointless for this purpose, though, assuming movies are part of the content you're trying to get at.

Originally Posted by noushy

Try EXFAT

Just tried it again as both freshly formatted EXFAT & NTFS. FAT32 isn't an available formatting option. Also to point out, I chose "Default Allocation Size" when formatting.

USB is enabled (see pic)
Plugged into center USB-C (see pic)

Not sure what I could be doing wrong here?

[limeypride]

Originally Posted by Saunders17283

Just tried it again as both freshly formatted EXFAT & NTFS. FAT32 isn't an available formatting option. Also to point out, I chose "Default Allocation Size" when formatting.

USB is enabled (see pic)
Plugged into center USB-C (see pic)

Not sure what I could be doing wrong here?

If memory serves, only the USB slot in the wireless charging bay works for media.

[Saunders17283]

Originally Posted by limeypride

If memory serves, only the USB slot in the wireless charging bay works for media.

Thanks! I ordered a USBC to USBA 6inch cable off Amazon so we'll see if that works. I guess it's time to in order to see what the center USBC does besides charge. Seems like that port would be a better port for media than the front port but what do I know. Haha!

[Saunders17283]

Okay... now I'm really confused. I just tried the same T5 drive with a USB-C to USB-A cable in the port by the cup holders and it still doesn't work. This made decide to check it with 3 different computers in the house. Works fine on all three.

Just to clarify...this is the drive
https://smile.amazon.com/Samsung-T5-...s%2C186&sr=8-3

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by limeypride

If memory serves, only the USB slot in the wireless charging bay works for media.

The only true USB-C is in the center console and it works flawlessly for SSD drives hosting media as I've been running my 1TB SSD which is native USB-C on that port for 9 months now.

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by Saunders17283

Okay... now I'm really confused. I just tried the same T5 drive with a USB-C to USB-A cable in the port by the cup holders and it still doesn't work. This made decide to check it with 3 different computers in the house. Works fine on all three.

Just to clarify...this is the drive
https://smile.amazon.com/Samsung-T5-...s%2C186&sr=8-3

It is most likely not an issue with USB-A or USB-C nor the formatting but rather the drive itself has enhanced firmware for Windows and Mac-OS. Irony is the drive does state it supports Android which should indicate generic firmware but that is obviously not the case. I had the same issue with the first LaCie drive I purchased for the M850i from Amazon. Formatting in EXFAT or NTFS did not make a difference. LaCie had been my go to but digging into the details the drive has enhanced firmware for Windows and MacOS to speed up data transfers.

Hence, I returned it and bought a Crucible 1TB SSD from Amazon as it stated it supports Linux, PS4 (based on Linux), etc. meaning it is generic firmware. It works like a champ formatted in EXFAT plugged into the USB-C port in the center console and has provided many miles of smiles pumping high resolution FLAC through the B&W audio in my M850i.

[Saunders17283]

Originally Posted by noushy

So my recommendation if you want to go home brew is a Samsung PM981 m.2 drive and they can be found for $300 for 2T and less for 1T or 512GB. I used an SSK enclosure which is sleek but cooling is ok, I had an Intel 660p fail and not sure it was that case. Link is here SSK Aluminum M.2 NVME SSD Enclosure Adapter, USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) to NVME PCI-E M-Key Solid State Drive External Enclosure (Fits only NVMe PCIe 2242/2260/2280) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MNFH1PX..._gK3zEbKMYNPD0 but I found this enclosure although larger to be better for cooling if you put it in the closed armrest SHINESTAR NVME Enclosure, Based on USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) to PCIe Gen 3 x2 Bridge chip, Include 2 USB Cables, Fit for Samsung 970/960 EVO/PRO/WD Black NVME SSD, Hot Swap, Plug and Play https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F9VQ4XC..._NL3zEbQB35571 but amazon says currently out of stock. I am sure there are others. I would buy this if you want something prebuilt as they never fail and are fast enough to copy lots of data to. Samsung (MU-PA1T0B/AM) T5 Portable SSD - 1TB - USB 3.1 External SSD , Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073H552FJ..._RM3zEbD8Y0MSJ

Noushy

@noushy I'm going to switch to a home brew and build with m.2 drive. Which did you do? 860EVO? 970PRO? I'm only playing MP3's so no need to go crazy. Thx!!

[noushy]

Originally Posted by Saunders17283

@noushy I'm going to switch to a home brew and build with m.2 drive. Which did you do? 860EVO? 970PRO? I'm only playing MP3's so no need to go crazy. Thx!!

Intel drives work and they are cheaper so use a 660p or 665p drive over a samsung 970 evo plus. No need for the pro other than more read/writes and life expectancy. This is the best if cost no object SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB - M.2 NVMe Interface Internal Solid State Drive with V-NAND Technology (MZ-V7S2T0B/AM) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MFZXR1B..._MLduFb5GYKJKN or this is the best bang for your money Intel 1TB 665p Series M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 3D3, QLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Model SSDPEKNW010T9X1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0851L494L..._cNduFbEWBBPRM

[Saunders17283]

Originally Posted by noushy

Intel drives work and they are cheaper so use a 660p or 665p drive over a samsung 970 evo plus. No need for the pro other than more read/writes and life expectancy. This is the best if cost no object SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB - M.2 NVMe Interface Internal Solid State Drive with V-NAND Technology (MZ-V7S2T0B/AM) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MFZXR1B..._MLduFb5GYKJKN or this is the best bang for your money Intel 1TB 665p Series M.2 2280 PCIe NVMe 3.0 x4 3D3, QLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Model SSDPEKNW010T9X1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0851L494L..._cNduFbEWBBPRM

Something like this guy?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HH5G7HB..._XPduFb49ETPEH

[noushy]

Originally Posted by Saunders17283

Something like this guy?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HH5G7HB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XPduFb49ETPEH

Yes but why get the 665p for less money and newer drive.

Noushy

[noushy]

Try Newegg. I purchased a 660p 2tb for $230. Find a deal on eBay like this open box. https://www.ebay.com/itm/254703687689

[Saunders17283]

Originally Posted by noushy

Try Newegg. I purchased a 660p 2tb for $230. Find a deal on eBay like this open box. https://www.ebay.com/itm/254703687689

Have you read this thread Pros and Cons of USB vs Car HD for music storage https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1679737

Seems to suggest the id7 gets finicky beyond 128gb. Any insights?

[noushy]

Originally Posted by Saunders17283

Have you read this thread Pros and Cons of USB vs Car HD for music storage https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1679737

Seems to suggest the id7 gets finicky beyond 128gb. Any insights?

No issues multiple 2tb drives exfat.

Noushy

[limeypride]

Originally Posted by Saunders17283

Have you read this thread Pros and Cons of USB vs Car HD for music storage https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1679737

Seems to suggest the id7 gets finicky beyond 128gb. Any insights?

Works for me with a 500GB USB stick. :

[limeypride]

Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ

The only true USB-C is in the center console and it works flawlessly for SSD drives hosting media as I've been running my 1TB SSD which is native USB-C on that port for 9 months now.

Hmm, I could've sworn I tried that in my M5–maybe they changed something... or my brain's turned to mush; let's go with the latter.

For me, it's Spotify over WiFi direct et voila—perhaps I'm not the audiophile I half thought I was.

PS: the GC has 2 x USB-C connectors in the rear. I've never plugged anything into them, though—charging ports for the boys has been their sole purpose so far.

[Saunders17283]

Originally Posted by limeypride

Hmm, I could've sworn I tried that in my M5–maybe they changed something... or my brain's turned to mush; let's go with the latter.

For me, it's Spotify over WiFi direct et voila—perhaps I'm not the audiophile I half thought I was.

PS: the GC has 2 x USB-C connectors in the rear. I've never plugged anything into them, though—charging ports for the boys has been their sole purpose so far.

I was reading the manual last night and according to the manual, both the center console (armrest) USB-C and the cupholder USB-A are supposed to work for media. It went on to say that the armrest USB-C provides 3amps and the cupholder USB-A provides 1.5amp. Both of the USB-C ports in the rear provide 3amps but do not work for media input. Also to add, BMW does state in the manual that they recommend formatting with either ExFAT or FAT32.

Based upon what I've been able to gather from all of you...it sounds like my Samsung T5 just isn't going to work for this application. I'm still leaning towards noushy 's suggestion of a home brew DIY.

[limeypride]

Originally Posted by Saunders17283

I was reading the manual last night and according to the manual, both the center console (armrest) USB-C and the cupholder USB-A are supposed to work for media. It went on to say that the armrest USB-C provides 3amps and the cupholder USB-A provides 1.5amp. Both of the USB-C ports in the rear provide 3amps but do not work for media input. Also to add, BMW does state in the manual that they recommend formatting with either ExFAT or FAT32.

Based upon what I've been able to gather from all of you...it sounds like my Samsung T5 just isn't going to work for this application. I'm still leaning towards noushy 's suggestion of a home brew DIY.

Thanks for the summary!

I'm down with the home brew—send me a pint?

[noushy]

Originally Posted by limeypride

Thanks for the summary!

I'm down with the home brew—send me a pint?

The samsung drives work fine and in fact I started with the T1 and T3 and also the Lexar drives. Nothing wrong with them I wanted a larger drive (2TB) at a better price. I still have an assortment of those from 256GB to 1TB and they work.

Noushy

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by limeypride

Thanks for the summary!

I'm down with the home brew—send me a pint?