Bluetooth

[akmana]

My car came without bluetooth and im interested in retrofitting. any idea if this is possible and if so how much? perhaps Dan from United can chime in here

[S54dan]

PM me the last 7 of your VIN, we'll work something out

[S54dan]

Answering both PMs now. I just did a quick research on the bluetooth retrofit, and it looks like there isn't a direct way to do it yet. The bluetooth control module isn't available for the E82/E88 at this time, only Europe and Mexico. I've e-mailed BMW NA's electronic manager to find out when/if this kit is coming out

[Schneller!]

...Dan rocks, keep us posted...

[Add1ct]

it can be done, I did it- if you have an 08 it's far easier, if it's 09 then it's not pre-wired and it would be harder, can't find the link right now but look for my thread as I did it on the 08

[Technic]

Originally Posted by akmana

My car came without bluetooth and im interested in retrofitting. any idea if this is possible and if so how much? perhaps Dan from United can chime in here

Phone preparation (option 640) is not available for any 2009-on 1- and 3-Series, i.e., there is no wiring to connect the TCU, speaker and microphone from factory.

No OEM Phone wiring retrofit is available yet.

[mackzilla]

Dan can you keep me posted on findings as well, I've got all the equipment for the 08 retrofit.

It was a sad day when I popped the trunk and found no pre-wiring in the 2009

[jimk]

My dealer said he can get the wiring from BMW in Germany. He mentioned that it needs to be custom to my vehicle options. Parts and labor to install it and code a TCU (I got one from Ebay off a 09 E90 LCI) is $1650. Ouch! Will let you know how it goes...

[jimk]

Originally Posted by jimk

My dealer said he can get the wiring from BMW in Germany. He mentioned that it needs to be custom to my vehicle options. Parts and labor to install it and code a TCU (I got one from Ebay off a 09 E90 LCI) is $1650. Ouch! Will let you know how it goes...

BMW refused to deliver the wiring harness. BMW NA is not helping much either. They have a customer that is willing to pay a premium for this, me, they have a dealer who is willing to do it, yet they refuse to help.

[nfot]

off topic :
@ Jimk : Is this the Acropol - Athens - Greece in your avatar?

On topic :
Maybe someone in Europe (me !!!), can get all the parts you want and send them to you? I must warn you though, Greece in NOT a cheap country an the Dollar is very weak against the Euro.

[jimk]

Originally Posted by nfot

off topic :
@ Jimk : Is this the Acropol - Athens - Greece in your avatar?

On topic :
Maybe someone in Europe (me !!!), can get all the parts you want and send them to you? I must warn you though, Greece in NOT a cheap country an the Dollar is very weak against the Euro.

It is Sounion. THANK YOU for the offer. I will contact my dealer and see if they are willing to do it like that.

na se kala,
Jim

[nfot]

Ooops, how stupid of me
Of course it is Sounio, the temple of Zeus.

Now, back to our subject. If your dealer is positive, then just let me know.
Ksereis Ellinika e? Ellinas eisai?

[jimk]

Originally Posted by nfot

Ooops, how stupid of me
Of course it is Sounio, the temple of Zeus.

Now, back to our subject. If your dealer is positive, then just let me know.
Ksereis Ellinika e? Ellinas eisai?

nai, zw stin Amerikh apo to 1985. Efxaristw kai pali, perimenw apantish apo antiprosopia.

[jibaholic101]

dan, is this part available yet?

[agazza2]

Originally Posted by Dan@UnitedBMW

Answering both PMs now. I just did a quick research on the bluetooth retrofit, and it looks like there isn't a direct way to do it yet. The bluetooth control module isn't available for the E82/E88 at this time, only Europe and Mexico. I've e-mailed BMW NA's electronic manager to find out when/if this kit is coming out

Dan,
I also have a 2008 135 with phone pre-wire and USB/Audio input and would like to retrofit in the needed parts to use my iPhone with bluetooth and MFSW controls. I have the professional radio as well. What else do I need besides the Microphone and Bluetooth Antenna. In my trunk I have the MULF2 -Hi. My last 7 digits of VIN are VF22388

Thanks
Allan

[vanbmw]

I know the built in bluetooth is better but my wife has a bluetooth speaker for her last car. She didn't want an earpeice bluetooth so she got the visor mount. It is a blackberry and it works very well. The speaker is good and the microphone works well. When I have talked to her on it she comes thru very clear. It doesn't turn off the music like the built in BMW one and it needs to be charged once in a while (maybe once a month) but it works well. That was the $100 solution.

[JimD]

My solution was closer to $300. I bought first a 760 and now a 885t Garmin nuvi and put it in the BMW mount on the dash. This gives me bluetooth phone, navigation, and I use it for MP3s (nearly 500 songs so far). When listening to MP3s, it automatically switches to a phone call or navigation instructions. I feed it in the aux port of the radio and use the button on the steering wheel to switch between the radio, CD or the Garmin.

You can do this even better for around $1000. BMW sells rebranded Garmins. The BMW "Plus" is a 760 and the BMW "Pro" model is the 885. The BMW model comes with a special cradle to make the wiring nearly invisible. Dealer programming is required - it does not seem like a do it yourself thing to me - increasing the cost. When it is installed, it should switch out of the radio to a phone call or navigation instructions.

I put a remote microphone on my nuvi to inprove the phone quality. I'm sure it is not as good as the BMW but it cost only about $15. With the top up, people report they know I am on bluetooth but I am easily understood. With the top down, it depends on my speed. On the highway it is a bit hard to understand me but I can hear callers well. At lower speed it is better.

The key advantage of the 885 or BMW Pro model is voice control. You have a little button on your steering wheel you push to give a command. Works well, even at highway speeds with the top down. The 885 also comes with "MSN Direct" that gives gas station pricing, movie listing, stock prices, weather map etc.. but it is going away January 2012. I haven't used this yet, I am planning to turn it on this weekend, maybe even tonight. I just got the 885 last Saturday.

Jim

[agazza2]

Well after a lot of research and searching various forums and calling various suppliers I have come up with the parts list for my 2008 135i that will give me bluetooth and BMW assist if I want to subscribe to the service.

First my car is came with Telephone preparation package (option SA 640) and also has the USB/Audio interface (option SA 6FL) which helps reduce down some of the pieces that will be needed to complete the installation.

First, I will describe what some of the pieces are to complete this installation for a clearer understanding of what the items are that you will be buying.

1. TCU - Telemetrics Control Unit - This module is for BMW assist and bluetooth, and mounts in the trunk above the MULF2 Module on the same bracket.

2. MULF2 - This is the module used for USB/Audio interface and also ties in with the Bluetooth operation

3. Bluetooth Antenna - antenna to communicate through Bluetooth to your Bluetooth enabled cell phone. Without a Bluetooth phone you will need to buy the mounting cradle for your phone. This is mounted above the gas/brake/clutch pedals on the inside of the kick panel.

4. Back-up Antenna - this is required for the BMW assist, in the event that your sharkfin antenna on the roof was damaged during the accident and did not provide a good signal, the backup antenna would still be available which is mounted in the trunk. (such as in a rollover, damage to roof-mounted antenna would be damaged)

5. Microphone - self explanatory, but is mounted in the overhead console with the dome lights and sunroof switch. Also the BMW assist "SOS" switch is housed here with the new required console.

6. Loudspeaker - this is required in case your normal speaker system is damaged during a accident, and provides the BMW assist with an additional speaker. This speaker is located above the gas/brake/clutch pedals on the kick panel.

Your parts may vary slighty by number due to different color of trim for the roof switch, and if you have sunroof. Any parts that may vary will have a (*) after the number. Always check with your dealer for your specific vehicle using your VIN number, plus part numbers will be superseded from time to time. The numbers and prices below represent prices on 03/25/2010 from www.getBMWparts.com (Tischer BMW Internet Sales)

A. Bluetooth Aerial 84-50-6-928-461 $ 20.50
B. Microphone 84-31-6-938-762 $ 30.85
C. Telemetrics (TCU) 84-10-9-126-533 $383.41
D. Backup Antenna 65-20-9-154-263 $ 37.01
E. Loudspeaker 65-13-6-938-657 $ 18.95
F. Switch, Roof 61-31-9-205-151 $269.54 (*)
G. Screw, sheet mtl 07-11-9-901-364 $ .48ea (x2) for Backup Ant
H. Clip 52-20-1-964-201 $ .30ea (x2) for Bluetooth Ant
I. Hex nut 41-24-8-147-832 $ .22ea (x4) TCU mounting

Total $762.62 + S/H + Coding

Also coding will be required which could be 1-3 hours worth of labor at the dealer.

So how does that compare to some of the other alternatives:

1. MObridge - $699 - can be updated with software
2. Visor mount - $69 up
3. Parrot - $499 seems like the current price with everything you need to have the MFSW work like the original equipment. Some can be updated with software
4. Buy a used one complete from a recycling facility with all modules, switches, and wire it in yourself.

My approach will be to buy the items from the dealer that I have the part #'s for above, install them myself and the go and have the dealer complete the coding. The benefits are:

Factory appearance
Option to have BMW assist activated
No extra items visible for theft
No additional switches to click to answer or end call
Auto mute of stereo during call
Not having to shift the 6 speed and hold the phone and steering wheel at the same time - Priceless

Hope this answers some of you questions about Bluetooth retrofit in a 2008 128i or 135i. Also in 2009 they did not put the Phone preparation (wiring) in every car as per other forums.

I am also attaching the .pdf for the retrofit. This tells which steps to complete based on your vehicle options installed. Once I complete this installation I will update and additional comments or observations.

[mineo77]

from my research i heard the mObridge is much better product and quality bluetooth etc than BMW...just need a MOST input which i am looking at finding to get done with the stock HU. With coding done (not at the dealer, an autologic faciltiy) it will still be cheaper and better than the BMW bluetooth.

[jimk]

I may be selling my mObridge Bluetooth in a couple of weeks at a good price. It works flawlessly but I'm getting close to figuring out how to enable BT in the MULF2. If it works, then the mObridge (1 month old) will be up for sale.

[agazza2]

Originally Posted by mineo77

from my research i heard the mObridge is much better product and quality bluetooth etc than BMW...just need a MOST input which i am looking at finding to get done with the stock HU. With coding done (not at the dealer, an autologic faciltiy) it will still be cheaper and better than the BMW bluetooth.

I do agree mObridge offers a great product at a decent price. It does say their kit comes with 1m fiber link. It also says theirs uses Parrot technology and the ability to update via SD card. It almost sounds the same as a Parrot MKi9200 without the display. Please let us know how it turns out. I will have to check for a autologic facility in Texas also for coding for a price comparison.

[arthbkins]

Originally Posted by jimk

I may be selling my mObridge Bluetooth in a couple of weeks at a good price. It works flawlessly but I'm getting close to figuring out how to enable BT in the MULF2. If it works, then the mObridge (1 month old) will be up for sale.

I'm new to this forum and don't think I have permissions to pm yet. jimk, are you still selling your mObridge Bluetooth kit or has that already gone. Thank you,