[iAmDmAn]

Those interested in retrofitting bluetooth to their e90 I believe this is what we require:

Linky P/N: 84640398228

I have sent an email to Evan at Tischer BMW to see if they can grab this part and what the cost would be.

From postings I have read it looks like this is a possible DIY job. Not sure about the computer and if it needs to be brought to the dealer for bluetooth activation.

User "tctic" has had a successful install I believe.

[discoboy1]

Originally Posted by iAmDmAn

Those interested in retrofitting bluetooth to their e90 I believe this is what we require:

Linky P/N: 84640398228

I have sent an email to Evan at Tischer BMW to see if they can grab this part and what the cost would be.

From postings I have read it looks like this is a possible DIY job. Not sure about the computer and if it needs to be brought to the dealer for bluetooth activation.

User "tctic" has had a successful install I believe.

Good luck, my dealer told me to retrofit would cost more than the 1100$ bluetooth/assist price in Canada

[planetscott]

I think you need a lot more than that. Check out the Bluetooth retrofit DIY in the DIY section. It looks like a few people have tried it -- it seems to work fine as long as German is your first language. The last I read there were incompatibilities between the retrofit kit and the voice computer, or something like that.

[who's ur daddy?]

I really wanted BT, but choked at the $1100 tag. Insane.

One other option is them fancy portable GPS systems. Many of them have bluetooth connectivety. I doubt it's as good or clean as OEM, but using the GPS speaker and/or car radio thru FM modulation is probably better than the speakerphone on your mobile phone.

I am thinking of a Garmin Nuvi 660...

[halB]

You can try Parrot but if you don't have NAV, you might as well buy a GPS unit that comes with bluetooth so you'll have less aftermarket pieces hanging around. Personally I prefer TomTom. I use it in my van.

[iAmDmAn]

ya guess your right, i'll save my money for the HTC Kaiser. Using the aux. connection in the center console I can connect the Kaiser and when calls come in the phone will automatically switch to handsfree mode and will be sent thru the speaker system. still have to dail out, but oh well.

[iAmDmAn]

Okay, I heard back from Evan at Tischer and for those of you who are interested it seems the cost is a bit lower then expected for anyone with the sa640 option already in place. Just for comparison sake I have a 325i '06 (build year: Mar '05).

Here is his reply:

As per your vin and production date, you would require a new telematics control unit, part # 84109122446. List price is 625.00 + 48.00 core charge. Our online cost is 500.00 + 48.00 core charge....so a total of $548.00 USD. This part is instock and ready to ship. This is all you would require to get the bluetooth functioning in your vehicle as you already have option sa 640 (phone preparation). **This part needs programmed by your local dealership.

So with today's exchange rate not including any customs or shipping charges the price goes to: $592 CDN (not bad) plus any dealer fees for programming.

[who's ur daddy?]

Do it.

so you can tell us whether it really works or not.

[iAmDmAn]

Haha, I was hoping someone else would be the guinea pig.

[iAmDmAn]

BMW Mississauga is going to find out if this part will do the trick. They have put in a call to BMW Canada Engineering department and waiting to hear back.
Dealer told me that up until now they were simply telling customers that BT was not available to 3 series owners due to BMW Assist. But my dealer wants to try this again with the part number Evan gave me. Funny thing is the part Evan quoted me is $1800 at my dealer.

[halB]

Please let us know how does it work out!!

I thought Bluetooth is included in telephone preparation as a $1100 option, and BMW Assist comes with the package by default. You mean even cars without that option has telephone preparation installed at the factory?

[iAmDmAn]

Originally Posted by halB

Please let us know how does it work out!!

I thought Bluetooth is included in telephone preparation as a $1100 option, and BMW Assist comes with the package by default. You mean even cars without that option has telephone preparation installed at the factory?

I am not sure on that, I have a premium model so maybe that is why the telephone prep is there.

[imike20]

I was looking into doing this too, from what I've seen so far there are two companies that can/will be able to add bluetooth aftermarket most if not all the parts are original BMW parts so everything plugs right in.

I've heard that this company (http://www.bimmernav.com/) has a solution, but so far all I've heard is that it is in German only (although the company claims that it is a programming issue). From the DIY photos it looks pretty easy to install yourself (http://www.bimmernav.com/BMW_new_Blu...tructions.html)


I contacted this company (http://www.bavariansoundwerks.com/index.php) and they said they are working on a solution and will have one soon. This is an american company so I'm sure they're solution will be in english. I'm expecting the installation to be similar to bimmernav.com

I had asked Town & Country BMW how much it would cost to retrofit bluetooth and they said $1800-$2100 just in parts and few hours labor. I think the kits will be in the $800-$1500 range and easy to do it yourself.


Good Luck,
Mike

[discoboy1]

Originally Posted by halB

Please let us know how does it work out!!

I thought Bluetooth is included in telephone preparation as a $1100 option, and BMW Assist comes with the package by default. You mean even cars without that option has telephone preparation installed at the factory?

Might be able to ge phone prep only but then it will be a special order and you have to add 400$ for special order fees, wich will come close to bluetooth/assist option.

[aspiring335]

It really sucks that our Premium Package doesn't include Bluetooth...

I was under the impression that all E9x models sold in Canada had telephone prep, which is really just wiring to the stereo system, right?

[planetscott]

I'm also very curious about this. What exactly is "telephone preparation"? To me, it would make sense that any car that has voice command support would also have this feature ... but what do I know ...

[bcbushman]

I was told by Victoria BMW that a retrofit would cost $4,000 to $5,000 and would require reprogramming / retrofitting the TCU (whatever that is) AND that the parts likely weren't even available.

I let BMW know that I thought selling cars with "telephone pre-wire" was misleading.

There is somebody on e-Bay selling a European retrofit kit but they said Canadian E-90's haven't had great success and wouldn't recommend it.

[discoboy1]

This is the cheapest I've seen so far

http://www.bimmernav.com/store/catal...roducts_id=102

[fer360]

Originally Posted by planetscott

I'm also very curious about this. What exactly is "telephone preparation"? To me, it would make sense that any car that has voice command support would also have this feature ... but what do I know ...

It's easy to tell if you have phone prep. Pull the leatherboot up on your e-brake. Look in the opening for a coax cable and a connector that are clipped down, but don't have anything plugged into them. That's the telephone assembly cabling for the cell phone adapter that goes into the center armrest; under the rubber tray. (You should also have a steering wheel button for voice commands.)

[planetscott]

Originally Posted by fer360

It's easy to tell if you have phone prep. Pull the leatherboot up on your e-brake. Look in the opening for a coax cable and a connector that are clipped down, but don't have anything plugged into them. That's the telephone assembly cabling for the cell phone adapter that goes into the center armrest; under the rubber tray. (You should also have a steering wheel button for voice commands.)

I took a look under the e-brake and took a picture:



I see the connector clipped down ... but I think that's connected to iDrive. I can't see any coax cable.