Bluetooth Observations

[avionics12]

I just finished my Bluetooth installation yesterday. ( Thanks for advising me to wait Ted W!) Got a free ride on the Modic for the coding too. This is a definate improvement over the old way BMW phones operated. I do have one question about the phone operation.

The car is a 2003 540i/6 w/ Nav, 02/03 build date. I have a Sony Ericsson T68i phone which is set with Bluetooth on all of the time.

On start up the car and phone will "pair up". After appox 3-4 minutes the phone annunciates "BMW 540i/6 disconnected". 3-5 seconds later it annunciates "BMW 540i/6 connected". It will continue to do this until I turn the car ignition off. If I set the phones Bluetooth option to Automatic the phone and car will not "pair up".

Any ideas?

[ZBB 325Ci]

You might want to try deleting the car from the phone and starting over again.

I also have a t68i, but don't have the BMW kit (my car is a 4/01 build -- 11 months too old for the current retrofit kit). I do have a BT headset. I've had to delet the headset from the BT paired devices list on the phone and re-pair it twice now. Seems to work fine after that.

[avionics12]

You might want to try deleting the car from the phone and starting over again.

I also have a t68i, but don't have the BMW kit (my car is a 4/01 build -- 11 months too old for the current retrofit kit). I do have a BT headset. I've had to delet the headset from the BT paired devices list on the phone and re-pair it twice now. Seems to work fine after that.

I tried "re pairing" the phone. No luck. I will use a friends phone and pair it and see what happens. Thanks for the tip.

[avionics12]

I replaced my Sony Ericsson T68i with a like model. I deleted the old paired device from the ULF and paired the replacement phone to the car. All works well now. There is a new menu available on the phone BT option list too. If you are having trouble with BT maybe a replacement phone will work for you :)

[hynt20]

Hi,


Are you sure you have the correct cable connector for the BT antenna, i had to "buzz" out the correct cable and that made a huge diff. no diconnecting.

[avionics12]

Hi,


Are you sure you have the correct cable connector for the BT antenna, i had to "buzz" out the correct cable and that made a huge diff. no diconnecting.


Yep. I too buzzed out the cable and everything checked out OK. I now have a SE T616 phone and all is well!

[hynt20]

Yep. I too buzzed out the cable and everything checked out OK. I now have a SE T616 phone and all is well!

Great, did you get the phonebook to transfer with the T616 ?

[avionics12]

Great, did you get the phonebook to transfer with the T616 ?

Yes the T616 automatically transfers. I added a number to the phone yesterday and checked and it had transferred to the car! I really like this functionality.

[hynt20]

Yes the T616 automatically transfers. I added a number to the phone yesterday and checked and it had transferred to the car! I really like this functionality.

I love that feature too :) so given the choice would you use the t68i or the t616 for both useablilty and sound quality ?

[avionics12]

I love that feature too :) so given the choice would you use the t68i or the t616 for both useablilty and sound quality ?

I choose the T616 for useability and sound quality. It is easier to move around in the menus and has better features to use. I have gotten used to taking a picture when adding a phone number. When someone listed in the phonebook calls I see their picture not their number!

[hynt20]

I choose the T616 for useability and sound quality. It is easier to move around in the menus and has better features to use. I have gotten used to taking a picture when adding a phone number. When someone listed in the phonebook calls I see their picture not their number!


Cool, did you get a deal on the t616 or did you have to pay full retail ? I am planning to go to the UK in a month or so and was thinking of picking up a new Bluetooth phone then. But don't want to pay full retail.... go figure I am cheap.... LOL Or if I can get one cheaper here I will go that route.

BTW which provider do you have ?

[avionics12]

Cool, did you get a deal on the t616 or did you have to pay full retail ? I am planning to go to the UK in a month or so and was thinking of picking up a new Bluetooth phone then. But don't want to pay full retail.... go figure I am cheap.... LOL Or if I can get one cheaper here I will go that route.

BTW which provider do you have ?

I have been with AT&T Wireless for almost ten years. I called Customer Service at AT&T and asked them about a deal on the phone since I have been a loyal customer all these years. I finally talked with the Manager on duty during the call and he authorized the sale of the phone for US$ 100.00 :D

I am currently installing BT with Euro armrest. I am trying to remember to take pictures as I go so others can do it. More on that later...........

It's later!

What do you think about this? It keeps the functionality of the BT pairing button by moving it to the rear tray area :D

[hynt20]

What do you think about this? It keeps the functionality of the BT pairing button by moving it to the rear tray area :D

Now this is interesting, can you send a few more pictures showing the rest of the console. I would like to see the difference.

Do you think that pushing this button might be a temptation to your backseat "drivers" ?

[LDV330i]

Cool, did you get a deal on the t616 or did you have to pay full retail ? I am planning to go to the UK in a month or so and was thinking of picking up a new Bluetooth phone then. But don't want to pay full retail.... go figure I am cheap.... LOL Or if I can get one cheaper here I will go that route.

BTW which provider do you have ?

If you are looking for bluetooth phones at a reduced price (or free):thumbup: you might want to check out this thread (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40564) .

[hynt20]

If you are looking for bluetooth phones at a reduced price (or free):thumbup: you might want to check out this thread (http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40564) .

Hi Thanks for the link, the problem is that I a new t-mobile customer, and I am using an older t68i that I got from my dad in the UK, as I was being cheap, testing the BT function in the car etc, as well as testing the service from t-mobile. The plan being if it didn't work out then I had not spend $$ on a phone I was never going to use. :thumbup:

However that kinda backfired, I really like the BT system, service is not bad, and I have an old phone, that I had to send away to get updated s/w installed. Only 6 rev of software diff. :cry:


Anyway.... I will call the number in the link you sent and see if I can, get a new phone :bigpimp:

Thanks again.

[avionics12]

Now this is interesting, can you send a few more pictures showing the rest of the console. I would like to see the difference.

Do you think that pushing this button might be a temptation to your backseat "drivers" ?

That thought crossed my mind. After I finished putting everything back together I sat in each rear seat position. From the left and right rear seat position you cannot see the button. From the center position you can see just a little bit of the bottom of the button. If there are concerns about this you could take a small portion of black foam cut to size to fit in the rear of the tray to cover it up.


I have the pictures at home and will post them with a writeup as soon as I can, hopefully within a few days. Send me a PM with your e mail address and I'll send the pictures with minor details. :)

[hynt20]

I have the pictures at home and will post them with a writeup as soon as I can, hopefully within a few days. Send me a PM with your e mail address and I'll send the pictures with minor details. :)

Have done, thanks for the info.

Do you just keep your phone in your pocket now or do you put it on the console when in the car ? I noticed that all my phonebook was transferred, not sure if this is something I wanted can you edit the phone book in the car, or perhaps I should re-consider what numbers are in my cellphone phonebook. The problem is that I have perhaps 3 entries for people, home, cell, work and on the car Radio display it shows the person's name three times. Although on the dash display it shows (h), (w) and (m). I suppose I could use that instead.

BTW did you know you can use the system to dial tones too... so if you call a VRU system and it asks for a pin or an ID number you can use the normal digits as you would on a real phone.

Of course... if your used to using "words" on the keypad your going to be thinking for a few mins. (i was calling my other cellphone voicemail XXX-MAIL). :rolleyes:

[avionics12]

Have done, thanks for the info.

Do you just keep your phone in your pocket now or do you put it on the console when in the car ? I noticed that all my phonebook was transferred, not sure if this is something I wanted can you edit the phone book in the car, or perhaps I should re-consider what numbers are in my cellphone phonebook. The problem is that I have perhaps 3 entries for people, home, cell, work and on the car Radio display it shows the person's name three times. Although on the dash display it shows (h), (w) and (m). I suppose I could use that instead.

BTW did you know you can use the system to dial tones too... so if you call a VRU system and it asks for a pin or an ID number you can use the normal digits as you would on a real phone.

Of course... if your used to using "words" on the keypad your going to be thinking for a few mins. (i was calling my other cellphone voicemail XXX-MAIL). :rolleyes:


I keep the phone in my briefcase or on the weekends I put it in the left hand storage compartment in the Eurodash. Either way works well.

I did notice that the phonebook transfers separate entries for the same person such as (h) (w) (m). I haven't tried anything different with that feature. I too use the display on the dash most times.

I found out about the dialtone last night as I was finishing up the BT/Euro armrest install. I was looking around the menu and pushed emergency to see what would happen. It listed three numbers-112,911,and another number I do not remember now. Anyway I pushed the voice button on the steering wheel and heard the tones. I hung up because I didn't think 112 dialed anyone. I was trying to find a way for the phone to default dial to 911 instead. About 15 seconds later the phone rang in the car and I answered. A woman said " This is the 911 operator, did you try to contact emergency services?" I was totally surprised :angel:

I told the operator that I had indeed dialed it but had hung up not knowing that 112 was a valid emergency number. She verified once again that I did not need help and explained that they "tag" off of 911 for mobile phone users in my area. I am glad to know this is true but embarrassed to find out this way :rolleyes:

I'll send pics and a brief write up to you later today when I get home.

[ALEV8]

I just finished my Bluetooth installation yesterday. ( Thanks for advising me to wait Ted W!) Got a free ride on the Modic for the coding too. This is a definate improvement over the old way BMW phones operated. I do have one question about the phone operation.

The car is a 2003 540i/6 w/ Nav, 02/03 build date. I have a Sony Ericsson T68i phone which is set with Bluetooth on all of the time.

On start up the car and phone will "pair up". After appox 3-4 minutes the phone annunciates "BMW 540i/6 disconnected". 3-5 seconds later it annunciates "BMW 540i/6 connected". It will continue to do this until I turn the car ignition off. If I set the phones Bluetooth option to Automatic the phone and car will not "pair up".

Any ideas?

I remember you posting about this over at Roadfly. I'll just say all the bluetooth pairings with the T68i (my current phone as well) would drop then pick up every few minutes. It drove me crazy, so I ditched bluetooth headsets for good. What's the damage for the bluetooth retrofit?

[avionics12]

I remember you posting about this over at Roadfly. I'll just say all the bluetooth pairings with the T68i (my current phone as well) would drop then pick up every few minutes. It drove me crazy, so I ditched bluetooth headsets for good. What's the damage for the bluetooth retrofit?


The below is a good reference for BT retrofits. I understand that better prices are available. I have since switched over to a SE T616 phone and all of the BT functions work now. The T68i had some quality issues that were addressed in the T616 phone.

5 Series (E39) Sedan 3/02 - On / Touring 9/02 - On
ULF Bluetooth Module 84 21 6 934 552 1.0 hr $435.00
ULF 5 Series (E39) Installtion Kit 84 11 0 302 647 $164.00

Needed for 5 Series Sedan with Nav from 3/02-8/02 E39 Sedan w/Nav (3/02 - 8/02) - ULF Control Module Bracket
84 13 6 924 547 same as above + $31.50

Needed for 5 Series Sedan without Nav from 3/02-8/02 E39 Sedan Without Nav (3/02 - 8/02) - ULF Control Module Bracket
84 13 6 924 546 same as above + $24.00

5 Series all (only if missing) SES Jumper Plug
84 11 0 018 038 same as above + $10.00

[hynt20]

I remember you posting about this over at Roadfly. I'll just say all the bluetooth pairings with the T68i (my current phone as well) would drop then pick up every few minutes. It drove me crazy, so I ditched bluetooth headsets for good. What's the damage for the bluetooth retrofit?

Hi, sorry for the delay in replying.... kinda got up with work :mad:

Well, I talked to my dealer got the MSRP for the Bluetooth kit, and went shopping online, got some prices from Circle BMW, link is on these pages somewhere. Took the circle prices and my dealer matched price for price.

Approx $570 I think, will check my invoice, when I get a chance and repost if I was way off. :eek:


According to the Instructions the install by the dealer is around 1/2 hr, well based on the fact that my dealer had never installed one, and I had seen all the help posts here and around the other forums, I did the install myself. Took about an 1hr and 1/2 for me. Most of the time was spent trying to get the plastic holder out of the center of the console without damaging it.

Dealer wanted 1-2hrs to do this so that was another $80-$160 + tax


Given the chance again... I would do a self-install. (wish I had done the same with the sirrus, although I am very happy with the install).

Oh, the other thing to watch for, is that I ordered the parts per the BMW part install sheet. As it turned out I didn't need the two brackets and the blue plug. (I was able to return the brackets, as the dealer has a 30 day deal for returns, not a huge amount of $$ but every little helps). I kept the blue plug as a spare (?), keepsake(?) I don't know but it was only $8 and I felt it was worth keeping.

Hope this helps. BTW I still get some issues with the phone and the car.

I ended a call today just as I was switching the ignition off, got back in a few mins later and the phone and car would not sync up. I reached my next stop, got out, did my thing, went back and everything was working again, strange.......

[avionics12]

Hi, sorry for the delay in replying.... kinda got up with work :mad:
Dealer wanted 1-2hrs to do this so that was another $80-$160 + tax


Oh, the other thing to watch for, is that I ordered the parts per the BMW part install sheet. As it turned out I didn't need the two brackets and the blue plug. (I was able to return the brackets, as the dealer has a 30 day deal for returns, not a huge amount of $$ but every little helps). I kept the blue plug as a spare (?), keepsake(?) I don't know but it was only $8 and I felt it was worth keeping.

Hope this helps. BTW I still get some issues with the phone and the car.

I ended a call today just as I was switching the ignition off, got back in a few mins later and the phone and car would not sync up. I reached my next stop, got out, did my thing, went back and everything was working again, strange.......



Ah here's the part that confuses :confused: some people. My 03 was delivered with a jumper on the SES (voice recognition) module so I thought I was OK. I did the install and had problems with the T68i phone. I replaced the T68i with a T616 phone and while some of the problems were solved others were not. I could make a call with the voice button on the steering wheel but I could not end a call with that same button. Sometimes the phone would take excessive time to pair up with the car and a new phonebook entry would not transfer from the phone to the car. :mad: I installed the jumper plug that is called out in the installation procedure, had the car recoded and now all functions work as advertised. :D I suggest that you install the new jumper plug and have the car recoded. This may help you as well.

[hynt20]

I suggest that you install the new jumper plug and have the car recoded. This may help you as well.

Thanks for the reply.

I had the car recoded.... thought that I would resolve the issues I had with the T68i, and I sent it off to Sony Eric to get updated and that resolved the phonebook prob etc.

So...... the question is, did you notice the problem go away after you changed the jumper, or had the car recoded ?

I knew I kept the blue jumper from the install kit for a reason :D


of course if this plug does need to be changed...... then what is the factory installed jumper doing ??? :dunno: I know a leading question..

[avionics12]

Thanks for the reply.

I had the car recoded.... thought that I would resolve the issues I had with the T68i, and I sent it off to Sony Eric to get updated and that resolved the phonebook prob etc.

So...... the question is, did you notice the problem go away after you changed the jumper, or had the car recoded ?

I knew I kept the blue jumper from the install kit for a reason :D


of course if this plug does need to be changed...... then what is the factory installed jumper doing ??? :dunno: I know a leading question..


After I put the BT jumper in there was no change. I then had the car recoded and all works well. I suppose that the BT system needs to recognize the BT jumper in order to properly "code" the system? :dunno:

I wish I could get more info about the factory installed jumper; I would like to know if the factory jumper and the BT jumper are the same but to tell the truth, now that it works I'm afraid to do anything else. ;)

[hynt20]

I wish I could get more info about the factory installed jumper; I would like to know if the factory jumper and the BT jumper are the same but to tell the truth, now that it works I'm afraid to do anything else. ;)


I was thinking the same thing, it seems strange that they would include the jumper and have it not do the same job, even the instructions for the install, state if you have the plug already you don't need the new one. I wonder if the plug is just a set of jumpers and not anything else, if so I can test it out with a meter to see which pin is connected to which pin, then compare the one that came in the car with the one that came with the kit. Hmm sounds like a wet saturday afternoon project........ :yikes:

[tony salvati]

I just finished my Bluetooth installation yesterday. ( Thanks for advising me to wait Ted W!) Got a free ride on the Modic for the coding too. This is a definate improvement over the old way BMW phones operated. I do have one question about the phone operation.

The car is a 2003 540i/6 w/ Nav, 02/03 build date. I have a Sony Ericsson T68i phone which is set with Bluetooth on all of the time.

On start up the car and phone will "pair up". After appox 3-4 minutes the phone annunciates "BMW 540i/6 disconnected". 3-5 seconds later it annunciates "BMW 540i/6 connected". It will continue to do this until I turn the car ignition off. If I set the phones Bluetooth option to Automatic the phone and car will not "pair up".

Any ideas?
Can someone help me in sorting iout what is available and how I can go about getting my 740 equiped with an anlalouge phone copnverted to blue tooth and also I would liek to install bluetooth in my 330

[ambishop]

it is really frustrating that dealers are still selling the OLD version of ULF module that has so many bugs. BMW has made 5 revisions of the ULF module since the 552

PART numbers for the Bluetooth ULF FROM BMW ETK
84 21 6 934 552 up to 06/03
84 21 6 938 610 up to 10/03
84 21 6 934 961 up to 03/04
84 21 6 950 089 up to 06/04
84 21 6 945 387 Present

[hynt20]

What sort of bugs have been seen or are people finding, I have had a few nagging issues that I was not happy about, in terms of connectivity between my phone and the car:

Slow reaction from the phone at times (trying to call vmail takes ages)

Mixed results with dialing from the phone on if I am going to get handsfree ver having to manually switch the call from the phone to the car.

I thought it was my t610 but I had it checked by SE and it appeared to be ok.

[540 M-Sport]

I am very interested in this Bluetooth option....I recently purchased a new Motorola V600 phone that has Bluetooth capability...would this be compatible? Or must I stick with the BMW "approved" list? Or is it one of those "may, may not" work deals?

Edit: Never mind, I checked and the new Motorola V600 is listed as fully compatible...in fact all the newer bluetooth enabled phones should work fine, it is the earlier released phones (2003 and older) that seem to occaisionally have compatibility issues.

Dave