Bluetooth, IPOD, Factory Navigation & Compatibility Questions

[VEGANSAM]

The following was just sent to me regarding my special order '05 330i & 330CiC.

1. Satellite Radio cannot be installed on vehicles with factory Navigation option 609.

2. IPod Adapter is not compatible with Navigation. Why?!

3. Bluetooth is not compatible with BMW Assist. Why?!

4. Bluetooth is not available with the 330Cic. Why?!

5. Bluetooth MSRP for 330i is $1008, invoice is $707 (both including dealer installation).

Please let me know if you still want the navigation for both vehicles. And forego the IPod and satellite radio.

Since almost EVERYONE on Bimmerfest seems to know more than almost ANY dealer or salesman,
I'd like to know: IS THIS TRUE?! And if so, what do you recommend?!

[Alex Baumann]

I have moved the first thread to Audio forum, but you have chosen to delete it and post here again.

May I ask you why ?

[Terry Kennedy]

Since almost EVERYONE on Bimmerfest seems to know more than almost ANY dealer or salesman, I'd like to know: IS THIS TRUE?! And if so, what do you recommend?!My answers are as I understand things to be. Note that just because I say something is possible, doesn't mean the dealer will sell / install it - if BMW says "don't", they won't.
1. Satellite Radio cannot be installed on vehicles with factory Navigation option 609.False. As long as the car has the latest BM53 radio and a Rev. 3 NAV computer (that's the revision of the computer, NOT "MK III"), it should work fine. Note that not all cars have a suitable mounting location (that's why it isn't "supported" in the Touring, for example).
2. IPod Adapter is not compatible with Navigation.True. However, you can add a vanilla Aux Input and hook up your iPod there, giving up the "fabuluous BMW integration" of only 5 playlists selectable from the radio :D
3. Bluetooth is not compatible with BMW Assist.Mostly true. Bluetooth and Assist are a "one or the other", and removing Assist will cause the dealer to ask you to sign a liability waiver. Hopefully BMW will figure out to have both at some point - but with the E90 around the corner, I wouldn't hold my breath on an E46 supporting both.
4. Bluetooth is not available with the 330Cic.True - it isn't marketed. However, if you order the parts it should work. There may not be a mounting bracket for the part in the trunk (I'm not sure). I'm not sure where you'd put the microphone to avoid wind noise, but I'm sure you could work something out.
5. Bluetooth MSRP for 330i is $1008, invoice is $707.You can get it for less from any of the BMW parts places on the net, or places like BMWNAV or BMWbluetooth. Of course, if you get it as a factory (is it available as a factory option?) or dealer-installed option, you get the same warranty as you get on the rest of the car.

[aabimmer]

I've got a 2004 325xiT. Ordered in Nov 2003 with assist and Sirius. Vehicle arrived late January 2004 and dealer informed me they couldn't install the Sirius module since BMW engineering hadn't yet figured out how to do both assist and Sirius. I like the peace of mind of assist, so haven't looked into giving it up for Sirius. I still await for the systems integration. I've been in touch with BMWNA only to be told "engineering doesn't have a solution yet" which seems rather lame. So, your news doesn't sound encouraging.

[Terry Kennedy]

I've got a 2004 325xiT. Ordered in Nov 2003 with assist and Sirius. Vehicle arrived late January 2004 and dealer informed me they couldn't install the Sirius module since BMW engineering hadn't yet figured out how to do both assist and Sirius. I like the peace of mind of assist, so haven't looked into giving it up for Sirius. I still await for the systems integration. I've been in touch with BMWNA only to be told "engineering doesn't have a solution yet" which seems rather lame. So, your news doesn't sound encouraging.Note that I have a pre-Assist car (09/2002 build) so I can't say for certain, but I can't see any reason why Assist is a conflict with Sirius. Assist uses the phone pre-wire, while Sirius attaches via the CD changer interface. All they have in common is that they are both in the trunk :D. Now, Assist and Bluetooth are a different story, since Assist is just a dedicated cell phone that can only dial one number) and you can't have two phone systems in the same car, since there is only one phone harness.

[aabimmer]

Hi Terry,

Well, we must be dealing with true rocket science here! I've pummeled the dealer with my inquiries and finally wrote to New Jersey. And so far, everyone stands by the same story -- engineering hasn't figured it out yet (marrying Sirius with assist). At one point (can't find it now), I thought I'd heard there's an antenna integration or compatability issue. If you or anyone else out there has assist AND Sirius in a 2004 325xiT, please let me know. Thanks,

Gary

[Terry Kennedy]

Well, we must be dealing with true rocket science here! I've pummeled the dealer with my inquiries and finally wrote to New Jersey. And so far, everyone stands by the same story -- engineering hasn't figured it out yet (marrying Sirius with assist). At one point (can't find it now), I thought I'd heard there's an antenna integration or compatability issue. If you or anyone else out there has assist AND Sirius in a 2004 325xiT, please let me know.Well, my car is pre-Assist and I'm more interested in XM than Sirius, so I can't use my car as an example. However, Circle BMW's Sirius page (http://www.circlebmw.com/parts/sirius/sirius.htm) doesn't list any restrictions for E46's - it says "09/03 on" which is a MY 2004.

However, as I've said there is no mounting bracket available for the Touring - there is no free space that BMW thinks is acceptable if you have a full set of A/V options installed:

http://www.tmk.com/bmw/6F5S4229-s.jpg

Which means that you should get the same answer if you ask about a 2004 325xiT without Assist,

Which means it will work, you'll just have to figure out where to put the receiver. In my case, after BlitzSafe gets the XM Direct adapter working with NAV (hopefully tomorrow), I will mount the XM tuner, XM Direct adapter, and the BlitzSafe adapter for my PhatBox in the space where the BMW CD changer normally sits.

[aabimmer]

Somewhat unrelated, but your photo reminded me. How did you get the panel at the speaker off? There is a plastic rivet of sorts at the bottom that I've not figured out how to remove without ruining it.

[Terry Kennedy]

Somewhat unrelated, but your photo reminded me. How did you get the panel at the speaker off? There is a plastic rivet of sorts at the bottom that I've not figured out how to remove without ruining it.You have to take tons of parts off first. Starting at the rear seat, remove the cover for the seat belt retractor, then pull off the C-pillar trim, then remove the next layer of the retractor. Remove the vent trim piece to get to some screws. Remove the seat side bolster (pull at the top - a clip may break and need to be replaced). Remove the anchor latch at the bottom front of the side panel (2 Torx screws) and un-flap the inner trim of the seat side latch. Remove all the obvious screws, then carefully pull out the center pin of the plastic rivet you asked about. With the center pin out, you can then pull out the rest of the rivet. Be careful when removing the side panel - the accessory cigarette lighter jack is still connected to it.

[aabimmer]

Thanks for the rundown.

[barrycp]

Where can I find more info on the Vanilla Aux input?

Thanks

[Andrew*Debbie]

The following was just sent to me regarding my special order '05 330i & 330CiC.


3. Bluetooth is not compatible with BMW Assist. Why?!


Since almost EVERYONE on Bimmerfest seems to know more than almost ANY dealer or salesman,
I'd like to know: IS THIS TRUE?! And if so, what do you recommend?!





The Bluethooth / Assist incompatibility was supposed to be fixed for MY 2005. Guess they couldn't get it working :(