Bluetooth / iPhone solution advisement for non-iDrive Bimmer

I know, I searched already ... this is a confusing topic given the various options and how they affect BT and iPhone usage (iDrive, Assist, etc.)

Need advice on what makes sense, not just what is possible.

I have: a beautiful 2009 328xi which I just drove home yesterday. I've been staring at in in my garage all night, waiting for dawn to drive it again.

• No iDrive
• No BMW Assist
• No bluetooth (consequence of the above 2 bullets)
• an iPhone 5 (yes, I'm one of you: an Apple+BMW fanboy)
• a Motorola T505 BT speakerphone which I use in my old 2001.5 Passat that works great: http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Bluet.../dp/B0030BZ7HM

I want (and I haven't yet formed a perfect mental model of these wants):

• to be able to take calls hands-free (duh)
• to have copious music at my fingertips, with radio integration (controls and display)
• to be able to listen to streamed music sources like Spotify and Pandora from my phone over LTE (I have a grandfathered AT&T unlimited data plan - don't hate )

Things I've been considering

• the infamous Y-cable:

• pros: great solution for playing stored and streaming music
• cons: leaves the possibility of a bluetooth speaker off the table since the phone audio is tied up
• USB stick for stored music:
  
• pros: awesome integration with the radio and steering wheel controls, cheap solution for LOTS of musinc with a 64GB stick
• cons: ties up USB port for charging phone - have to use 12V with an adapter
• Just using that Motorola T505 that I used for my Passat
  

• pros: it wasn't bad - the quality of music was quite surprising! Supports A2DP
• cons: no radio/control integration - have to use the phone interface itself. Sound quality is good for bluetooth, but cannot compete with copper wire.

Thoughts?

Tired of this topic?

I am in the same boat been reading posts constantly and can't make a decision. I'm thinking Dice Mediabridge but not sure.

Then in the back of my mind I'm thinking go full blown Nav/w Bluetooth iPod etc...haha

Same situation here. I just ordered a Parrot Minikit Neo to be paired with my iphone 5. I hope the speaker is loud enough. Only way i see to get BT in the speakers of the car is with an aux in/bt device or an fm transmitter. I hate both these ideas cause you will need to switch the source. ugghh

I'm in the same boat with a great 2010 328i. Love to see if there is a solution.

Hi guys,

If you send us your VIN and location by email we might be able to offer you some OEM solutions.