BMW Bluetooth

I want to put Bluetooth in my X5. I have a few questions, though. How much does it cost? Is it easy to install, or do I need to have it done professionally? Will it even work on my car ('02 4.4i w/Nav and DSP)? Which phones have Bluetooth capability? Can I order a phone direct from a manufacturer and have my carrier (Verizon) activate it, or do I need to buy it from Verizon? Thanks for anything!
CJ

Originally Posted by Curious Joel

I want to put Bluetooth in my X5. I have a few questions, though. How much does it cost? Is it easy to install, or do I need to have it done professionally? Will it even work on my car ('02 4.4i w/Nav and DSP)? Which phones have Bluetooth capability? Can I order a phone direct from a manufacturer and have my carrier (Verizon) activate it, or do I need to buy it from Verizon? Thanks for anything!
CJ

Joel - Here's a great place to start - http://x5world.net/bluetooth.htm

If you still have questions after reviewing these pages, let us know

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

Joel - Here's a great place to start - http://x5world.net/bluetooth.htm

If you still have questions after reviewing these pages, let us know

UCrew- The pages are good, but I'm still confused... Do I have to do it myself? It looks complicated, and I don't really trust myself. Can Tulley do it (my dealer)? God it is soooo confusing! Also, how much does the system cost? Is it worth it? Could my X already HAVE it? I think I've got the microphone.

Originally Posted by Curious Joel

UCrew- The pages are good, but I'm still confused... Do I have to do it myself? It looks complicated, and I don't really trust myself. Can Tulley do it (my dealer)? God it is soooo confusing! Also, how much does the system cost? Is it worth it? Could my X already HAVE it? I think I've got the microphone.

Joel - what's the build date on your X5?

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

Joel - what's the build date on your X5?

It is... (let me run out to the garage and check..) 05/02

Unfortuantely, you and I are in the same boat. Since you have Verizon, you only have 1 choice as to a phone, Moto V710. From what I understand, there still exists the problem of not having the phonebook to transfer. In addition, Verizon did not activate any Bluetooth capabilities,with the exception to sue the handsfree headset. Hopefully by XMas, there will be more capabilities unleashed and more phones.

I guess the only other option would be to go to another wireless carrier, but as a Verizon employee, I wouldn't want you to do that!

Originally Posted by pseto

Unfortuantely, you and I are in the same boat. Since you have Verizon, you only have 1 choice as to a phone, Moto V710. From what I understand, there still exists the problem of not having the phonebook to transfer. In addition, Verizon did not activate any Bluetooth capabilities,with the exception to sue the handsfree headset. Hopefully by XMas, there will be more capabilities unleashed and more phones.

I guess the only other option would be to go to another wireless carrier, but as a Verizon employee, I wouldn't want you to do that!

Yeah, I can't really do that... I have an account that is shared with my brother, so if I left, he would have to leave... Also, Verizon has much better coverage. So I can't buy a Bluetooth phone and have them activate it? Another joy of living in the sticks: Practically no cell phone choices!

Originally Posted by Curious Joel

It is... (let me run out to the garage and check..) 05/02

Joel,

I believe that for your build date BMW offers a retrofit kit. Pricing should be around $600 +/- for the module and install kit. Your dealer should be more than happy to take your money and install the kit for you, but obviously will be charging shop rates for this service. But honestly, it is a very easy DIY. If you follow the BMW installation instructions that come with the kit, along with IFly's document ( http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/crew/u...stallation.pdf ) it should go very smoothly.

Regarding phones, unfortunately there is very few CDMA phones (which is the network technology Verizon uses) that support Bluetooth. Referencing http://www.x5world.net/bluetooth_compatible_phones.htm, the V710 and the SE T608 are your current options, and both have issues.

Good luck,
Jeff

nope, you can't just get a BT phone and have VZ activate it. The Motorola V710 is the only CDMA phone that has been pre-arranged for BT. CDMA is the wireless technology that Verizon uses, many other carriers like ATT and Cingular use GSM that is a lot more flexible when talking BT.

Originally Posted by UCrewX5

Joel,

I believe that for your build date BMW offers a retrofit kit. Pricing should be around $600 +/- for the module and install kit. Your dealer should be more than happy to take your money and install the kit for you, but obviously will be charging shop rates for this service. But honestly, it is a very easy DIY. If you follow the BMW installation instructions that come with the kit, along with IFly's document ( http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/crew/u...stallation.pdf ) it should go very smoothly.

Regarding phones, unfortunately there is very few CDMA phones (which is the network technology Verizon uses) that support Bluetooth. Referencing http://www.x5world.net/bluetooth_compatible_phones.htm, the V710 and the SE T608 are your current options, and both have issues.

Good luck,
Jeff

Jeff-
I think I'm gonna go ahead and do it. I am gonna have to switch cell carriers, but I think it will be worth it. The thing that intimidated me was the picture or the guy running a wire under the carpet with the seats taken out and everything. I assume my car is pre-wired?
Joel

Originally Posted by Curious Joel

Jeff-
I think I'm gonna go ahead and do it. I am gonna have to switch cell carriers, but I think it will be worth it. The thing that intimidated me was the picture or the guy running a wire under the carpet with the seats taken out and everything. I assume my car is pre-wired?
Joel

Joel,

Your car should be prepped for it. You indicated you already have the mic installed. The only other tough part is the armrest cradle/pairing button. Page 12 of IFly's instructions show you what the wiring should look like under the armrest. If it's there then you are golden.

Jeff

As Jeff already mentioned you car should have option 640A included (all X5 built AFTER 04/2002 should have 640A included). If you call/visit Tulley give them the last 7 digits of your VIN and they can check if your car indeed has been pre-wired.

The retrofit is pretty easy and no carpet/seats must be removed. The BT module is simple plug'n play, finding the wiring harness in the middle console can be a challenge at times ... Tulley has done several BT retrofits and I'd think labor is appr 2-3 hrs max. (including coding).

- Jan

Originally Posted by jmh

As Jeff already mentioned you car should have option 640A included (all X5 built AFTER 04/2002 should have 640A included). If you call/visit Tulley give them the last 7 digits of your VIN and they can check if your car indeed has been pre-wired.

The retrofit is pretty easy and no carpet/seats must be removed. The BT module is simple plug'n play, finding the wiring harness in the middle console can be a challenge at times ... Tulley has done several BT retrofits and I'd think labor is appr 2-3 hrs max. (including coding).

- Jan

So whats your opinion... DIY or Dealer? It seems manageable..

Originally Posted by Curious Joel

So whats your opinion... DIY or Dealer? It seems manageable..

Well if don't have 'two left hands' and feel comfortable taking apart the center tray/armrest it's not a big job. With the right tools and IFly's install guide it should take you no longer than 2hrs. You may still/should have the BT ULF coded after the install (Tulley can do this and will probably charge ~0.5/1hr labor/70$).
The benefit if having it done at the dealer is you can complain to them if something is not working or if for example the ULF would fail at some point you just show up with the car (if you installed it yourself you'll have to do the troubleshooting and most likely you won't get replacement parts as quick ... ), for some it's worth the money , others don't care.

I'd say try it out as you can always have it installed later if you decide it's more effort than you thought.

- Jan

Originally Posted by jmh

Well if don't have 'two left hands' and feel comfortable taking apart the center tray/armrest it's not a big job. With the right tools and IFly's install guide it should take you no longer than 2hrs. You may still/should have the BT ULF coded after the install (Tulley can do this and will probably charge ~0.5/1hr labor/70$).
The benefit if having it done at the dealer is you can complain to them if something is not working or if for example the ULF would fail at some point you just show up with the car (if you installed it yourself you'll have to do the troubleshooting and most likely you won't get replacement parts as quick ... ), for some it's worth the money , others don't care.

I'd say try it out as you can always have it installed later if you decide it's more effort than you thought.

- Jan

I think I'm gonna do it myself. I e-mailed Jay the service guy to ask about it being pre-wired. My birthday is coming up, and this kit is my parent's birthday present for me.... So it's gonna happen later this month...

Will any cell with Bluetooth work? I am looking at the Sony Ericsson T610.

Curious, what's actually involved in the dealer coding? I
What does the dealer actually perform to "code" it?

Originally Posted by Curious Joel

Will any cell with Bluetooth work? I am looking at the Sony Ericsson T610.

In general, phones that utilize the Bluetooth HANDSFREE protocol "should" be compatible with the BMW Bluetooth systems, although issues with how the handset manufacturer implements this protocol impact overall compatibility as well as automatic phone book and SIM transfer. See this page for known BT phones that are compatible and incompatible - http://www.x5world.net/bluetooth_compatible_phones.htm

Originally Posted by batm4n

Curious, what's actually involved in the dealer coding? I
What does the dealer actually perform to "code" it?

Coding is simply programming a bit in the cars memory that tells it that there is a phone system installed. Coding changes the BT Name from BMW ULF to BMW XXXXX, where the X's are the last 5 digits of VIN. It also adds option 645 instead of option 640 to the vehicle order.

Originally Posted by Curious Joel

Will any cell with Bluetooth work? I am looking at the Sony Ericsson T610.

Yep, that phone should work fine. I have SE T616, which is identical to T610.

I use the Sony T630. Awesome phone for the price...... works very easily with the BMW BT kit including the phone book/contacts etc. I use the voice activation all the time....

If you want to get a lot of info re which phone....

try here http://www.expansys.com.au/forumoverview.asp

and here http://howardforums.com/index.php?s=

and on a darker note........

here http://www.esato.com/board/viewtopic...=15976&start=0

The last is pretty harmless for the moment but is something that is worth knowing, specially when you see a post mentioning BMW drivers......