yellowpad

page 1........E60 with production date of 9/04 ONLY as I was told from a couple of dealers. If those of you have done it prior to this date, I would appreciate the name of the dealership....and Service Advisor contact info.

kscarrol

Go to the bottom of page 1, item number 4, where it explains that E60s built between 03/04 and 08/04 can be activated with a software update. Keep in mind there is some crossover in March of '04 where some cars got the new TCU and can get Bluetooth and some got the old TCU and can't get BT, hence the quote "can be added for most of these vehicles".

yellowpad

Thanks!!! I missed that..............The dealer can check if my car CAN be done ...right?

kscarrol

Yes, the dealer can check based on your VIN. Or look inside the driver's side door jam. On my '04 545 there is a sticker with the build month and year. It's close to the tire pressure sticker, take a look to see if your car has it. Either way, print out the SIB and bring it to the dealer. Sometimes they need to be educated as well...

yellowpad

mine is 5/04. I visited a couple of dealers and called on a few today. I got realllllly frustrated when I got nothing but clueless from the Service Advisor. One would charge me to $1200 to activate the BT and like to keep my car for a few days.........................after they order their parts. The others argued with me that E60 can only be done after 9/04. The stories goes on.

Thanks again. I do appreciate your quick reply. I know I sort of been hijacking this thread, but I sure others can use this same info as well. I'll be searching for another dealer in Southern Cali tomorrow and keep you guys posted.

kscarrol

No problem. Both the dealers you mention are misinformed. The guy who wants to charge you $1,200 thinks you need a new TCU to get BT activated. That is wrong. The other dealer has not read the entire SIB. Sounds like the dealers around you are not particularly strong on the service front. Find one you trust at least somewhat and bring in the printout. Walk them through point number four and they should be able to do it. The ultimate test will be the TCU itself. I suppose there is always some small chance you somehow have the older TCU but I doubt it.

Are you the original owner or have you recently acquired the car used or CPO? Given the nature of these cars, I would think somewhere along the way the car has had a software update for one reason or another. If so, you may be at version 13.2 or higher as required in the SIB. Unfortunately there is no way for you to tell, only the dealer can tell. Also, is the BMW Assist in use? If not, the TCU may be turned off. Back in 2004, BMW Assist came free for 1 year then you had to renew. Many, myself included did not and the TCU had been deactivated is some form or fashion. That will likely require the service department to reactivate the TCU.