2004 545i - Phone Setup
08-02-2009, 02:50 PM
#12
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Originally Posted by puzzled' post='962632' date='Aug 2 2009, 02:41 AM
I just did the same upgrade to my 2004 545i as well. My production year was 02-2004 (1 month shy of 03-2004) so I had to replace the TCU and reprogram the Idrive. Also did IPOD kit at the same time as the BT update. My Idrive software has completely new colours than before and the best part is, I no longer have to hit Accept button everytime when turning the car on. Old Idrive was annoying in regards to this.
BT is paired with IPhone 3GS. The best part is being able to look up a location in the NAV system and call that place using BT. Nicely integrated. Just had to keep the car at the dealership for 2 nights because they tried to update BT without replacing the TCU at first to see if it would work, but no good, so had to replace the TCU. At least they gave me a courtesy car, but the courtesy car was a Chrysler. Hmmm, no why didnt I get a BMW courtesy car... hahahah.
BT is paired with IPhone 3GS. The best part is being able to look up a location in the NAV system and call that place using BT. Nicely integrated. Just had to keep the car at the dealership for 2 nights because they tried to update BT without replacing the TCU at first to see if it would work, but no good, so had to replace the TCU. At least they gave me a courtesy car, but the courtesy car was a Chrysler. Hmmm, no why didnt I get a BMW courtesy car... hahahah.
08-02-2009, 08:19 PM
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My Ride: 2004 530i
Model Year: 2004
Originally Posted by whonneb' post='963088' date='Aug 2 2009, 06:50 PM
where did you get your ipod kit?
08-03-2009, 05:30 AM
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My Ride: 2004 545i -
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Originally Posted by jprovence' post='963593' date='Aug 3 2009, 01:28 AM
I found my ipod on ebay for $150
Found your Ipod or Ipod kit?
08-03-2009, 05:41 AM
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My Ride: 2004 530i
Model Year: 2004
Originally Posted by JeremyM' post='963741' date='Aug 3 2009, 09:30 AM
Found your Ipod or Ipod kit?
04-03-2010, 02:55 PM
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My Ride: 2004 545i
So I just purchased an '04 545i yesterday. I went to the dealer today cause I couldn't figure out how to get my phone linked up.
Service asked "What year is your car? and what Phone are you trying to link?"
I replied "2004 and iPhone 3GS"
Service said "You can't do it. The technology wasn't available back then"
hahaha but I'm a tech nerd and had a hard time accepting that answer so I came home and did some research!
Once I saw that my production date was 5/04 I tried to get to the TCU (damn those clips are hard to take out!)
I was able to at least get the top of the panel down enough to see that I had the Neutral colored wire, which combined with the production year, should mean the "technology WAS available back then" :-)
Sooooo I'm obviously planning on taking a trip back to the dealer. My question is:
WHAT should I say and/or ask exactly so I get the software upgrade I need to enable the BT option in my iDrive?
Also when it is updated will my colors be different as well and I won't have to hit "accept" anymore of is this something "special" I need to request?
Service asked "What year is your car? and what Phone are you trying to link?"
I replied "2004 and iPhone 3GS"
Service said "You can't do it. The technology wasn't available back then"
hahaha but I'm a tech nerd and had a hard time accepting that answer so I came home and did some research!
Once I saw that my production date was 5/04 I tried to get to the TCU (damn those clips are hard to take out!)
I was able to at least get the top of the panel down enough to see that I had the Neutral colored wire, which combined with the production year, should mean the "technology WAS available back then" :-)
Sooooo I'm obviously planning on taking a trip back to the dealer. My question is:
WHAT should I say and/or ask exactly so I get the software upgrade I need to enable the BT option in my iDrive?
Also when it is updated will my colors be different as well and I won't have to hit "accept" anymore of is this something "special" I need to request?
04-08-2010, 10:02 AM
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My Ride: 2011 F10 535i, Graphite on Oyster, ///Msport, Executive Package, XDrive
In post number 6 of this thread there is a pdf that tells you and the dealer exactly what needs to be done. You need to have BT enabled in the car. The default in 2004 was BT disabled.
You may need to have software updated as part of warranty and if that is the case, the enabling of the BT software should only have a minimal charge. The software update would bring your car up to the latest version that your hardware is capable of supporting. If no update is required under warranty, your interface on idrive will be as it is today.
You may need to have software updated as part of warranty and if that is the case, the enabling of the BT software should only have a minimal charge. The software update would bring your car up to the latest version that your hardware is capable of supporting. If no update is required under warranty, your interface on idrive will be as it is today.
04-09-2010, 12:45 AM
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Hi all,
I hpe you can give me a hand on my BT issue.
I drive a E61 2004/05 European model - Iīm from Lisbon - Portugal.
One of the options the first owner choosed was option 638 CAR TELEPHONE PROFESSIONAL, so this is what i have in the armrest:
To make this system work, I have to place my sim card on the slot showed with the number 5.
And this is what i have in the trunk:
This is a picture of my TCU.
Facts:
The BMW phone ( this one ):
pairs with the car by bluetooth, but my dealer tells me that thatīs all it does - I canīt pair absolutely nothing else ( and get it to work ) with the car.
When I go to the Idrive communications option, Iīm able to pair other phones ( Nokia, HTC, Motorola, etc. ), but then nothing happens.
I have BMW assist enabled, with the SOS button on the roof, and can communicate with absolutely no problem with the BMW phone, or via the mic above my head.
Apart form this, I also donīt have voice commands ( altough having the button for it in the steering wheel ).
So my dealer - In Portugal - tells me that my TCU was state of the art when it was launched, but right now itīs not possible to reprogram it, as this reprogramming can only be made in the factory (?!)
Moreover, i asked if I could then by a new TCU ( or ULF or MULF, really donīt know ) and what I was told is that itīs better to leave it as it is (!!!).
Iīm not happy with these answers, as I find very hard to believe that my TCU canīt be reprogramed - It has the BT symbol....
Any help would be very appreciated.
Thanks in advanced
I hpe you can give me a hand on my BT issue.
I drive a E61 2004/05 European model - Iīm from Lisbon - Portugal.
One of the options the first owner choosed was option 638 CAR TELEPHONE PROFESSIONAL, so this is what i have in the armrest:
To make this system work, I have to place my sim card on the slot showed with the number 5.
And this is what i have in the trunk:
This is a picture of my TCU.
Facts:
The BMW phone ( this one ):
pairs with the car by bluetooth, but my dealer tells me that thatīs all it does - I canīt pair absolutely nothing else ( and get it to work ) with the car.
When I go to the Idrive communications option, Iīm able to pair other phones ( Nokia, HTC, Motorola, etc. ), but then nothing happens.
I have BMW assist enabled, with the SOS button on the roof, and can communicate with absolutely no problem with the BMW phone, or via the mic above my head.
Apart form this, I also donīt have voice commands ( altough having the button for it in the steering wheel ).
So my dealer - In Portugal - tells me that my TCU was state of the art when it was launched, but right now itīs not possible to reprogram it, as this reprogramming can only be made in the factory (?!)
Moreover, i asked if I could then by a new TCU ( or ULF or MULF, really donīt know ) and what I was told is that itīs better to leave it as it is (!!!).
Iīm not happy with these answers, as I find very hard to believe that my TCU canīt be reprogramed - It has the BT symbol....
Any help would be very appreciated.
Thanks in advanced