2004 545i - Phone Setup
04-26-2010, 06:14 AM
#21
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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.
Hi Puzzled,
I have March 2004 model. The dealers told me my car is not prewired was that the case for you? if yes then what did you do to get the bluetooth installed. Any help would be appreciate. I just dont want to spend over £2k to talk while i am driving.
Much appreciated.
05-09-2010, 03:46 AM
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this is interesting as i have a MY 12/04 530i which has bluetooth option 640. i have looked and discovered i have the microphone installed but i dod not see those box's in the boot. why BMW make this process so convoluted is beyond me.
05-11-2010, 05:01 AM
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Your dealer is mostly correct. If you have the phone option where the BMW phone is fitted into the armrest then this is the ONLY phone that can communicate with the TCU (it does use Bluetooth, but it's a modified protocol that isn't compatible with normal phones. The phone in the armrest is just a handset. The connection to the network is made by the TCU using the inserted SIM). They are also correct that this cannot be fixed with a software update.
As for the technology not being available at the time, this is not true. I have a late '03 545i and the Bluetooth works fine, but mine has a different comms option to yours (I don't have the BMW handset). I believe you can fix this by fitting a TCU designed to give proper BT connectivity, although there may be some coding issues. I would imagine the car will see the TCU fine as there was already one there in the first place, but a lot of the modules in our cars (more so on the earlier models, I think) have the VIN coded into them and if this is incorrect, as it would be if you fitted a 2nd hand TCU, it can cause issues. Most independent specialists would be able to sort that out though (if you were in the UK, I could recommend one).
As for the technology not being available at the time, this is not true. I have a late '03 545i and the Bluetooth works fine, but mine has a different comms option to yours (I don't have the BMW handset). I believe you can fix this by fitting a TCU designed to give proper BT connectivity, although there may be some coding issues. I would imagine the car will see the TCU fine as there was already one there in the first place, but a lot of the modules in our cars (more so on the earlier models, I think) have the VIN coded into them and if this is incorrect, as it would be if you fitted a 2nd hand TCU, it can cause issues. Most independent specialists would be able to sort that out though (if you were in the UK, I could recommend one).
05-17-2010, 12:17 PM
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My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2004
I called 2 dealers today here in Atlanta, Nalley and United but they had no idea what I was talking about. I tried explaining to them about the SIB but they kept talking to me like i was an idiot. I guess i will have to try a few more dealers until some one has an idea that this is simple. My build date is 3/04 and my TCU has the BT symbol and date made was 12/04. They really just piss me off when they can't admit they don't know it all and maybe if they listen they can learn something. OK enough crying from me.
Ok, so I got the update done. All went extreamly well. The SA or the tech had never even heard about the update. In all fairness it is quite a few years old though. I was charged $230 or 2 hours of labor for it. But the phone paired up perfectly. I was able to put in my own passkey. My father-in-laws 750Li needs the actual TCU passkey. But my car asked for whatever one I put into the phone. So thats really nice.
I am using an Iphone 3g and it works perfectly with clear calls on both ends. If you have the volume up too high, then the other end will hear their voice echo. Depends on the caller and radio interference. The phone book update fast and works well. I preprogrammed one of the shortcuts on the steering wheel to bring up the phone book. I really couldn't be happier. With this and ipod intergration, it was really an amazing car in 2004.
I am using an Iphone 3g and it works perfectly with clear calls on both ends. If you have the volume up too high, then the other end will hear their voice echo. Depends on the caller and radio interference. The phone book update fast and works well. I preprogrammed one of the shortcuts on the steering wheel to bring up the phone book. I really couldn't be happier. With this and ipod intergration, it was really an amazing car in 2004.
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