Thanks

 

But seriously...

 

So, I've decided to try this mod since its just slightly cheaper than a CIC retrofit, haha. I have a few questions/need some advice if someone is willing to help me.

The first is, is this a good soldering iron? I've soldered before at work but will this be enough for small jobs like this? I will be getting a smaller tip since it will be a tight work space.

Next question is for insyder or any other electrical people, what type of wire should I use to connect to the cigarette lighter? I have an 06 without nav and have my aux installed in the little storage space under the CD drive. I am thinking of tapping the passenger lighter for power and somehow sticking the board somewhere inside the dash and would perfer not to cause any heating/fire issues.

Also incase anyone was looking for the other versions here's the bluetooth 4.0 version with aptx

 

The soldering iron you're looking at looks fine. I used my 20 year old, beat up iron that needs to have the black stuff filed off before I use it so yeah, a nice new hot one should work.

For wiring, I just picked a length out of my scraps box. Maybe 12 or 14 awg.

I mounted mine the way I did because there's plenty of room and it was quick and easy. The "right" way would be to mount this PCB in a "project box" with holes, grommets, whatever to make it right. Then mount the box somehow in the dash. Search for "electronics project box" on Amazon.

 

I'm doing this mod too. Awesome and thank you for the write up.
Home Depot have some solder iron. Good enough to do a DYI job and small enough to put them in your tool box drawer.

 

why did I have to read this thread....now I want to add another mod to my car.

 

Get it direct from Parts express, Bluetooth v4.0 Audio Receiver Board aptX +EDR 12 VDC
For $25.
That' Where I am getting mine....

 

Even though I ordered this BT PCB from PE, I also got this little item from Staples the other day, which might work for some of you guys for this purpose:
(It's only about one inch by 1 inch, so you can stick it anywhere)
http://www.staples.ca/en/Stream-DockFree-Bluetooth-Audio-Receiver/product_694984_2-CA_1_20001
Am planning to play around some with both and see which one does best job for me.
Can use this around the house anyway if not going into the 545i.

 

Nice mod for you guys without the aux/usb setup already.

 

I did a quick look up on Amazon for some reviews and apparently you have to completely re pair it every time it turns off. For in car applications I don't think that one would work as seamlessly as the other.