rmcd

Hi there.

My new-to-me car was delivered in Canada in Mar 04. I don't know the manufacturing date. I've had it about a week.

The iDrive menus make no mention of BT but there is a card in the documentation package that came with the car that refers to the "Bluetooth Passkey PK".

So, does the car have BT? Do I have to have it enabled by the dealer?

Thanks.

ademitt

The software in your car will have to be at least version 13.2 for BT to work with a compatible TCU. Once a software update is complete, the BT feature will have to be activated within the software by your dealer.

If the car was delivered in March 04 my bet is that you will need to replace the TCU to have BT available to you in the car. The older vehicles (pre March 04 production) had a TCU that was incompatible with both BT and Assist. My car rolled of the line on March 1, 2004 and had the old version of the TCU installed. The updated versions went into production after about the first week of March from what I have been able to determine.

Given your build date, a replacement TCU will cost anywhere between $1500 and $2250 depending upon the deal your dealer will give you. You will not be able to install a cradle for your BT phone as the wiring harness will not match up with the cradle (speaking from experience).

Your other option would be the CPT 9000 BMW/Moto phone. AFAIK, this combo will work with your TCU and with a cradle and may be less expensive overall than going the BT route. It depends how important the BT feature is to you.

rmcd

The software in your car will have to be at least version 13.2 for BT to work with a compatible TCU. Once a software update is complete, the BT feature will have to be activated within the software by your dealer.

If the car was delivered in March 04 my bet is that you will need to replace the TCU to have BT available to you in the car. The older vehicles (pre March 04 production) had a TCU that was incompatible with both BT and Assist. My car rolled of the line on March 1, 2004 and had the old version of the TCU installed. The updated versions went into production after about the first week of March from what I have been able to determine.

Given your build date, a replacement TCU will cost anywhere between $1500 and $2250 depending upon the deal your dealer will give you. You will not be able to install a cradle for your BT phone as the wiring harness will not match up with the cradle (speaking from experience).

Your other option would be the CPT 9000 BMW/Moto phone. AFAIK, this combo will work with your TCU and with a cradle and may be less expensive overall than going the BT route. It depends how important the BT feature is to you.
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Thanks very much for the information.

But I wonder what the card with the BT Passcode PK is for?

Cheers.

ademitt

It serves no use whatsoever. It has caused a tremendous amount of confusion and little else. If you want to pair a BT Phone with your car, you make up you own passcode. The one on the paper will not work.

If you want to try to pair a BT phone to your car after the SW is activated, you can test the system to see if you require a new TCU. Several members in the States who had late Feb 04 production dates were actually lucky enough to be able to get BT to work without changing the TCU if i recall correctly.

Get the software for BT activated, find someone with a BT phone and pair it with the car, takes no more than a minute, maybe your dealer can try it out for you. If you can call out and, most importantly, they can hear you, you are in business. If they cannot hear you, the TCU will need to be replaced.

rmcd

Good stuff. Thanks. I'll let you know what the dealer says.