Pardon my ignorance but what's the big deal with Bluetooth retrofit for the BMW? I have an LG camera phone that I absolutely love. I got the phone for $79 and I get to upgrade when the next upgrade comes available for relatively cheap. I've been using my Verizon/Airtouch/PacBell cellular phone for 16 years.

I use an ear plug when i'm driving so I can keep my 545 on the road and it works fine. I checked into getting a BMW/motorola phone and they quoted me $500! And that doesn't include the 'retrofit'.

It seems like cell phone and technology changes every 6 months or so. By keeping my regular cell phone, I could make my future conversions relatively easy. HOw can I justify spending that much for Bluetooth enabled phone? What feature or features am i missing by not going with the BMW phone?

Thanks

Teriyaki

 

I kinda have to agree. By the time you retrofit a pre-march '04 build E-60 with b/t you are into it for almost $3000, including the RAZR. I realize b/t is the technology of the future, but is it that much better that the cpt9000, and I even think that is overpriced. I really don't know which way to go on Tues. when I go in for service and a phone. I don't mind spending money, just ask my wife, but I like value also.

 

For those who have a pre 3-04 production car, I have to agree. Go the CPT route or just stick a headset on your ear.

For post 3-04 production, its absolutely worth it. There is little or no cost to getting it done. Not all phones cost as much as the RAZR. within months there will be sub $200 phones that support BT. Sprint has one coming out soon. Its like camera phones. They only cost $50 with activation now. When they first came out they were big bucks.

 

I was quoted by McKenna BMW for $595 on installation labor for CPT9000 eject box and programming. The eject box and frame cost another $155. I just laughed at the ridiculus high labor cost, so I will ask for a price quote from dealers around my area. Do you know if Verizon v60 CDMA will work? I'm trying to avoid buying the CPT9000. How much are they charging you? Which dealer?

If I need to spend $1000 on CPT9000 setup, I might as well go all the way and retrofit with the latest bluetooth TCU for $2000.

 

I was quoted $193.50 with a $50 mail-in rebate less a $40 good-guy discount (net $103.50) including tax for a Motorola video/picture/speaker phone/BT/color cell phone that I can sync with MS Outlook. I have to buy the ear piece which goes over the ear, is wireless (obviously) and is very comfortable. The phone has voice dialing as well. It can be placed in the cup holder or attach a bit of velcro to the back and attach to the dash in a convenient location.

I can spend the savings on some other cool stuff or just keep it in my investments.

 

I can understand if one owns a pre 3/04 E60 that spending the money to add blue tooth my seem exharbitant so this is an individual choice for sure. My car will accept a blue tooth phone unfortunatly I'm commited to Nextel, so I have to wait for them to release a phone so equipted. I hate having a head phone or ear piece on, and quite honestly it's dangerous out their. I drive alot and use my phone for business nobody can drives as well when they have a phone in one hand. I believe hands free phones will soon be the law everywhere. I can't wait to use this feature in my car. Hurry Up Nextel...

 

Katmai, Long Beach BMW was about the same price as you quoted from McKenna but with a 10% discount on parts only. If I had a post 03/04 build, bluetooth would be the way to go. However, the bluetooth is closer to $2400 plus the cost of the phone for pre 03/04 build E-60's so is bluetooth worth the extra $1700? I guess it is an individual choice. Let us know which way you go. I will probably go the CPT route with Cingular GSM.

 

jtp1947, Here are my options.

1. CPT9000 eject box $155 + labor $595 using my existing Verizon CDMA v60 (if it works) = Total $750
2. CPT9000 phone $550 + CPT9000 eject box $155 + labor $595 = Total $1300
3. Retrofit with new telematic TCU for bluetooth $2400 + new bluetooth phone $500= $2900
4. new bluetooth phone with bluetooth ear piece = $650
5. Trying to get goodwill from BMW to pay part of bluetooth retrofit cost. When I ordered my car with the dealer, I specified car built after March 04. The car was produced on February 27, 2004 (3 days early).

I know the price that I was quoted from McKenna's BMW is too high. The labor for programming and eject box installation is only 1 hour according to BMW SIB. Most members who got CPT9000 eject box and programming paid between $100-$250 for labor. Maybe SoCal has higher labor price, but it should not be over $300 higher.

Installation doc for CPT9000.
http://members.cox.net/jeffnin2/5ser...00_install.pdf

Right now, none of options are worth for me. I'm going to wait. Still hoping that BMW has a solution for pre March 04 built e60 at reasonable cost. If I can get option 1 for less than $300, I may try that first.