Bluetooth & Cell Phone Forum Have a bluetooth or mobile/cellular phone issue or question? Your answer will be here!

Getting BT enable in a 04 545i

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-25-2007, 10:08 AM
  #1  
Members
Thread Starter
 
jay545i's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: PA
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i with 325HP 6 speed Steptronic trans with DVD NAV, Heads Up Display, Logic7 sound system, Rear sunshade, Sport Package....
Default

I just got my 04 545i which was built in 4/01/04 and would like to get BT enabled. The car is currently at the dealer for service and they are telling me that BMW did not start doing BT in the 545i until September 04.... is the dealer telling the truth? Has anyone had BT enabled in there 545i? If so what did you do?
Old 07-25-2007, 10:44 AM
  #2  
Members
 
ct530's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: CT, USA
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2011 535i space gray/black, 6sp manual, ZSP, DHP, Prem, Prem2, split-fold rear seats SOLD: 2008 550i sport, 6sp manual, Carbon Black/Black, Active Steering, NAV, CWP, Heated and Folding Rear Seats, PDC, Logic 7, IPOD, Bluetooth SOLD: 2004 545i sport, 6sp manual, 3/04 build date, Saphire Black/Beige, NAV, CWP, Heated and Folding Rear Seats, PDC, Logic 7, Bluetooth
Default

Originally Posted by jay545i' post='451848' date='Jul 25 2007, 02:08 PM
I just got my 04 545i which was built in 4/01/04 and would like to get BT enabled. The car is currently at the dealer for service and they are telling me that BMW did not start doing BT in the 545i until September 04.... is the dealer telling the truth? Has anyone had BT enabled in there 545i? If so what did you do?
They may be telling you the truth that the cars came with BT since Sept 2004 production, but it's also true that your car (since it's post 2/04 production) can be easily Bluetooth enabled, through a programming update. They have a simple procedure for that. My car is March 2004 production and I had it Bluetooth enabled for $80 over two years ago (1/2 hr labor). So, you are in luck.
Old 07-25-2007, 10:54 AM
  #3  
Contributors
 
ademitt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2011 F10 535i, Graphite on Oyster, ///Msport, Executive Package, XDrive
Default

Another dealer who is uniformed.

Attached is the SB which tells you what you need. Item 4 on the list will be all you need to show them.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
SI_B84_13_04.pdf (696.7 KB, 212 views)
Old 07-25-2007, 10:55 AM
  #4  
Contributors
 
kscarrol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Orleans, LA USA
Posts: 4,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: E90 M3
Model Year: 2011
Default

Originally Posted by ct530' post='451855' date='Jul 25 2007, 01:44 PM
They may be telling you the truth that the cars came with BT since Sept 2004 production, but it's also true that your car (since it's post 2/04 production) can be easily Bluetooth enabled, through a programming update. They have a simple procedure for that. My car is March 2004 production and I had it Bluetooth enabled for $80 over two years ago (1/2 hr labor). So, you are in luck.
Nevermind, Ademitt beat me to it. And with the correct info. Sorry about that. There are some 03/04 car that got the old TCU but being 04/04 you should be OK.
Old 07-25-2007, 10:57 AM
  #5  
Members
 
HPLouis's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New York City
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 545i Sport 6M
Default

Originally Posted by kscarrol' post='451860' date='Jul 25 2007, 02:55 PM
I seem to recall that this is only true for Nav equipped cars. Those of us without Nav cannot have BT activated through a software upgrade
I don't have NAV and I had bluetooth activated through a software upgrade.

It was like pulling teeth though.
Old 07-25-2007, 11:20 AM
  #6  
Members
Thread Starter
 
jay545i's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: PA
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i with 325HP 6 speed Steptronic trans with DVD NAV, Heads Up Display, Logic7 sound system, Rear sunshade, Sport Package....
Default

Originally Posted by HPLouis' post='451862' date='Jul 25 2007, 02:57 PM
I don't have NAV and I had bluetooth activated through a software upgrade.

It was like pulling teeth though.
Is there anyway I can get the dealer to do the upgrade under warranty. This car has NAV...

Thank you all for your help....
Old 07-25-2007, 11:43 AM
  #7  
Contributors
 
kscarrol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New Orleans, LA USA
Posts: 4,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: E90 M3
Model Year: 2011
Default

Originally Posted by jay545i' post='451870' date='Jul 25 2007, 02:20 PM
Is there anyway I can get the dealer to do the upgrade under warranty. This car has NAV...

Thank you all for your help....
Reading the SIB that Ademitt posted, you need CIP 13.2 or higher. BMW is now on 26 so it has been a long time since 13.2 was introduced. Unless your car has been in a black hole somewhere it has likely been updated to something above 13.2. But only the dealer can tell you for sure. From reading the SIB, it then sounds like a fairly simple activation process. Maybe that's wht ct530 was only charges 1/2 labor for the effort.
Old 07-26-2007, 11:34 AM
  #8  
Members
 
Sasha_Vienna's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

My car is 06/2004.. I have a Pro Nav system and they r doing the I-drive update today! Do i have the Bluetooth in my car or no? I mean i was not using it before, but can i tell them to retrofit it or no?

Thnx in advance!
Old 07-26-2007, 12:08 PM
  #9  
Contributors
 
Rizbel's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SoCal San Diego
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My Ride: 545i Sport
Model Year: 2004
Engine: N62
Default

Mine is a 02/04 production. The bulletin says "... Vehicles prior to 3/04 would need to have the TCU replaced with the 2005 MY TCU at the customer's expense and the vehicle updated to CIP 13.2 or higher." What's a TCU? Anyone with a pre 03/04 had their car bluetooth enabled, and for how much? I have pro nav. Thanks in advance.
Old 07-26-2007, 01:13 PM
  #10  
Contributors
 
ademitt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 788
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2011 F10 535i, Graphite on Oyster, ///Msport, Executive Package, XDrive
Default

Originally Posted by Rizbel' post='452324' date='Jul 26 2007, 02:08 PM
Mine is a 02/04 production. The bulletin says "... Vehicles prior to 3/04 would need to have the TCU replaced with the 2005 MY TCU at the customer's expense and the vehicle updated to CIP 13.2 or higher." What's a TCU? Anyone with a pre 03/04 had their car bluetooth enabled, and for how much? I have pro nav. Thanks in advance.

Telematics Control Unit.

Yes, for a new TCU, $1500 or so depending upon the deal you can negotiate with the dealer. Remanufactured units are apparently around for about $500 or so. Add 2 to 4 hours labor depending on programming requirements as well.


Quick Reply: Getting BT enable in a 04 545i



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:25 AM.