Hi,

I am new so please answer!
I have a new (second hand) 525i Touring E61 Built 08/04, It's lovely! I'm so glad to be back in a BMW again after 13 years exile in a Volvo... But things have changed ALOT!
It came with a phone, I am sure it has BT I have a Passkey sheet, with 2 stickers on! One with a PK number on it one with PK and nothing written by it. The later was stuck over the former so I guess that is the most relevant. Not 100% sure which one relates to my phone though.
Anyway I would like to connect my iPhone 3GS. I have followed the various instructions I have found on the forum.
It connects but the connection doesn't 'hold' my phone keeps 'loosing' the car even thought the car phone says it is connected.
I have now managed to remove the in car phone from the iDrive list because I don't want to have to get another SIM (and hence another number) for it. Though interestingly my iPhone never appeared on the iDrive list of devices?

Does the connection have to go via the in car phone handset? or can it connect direct with the car?

It must be possible as so many of you say you iPhones are fully functional in the car...

I can't find the TCU box it is not obviously in the boot (trunk to the US guys;-)) But I am assuming that the BT is fully functional since I can check and uncheck the BT Activation box on the iDrive.

I know this is just another 'how do I do it' thread but the have tried to fix it myself, I am not a complete luddite but this is vexing me!

Thank guys for any clues to point me in the right direction.

 

The TCU is anchored to the suspension bulkhead on the left side of the boot, remove side trim and you will see it.

 

Trim in the boot of an estate is NOT easy to remove.
Anyway what would I achieve by taking the boot apart. It has bluetooth already that much I know because I can turn it on and off on the iDrive.
Is it just down to luck whether an iphone connects with it or not?