2004BMW545i

I have a 2004 545i (08/2004) and brought it to the dealer for the Bluetooth Retrofit. I had my car in service for 3 different things this month (under warranty), so I asked them to update the iDrive software and enable bluetooth for free.

The shop foreman called me back that afternoon and said he got the bluetooth working , but the iDrive software was already at the latest revision for my car. I found that odd. The version on my car is I-06-03-510_051122.
I've been using the bluetooth in the loaners from BMW and love it. But when I started talking to my wife on mine, she said it sounds like I'm driving with my windows down and can't understand me. I'm thinking that maybe the microphone needs to be replaced?

Does anyone have the same issues when activating the bluetooth on 2004 545i?
Also, please post the iDrive version you have because I don't believe i'm at the latest version.

Thanks.

rparik01

Don't know my version, but mine isn't the latest anyways. As far as the bluetooth goes, these aren't as good as the newer cars. I am not sure whether it is the microphone, software, or insulation, but my 2010 X5 is a million times better. I am hardly asked to repeat what I'm saying. My 04 545 on the other hand requires me to repeat myself constantly. Let me know if you ever find a solution, but so far I have not. However, there was a post on here a while back indicating that we should put some extra foam near the microphone. I asked my dealer to do it and they said they did, but it wasn't much of a difference.

monsterj34

if it gets really choppy sound from speaker and you cannot hear from caller, you have bad bluetooth module, which needs to be replaced..
my bluetooth suddenly got choppy with sounds and it was keep disconnecting so i took it to dealer and i had to replace them.

lylerichards

i currently have that same problem in my 07' 550 after they updated my software a few months ago. They have not solved it, but what i find works is if you switch from bluetooth to handset and back quickly it ceases to be scratchy. I am currently using the Iphone so it is quite easy to do during a call. I know that is not a fix but try it for a temporary fix. Monster is probably right the BT module needs to be changed. I will inquire at the dealer.

Lyle

MikeyShine

2004BMW545i.. why did you need to get your 08/2004 Bluetooth Retrofited? I was under the assumption that anything after 03/2004 had a TCU installed with Bluetooth capability already and that all that is needed is a software update in order to activate it!

Also.. how can I find out what version software I'm using? I noticed you mentioned you had "I-06-03-510_051122" installed.