Hey Guys,

So three BMW dealers in the Toronto area assured me that my car does not support Bluetooth, until I got to a very knowledgeable e service manager at a fourth dealership that said it can be done and only needs software update no hardware. The way he figured it out was when he pulled the Vehicle information from BMW which shows all the Order Option of the car (you can request this Vehicle Information from any parts depart at any BMW dealer). In order for the Bluetooth to work with no hardware modifications, you must have code 639 which states (COMPLETE PREP. CELLULAR PHONE YSA/CDN). All it took is 3 HRS of programming and a $230.00 charge and my phone is working like a charm. I was able to link my BlackBerry Curve and download the address book within minutes.

Question:
I was reading the owner?s manual under the Navigation section that if someone sends an SMS I should be able to read the message on the navigation screen. How can I do that? I have asked my wife to send couple of SMS but they did not show up on my screen. Is there something that I have to activate for this feature to work?

I?m really happy that the Bluetooth is working; it?s great and no noise on the line or any echo.

I wanted to post this and let everyone with a March 2004 and on builds that there Bluetooth should work as long as the 639 option is available. Good Luck.

That is nice to know as I have asked my SA 2 weeks ago and he has not got back with me. Time to see him tomorrow.

Good Luck but I think the option 639 started on the March and on builds. But you never know, you might be lucky.

SMS is not a supported feature.

Why then in the owner's manual BMW say it is available? Thanks

It is available with Bluetooth Telephone Professional (option code S638A)

What is the telephone professional? I thought BlackBerry's were the most phone friendly to BMW!

mine is 8/04 production with the "secret idrive screen" date of 5.25.6 and last line reading (I 03.05.0500) I think he may be full of BS when he told me my car didn't come with it and i need a module for $750 and programming. why would i need the module if i am not going to use a phone to dock with it. i have to ask for my build sheet to see if i have that option. If anyone gets any more info post up. Thank Moopai

Ask your local dealer for the options list and if you see option 639, it is a matter of programming the unit and nothing else. Depending on how many modules they need to download to your car but the max is 3 HRS charge. Good Luck

All North American cars came with 639 from start of production. That is not the key as to whether or not you can have BT active in your vehicle. In fact, when I got my 03/04 E60, I had BT activated but no one could hear me.

The whole BT issue depends ons whether or not the TCU can handle Assist and BT simultaneously. If your car was built after the first week of March 2004, you are almost assured that you have the updated TCU. If your car is an 02/04 or older build, you will need to either replace the TCU, buy a BTUM or go with the Motorolla OEM phone, I think it was the CPT 9000.

Some of the very early E60 owners went through hell trying to get BT to work on their cars. I got more info here on how to get my system working than the dealer could get from BMW Canada.