Just bought a 2004 530i
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Just bought a 2004 530i
This is my first post. I just purchased a 2004 BMW 530i yesterday. Got an awesome deal on the car and I absolutely love it.
The dealer told me I have bluetooth on it however I can't seem to get my iPhone to pair with it. I've done some research online and it I've read that some of the 2004s aren't actually bluetooth capable.
How do I figure out if it works? If it doesn't what can I do to make it work?
I also would like to be able to play music off my iPhone through the car. Can I do this through bluetooth? I'd like to be able to use the buttons on the steering wheel.
The dealer told me I have bluetooth on it however I can't seem to get my iPhone to pair with it. I've done some research online and it I've read that some of the 2004s aren't actually bluetooth capable.
How do I figure out if it works? If it doesn't what can I do to make it work?
I also would like to be able to play music off my iPhone through the car. Can I do this through bluetooth? I'd like to be able to use the buttons on the steering wheel.
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Joined: May 2012
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
My Ride: 530i
Model Year: 2004
Engine: M54
check to see what snap-in BT adapter you have in the center console. My car came with a Motorola adapter installed; I was able to get a Blackberry to pair with the car, but my friend's iphone not so much. There were a few different adapters available, BMW might offer one that works with iphone. I'd ask your local dealer/ parts guru.
If you want to control your iphone through idrive, you'll need to have the adapter installed. Do a search, there are multiple threads out there on different interfaces available.
Good luck with the car, I have an '04 530i as well.
If you want to control your iphone through idrive, you'll need to have the adapter installed. Do a search, there are multiple threads out there on different interfaces available.
Good luck with the car, I have an '04 530i as well.
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I also have a 2004 530 E60 with a prof car kit... and the upshot is.. it cant be done. There is BT functionality but for the phone in the centre console. As the SIM card sits in the car the BT is for speaker only.
If I'm wrong, please tell me.. I'd love to know how to do it!
If I'm wrong, please tell me.. I'd love to know how to do it!
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Houston
My Ride: 545i 2004, SMG, Sport, Nav, Logic-7, Bluetooth phone retrofit
My '04 545 (build date March 2004) came with the BlueTooth hardware, but they hadn't yet released the software when the car shipped. BMW later supplied the software at no charge, but I had to pay the dealer $200 to install the software. It's been working perfectly ever since. It does work through the iDrive.
If you're going to do much DIY on your engine, check in here:
General E46 Forum - E46Fanatics
It's an active forum, although it can be a bit like Junior High. They're mostly college kids with cars they can't afford to maintain. Anyway, there's a LOT more E46s out there with the M54 engine than E60s. You can find a lot of DIY info in there.
And welcome!
If you're going to do much DIY on your engine, check in here:
General E46 Forum - E46Fanatics
It's an active forum, although it can be a bit like Junior High. They're mostly college kids with cars they can't afford to maintain. Anyway, there's a LOT more E46s out there with the M54 engine than E60s. You can find a lot of DIY info in there.
And welcome!
Last edited by Wolrab; Nov 12, 2012 at 06:28 AM.
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I also have an 04 530i and my bro showed me how to make the bluetooth work. I bought a newer build date motorola bluetooth control module which installs into the trunk. Part #8411-6948921. Make sure it had a build date of after June 2004 for full capability. Then I had my local shop re-code the car for bluetooth support. I use an iPhone 5 with it. One issue is the SOS error, search it on the forum to find out how to remove the SOS service. I am going back to the shop to delete the SOS.
