It was put in as an option.

 

Voice Control was and still isn't Standard. However what happened was that Voice is now part of the Media Package and previously it wasn't. If you take Bluetooth only then you get Basic Voice as standard, HOWEVER if you take Pro Nav as well you loose ALL voice until you add the Extended Voice Input option. You can get that Retrofitted - I got mine done cheaper than the factory option

 

I forgot to mention, but my car has bluetooth... as Bruce says, maybe that is why I got the voice control.

 

Bruce whats the latest price for the retrofit? just bought the kit for ?50 but require this activation code. I there anyway around this?

 

+1 on the split button next to the idrice knob. My car also has voice control that worked well even when it still was in German (it is in Dutch now thk god..)

 

I just bought a 530d M Sport and it was said to have voice control however mine is the same and does nothing when you push the button on the steering wheel. By the IDrive controller i just have a menu button not the split button for menu and voice. The car is equipped with bluetooth kit but i have no voice control over the phone which i think is down to the prof nav kit like bruce said. So i'm going to complain to the place i bought it from as they did list it as having voice control so just to get my facts right... It can be retro fitted.. they just need ot arrange for the car to go into BMW get the split button idrive controller bit etc and the codes from BMW Germany etc to enable the feature...?