A2DP Bluetooth streaming options on pre-LCI BMW E60/E61
Discussion
I'm about to pick up a 2005 E61 535d which has been specc'ed to the heavens but which, due to its age, lacks Bluetooth streaming ability.
Looking around the official BMW kit is eye-wateringly expensive but there is plenty of evidence of aftermarket solutions. However, many of the forum hits for these seem to be older/superseded/unsupported/US-only and while it seems quite easy to find things that claim to do the job for between £35 and £400 it's a bit of a minefield as it seems to depend on the specific options fitted, as well as the usual stuff like model year.
Is there a go-to solution for this for under, say, £100 that doesn't involve dismantling the dash? Not too bothered if it is a bit kludgey to get going as I only usually use it on longer journeys.
That £35 dongle would seem to be an answer even though it would appear to replace the CD multichanger (no great loss in 2016!) but will it really do the job?
Looking around the official BMW kit is eye-wateringly expensive but there is plenty of evidence of aftermarket solutions. However, many of the forum hits for these seem to be older/superseded/unsupported/US-only and while it seems quite easy to find things that claim to do the job for between £35 and £400 it's a bit of a minefield as it seems to depend on the specific options fitted, as well as the usual stuff like model year.
Is there a go-to solution for this for under, say, £100 that doesn't involve dismantling the dash? Not too bothered if it is a bit kludgey to get going as I only usually use it on longer journeys.
That £35 dongle would seem to be an answer even though it would appear to replace the CD multichanger (no great loss in 2016!) but will it really do the job?
Thanks for the replies.
I've now picked the car up and had a good poke about it, including the much-maligned iDrive. I can see why some find iDrive clunky and obtuse but I reckon I'll come to something approaching peace with it.
What is clear though is that there isn't even as much as an aux socket, nor an input source for one in iDrive. I suspect this leaves me looking at either a) something which emulates the CD multichanger, or b) something that otherwise hooks into the headunit but which will require a software change to enable in the UI.
Still no further forward really
I may speak to a couple of local independent BMW specialists, but I'm sure they will be talking £££ for the privilege of sorting this out.
I've now picked the car up and had a good poke about it, including the much-maligned iDrive. I can see why some find iDrive clunky and obtuse but I reckon I'll come to something approaching peace with it.
What is clear though is that there isn't even as much as an aux socket, nor an input source for one in iDrive. I suspect this leaves me looking at either a) something which emulates the CD multichanger, or b) something that otherwise hooks into the headunit but which will require a software change to enable in the UI.
Still no further forward really
I may speak to a couple of local independent BMW specialists, but I'm sure they will be talking £££ for the privilege of sorting this out.
hornetrider said:
Just fyi the aux socket location, if there is one specced, is actually at the back of the centre armrest next to the air vents/12v sockets for the rear passengers.
I used a bluetooth streaming thingy bought from eBay for about £15 and it worked fine.
Yeah, there's just the two vents, temp/flap controls and two 12V sockets on that panel.I used a bluetooth streaming thingy bought from eBay for about £15 and it worked fine.
Did your Bluetooth thingy just plug into the aux socket?
Fore Left said:
I'm interested in this for my E90. Has anyone used the Fiscon kit. According to their website it doesn't need coding!
http://www.fiscon-mobile.eu/products/main_bmw.php
Looks excellent, but it's £400 before fitting! I think for that kind of money I'd just book a DJ to sit in the passenger seat http://www.fiscon-mobile.eu/products/main_bmw.php
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff