Bought a 645......I have a few questions
Discussion
Morning all. As per title, I've recently picked up a 2005 645 coupe (auto). So far I'm really enjoying it, having owned an e46 330 coupe (manual) prior to buying this. It's taken me a while to get used to driving an automatic, as I've not owned one before.
The noise and power of the 645 is very impressive (and addictive). No-one buys a V8 expecting it to be fuel efficient, but it's surprised me. In just over a week of owning the car I've averaged 26 mpg, which is only 2-3 mpg less than my 330. With the mileage I do, that translates to around 70p extra per day. I can cope with that!
Mine has heated sports seats, which I was keen to have. It also has the panoramic roof, which I wasn't bothered about but now I have it I really like it. The dealer told me that the car didn't have the Logic 7 stereo system, which I wanted, however I've since discovered that it has this. Bonus!
I wondered if any other current owners could help me with a few things?
1. This is a minor issue, but is annoying. How do you set the stereo NOT to come on when starting the engine? It doesn't seem to matter what I do when I switch the car off, the stereo always comes on whenever I turn on the ignition.
2. I have a 2008 sat nav DVD in the car, however I don't seem to be able to enter postcodes. I've had a look around online and found some newer versions which have more functions. Before I go ahead and buy anything, can anyone confirm that the hardware in my car would support much newer versions?
3. Bluetooth. The car has bluetooth and connects to my phone, but that's it. I can't make any calls, with the communication screen simply stating 'activate phone'. I understand that this is a common issue, and have tried a number of things. Has anyone overcome this? I went to a local BMW dealer and they couldn't work it out, but the guy I was speaking with seemed quite new so would mostly have dealt with cars up to 3-4 years old.
I listen to Spotify a lot, so in my 330 I installed an AUX socket. I've found this, so can do the same for the 645. However has anyone been able to stream music from their phone to the stereo via bluetooth?
I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but if anyone can help then it would be most appreciated.
The noise and power of the 645 is very impressive (and addictive). No-one buys a V8 expecting it to be fuel efficient, but it's surprised me. In just over a week of owning the car I've averaged 26 mpg, which is only 2-3 mpg less than my 330. With the mileage I do, that translates to around 70p extra per day. I can cope with that!
Mine has heated sports seats, which I was keen to have. It also has the panoramic roof, which I wasn't bothered about but now I have it I really like it. The dealer told me that the car didn't have the Logic 7 stereo system, which I wanted, however I've since discovered that it has this. Bonus!
I wondered if any other current owners could help me with a few things?
1. This is a minor issue, but is annoying. How do you set the stereo NOT to come on when starting the engine? It doesn't seem to matter what I do when I switch the car off, the stereo always comes on whenever I turn on the ignition.
2. I have a 2008 sat nav DVD in the car, however I don't seem to be able to enter postcodes. I've had a look around online and found some newer versions which have more functions. Before I go ahead and buy anything, can anyone confirm that the hardware in my car would support much newer versions?
3. Bluetooth. The car has bluetooth and connects to my phone, but that's it. I can't make any calls, with the communication screen simply stating 'activate phone'. I understand that this is a common issue, and have tried a number of things. Has anyone overcome this? I went to a local BMW dealer and they couldn't work it out, but the guy I was speaking with seemed quite new so would mostly have dealt with cars up to 3-4 years old.
I listen to Spotify a lot, so in my 330 I installed an AUX socket. I've found this, so can do the same for the 645. However has anyone been able to stream music from their phone to the stereo via bluetooth?
I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but if anyone can help then it would be most appreciated.
Not a BMW specialist I'm afraid but be wary of trying newer nav discs. Jeep and MB have a security setting that once a newer disc has been inserted the nav unit would no longer read the older disc. Used to be an issue when people thought they could "borrow" the discs from loan cars and demos.
On point 3, for bluetooth streaming you would need another kit like the Dennison or something, the car won't do it. I've never got round to ti as I don't drive the car a great deal so 6 CDs and the radio have been enough!
To install that cable you'll need to get the aux port unlocked by someone with the diagnostic software. It's also a dash apart job to get to the back of the radio. Not complicated but worrying the first time.
You can certainly fit newer discs, but again I needed to get mine unlocked so it could read them (not sure if this is common, I think a previous owner had done some messing about with setings)
On the phone not connecting, have you cleared all phones in the system? Mine was doing something similar and this was enough to get it going.
To install that cable you'll need to get the aux port unlocked by someone with the diagnostic software. It's also a dash apart job to get to the back of the radio. Not complicated but worrying the first time.
You can certainly fit newer discs, but again I needed to get mine unlocked so it could read them (not sure if this is common, I think a previous owner had done some messing about with setings)
On the phone not connecting, have you cleared all phones in the system? Mine was doing something similar and this was enough to get it going.
Edited by Speed addicted on Thursday 6th July 08:51
DanL said:
Simes205 said:
1. If like the e91 your radio / ac and other things will be personalised to your key, i.e. As you last left it.
My old 650 did this - pressing the volume button to mute the stereo was the only way to turn it "off". It was still on, but silent - was good enough for me. 
Speed addicted said:
On point 3, for bluetooth streaming you would need another kit like the Dennison or something, the car won't do it. I've never got round to ti as I don't drive the car a great deal so 6 CDs and the radio have been enough!
To install that cable you'll need to get the aux port unlocked by someone with the diagnostic software. It's also a dash apart job to get to the back of the radio. Not complicated but worrying the first time.
You can certainly fit newer discs, but again I needed to get mine unlocked so it could read them (not sure if this is common, I think a previous owner had done some messing about with setings)
On the phone not connecting, have you cleared all phones in the system? Mine was doing something similar and this was enough to get it going.
Does it have to be BMW to unlock the port? To install that cable you'll need to get the aux port unlocked by someone with the diagnostic software. It's also a dash apart job to get to the back of the radio. Not complicated but worrying the first time.
You can certainly fit newer discs, but again I needed to get mine unlocked so it could read them (not sure if this is common, I think a previous owner had done some messing about with setings)
On the phone not connecting, have you cleared all phones in the system? Mine was doing something similar and this was enough to get it going.
I have cleared all phones and still have no joy.
StuTheGrouch said:
Speed addicted said:
On point 3, for bluetooth streaming you would need another kit like the Dennison or something, the car won't do it. I've never got round to ti as I don't drive the car a great deal so 6 CDs and the radio have been enough!
To install that cable you'll need to get the aux port unlocked by someone with the diagnostic software. It's also a dash apart job to get to the back of the radio. Not complicated but worrying the first time.
You can certainly fit newer discs, but again I needed to get mine unlocked so it could read them (not sure if this is common, I think a previous owner had done some messing about with setings)
On the phone not connecting, have you cleared all phones in the system? Mine was doing something similar and this was enough to get it going.
Does it have to be BMW to unlock the port? To install that cable you'll need to get the aux port unlocked by someone with the diagnostic software. It's also a dash apart job to get to the back of the radio. Not complicated but worrying the first time.
You can certainly fit newer discs, but again I needed to get mine unlocked so it could read them (not sure if this is common, I think a previous owner had done some messing about with setings)
On the phone not connecting, have you cleared all phones in the system? Mine was doing something similar and this was enough to get it going.
I have cleared all phones and still have no joy.
BMW do a slightly cheaper USB interface for these cars at about £250 plus installation but it wont handle calls and requires a wired connection to the USB device.
The car has a MOST fibre network between the entertainment system devices, it isn't as simple as whacking in a £50 head unit from Halfords. How I long for the old days.
Thanks for that, that sounds perfect. I presume it's this- http://shop.dension.com/en/gateway-500s-(dual-fot)
StuTheGrouch said:
Thanks for that, that sounds perfect. I presume it's this- http://shop.dension.com/en/gateway-500s-(dual-fot)
Yes, well anything from the Dension range that suits your needs would do, plus the Coding tool http://shop.dension.com/en/gateway-enabler-for-bmw...Personally I went for the 2 phones one as I have sperate work and domestic phones that I want to be able to use hands free on the same journey. You can find them on ebay but I was never sure about second hand electronics for over £200. The first time you pair the phone / ipod for play back it can take a while to get play back as the Dension picks up all the info from the music on the source device.
They are plug and play if you have the CD changer in the glovebox. You just need to put the coding tool in the OBD port under the dash with the dip switches on the tool set the right way. The instructions are fairly clear but need a little thinking about; although if you've ever swapped a traditional head unit out you should be able to deal with this. Just be careful with the fibre optic cable at the back of the CD changer...
On Menus, the coding tool inserts a new menu under CD1 on the multichanger in iDrive (so Ent, then CD from FM/AM/CD, then CD1 from CD / DVD / CD1 - 6). This gives you a basic player menu from the Dension unit and can give you track/artist/album etc but doesn't mirror the menu in the app you are using and it doesnt display album artwork on the idrive screen. You can also use it to stream podcasts or BBC Radioplayer for example but there the menu function is very limited in terms of "up next". NB other web pages show it as CD5, mine came up on CD1.
I dont know about the phone side, I have only really ever received calls and answered them by pushing answer on the actual phone handset. I dont think the "phone" module on the iDrive is replaced by the Dension unit & code tool but I will have a poke about tonight.
This is a pretty good write up of the install, and has some good pics of the menu
https://5series.net/forums/diy-do-yourself-14/self...
(would have been better if I'd added the link...)
On Menus, the coding tool inserts a new menu under CD1 on the multichanger in iDrive (so Ent, then CD from FM/AM/CD, then CD1 from CD / DVD / CD1 - 6). This gives you a basic player menu from the Dension unit and can give you track/artist/album etc but doesn't mirror the menu in the app you are using and it doesnt display album artwork on the idrive screen. You can also use it to stream podcasts or BBC Radioplayer for example but there the menu function is very limited in terms of "up next". NB other web pages show it as CD5, mine came up on CD1.
I dont know about the phone side, I have only really ever received calls and answered them by pushing answer on the actual phone handset. I dont think the "phone" module on the iDrive is replaced by the Dension unit & code tool but I will have a poke about tonight.
This is a pretty good write up of the install, and has some good pics of the menu
https://5series.net/forums/diy-do-yourself-14/self...
(would have been better if I'd added the link...)
I've just swapped out the glovebox changer in my '07 650 and fitted a used OE interface box that will run my old iPod Classic so not as advanced as the Dension unit you're looking at.
From descriptions above, it does seem to operate the same way though albeit with my iPod hard connected rather than by Bluetooth.
Once I'd got into the glovebox (you don't need to remove the lid on a 6) it was pretty straightforward, just plug and play. Took the car a few minutes to work out it was there and the unit is much smaller that the CD changer so it needs packing in, I used foam. A blanking plate to cover it is available from the main dealers, about £9, it's a special order part from Germany and I'm waiting for mine to arrive.
From descriptions above, it does seem to operate the same way though albeit with my iPod hard connected rather than by Bluetooth.
Once I'd got into the glovebox (you don't need to remove the lid on a 6) it was pretty straightforward, just plug and play. Took the car a few minutes to work out it was there and the unit is much smaller that the CD changer so it needs packing in, I used foam. A blanking plate to cover it is available from the main dealers, about £9, it's a special order part from Germany and I'm waiting for mine to arrive.
If the car has a USB socket and you install an AUX IN port, take a look at the Tune2Air device which enables bluetooth audio streaming without interfering with the phone.
And as above, check that there's not a million devices paired with the bluetooth in the car - clear them all out so it's only your phone and see if it'll make calls then
And as above, check that there's not a million devices paired with the bluetooth in the car - clear them all out so it's only your phone and see if it'll make calls then
As far as GPS updates are concerned as long as you use the right product (ie CCC, or CIC or NBT) updates you should be fine.
On my 640D I upgraded via a 3rd party supplier (way cheaper) and it upgraded just fine, admittedly this was NBT rather than CCC/CIC however when I had my 650i there wasn't any issues updating that either (it was a 2008 LCI).
It's the newer versions of NBT that you need to be careful about, luckily I was ok with mine and with the X6 I get free updates anyway.
On my 640D I upgraded via a 3rd party supplier (way cheaper) and it upgraded just fine, admittedly this was NBT rather than CCC/CIC however when I had my 650i there wasn't any issues updating that either (it was a 2008 LCI).
It's the newer versions of NBT that you need to be careful about, luckily I was ok with mine and with the X6 I get free updates anyway.
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