BMW retrofitting bluetooth audio

[hazhattrickhero]

Hi folks,

I've recently bought a 2013 1 series (F20) 116Di. It has bluetooth phone but not bluetooth audio. It doesn't have a combox fitted in the boot. I've asked a couple of places and they say it's expensive and difficult to retrofit. Does anybody know how/where to have it done (I don't want to do it myself) or any alternatives to a retrofit?

I'm in the Liverpool area.

Many thanks,

Jack

[Monty Python]

Graham Martin in Widnes would be my first port of call:

http://grahammartinautomotive.co.uk/original-mini-...

[jboy72]

This may be a stupid question but... have you already ruled out a cheap alternative? I have an 80 quid (I think - it came with the car) Parrot system fitted in my e46 (for calls and music) and it is as good as the BMW system in my X5. In some ways it is better as it is a very intuitive standalone operating system.

You can also buy plug in systems for about 30 quid that use a cigarette lighter and allow music streaming over a radio frequency. I have never used one so can't vouch for those but the reviews on Amazon suggest if all you want to do is stream music then they are good enough...

[mondeoman]

If you've got aux in and a socket, just get a decent bluetooth receiver for about £30 and be done with it.

I use a Kinivo BTC455, and just got one for mondeowoman as well (both drive BMs)

[hazhattrickhero]

Thanks folks. I will email that place in Widnes - I've already tried them in writing and they never replied. I like the idea of the bluetooth dongles as a short term solution, but I want it all integrated in my car with no messing.

Do they make NBT units that do it all and do they work with iDrive?

Cheers

[Monty Python]

One question - do you have business or professional nav? If it has professional nav then adding extended Bluetooth is simply a coding exercise:

http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/bmw-f30-f80-6nh-...

Edited by Monty Python on Wednesday 10th May 11:36

[hazhattrickhero]

I'm not sure what it is, but I don't have the combox in my boot. That means it's probably not the professional one?

[Monty Python]

hazhattrickhero said:

I'm not sure what it is, but I don't have the combox in my boot. That means it's probably not the professional one?

You can tell by the size of the screen - Business nav has significant black borders either side of the display whereas Professional fills the entire screen and has the option to split the display.

[hazhattrickhero]

I must have the business nav then. I don't have Sat Nav though if that makes a difference?

[Monty Python]

hazhattrickhero said:

I must have the business nav then. I don't have Sat Nav though if that makes a difference?

Without the Combox and professional nav then it'll cost two arms and a leg to go the BMW route. This may be a better (and significantly cheaper) option:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-SoundSync-Bluetooth...

[hazhattrickhero]

Hmm. Is it possible to just replace the stereo to have one that includes bluetooth audio?

[Monty Python]

hazhattrickhero said:

Hmm. Is it possible to just replace the stereo to have one that includes bluetooth audio?

Theoretically it's possible to replace the stereo with the BMW one that has this capability, but it'd not easy and it's expensive in terms of parts and fitting. It's one of those things that you really need to be fitted to the car before you buy it.

This describes the process:

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=...

[hazhattrickhero]

Flash of inspiration from the USB aux idea. Bought a cheap USB Bluetooth dongle with 3.5mm jack output and then an aux cable to go into it the aux slot from it. Works like bloody magic. Thanks folks.

[richardibarnes]

I have the same issue! How does your solution work with taking calls?

[1602Mark]

Sorry for thread bump but have same issue and wondered how good this solution had been? Or are there any better alternatives available now?

As an aside, are the speakers easy to replace as my front left sounds awful with any volume.