e39 BMW fitted centre armrest phone

[Scamp's Walker]

With all this talk of Bluetooth etc I wondered if there is a way of utilising the electronics of the fitted telephone system to allow me to just plug my phone in somewhere and use that instead of the armrest phone so that I can utilise the steering wheel controls whilst on the move? i have seen replacement adapters on ebay but have not purchased any as I have been unsure as to ehether they were compatible. Anyone hve any ideas/advice? It would save me running to mobile numbers!

[ccfj1]

Scamp's Walker said:

With all this talk of Bluetooth etc I wondered if there is a way of utilising the electronics of the fitted telephone system to allow me to just plug my phone in somewhere and use that instead of the armrest phone so that I can utilise the steering wheel controls whilst on the move?

No is the simple answer, you can convert the fixed kit to BT but it depends on the type of phone kit you have, if you have the rs232 type connector then its a simple (ish) job.

You can make the convertor lead (rs232-car end to 54pin ULF connector), I can give you the pinouts for this, if you make this yourself cost approx <£20

You would just need the ULF and a pair button and just use the rest of the stuff you have in the car already, mic etc. cost approx £80-£130. Get the latest Gen of ULF that you can.

If you have the 54pin type conector it gets a bit more tricky, as you would need either a new loom or someway of converting the 2 x 54pin plugs.

If you go for the new loom, its approx £120 from a dealer or make it yourself for approx £30 (I did), again if you need the pinout I can supply you with them (and a how to web link).

Scamp's Walker said:

i have seen replacement adapters on ebay but have not purchased any as I have been unsure as to ehether they were compatible. Anyone have any ideas/advice? It would save me running to mobile numbers!

The adaptors are for the BT cradle module only and you can't use them with the fixed kit (i beleive, i'm happy for someone to jump in here).

I did my BT retrofit for about £180 all in, fitted and working, you could save on this by putting the fixed kit on ebay to recoup(sp) some costs.

I can give you a full list of part numbers for the BT install, and the things that cost the most are the loom and the ULF, all the other stuff is cheap (even from the dealer).

All OEM BT options will allow the use of the MFSW and display on the screen if you have SatNav.

Hope this helps

[Denis O]

Scamp's Walker said:

With all this talk of Bluetooth etc I wondered if there is a way of utilising the electronics of the fitted telephone system to allow me to just plug my phone in somewhere and use that instead of the armrest phone so that I can utilise the steering wheel controls whilst on the move? i have seen replacement adapters on ebay but have not purchased any as I have been unsure as to ehether they were compatible. Anyone hve any ideas/advice? It would save me running to mobile numbers!

You have a couple of options for Bluetooth which integrates with the cars systems.

Parott Basic kit and a special lead will get your steering wheel conrols involved but it is basic.

Next which is completely integrated is from a US mob at the following link

http://www.bimmernav.com/

With the exchange rate at over $2.00 at present the Bimmernav kit probably makes some sense. It's the way I'm going to go when I get some time.

[Scamp's Walker]

How do I work out which kit I have?

Edited by Scamp's Walker on Wednesday 8th August 19:53

[ccfj1]

Scamp's Walker said:

How do I work out which kit I have?

You are gonna have to take some trim off in the boot and have a look, its all on the NS rear on the e46, could be the same in the e39?.

Once located, have a look at the connector plug that plugs the phone unit.

Denis O is correct Martin at http://www.bimmernav.com/ is a very good place to start if you don't feel you can make the loom yourself, his kits come complete and have a good install guide.

Sorry yes, you can also use the parrot kit (3100, I think) and like he says basic MFSW, but no display (if you have nav), I should have mentioned the parrot but thought you wanted an OEM solution, again my apologises.

Here is the link if you want to have a go at doing it your self, this is to make a complete new loom.

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?t=52...