[woodpecka]

Originally Posted by DimSum

The interface looks so crap for that aftermarket unit.

I disagree. The guys who bought it are fully happy with it.

[bmwstylexx]

I tried this today using parts from my 330 that i am selling.. putting the bluetooth equipment in my 335 that did not have bluetooth. This DIY made it easy to install. The only issue i had was that my radio wouldn't work for a while until i finally figured out I had the wiring in the mast incorrect. I got it re routed and everything was fine. I am not showing any error messages on the dash so I'm not sure if I correctly installed the bluetooth or not. I moved the fzd as well from my 330 (which had SOS) installed - so I'm thinking that may be the reason I am not getting the SOS error that others have mentioned. Anyone know how i can check to see if the bluetooth is installed correctly prior to getting the car recoded? Or do i have to recode before I can even tell if its installed right?

[woodpecka]

The pro of this install is the BMW assist.

Is it possible to activate it if you code the car yourself?

The VIN must be added to the vehicles with the BMW Assist database. To add the VIN to the
database, contact the Telematics Analyst at (201) 307-3707 during regular business hours (8:30
AM to 4:30 PM EST). It will take one to two business days to have the VIN added to the database.
The Telematics Analyst will need the following information:
• VIN
• Electronic Serial Number (ESN) of the TCU that was installed in the vehicle.
32. Once the VIN is added to the database, the customer must complete a valid, active subscriber
agreement with the BMW Assist Response Center through the enrollment application on DCSnet,
located at Sales | BMW Assist | Electronic Subscriber Agreement.
33. Initialize BMW Assist services. Refer to SI B84 15 03 (BMW Assist™ Initialization).
34. Test the BMW Assist™ service for proper operation by placing a test call (press the Roadside
Assistance "Wrench" button). Make sure that the BMW Assist Response Center has received the
correct MIN/MDN, VIN and location of the vehicle. Have the representative update his or her
records as needed.

[respectBMW]

I am so glad i found this. I was worried I would have to buy a completely new FZD unit. Looks like I just need someone to code this other than the dealership. Good work man, thanks!

[ZZZZ]

Old post, but what exactly is the point of the FZD unit... what does it do?

[respectBMW]

The FZD is the control cluster where the sunroof switch is located. On cars with bluetooth the there is a phone button that reads SOS. On cars without bluetooth there is no button at all. The problem is that when you install a TCU it has BMW assist equipped, which is why FZD is needed. However, this guy found a way not use FZD, which is good because FZD is expensive and VIN # specific.

The only thing is the OP did not use the loud speaker, which is in the instruction manual that he posted and he said to skip that step. Now I am wondering what is the purpose of the loud speaker and if it is necessary for full functionality.

[Armito]

Loudspeaker was not needed. Calls come through your regular speakers. I beleive the loudpseaker may be used with assist in case of an accident but I could be wrong.

Here is a picture of when I installed antenna and you can see that the loudspeaker is not there.

[ZZZZ]

Thanks for your insight respectBMW.

Armito, I'm definitely going to do this too. There are three things that peeved me about my 06 325i.. things I thought I would have, but later learned that I missed out on these options.

Bluetooth. I thought Canadian spec was the same as US spec, and the bluetooth was included in the premium package.

Compass/Homelink. Again, supposed to be with premium.. but my early build (July 05) e90 doesn't have it.

Ability to modify key settings from the control panel. (i.e. auto locking doors when driving off). Apparently this wasn't available until Sept 05.

Anyway, I may have to pick your brain the future if I run into any problems Armito, hope you don't mind.

[respectBMW]

Thanks Armito, that is one less thing i have to buy. Did you code the TCU to accept voice commands?

[bkrM3]

Glad to see some activity here...watching this thread again. I got a TCU and installed it but havent done any of the other steps yet. I guess I need some motivation to finish this retrofit!

[Armito]

I had the coding done by Dimsum. I think he added the bluetooth VO and coded the TCU to my car. Voice commands work with the unit. I don't beleive you need seperate coding for voice.

[Inventor]

I too am glad this thread is still active. I bought all the components except the FZD based on Armito's success. I'm at the same point in my retrofit... I have the TCU, BT antenna, Mic & speaker installed, fibre cables re-routed; but still need to get the programming done to complete the install.

I would like to learn NCS-Expert and add the module to the VO myself. I have a VAGCOM HEX-USB-CAN communication cable from my VW that was hoping to use, but most of the posts say that it's not compatible. I've read through tons post's but haven't had a chance to to figure it all out yet.

Dimsum... would you consider explainig the steps you took to do this coding? Or, given that I'm also in the GTA - are you available to do the coding?

[ZZZZ]

I don't think dimsum is in this thread, but you can PM him. Apparently he has a very reasonable flat fee and can code a bunch of other things for you while he's there.

I would personally like to learn how to code it myself. First things first---to get the modules. Where'd you get in the Toronto area get your BT modules from?

[respectBMW]

Originally Posted by ZZZZ

I don't think dimsum is in this thread, but you can PM him. Apparently he has a very reasonable flat fee and can code a bunch of other things for you while he's there.

I would personally like to learn how to code it myself. First things first---to get the modules. Where'd you get in the Toronto area get your BT modules from?

You could always try places that salvage cars, that is where i got my module for a pretty decent price.

[Inventor]

I'll send him a PM, he did make a few posts to this thread... but that was back in Feburary, unlikely that he's still watching this - but you never know...

I got my TCU from ebay - came from USA, cost =$90us+$28us shipping (USPS), all other bits and pieces (bracket, mic, antenna, etc) from getBMWparts.com for $116us including shipping. All totalled I'm into it for $234USD... not bad considering how much others have spent.

[ZZZZ]

damn... very good pricing actually. good job Inventor! Making me jealous here...

I found some on eBay but they're all CDMA versions. Is this really a big deal? I'm confused.... isn't GSM/CDMA only for BMW Assist? In terms of linking the car to my cell phone it's just bluetooth which doesn't care if it's GSM or CDMA. bluetooth is bluetooth is bluetooth. The antenna used is still my cell phone's antenna, no?

[ZZZZ]

FYI, to purchase all the parts NEW with the latest TCU from Maranello with the maXbimmer discount. The prices are:

$14.80 - 65 15 6 927 700 Bracket for Telematics Control
$47.29 - 84 50 6 928 461 Bluetooth Antenna
$50.33 - 84 31 6 938 762 Hands Free Telephone Microphone
$ 1.70 - 07 11 9 904 019 Hex Nut (each. need 4)
$380.00 - 84 10 9 126 533 - TCU Module

$499.22

[respectBMW]

Originally Posted by ZZZZ

FYI, to purchase all the parts NEW with the latest TCU from Maranello with the maXbimmer discount. The prices are:

$14.80 - 65 15 6 927 700 Bracket for Telematics Control
$47.29 - 84 50 6 928 461 Bluetooth Antenna
$50.33 - 84 31 6 938 762 Hands Free Telephone Microphone
$ 1.70 - 07 11 9 904 019 Hex Nut (each. need 4)
$380.00 - 84 10 9 126 533 - TCU Module

$499.22

At my dealership, I got the antenna and microphone for almost half of those prices. I got the TCU from a salvage yard for $185.

[ZZZZ]

Originally Posted by respectBMW

At my dealership, I got the antenna and microphone for almost half of those prices. I got the TCU from a salvage yard for $185.

...and on that note. how much would you charge me to buy the antenna/microphone at your U.S. price and ship it over to me in Toronto, Canada? Already have a TCU on the way for around the same price. ($180)
Shoot me a PM...

[bkrM3]

Originally Posted by ZZZZ

FYI, to purchase all the parts NEW with the latest TCU from Maranello with the maXbimmer discount. The prices are:

$14.80 - 65 15 6 927 700 Bracket for Telematics Control
$47.29 - 84 50 6 928 461 Bluetooth Antenna
$50.33 - 84 31 6 938 762 Hands Free Telephone Microphone
$ 1.70 - 07 11 9 904 019 Hex Nut (each. need 4)
$380.00 - 84 10 9 126 533 - TCU Module

$499.22

If I'm doing this without the FZD and I already have the bracket and TCU - do i still need those 4 hex nuts? I assume they were for attaching the TCU to the bracket, which I've already done...

[respectBMW]

Originally Posted by bkr335

If I'm doing this without the FZD and I already have the bracket and TCU - do i still need those 4 hex nuts? I assume they were for attaching the TCU to the bracket, which I've already done...

Your assumption is correct.

[respectBMW]

Originally Posted by ZZZZ

...and on that note. how much would you charge me to buy the antenna/microphone at your U.S. price and ship it over to me in Toronto, Canada? Already have a TCU on the way for around the same price. ($180)
Shoot me a PM...

Just out of curiosity have you tried calling your dealership for prices? If you check realoem.com for prices they turn out to be similar.