[**Matt**]

Since it's now illegal I have started looking into hands free options. I would like to have something integrated into the car - Garmin, TomTom, BMW retrofit (if possible) or should I just stick with the old Aux in? I see some of the 08+ cars have integrated BT that can be retrofitted to work, is there any such option for the 06'?

What are the best options for this car?

Cheers

Totally separate, but I am close to pulling the trigger on an 07' X3 for my wife. Anybody got any opinions one way or the other? I have read about the tranny probs but we drove it for quite a while yesterday and didn't exhibit any of the traits that so many complain about. Sweet little ride actually, lots of fun.

[amlebede]

Originally Posted by **Matt**

Since it's now illegal I have stated looking into handsfree options. I would like to have something integrated into the car - Garmin, TomTom, BMW retrofit (if possible) or should I just stick with the old Aux in? I see some of the 08+ cars have integrated BT that can be retrofitted to work, is there any such option for the 06'?

What are the best options for this car?

Cheers

Totally separate, but I am close to pulling the trigger on an 07' X3 for my wife. Anybody got any opinions one way or the other? I have read about the tranny probs but we drove it for quite a while yesterday and didn't exhibit any of the traits that so many complain about. Sweet little ride actually, lots of fun.

Try Parrot.

And I don't like X3s too much.

[Atsnow]

Originally Posted by **Matt**

Since it's now illegal I have started looking into hands free options. I would like to have something integrated into the car - Garmin, TomTom, BMW retrofit (if possible) or should I just stick with the old Aux in? I see some of the 08+ cars have integrated BT that can be retrofitted to work, is there any such option for the 06'?

What are the best options for this car?

Cheers

Totally separate, but I am close to pulling the trigger on an 07' X3 for my wife. Anybody got any opinions one way or the other? I have read about the tranny probs but we drove it for quite a while yesterday and didn't exhibit any of the traits that so many complain about. Sweet little ride actually, lots of fun.

I'm on the road a lot (+/- 40K/ year) and do over 2000 minutes a month so you can say I'm on the phone a lot

I too have an 06 car and looked at options and most of them where not the aggravation for the install

I have had a Motorola T505 for 2 years now and very happy with it, it works via and FM transmitter and integrates with the radio

for the 2007 X3 we looked at one when purchasing the Xi and the ride is way too harsh for our liking

we will be looking at the GLK from M-B when the lease is up in September , you can get a very well equipped one for about 47k

[E92Vancouver]

Originally Posted by **Matt**

Since it's now illegal I have started looking into hands free options. I would like to have something integrated into the car - Garmin, TomTom, BMW retrofit (if possible) or should I just stick with the old Aux in? I see some of the 08+ cars have integrated BT that can be retrofitted to work, is there any such option for the 06'?

What are the best options for this car?

Cheers

Totally separate, but I am close to pulling the trigger on an 07' X3 for my wife. Anybody got any opinions one way or the other? I have read about the tranny probs but we drove it for quite a while yesterday and didn't exhibit any of the traits that so many complain about. Sweet little ride actually, lots of fun.

I just got the factory bluetooth unit retrofitted to my car. I love it!!! Parkshore Motors did the job. 2 hours install time but they charged me 2.5 hours because I watched and asked a lot of questions about the fiber optic looping.

[**Matt**]

Originally Posted by E92Vancouver

I just got the factory bluetooth unit retrofitted to my car. I love it!!! Parkshore Motors did the job. 2 hours install time but they charged me 2.5 hours because I watched and asked a lot of questions about the fiber optic looping.

Around $1,000? I think I saw somewhere else the parts are about $750 -$800. Thanks for the reply.

[E92Vancouver]

Originally Posted by **Matt**

Around $1,000? I think I saw somewhere else the parts are about $750 -$800. Thanks for the reply.

Like a BMW, this option is expensive, but worth it. I had a Motorola T505 for a year, trying to take the cheap way out. I broke down finally and bought the built in BMW bluetooth.

Parts are about $1,200 after discount. Keep in mind that this option was $1,000 if you pre-ordered your car with it.

This is what I like about it:

1. 1 year of free BMW Assist. I use this for frivolous requests.
2. Remote door unlocking.
3. GPS tracking theft recovery.
4. Excellent sound quality.
5. Steering wheel controls of the phone.
6. Voice dialing. Works awesome!!!!! Very impressive.
7. Call display on the screen of your radio or idrive.
8. Wireless address book sync. The contact manager on my PC syncs wirelessly with my Blackberry which syncs wirelessly (through bluetooth) to my car. Add a contact on your PC and it magically and automatically appears in the address book of the Bimmer.
9. Full access of your address book in your phone through the radio and steering wheel controls.
10. The radio stores your top 8 calls.
11. The radio stores your last 8 calls.
12. The radio stores all of your missed calls.
13. Callers can't tell you are in the car on handsfree,
14. The radio mutes automatically when a call comes in.
15. If you get in an accident, the car calls 911 automatically, advises how many people are in the car (from seat belt sensors) and advises if the air bags were deployed.

Dude, it is awesome!!! I love it. It is pricey but you get a bluetooth module, built in cell phone (GSM for the BMW Assist. It uses its own 3 watt phone) and GPS. When I call BMW Assist, they know exactly where I am .

Here is the box of parts for the install.

[E92Vancouver]

This is the TCU module in the trunk area.

[tybon]

Originally Posted by E92Vancouver

I just got the factory bluetooth unit retrofitted to my car. I love it!!! Parkshore Motors did the job. 2 hours install time but they charged me 2.5 hours because I watched and asked a lot of questions about the fiber optic looping.

Hey can you tell me the name of your SA? I also want to get this done in the future. Thanks!

[E92Vancouver]

Originally Posted by tybon

Hey can you tell me the name of your SA? I also want to get this done in the future. Thanks!

Start with Chris Downie in parts. Ask nicely and you will get a 10% discount on parts.

[E92Vancouver]

Originally Posted by **Matt**

Around $1,000? I think I saw somewhere else the parts are about $750 -$800. Thanks for the reply.

You can get the parts online for $700. I didn't want to wait or have to deal with DOA parts or the wrong parts that could not be coded.

[tybon]

Originally Posted by E92Vancouver

You can get the parts online for $700. I didn't want to wait or have to deal with DOA parts or the wrong parts that could not be coded.

Really where? Hey since you have done this already would you tell me the list of parts with the part number that you ordered? Thanks a bunch.

[E92Vancouver]

Originally Posted by tybon

Really where? Hey since you have done this already would you tell me the list of parts with the part number that you ordered? Thanks a bunch.

I have the BMW Bluetooth Telematics Control Unit System. Search on line for this system. You can get it online in the U.S. Install and programming are extra.

Install is pretty simple. You can do it yourself. Here are the instructions:

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/attachments/B841405_E9x.pdf

[E92Vancouver]

The most confusing part of the install is getting the fiber optic network loop correct. Everything else is dead simple. After the parts are installed, the car needs to be coded.

[tybon]

Originally Posted by E92Vancouver

I have the BMW Bluetooth Telematics Control Unit System. Search on line for this system. You can get it online in the U.S. Install and programming are extra.

Install is pretty simple. You can do it yourself. Here are the instructions:

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/attachments/B841405_E9x.pdf

I don't know if I have SA 640 or not. Do I need to look for the wires in the trunk to verify?

[E92Vancouver]

Originally Posted by tybon

I don't know if I have SA 640 or not. Do I need to look for the wires in the trunk to verify?

Two ways to find out. Give your VIN to your dealer and they will look it up on the computer and give you the build specs or look under the trunk cover and see if you have a wiring harness wrapped in padding.

SA640 looks like this:

[jimk]

I have an MY2009 TCU and the matching FZD console that I'm considering selling. PM me if interested.