[askme]

I think my TCU is fried in my car (e93, non-idrive, pro radio, Aux/USB). I don't use the BMW Assist/SOS functionality, but do need music and handsfree phone.

I was going to just get a replacement TCU and then work with the various options o this board to get music. But most of the bluetooth aftermarket devices seem to handle calls and music. So then what do I need the TCU for? Or will it play?

[ctuna]

the only reason to keep it is if you don't have another
way to get bluetooth handsfree phone and you want it.

The following device will give you usb and sd card music.
Bluetooth phone and streaming music for between 125 and 150.
And it avoids using the crappy aux input.


https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...ight=bluetooth

[askme]

Originally Posted by ctuna

the only reason to keep it is if you don't have another
way to get bluetooth handsfree phone and you want it.

The following device will give you usb and sd card music.
Bluetooth phone and streaming music for between 125 and 150.
And it avoids using the crappy aux input.


https://www.e90post.com/forums/showt...ight=bluetooth

Thanks. It was exactly that post that made me start to question in the first place. What isn't entirely clear to me is whether or not that device will use the built in microphone (and how). I see references to it havign its own mic if you need it, but no confirmation on how it leverages the built in mic.

I spend a lot of time on the phone in the car and would like a well engineered microphone for my listeners benefit (especially with a Carbio). I went with a GROM for my wife's car and it is great except for the crappy mic.

[ctuna]

It does not use the built in Mic unless you can find away
to tap in to it, I have one and I haven't bothered to try it
yet . I might when I get more time.
I can say the fidelity is not quite as good as the built in system
but still quite usable.(for bluetooth phone with provided mic)
Right now I have it just sitting on the wood in front of the ash tray.
I don't use the phone a lot in the car or hardly at all I got
it for the music playback functions and I am happy with that.
The only thing negitive I can say is changing sources is kind of
clutchy using the on off button.

If your factory phone bluetooth still works then you can still use that
by switching the devices phone function off but that is not what
your looking for I think.

If you have aux usb that may mean you have a mulf 2 hi you can switch
the bluetooth phone function over to that with some wiring and programming at very little cost.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1181654

TCU comes with a Mulf 2 Hi underneath the TCU if you have USB in an early build they changed to a combox for USB/bluetooth in the later models.

[askme]

Originally Posted by ctuna

It does not use the built in Mic unless you can find away
to tap in to it, I have one and I haven't bothered to try it
yet . I might when I get more time.
I can say the fidelity is not quite as good as the built in system
but still quite usable.
Right now I have it just sitting on the wood in front of the ash tray.
I don't use the phone a lot in the car or hardly at all I got
it for the music playback functions and I am happy with that.
The only thing negitive I can say is changing sources is kind of
clutch y using the on off button.

If your factory phone bluetooth still works then you can still use that
by switching the devices phone function off but that is not what
your looking for I think.

Thanks. Looks like I will keep the TCU for now and try to use that. Sad to hear all the posts about how crappy the AUX in is since theoretically it shoudl be much higher quality than the bluetooth signal or a crappy DAC.