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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > AUDIO/VIDEO + BLUETOOTH + Electronics/Alarm/Software > **Bluetooth Retrofit Guide** for TCU and ULF



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      02-21-2008, 05:11 PM   #67
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Well, I just got off the phone with Tom @ eas. I need to talk to Martin @ bimmernav one last time just to check out my VIN #.

Then I will place an order for the ULF. If it comes down to it, I will never use the voice command anyway and for $800ish shipped this is cheapest option and also validates my not purchasing ZPP.

Homelink and Bluetooth were all I wanted.

So.... Homelink Retrofit (~$600 installed) + Bluetooth Retrofit (~$1k installed)

I saved roughly $1k from purchasing ZPP. That is how I will rationalize it.
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      02-21-2008, 07:01 PM   #68
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AoshichanX View Post
Well, I just got off the phone with Tom @ eas. I need to talk to Martin @ bimmernav one last time just to check out my VIN #.

Then I will place an order for the ULF. If it comes down to it, I will never use the voice command anyway and for $800ish shipped this is cheapest option and also validates my not purchasing ZPP.

Homelink and Bluetooth were all I wanted.

So.... Homelink Retrofit (~$600 installed) + Bluetooth Retrofit (~$1k installed)

I saved roughly $1k from purchasing ZPP. That is how I will rationalize it.
Is the OEM Homelink for the E9x 4 times more expensive than the E46's?????

Wow.
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      02-21-2008, 07:02 PM   #69
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AoshichanX View Post
Ok I called Sydney Chan from New Century BMW,

I gave him the SIB 84 14 05, and my VIN # and he said he would have to do some research and call me back in 30 minutes.

After roughly half an hour, he called me back and said that for my particular vehicle I would require a bunch of accessories, including the antenna and 2 modules, each of which would be in the thousands. I told him I already have phone preparation which should include the antenna etc. He replied that he knew that already but was just letting me know what the directions said.

So I inquired, "What about part #84 109... "
he immediately replied, "... 181 230? That is a generic part # that was not compatible with your particular VIN."

Then I wondered about whether he referred to the SIB. He said yes, he was basing this all off of the SIB, that if I looked all the way through the SIB, it would describe specific parts for each range of vehicle production dates. For my particular vehicle, it would require the 2 modules and extensive labor and programming which would already be $3k alone.

So he said it was not worth it for me and yeah, I should have gotten ZPP.
That's what I thought...
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      02-21-2008, 07:04 PM   #70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
Is the OEM Homelink for the E9x 4 times more expensive than the E46's?????

Wow.
I am not sure for the e46, but you have to purchase a new mirror. The new mirror includes compass and homelink and a retrofit cable specific for post '06 e90 models without auto dimming and auto folding sideview mirrors.

It costs $500. I am just guessing installation is another $100. There is no coding involved but the DIY appears difficult. Wire splicing is necessary and it is not just plug and play; for my model at least.
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      02-26-2008, 05:56 AM   #71
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Hey Guys,

Well this has certainly turned into my personal blog. I found some interesting information, however.

Since I have not actually seen the SIB that Evan kindly referred to me, I thought searching the forum may yield results.

Instead I happened upon this thread Now you may wonder what shaking xenons has to do with the bluetooth retrofit? Nothing, but in the OP I saw this link:

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B631007g.htm

which made me wonder what would happen if I simply substituted for:

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B841405g.htm

and guess what? it worked and so I also found the consquent referred pdf in the bulletin:

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

...

It gets better. My package from bimmernav today arrived today. The included unit was NOT ULF but rather TCU--the EXACT SAME part # Evan@Tischer provided. Refer to my OP.

The included instructions were the EXACT SAME as from the PDF above. All for ~$750.
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      02-26-2008, 08:13 AM   #72
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Now we're talking, dammit!
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      02-26-2008, 02:23 PM   #73
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So what I am gathering after reading all this is that if you want BT ONLY you can simply get this unit and go plug and play, but voice assits is going to be in German? You can still answer the phone and dial manualy though right?
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      02-26-2008, 02:49 PM   #74
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
Now we're talking, dammit!


Quote:
Originally Posted by de.abeja View Post
So what I am gathering after reading all this is that if you want BT ONLY you can simply get this unit and go plug and play, but voice assits is going to be in German? You can still answer the phone and dial manualy though right?
For ULF (BT Only) not entirely plug and play, still requires a "quick" activation at dealership pending the how adroit your BMW technicians are. And yes, for the ULF module, voice command will be in a language other than English, most likely German. Yes, you will still be able to answer the phone and dial manually.

For TCU (BT + BMW assist) much more coding involved.

OP is updated to reflect recent conversation with Evan@Tischer.
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      02-26-2008, 06:06 PM   #75
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Wow good work man! So if I just wanted the Bluetooth I just need to buy the ULF and install it and have it programmed? But if I want the BMW Assist I will need the TCU as well? Just looking to get the Bluetooth... how much did it cost you for the parts plus installation and program?
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      02-27-2008, 01:30 AM   #76
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good luck buddy. Your car should be back tomorrow and we shall see the results!
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      02-27-2008, 03:12 AM   #77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3 View Post
good luck buddy. Your car should be back tomorrow and we shall see the results!
lmao, I will know if my 5 months of research has paid off by 2 pm PST tomorrowsssss

Quote:
Originally Posted by calsynergy View Post
Wow good work man! So if I just wanted the Bluetooth I just need to buy the ULF and install it and have it programmed? But if I want the BMW Assist I will need the TCU as well? Just looking to get the Bluetooth... how much did it cost you for the parts plus installation and program?
Hi, do you have a base model like mine? Haha I saw you post in my homelink DIY thread as well

ULF = Bluetooth functionality ONLY
TCU = Bluetooth BMW Assist - the $500 option you can add on bmwusa.com OR is included if ZPP is selected.

You only can use one or the other. Not both. From my understanding, all the connections for BMW Assist are made along with the TCU retrofit. You will also need to retrofit that SOS button. Basically you just don't get that free year of BMW Assist, but you can activate the service any time you want.

I will be camping out at Savage all tomorrow--studying and checking up on their progress
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      02-27-2008, 12:05 PM   #78
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Ya i pretty much got a base model not thinking I would need or want any of these features but now that I am on this site I want all of them! HAHA... If I had known that I wanted all of these features before hand I would have just bought the damn package. Looks like I'm going to follow all of your DIY and just do these upgrades right after you do yours

I dont know if I should just do the ULF or just install a new head unit with bluetooth connectivity. Looks like these retrofits are a lot more expensive than just getting them originally Next time I'm just going to buy the car fully loaded so I'll have no regrets!
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      02-27-2008, 12:06 PM   #79
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I just want to thank you for all this detailed information. I have been watching this thread keenly, with the intention on doing this for my 2007 328i.

Good luck sir and I hope it works out for you!

Daniel
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      02-27-2008, 01:11 PM   #80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fieno View Post
I just want to thank you for all this detailed information. I have been watching this thread keenly, with the intention on doing this for my 2007 328i.

Good luck sir and I hope it works out for you!

Daniel
+1

I have to say thanks. This is very usefull information. We have 335 xi with bluetooth and 325xi without it. I installed the bluetooth module from bimmernav and the module only speaks german. I am planing to take some gernam lessons

Please let us know if the TCU module that you installed "speaks" english.
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      02-27-2008, 01:23 PM   #81
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bmwesabi View Post
+1

I have to say thanks. This is very usefull information. We have 335 xi with bluetooth and 325xi without it. I installed the bluetooth module from bimmernav and the module only speaks german. I am planing to take some gernam lessons

Please let us know if the TCU module that you installed "speaks" english.
Did you do the install yourself and how much did it cost you?
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      02-27-2008, 01:49 PM   #82
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subscribed.. looking forward to seeing if it works out..
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      02-27-2008, 07:20 PM   #83
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Well my FCD (?? what ever that is) malfunctioned during programming. My SA told me they special ordered the part and everything will be done tomorrow.

I'll keep you guys updated.
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      02-28-2008, 08:58 AM   #84
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calsynergy View Post
Did you do the install yourself and how much did it cost you?
I installed the module myself and took the car to the dealer for coding/programming:

module $650, bracket $15, dealer fees $200, German lessons, priceless

Lessons learned: Don't trust bimmernav and always get factory installed options
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      02-28-2008, 09:09 AM   #85
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Great job! Looking forward to hearing about the final results.
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      02-28-2008, 03:17 PM   #86
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It was FZD module not the FCD. They are waiting on a bracket. They are insisting I need to retrofit the FZD module...charging me an arm and a leg.

Evan@Tischer is trying to help me out with a price match. He is such a great guy!


Reference FZD Module:
Refer to EPC for production
date & color specific part
Roof Function Center (FZD) -
Refer to EPC for correct
production date and color. E.g.
61-31-6-971-743 is for a 3/05 gray
interior vehicle


61-31-9-137-523 <-- for my vehicle



Side Note: It appears we are just waiting on the $15 bracket (which they are charging me $48 for btw) and everything else is done "supposedly". So that and the price match.

Last edited by AoshichanX; 02-28-2008 at 04:40 PM..
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      02-29-2008, 09:04 PM   #87
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Got my car back today. Complete with swirls from the car wash oh well. I am thankful I am visting FMINUS soon!

Everything works!

SOS button works, I got a call from the operator--idrive displayed my latitude and longitude during the call. Voice command works in English. All functions work. Calls are clear. My phone is the VX8550 Chocolate 2 from Verizon. Phonebook is downloaded and synced.

OP is updated with actual cost. Only YOU can decide if it is worth it
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      03-01-2008, 06:49 AM   #88
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Great work AoshichanX. So let me get this correct... you got the bluetooth kit from bimmernav. It comes with the TCU, you had to buy the FZD bracket (not the module) and after reprogramming-bluetooth works with english commands?

I just came across a bunch of money so I am thinking about doing this too, very soon.
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