[JK07]

Folks

My BMW radio with blue tooth has stopped working. I have tried everything also disconnected the battery to restart everything but still no luck.

Any pointers what to do?

[KUSH]

Happened to me on my previous e90 the Bluetooth has given up you can replace it or there is a guy on ebay that repairs them for $400 I haven't tried it though he's in Melbourne http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BMW-MULF-...item35d1b3df6a

[JK07]

Thanx Mate.

400 bucks to fix a bluetooth and dealer wanting 1400+ to replace the Bluetooth unit is just crazy.

Checked ebay there are some units for sale but i have to do some more research on compatability..

[BMWX5driver]

Originally Posted by JK07

Thanx Mate.

400 bucks to fix a bluetooth and dealer wanting 1400+ to replace the Bluetooth unit is just crazy.

Checked ebay there are some units for sale but i have to do some more research on compatability..

My friend has had same issue on his E90
You have to replace the BT module
My fiend purchased the module from eBay, $200 delivered
eBay is the best place

[196806]

Wow, one more overpriced BMW failure such as this and I'm buying a new Golf.

The new Golf interior makes the E90 interior (and the new F30 interior) seem dowdy.

I've just about had enough of the cost of maintaining such a beautiful machine when you can get 80% of the car (and someones 100% of the car) elsewhere for half the price.

[JK07]

Took the MULF Bluetooth module out of the boot located under the rear cargo mat 4 bolts and few electrical connectors.

searching for the unit online but no luck as 200 bucks. most are around 400 bucks and this local company in melbourne to fix it for 400 bucks.

it really sucks. i just cant justify 400 bucks to have handsfree bluetooth fix. i mioght bu a cheap USB bluetooth or BMW universal bluetooth for 70 bucks.


Have to find how to fix this unit DIY?

[BMWX5driver]

Originally Posted by JK07

Took the MULF Bluetooth module out of the boot located under the rear cargo mat 4 bolts and few electrical connectors.

searching for the unit online but no luck as 200 bucks. most are around 400 bucks and this local company in melbourne to fix it for 400 bucks.

it really sucks. i just cant justify 400 bucks to have handsfree bluetooth fix. i mioght bu a cheap USB bluetooth or BMW universal bluetooth for 70 bucks.


Have to find how to fix this unit DIY?

BMW isn't heap car but repair cost double
If you will spend more time on eBay, I am more than sure that you find the BT module for $200 or under
How did you searched the BT module online? What is a key did you used?

[KUSH]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BMW-E90-E...item3cdc9feb60

[bmwf109]

Got mine done by guy in Melbourne 400 was perfect and I sent it and had it back in 2 days can't Speek any higher of his service was perfect and 2 years later still working

[miro67]

Originally Posted by bmwf109

Got mine done by guy in Melbourne 400 was perfect and I sent it and had it back in 2 days can't Speek any higher of his service was perfect and 2 years later still working

Same for me in all respects -highly recommended.

[BMWX5driver]

eBay, still twice cheaper solution

[JK07]

400 bucks is a lot for me to get bluetooth... I can get the entire unit changed for 359 with everytrhing in it.

[quasio]

Just FYI, i had the same issue in the 130i, even tried baking the PCB to see if it just needed a solder reflow.. but alas didn't work..

found a wrecker stripping a 320i, that was selling the BT unit for $250 bought it and it worked.

Worked beautifully... for about a year.. then failed in the exact sames way.. I have a feeling these failures are super common, so its slightly luck of the draw really.

So yeah, now i'm thinking whether to replace it again (or get it fixed by that guy in melbs) and also trying to figure out if i can just reflash it or something.. anyway can't find any DIY solution atm.. would be interested to find out how this guy fixes them, but i doubt they'd tell me.

so yech.. $650 all up for bt? yeah.. i'll hold off for the moment..

as a note, you can reroute your MOST bus to skip the BT module, and have your CD changer work again.

[e90adel]

I have a similar problem like the OP except I have just bought a used pre-LCI E90 and I am not even sure the BT was properly activated. The VIN check shows S644A - Preparation for mobile phone with Bluetooth. The car has a MULF unit in the boot but I am not sure if BT is actually coded in. The Professional radio displays two dashes "- -" instead of a telephone icon. I have already tried to disconnect the battery to no avail. The car does not show any error codes.

BTW, I also have the P7RPA Advantage package option that should include PDC but there is no beeping sound when reversing, whatsoever

I was just going through my options:
a) go to a dealer to check if the BT is activated (? $$$)
b) buy some coding gear and diagnose things myself
c) assume my MULF is broken and pay $400 to the guy in Melbs
d) assume my MULF is broken and buy a used MULF on ebay
e) forget the MULF, and buy a new OEM radio with integrated BT and possibly +USB
f) forget the MULF, and buy a touch-screen aftermarket HU ($400-$1500) as a DIY upgrade and hope everything will work

I am leaning toward the f) since it would get me a great upgrade for about the same price as the c).

What do you guys recommend?

[quasio]

if there's "--" the previous owner may well have rerouted the most to stop it from affecting the music. (do you have a cd changer?) if not, its probably just dead, see if the mulf is connected, some ppl just pull the plugs.

unsure about 3 series, but for the 1series there's a MOST (fibre optic) rerouting block on the left backseat bolster, and you can see if someones rerouted it.

i prefer to do b) first just to check things out, it'll cost $100 bucks and take abit of time to setup..but you'll be able to check codes yourself from then on.

then i'd probably go option e) if it worked. (i haven't researched this option much, but the pixels on my radio are gone too). so if you have more info on this, this would be great.

i dont know about f) and how well they work to be honest.. some ppl have good reviews, but considering the software is relatively unknown who knows how good it works.. and not being oem.. might affect your resale (might not)

then last option is c).. but really.. $400 bucks for bt.. yeah.. i dunno about that.

[e90adel]

Cheers quasio.

Originally Posted by quasio

if there's "--" the previous owner may well have rerouted the most to stop it from affecting the music. (do you have a cd changer?) if not, its probably just dead, see if the mulf is connected, some ppl just pull the plugs.

There is no CD changer installed. The MULF is connected in the boot and if I unplug it (two connectors+antenna), the car gives me an error. The reason I am not sure about BT being activated is that I read that the S644 option works only if BMW assist was also selected. Maybe that is not the case for Australia though as I read it on some US forums. Since my PDC does not work either, I reckon it was either deactivated deliberately, or the MULF is dead (assuming PDC has something to do with the MULF unit).

Originally Posted by quasio

i prefer to do b) first just to check things out, it'll cost $100 bucks and take abit of time to setup..but you'll be able to check codes yourself from then on.

I am happy to do this. I am an IT guy so coding is fine with me as long as it is relatively safe, gives access to do some advanced tinkering, and does not cost an arm and a leg. Do you have any pointers to a good "starter" thread. I read a few advanced threads but there were different types of cables recommended. I will probably have to look into it in more detail.

Originally Posted by quasio

then i'd probably go option e) if it worked. (i haven't researched this option much, but the pixels on my radio are gone too). so if you have more info on this, this would be great.

I read that the newer models have BT and USB integrated and do not need the MULF unit. It would be a good option if you wanted to keep the original look but it is probably not cheap and it may require some coding. Watch this:

Originally Posted by quasio

i dont know about f) and how well they work to be honest.. some ppl have good reviews, but considering the software is relatively unknown who knows how good it works.. and not being oem.. might affect your resale (might not)

I did a bit of research on this and there are lots of devices available - Dynavin 99+, Zenec Z-E3215, Eonon D5165 and many others. I am leaning toward the Eonon just purely for the price reasons, it is about US$350 delivered. The Zenec looks great but it is expensive and it has the extra space for seat heating control which I do not need. This E46 owner put together a comprehensive comparison: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1012620

Originally Posted by quasio

then last option is c).. but really.. $400 bucks for bt.. yeah.. i dunno about that.

Yep, I do have some EE background and can try to fix my unit myself but most people report that they were not able to fix it. Maybe the failure is typically caused by the same component.

Thanks again for your response. Any more thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[e90adel]

Had a bit more time to read and my plan to attack this is as follows:
1) get the coding hardware and software and diagnose myself
2) if 1) indicates the MULF is dead, open the MULF and try some re-soldering
3) if 2) fails, buy and install a new HU, probably touch-screen with BT, USB, navi, etc.

Anyway, on to the 1) - the recommended cable is $100 but I see a lot of $20 cables on ebay. I have a 2006 E90 so I assume I have the K-line and not the latest DCAN which started in 2007. I can dust off an old laptop with WinXP and a serial port but it is probably better to buy a USB cable that I can use with my Win7 laptop. Sorry for a slight off-topic. Is that the cable I should be getting (K+DCAN OBD2)?

[JK07]

I picked up the BT module from wreckers for 100 bucks and its working. If it was anything more than 100 bucks fix or replace i would not do it.

Just simply cant justify BT over 100 bucks.

[Suntzu]

Which wreckers? Did they have another? Mines dead

[quasio]

JK07 u there? yeah would definitely be interested in which wrecker, it was. Coz i've called around all the local wreckers, and it ranges from $350 - $650!
$990 for new!

yikes..

[JK07]

I picked one from Heildeberg BMW Wreckers. Maybe he did not know the price?

[quasio]

ah well.. u defo got a good deal must've been lucky on the day.

yeah they dont currently have stock, but they quoted me 650-750! .. so they definately know the price..

i'm really thinking its software.. would love to know how to reflash it, but not many reports of ppl doing that i have found.