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**Bluetooth Retrofit Guide** for TCU and ULF
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09-21-2007, 02:56 AM | #1 |
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**Bluetooth Retrofit Guide** for TCU and ULF
The following is a cumulation of research from myself and contributions from fellow forum members--most notably Technic
Thanks Technic for all your guidance! All US cars e9x are pre-wired for "telephone preparation" (SA640). European cars do not have this option standard. If your car is non-US spec, the best route is ULF. Because ULF is not supported in the United States, full compatibility can only be achieved with TCU retrofitting for now. For Euro-spec cars etc, it is simply a matter of purchasing the part and programming at your local dealership. Research/Steps Taken 09/21/07 -12/31/07 - ULF works but with German voice command. TCU is a bust. 02/06/08 - Conversation with Evan@Tischer Regarding Bluetooth Retrofit - TCU is back in the game? 02/21/08 - Ordered retrofit kit from bimmernav, expected ULF... 02/25/08 - Got package from bimmernav, got TCU instead of ULF. 02/26/08 - TCU part# from bimmernav same as the one mentioned in chat by Evan@Tischer. Found SIB Bulletin and PDF installation. 02/26/08 - Conversation with Evan@Tischer Regarding TCU Part# 02/26/08 - Dropped car off at Savage BMW 02/27/08 - Savage BMW required purchase of bracket/hex unit/loudspeaker/FZD. 02/27/08 - Evan@Tischer assures me they have done retrofit several times with only TCU swap and 2 step programming. Maybe Savage is dumb/they are really "by-the-book" 02/28/08 - Car has been retrofited with BMW Assist with Bluetooth Technology. ULF Retrofit
TCU Retrofit
My Cost for Complete BMW Assist with Bluetooth Retrofit
**(special thanks to Evan for this price...otherwise Savage would have charged me a good $408. also thanks to my dad for convincing me to talk to the service manager, I would have pussied out probably otherwise and get charged up the ass) Last edited by AoshichanX; 04-14-2008 at 10:21 PM.. |
09-21-2007, 07:51 PM | #2 | ||
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I'm also considering this retrofit, but I think I would rather get a PROcede first. ![]()
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2007 E90 335i SG, Black Interior, Aluminum Trim, 6MT, Sport, Nav, Comfort Access, PDC, 6FL, Bluetooth, Sirius
Mods: Blacklines, SSTT, 15mm RE Spacers, OEM Short Shifter, Zeckhausen CDV, OEM Alarm, OEM Sunglasses Holder, Happy Robot, Golf Tee Mod, LUX 5.0, MTEC 4350K Fogs |
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09-22-2007, 05:23 PM | #4 | ||
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Aside from the ULF, there is now the TCU module, which is the exact factory option given with the BMW Assist/Premium Package. That is what I will order. |
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09-23-2007, 09:27 AM | #5 |
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Very cool. Let us all know how it works out for you!
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2007 E90 335i SG, Black Interior, Aluminum Trim, 6MT, Sport, Nav, Comfort Access, PDC, 6FL, Bluetooth, Sirius
Mods: Blacklines, SSTT, 15mm RE Spacers, OEM Short Shifter, Zeckhausen CDV, OEM Alarm, OEM Sunglasses Holder, Happy Robot, Golf Tee Mod, LUX 5.0, MTEC 4350K Fogs |
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09-23-2007, 10:51 AM | #6 | ||
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09-23-2007, 10:56 AM | #7 | |
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* ... used to be $240, although it is $199 after the first year free service if factory installed. |
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09-23-2007, 05:51 PM | #8 | |
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As an aside, it took the dealer all day to program my car for SIRIUS because the instructions they got from BMW's ASAP assumed my car had a TCU when it did not. They finally figured that out and did some type of jumper to make the SIRIUS work. I can't wait to try adding Bluetooth... ![]() |
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09-23-2007, 06:38 PM | #9 | |
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This is what the OP is talking about... ![]() |
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09-23-2007, 07:51 PM | #10 | |
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09-23-2007, 08:54 PM | #11 | ||
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My guess is that, if a particular car does require programming, because the MOST ULF is not available in USA it seems that some dealers are just playing the BMWUSA tune of regulating MOST accessories programming. And because it's not an official USA accessory, some dealers just say... no can't do. Which it is ironic when the Phone Preparation is standard all across the E9X line in the USA, regardless of iDrive or Assist. So, what owners are supposed to plug into those connectors as a phone??? |
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09-24-2007, 04:08 PM | #12 | ||
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I believe planetscott's post below answer's your question Quote:
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09-24-2007, 08:32 PM | #14 |
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09-25-2007, 06:34 PM | #15 | |
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10-01-2007, 01:16 PM | #16 |
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I have done BT retrofit on mine 2006 E90 from bimmernav last year and it works fine
Except voice commend it still in German ![]() with instructions from Martin no luck. I was with Martin on the phone 4 times, last time he offered me to rent a tool called MOST optolyser but without cables (big help) ![]() So now I am looking for basic voce commands in German |
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10-03-2007, 11:08 PM | #17 |
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I'm in to try the BT retrofit in an e90 without assist or navigation.
My parts guy at BMW No. Scottsdale has some info for me so I'll see if it jives with the bimmernav.com stuff. I really want the factory integration. The other day I had an e91 loaner and I paired my Motorolo e815 to it and it worked as well as my old e61 used to work. For the record, I have an 07 MINI Cooper S with BT and navigation and the audio is terrible. Absolutely no one can understand me when I'm in my car and I don't think it's just because the car is noisier inside. I'll need to take it back to MINI service. |
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10-08-2007, 02:45 AM | #18 | |
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10-08-2007, 01:02 PM | #19 | |
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10-08-2007, 01:12 PM | #20 | |
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TCU = Assist Telematics + Bluetooth + Voice Activation ULF = Bluetooth + Voice Activation |
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10-08-2007, 01:30 PM | #21 | |
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Hey Technic, thanks for the reply, but I spoke with Martin 2 weeks again and he said there is now a new module as of Sept 2007. Aside from the ULF, there is now the TCU module, which is the exact factory option given with the BMW Assist/Premium Package. It is also apparently the same price. |
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10-08-2007, 03:24 PM | #22 | |
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So this new Sept 2007 TCU seems to me like a regular TCU revision and not a new addition to the ULF/TCU Bluetooth options. |
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