[Hoody007]

Hi All,

I decided to retrofit a Combox to my 2009 335i after the TCU started to drain the battery. There’s a lot of info scattered between various forums detailing the install, with some interesting info and detailed pictures, but some of it is either outdated or a bit hard to follow. This will be a brief write up with my experiences installing the Combox, with info updated for 2021.

Background / General Info

I have a 2009 E90 335i. It’s a pretty well optioned example with CIC iDrive, USB Audio, and BMW Assist (I have many other options as well, but those are what’s relevant to retrofitting a Combox). I also have experience retrofitting BMW tech, having retrofitted the original BMW MK4 nav system to my old E46 (way more involved, had to take apart most of the interior to do it!). This retrofit is much easier!!

Your car may vary in options. If you have the Premium Package, you have BMW Assist, which means you have a TCU (Telematics Communication Module). I pulled my old one apart, and it consists of a bluetooth board and an ancient, 2G GSM car phone for SOS.

The SOS system will not work, even with a brand-new combox from BMW - the “4G” Combox is really a 3G one, and will not activate on modern cell networks. I would assume that this is because the original TCU used in the E46, E53, etc (iBus cars) was the TCU 1, the TCU (MOST bus) used in the E9x cars is the TCU 2, the Combox used for the E9x is the TCU (Combox, using 2G GSM tech) 3G, and then the updated one used later to placate owners under the original BMW Assist plan was the TCU (Combox, using 3G GSM tech) 4G.

BMW Assist is option 639.

In addition, if you have a USB port in your center console the you have the USB/iPod interface as well. For 2009, this was a standalone option, and the order code was 6FL. This option means you also have a separate module mounted below the TCU in the trunk, called the MULF-2.

If you don’t have iDrive, and don’t plan to retrofit, a combox is practically useless. If you want to add iPod integration, consider the much cheaper MULF-2, as you’ll still get iPod integration. All of the nice stuff a Combox confers (Bluetooth audio, album artwork) are only available for the iDrive.

You may also have a center console dock for a phone - this is a separate option, and was not available in 2009. This option is 6NF.

Wiring / Cable Routing Info

I’ll try to summarize as succinctly as possible:

If you have BMW Assist, then your bluetooth wire is routed to the TCU. This applies even if you have 6FL!

***If you have only BMW assist, then your Aux input is wired to the CIC - you’ll need to run three cables (AUX L & R, plus the shield wire) to the back of the car where the TCU lives.***

If you have 6FL, then your USB cable is routed to the MULF-2. The Aux wiring is also routed to the MULF-2 (which saves time later!)

If you have the center console dock, then you have a USB hub, which is then routed to the MULF-2. I have no experience with this, so this is where my knowledge ends, sadly.

*** The MULF-2 has a built-in USB hub. Thus, if you have 6FL but don’t have the center dock (which I suspect is the vast majority of cars) then you don’t have to worry about messing with a USB hub.***

If you have both 6FL & BMW Assist, then you’ll need a MOST ring adapter. This is because the fiber-optic network relies on continuity between each module to allow for data (in the form of light) to be transferred, and the Combox replaces both the MULF-2 and TCU.

Choosing a Combox & Installation

***ONLY use a BN2000! Do not use a BN2010 / BN2020 Combox, as they use different communication protocols. It will not work reliably!***
When in doubt, the big connector on the combox must be black.

Pro tip: When looking for a Combox, look for a bluetooth module out of an E84 (X1) or E89 (Z4). These were the last Exx produced, and came with Comboxes standard in the last few years of production. Chances are they’ll be much cheaper than informed eBay sellers who retail the Combox for $150+. I bought mine for $107 (including 7% sales tax).

At this point, it doesn’t matter if you have a Telematics Combox or a Media Combox. Telematics won’t work!

You can elect to use an adapter harness from the forums / eBay (I actually will be posting one for sale) but you can easily re pin the connectors from the MULF and TCU. The MULF connector is blue, the TCU is white.

The pinouts are attached as a JPG, from another writeup here.



Pretty easy to follow, though having fold-down seats makes this much easier! You should be left with one wire on the TCU side (PIN 3, which from what I gather is meant to power the non-existent dock in the center console), and two wires from the MULF-2.

The black USB wire from the MULF-2 connects to the Combox.
The beige bluetooth wire is a bit trickier. I actually bought a Combox wiring set from a crashed 335is off of eBay, thinking I could use the bluetooth connector housing with my existing wiring - save your money, because this won’t work (the newer housing was too big to fit on my 90º angle connector from my car).

I ended up using a pick tool to pop the magenta clip up on the beige housing, and then used a butter knife to slowly work the housing off of the metal connector itself. The bluetooth wire can then easily click into place on the Combox.

If your wiring job is successful, then once you plug in the Combox to your connector, the MOST lights on the Combox should light up! I had neglected to transfer the power wiring from the MULF-2, and so it didn’t come on correctly. This is your first point of triage. If the Combox’s MOST doesn’t light up, check your wiring!!!

I’ve attached how I routed the Combox & wiring. It may be a bit awkward getting it to all fit, but you’ll figure it out, I’m sure!



You should then be able to code your car. Change your VO using NCS Expert to have the following options (this is adapted from the Coding PDF which is attached):

Change your build date to 0311 (not 0410 as in the PDF. This is not suitable for NA cars, which didn’t have the Combox yet!)

Delete the following values: $ 639 (not $633 as stated in the PDF. 633 is the European BMW Assist order code!), $ 612, $ 616

add the following instead: $ 614, $ 615, $ 644; $ 6AL; $ 6FL; $ 6NF (if you have the center dock); $ 6VC ; $ 6 NR ; $ 7 SP

***Keep in mind formatting. There is no space between the $ and the order code (for example it’s $6VC) !

Then, default code three modules (skip the KOMBI if you don’t have BMW Assist!)

KOMBI, CIC, MEDIA (Media is the Combox!).

Please note that your Combox probably won’t work without coding. Mine came from a 2015 X1, a very base spec one, so it was initially coded for a Professional headunit, no Bluetooth, etc. To be safe, default code the Combox!

Also, I’ve attached the link to the final update for the combox here - simply drag the file to a FAT32 formatted USB drive (I’m on a Mac, so this was important to note. For best reliability, make sure the USB stick is also using the MBR partition map.)

Then, you should be all set! Enjoy the (semi) modern era!

Hope this helps. This was not my own work by any stretch - I used many write-ups compiled by others over the years. This wouldn’t have been possible without their hard work!!!

[bmw335ie90]

Nice! If you have CIC this is an excellent upgrade. I can't believe BMW sold 2011 model year cars without Bluetooth streaming audio, its ridiculous we even have to retrofit this.

I found that if you rotate the combox 180* it allows the wiring to line up pretty nicely.

[infinite_creations25]

did you get $6NR bmw apps working as well?

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by infinite_creations25

did you get $6NR bmw apps working as well?

No, unfortunately, as my car is on a 2015 integration level - the CIC firmware is at C1A and needs an unlock code to activate them.

Not that it matters much anyway, as the new MyBMW app seems to remove the ability to use them…

[infinite_creations25]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

No, unfortunately, as my car is on a 2015 integration level - the CIC firmware is at C1A and needs an unlock code to activate them.

Not that it matters much anyway, as the new MyBMW app seems to remove the ability to use them…

Is spotify integration part of the 6NR apps or does combox already have support for that? And do you know if a separate USB is required aside from the 6FL USB is needed for 6NR apps? My CIC is on firmware c16 which doesn't require a FSC code so i'm thinking of trying to get 6NR working

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by infinite_creations25

Is spotify integration part of the 6NR apps or does combox already have support for that? And do you know if a separate USB is required aside from the 6FL USB is needed for 6NR apps? My CIC is on firmware c16 which doesn't require a FSC code so i'm thinking of trying to get 6NR working

Ah. Hadn't considered Spotify as I use Apple Music, and that works via the existing iPod : iPhone integration (which is more reliable than the MULF2, by the way).

I believe that part should work. Can't hurt to try to code BMW Apps in without the center dock, in fact that's how my car is coded right now.

[infinite_creations25]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

Ah. Hadn't considered Spotify as I use Apple Music, and that works via the existing iPod : iPhone integration (which is more reliable than the MULF2, by the way).

I believe that part should work. Can't hurt to try to code BMW Apps in without the center dock, in fact that's how my car is coded right now.

Is ipod/iphone integration using the usb/aux connection in the armrest? and do you get album art when streaming over bluetooth?

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by infinite_creations25

Is ipod/iphone integration using the usb/aux connection in the armrest? and do you get album art when streaming over bluetooth?

Yes, and no.
The Combox is still older tech, supporting just Bluetooth 2.0. The wireless protocol just doesn’t have the bandwidth to load album artwork & music at the same time.

FWIW the USB connection is of notably higher quality than the old MULF2 system.
I assume this is because the connection from the iPhone -> Combox is fully digital, where as the old connection was analog (using the y-cable).

[bmw335ie90]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

No, unfortunately, as my car is on a 2015 integration level - the CIC firmware is at C1A and needs an unlock code to activate them.

Not that it matters much anyway, as the new MyBMW app seems to remove the ability to use them…

There is a crack floating around (search FStool 2.2 I think) and you can activate any FSC code you want (navigation, bmw apps, etc). It only works on the latest c1a firmware. I had to do this because I replaced my CIC head unit and needed to activate the navigation on it. BMW apps/Spotify app is pointless though because you have to plug your phone into the USB port for it work, cant do it through bluetooth so its rather cumbersome to use.

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by bmw335ie90

There is a crack floating around (search FStool 2.2 I think) and you can activate any FSC code you want (navigation, bmw apps, etc). It only works on the latest c1a firmware. I had to do this because I replaced my CIC head unit and needed to activate the navigation on it. BMW apps/Spotify app is pointless though because you have to plug your phone into the USB port for it work, cant do it through bluetooth so its rather cumbersome to use.

Hmm. I'll look into it!

I plug my iPhone in directly to the Combox, as Bluetooth doesn't have the bandwidth for lossless audio and can't browse my music library for artists / playlists. I don't use Spotify at all, so I under what the utility of BMW Apps would be in my use case…

[bmw335ie90]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

Hmm. I'll look into it!

I plug my iPhone in directly to the Combox, as Bluetooth doesn't have the bandwidth for lossless audio and can't browse my music library for artists / playlists. I don't use Spotify at all, so I under what the utility of BMW Apps would be in my use case…

Ended up finding the thread that guides you through generating FSC codes. Quite a lot of reading to wrap your head around what's going on but it's pretty simple if you just follow the guide. Was $20 to join that forum back when I needed to do it but it looks like its free now.

https://cartechnology.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=23198

You must have a badass sound system to be able to detect a difference between USB Lossless audio and 320 kbps high quality mp3 over Bluetooth!

[Mc 007]

Hi

I have the combox with cic but my mic don’t work,have control wires everywhere also in the glovebox,if i delete the neutral wires of mic will it eork?

[JonEQuest]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

Hi All,

I decided to retrofit a Combox to my 2009 335i after the TCU started to drain the battery. There’s a lot of info scattered between various forums detailing the install, with some interesting info and detailed pictures, but some of it is either outdated or a bit hard to follow. This will be a brief write up with my experiences installing the Combox, with info updated for 2021.

Background / General Info

I have a 2009 E90 335i. It’s a pretty well optioned example with CIC iDrive, USB Audio, and BMW Assist (I have many other options as well, but those are what’s relevant to retrofitting a Combox). I also have experience retrofitting BMW tech, having retrofitted the original BMW MK4 nav system to my old E46 (way more involved, had to take apart most of the interior to do it!). This retrofit is much easier!!

Your car may vary in options. If you have the Premium Package, you have BMW Assist, which means you have a TCU (Telematics Communication Module). I pulled my old one apart, and it consists of a bluetooth board and an ancient, 2G GSM car phone for SOS.

The SOS system will not work, even with a brand-new combox from BMW - the “4G” Combox is really a 3G one, and will not activate on modern cell networks. I would assume that this is because the original TCU used in the E46, E53, etc (iBus cars) was the TCU 1, the TCU (MOST bus) used in the E9x cars is the TCU 2, the Combox used for the E9x is the TCU (Combox, using 2G GSM tech) 3G, and then the updated one used later to placate owners under the original BMW Assist plan was the TCU (Combox, using 3G GSM tech) 4G.

BMW Assist is option 639.

In addition, if you have a USB port in your center console the you have the USB/iPod interface as well. For 2009, this was a standalone option, and the order code was 6FL. This option means you also have a separate module mounted below the TCU in the trunk, called the MULF-2.

If you don’t have iDrive, and don’t plan to retrofit, a combox is practically useless. If you want to add iPod integration, consider the much cheaper MULF-2, as you’ll still get iPod integration. All of the nice stuff a Combox confers (Bluetooth audio, album artwork) are only available for the iDrive.

You may also have a center console dock for a phone - this is a separate option, and was not available in 2009. This option is 6NF.

Wiring / Cable Routing Info

I’ll try to summarize as succinctly as possible:

If you have BMW Assist, then your bluetooth wire is routed to the TCU. This applies even if you have 6FL!

***If you have only BMW assist, then your Aux input is wired to the CIC - you’ll need to run three cables (AUX L & R, plus the shield wire) to the back of the car where the TCU lives.***

If you have 6FL, then your USB cable is routed to the MULF-2. The Aux wiring is also routed to the MULF-2 (which saves time later!)

If you have the center console dock, then you have a USB hub, which is then routed to the MULF-2. I have no experience with this, so this is where my knowledge ends, sadly.

*** The MULF-2 has a built-in USB hub. Thus, if you have 6FL but don’t have the center dock (which I suspect is the vast majority of cars) then you don’t have to worry about messing with a USB hub.***

If you have both 6FL & BMW Assist, then you’ll need a MOST ring adapter. This is because the fiber-optic network relies on continuity between each module to allow for data (in the form of light) to be transferred, and the Combox replaces both the MULF-2 and TCU.

Choosing a Combox & Installation

***ONLY use a BN2000! Do not use a BN2010 / BN2020 Combox, as they use different communication protocols. It will not work reliably!***
When in doubt, the big connector on the combox must be black.

Pro tip: When looking for a Combox, look for a bluetooth module out of an E84 (X1) or E89 (Z4). These were the last Exx produced, and came with Comboxes standard in the last few years of production. Chances are they’ll be much cheaper than informed eBay sellers who retail the Combox for $150+. I bought mine for $107 (including 7% sales tax).

At this point, it doesn’t matter if you have a Telematics Combox or a Media Combox. Telematics won’t work!

You can elect to use an adapter harness from the forums / eBay (I actually will be posting one for sale) but you can easily re pin the connectors from the MULF and TCU. The MULF connector is blue, the TCU is white.

The pinouts are attached as a JPG, from another writeup here.

Attachment 2790421

Pretty easy to follow, though having fold-down seats makes this much easier! You should be left with one wire on the TCU side (PIN 3, which from what I gather is meant to power the non-existent dock in the center console), and two wires from the MULF-2.

The black USB wire from the MULF-2 connects to the Combox.
The beige bluetooth wire is a bit trickier. I actually bought a Combox wiring set from a crashed 335is off of eBay, thinking I could use the bluetooth connector housing with my existing wiring - save your money, because this won’t work (the newer housing was too big to fit on my 90º angle connector from my car).

I ended up using a pick tool to pop the magenta clip up on the beige housing, and then used a butter knife to slowly work the housing off of the metal connector itself. The bluetooth wire can then easily click into place on the Combox.

If your wiring job is successful, then once you plug in the Combox to your connector, the MOST lights on the Combox should light up! I had neglected to transfer the power wiring from the MULF-2, and so it didn’t come on correctly. This is your first point of triage. If the Combox’s MOST doesn’t light up, check your wiring!!!

I’ve attached how I routed the Combox & wiring. It may be a bit awkward getting it to all fit, but you’ll figure it out, I’m sure!

Attachment 2790422

You should then be able to code your car. Change your VO using NCS Expert to have the following options (this is adapted from the Coding PDF which is attached):

Change your build date to 0311 (not 0410 as in the PDF. This is not suitable for NA cars, which didn’t have the Combox yet!)

Delete the following values: $ 639 (not $633 as stated in the PDF. 633 is the European BMW Assist order code!), $ 612, $ 616

add the following instead: $ 614, $ 615, $ 644; $ 6AL; $ 6FL; $ 6NF (if you have the center dock); $ 6VC ; $ 6 NR ; $ 7 SP

***Keep in mind formatting. There is no space between the $ and the order code (for example it’s $6VC) !

Then, default code three modules (skip the KOMBI if you don’t have BMW Assist!)

KOMBI, CIC, MEDIA (Media is the Combox!).

Please note that your Combox probably won’t work without coding. Mine came from a 2015 X1, a very base spec one, so it was initially coded for a Professional headunit, no Bluetooth, etc. To be safe, default code the Combox!

Also, I’ve attached the link to the final update for the combox here - simply drag the file to a FAT32 formatted USB drive (I’m on a Mac, so this was important to note. For best reliability, make sure the USB stick is also using the MBR partition map.)

Then, you should be all set! Enjoy the (semi) modern era!

Hope this helps. This was not my own work by any stretch - I used many write-ups compiled by others over the years. This wouldn’t have been possible without their hard work!!!

How do you load the combox .bin file to update my combox?

[TiAgAu]

Originally Posted by JonEQuest

How do you load the combox .bin file to update my combox?

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showp...85&postcount=2

[JonEQuest]

Thanks!

[SlimE92]

Originally Posted by Mc 007

Hi

I have the combox with cic but my mic don’t work,have control wires everywhere also in the glovebox,if i delete the neutral wires of mic will it eork?

Did you end up fixing the issue?

[Davecara]

I’ve not long fitted CIC to my e90, just bought a combox to install too. One thing I notice in every thread I’ve read so far though, everyone seems to have TCU and/or MULF already. I don’t have either, I’ve got a solitary DAB module that’s now redundant.
Is it worth me pulling some sections of harness from a salvage car for the required plugs or is there an easier way?

https://flic.kr/p/2oHdFsX

https://flic.kr/p/2oHcWis

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by Davecara

I’ve not long fitted CIC to my e90, just bought a combox to install too. One thing I notice in every thread I’ve read so far though, everyone seems to have TCU and/or MULF already. I don’t have either, I’ve got a solitary DAB module that’s now redundant.
Is it worth me pulling some sections of harness from a salvage car for the required plugs or is there an easier way?

https://flic.kr/p/2oHdFsX

https://flic.kr/p/2oHcWis

Would probably make the wiring easier. If you don’t have telephone prep then you’ll need to run wires to the microphone in the headliner, tap power from the JBBE, etc.

You might be able to repurpose many of those kind of wires from the DAB module, however - and might be able to use the MOST wires from that unit too.

[Mc 007]

Originally Posted by SlimE92

Did you end up fixing the issue?

No...have try everything