Best way to integrate iPhone into the Z4?

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 12:57 pm

I see there is also a Grom USB option available. Looks very easy to install.. https://gromaudio.com/installs/bmw_z4_2 ... video.html

...but the bluetooth module is extra and you would still need some kind of dock to play music directly from the iphone (if you didn't want to use bluetooth).

kis · Post by **kis** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 8:17 pm

I’ve got Nav as well and can hook up any phone with Bluetooth to my Parrot. I normally stick the phone in the coin holder space thing right at the back of the centre console. Easily switch between iPhone music, radio and cd... if you still have any cd’s! And answer/end calls quickly and easily too.

I personally wouldn’t go down a too permanent route as I expect they’ll change the lightening port to something else again soon! (That thread with the ash tray dock).

I’d go with Parrot again happily, not sure about Grom as I’ve no experience. Worth considering if you haven’t set your heart on Grom

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Sat Mar 10, 2018 6:10 pm

Thanks, any link to the Parrot stuff?

kis · Post by **kis** » Sat Mar 10, 2018 6:20 pm

I’ve got this one
https://www.parrot.com/uk/car-kits/parr ... t-mki-9100
But like I said better ones/newer ones now.

Elsavavavoom · Post by **Elsavavavoom** » Mon Mar 19, 2018 8:52 pm

matt_bott wrote: ↑Fri Mar 09, 2018 12:24 am I have a parrot. Can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s not the cheapest and I haven’t tried the others but it works so flawlessly that o have the same system on my van too. Use it for calls, streaming music and the satnav using google maps.

1000rr wrote: ↑Fri Mar 09, 2018 12:34 am Easiest way for me was to change the HU. Bluetooth, does music streaming, connects 2 phones, hands free, sat nav audio and futurproofed for other phones...sounds way better too. I also fabricated a lightening charger in the ashtray that connects to a USB dock behind the cig lighter consol so it’s all hidden.

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Hi, Im going for exactly the same solution, a Pioneer MVHS300 BT and wiring loom / aerial adapter and Din 1 blanking plate. All in for just under £100 from Halfords. Im curious how you mount your iphone as it looks fab. I would be bery grateful if you could let me know, Best Regards, Elsa

1000rr · Post by **1000rr** » Mon Mar 19, 2018 9:19 pm

Hi Elsa, it’s a magnetic mount.

Elsavavavoom · Post by **Elsavavavoom** » Mon Mar 19, 2018 10:59 pm

Thanks 1000rr, Halfords don't seem to do one, would you mind letting me know where you got it from? Best Wishes, Elsa

1000rr · Post by **1000rr** » Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:52 pm

eBay.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2857738657

Elsavavavoom · Post by **Elsavavavoom** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 11:01 am

Thanks 1000rr

Coffee331 · Post by **Coffee331** » Tue Mar 20, 2018 11:56 pm

I used this

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2340478848

Argenta · Post by **Argenta** » Wed Mar 21, 2018 9:44 am

Grom! Works a treat.

ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:40 pm

UPDATE! OK so after thinking long and hard about the many different ways to achieve Bluetooth music and calls in the car I took a bit of a different option (and a lot cheaper) and am very pleased with the result. The whole install cost me less than £20 and only took 30 mins.

I decided to just go for universal bluetooth receiver but there are a lot of rubbish ones out there. After spending a lot of time reading reviews I went for this for £11.99...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... =UTF8&th=1

To power it (didn't want my ashtray permamently open) I also went for a hard wired 12V to 5V converter (£7.99)...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

The converter seems to be unavailable now unfortunately but there are loads of similar ones on Ebay.

The install is very simple....

1. Drop the glove box down by pressing the two plastic tabs at the top to reveal the fusebox...

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2. Any of the three 5A fuses on the bottom row on the right are switched ignition so are suitable. I already had a piggyback fuse connector in my garage so used this to take the feed from the rightmost 5A fuse...

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3. There is a really nice covenient earth point in the form of the crosshead screw immediately below the 5A fuses, but as the original screw is treated you need to either remove the coating on the underside of the screw with a dremmel or use a different screw like a stainless one.

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4. Next I dropped the lower kick panel in the passenger side by removing two screws..

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5. The DC-DC converter has a USB socket so the Bluetooth adapter simply plugs in. The power wire needs to be fed from the drivers side through towards the fuse box. Luckily there is an easy access route but you need to tape the wire to something quite rigid to feed it through...

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6. Once fed through, the wire appears under the fuse box (you can see the resonator tube from the engine compartment in the pic also)

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7. Bring the wire up through the gap at the bottom of the fusebox. You then need to terminate the wires with a bullet crimp (+ve) and an M4 ring crimp (-ve)

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ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:45 pm

8. The wires on the DC-DC are quite thin so I added some heatshrink for additional strain relief..

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9. Connect the wires to the piggyback fuse and earth screw..

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10. Secure the wiring with a couple of tyraps, screw the kick panel back and close the fusebox. All that remains is to go back to the drivers side to tidy up the wiring. There is plenty of room to hide all the bits and bats...

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11. This is the end result. Really subtle, neat install. And it works brilliantly.

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ph001 · Post by **ph001** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 4:50 pm

Once the iphone is paired it just connects to it automatically as soon as you turn the ignition. You can skip tracks backwards and forwards using the two buttons on top of the receiver. To take a call you just press the centre button (it has a built in mic) and it pauses your music.

I guess the only thing you don't get is the track info on the nav screen, and you do have to press play on your iphone music when you get in (I have my iphone on a mount to the right of the steering wheel and all the track info comes up on that). It's great for streaming Spotify in your car.

For £20 I don't think you can go wrong at all.

Looney · Post by **Looney** » Sun Apr 08, 2018 11:57 am

I also need to install this, i dont have an iphone i have an android device. I assume the same module will be fine.

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