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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for BlueMusic Bluetooth

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inkey$
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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for BlueMusic Bluetooth

Post by inkey$ » Sat Nov 28, 2020 4:59 pm

Managed to find and locate the 2 x CD changer cables needed for the plug-and-play Amazon Blue Music bluetooth unit (link below).

From what I’ve read, the coupe is slightly harder to access than the roadster and I didn’t want to remove all the rear interior trim and tabs. Also, I don’t have the rear cubby holes behind my seats as I have speakers there, so attacking this from that direction was out too.

* My coupe had the CD changer cables, but not a CD changer - so the below may be slightly different when you get towards the end of the step-by-step.

Instead I went down and dirty as follows.

1) Remove battery cover floor panel.
2) Remove the two plastic retaining screws holding in the carpet where the boot ‘steps’ up.
3) Pull back carpet to bulkhead.
4) Lift out right side trim panel enough from the bottom and place something sturdy underneath to keep it held up (this requires a little force once you’ve push-released the trim tabs that fold into the rear bulkhead section)
5) Repeat this step on the left side, being careful not to damage the trim. Wedge this side too.
6) You should now have a gap almost the back bulkhead of around 10cms to root around in.
7) Cables should be somewhere in the centre. Get your hand up and into the recess behind the rear centre console. For me, thats where they were.

There’s enough wire for them to come forward and out, but not much further, so I’ve left the trim as is until my Amazon unit arrives.

1. Gaining access with trim lifted and wedged...

Image

2, View in the gap under rear bulkhead carpet...

Image

3. Close up of the wires and cavity behind centre console in which they were hidden...

Image

Amazon Bluetooth unit...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1
Last edited by inkey$ on Mon Jun 14, 2021 8:08 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by fredej » Sun Nov 29, 2020 11:04 am

Great write up! :thumbsup: Interesting to see how the cables are accessible in the E86.

Do all Z4s come with the cables pre-wired?

My car does not have a CD changer or the "CD changer preparation" option.
Last edited by fredej on Sun Nov 29, 2020 4:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by inkey$ » Sun Nov 29, 2020 3:09 pm

fredej wrote: Sun Nov 29, 2020 11:04 am Great write up! :thumbsup: Interesting to see how the cables are accessible in the E86.

Do all Z4s come with the cables pre-wired?

My car does not have a CD charger or the "CD charger preparation" option.
Thanks. Yeah, not sure if it's not part of the delivery spec.
Mine had 692 Cd Changer I-bus Preparation listed, so I knew they were in there somewhere.
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by inkey$ » Tue Dec 01, 2020 4:06 pm

BlueMusic dongle arrived today from Amazon. Two minutes later, it’s plugged in, tested and tucked back into the centre console recess behind the firewall. Literally plug it in, ignition on, select CD and pair with your phone. Sounds good too.

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Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by Bing » Tue Dec 01, 2020 6:49 pm

So easy, even I could do it... this is a really capable replacement for my intravee that I cannot for the life of me to get fully functional with my iphone anymore. I have questions though ...

How are you managing charging your phone, and does this allow control of Spotify through the steering wheel controls ?
Current... Silver Grey ///M Roadster, non-flimper spec, Imola Red nappa, permanent ear-to-ear grin 8)

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by inkey$ » Tue Dec 01, 2020 7:29 pm

Bing wrote: Tue Dec 01, 2020 6:49 pm So easy, even I could do it... this is a really capable replacement for my intravee that I cannot for the life of me to get fully functional with my iphone anymore. I have questions though ...

How are you managing charging your phone, and does this allow control of Spotify through the steering wheel controls ?
Even you couldn't screw it up if I'm capable, Al :lol:

For now I'm going to window mount my phone using one of those compact Belkin Universal phone holders...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

...then I'm going to try and hide the charge cable up and around the steering column - a bit like luxasxdiniz does here...
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=115885&start=30

I also have a spare ashtray unit from my old 3.0 roadster I'm thinking of dremel-customising/practising on for 'door-closed' charging ability.

Not tried MFSW yet, but my guess is its volume only at the very least. Will report back hen Ive had more of a play this week.
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by Weston Matt » Wed Dec 02, 2020 6:57 pm

Hi inkey$ What hifi have you got? I notice on Amazon it says not with DSP. I don’t know if that’s just with Mini though?

Cheers

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by inkey$ » Wed Dec 02, 2020 7:26 pm

Weston Matt wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 6:57 pm Hi inkey$ What hifi have you got? I notice on Amazon it says not with DSP. I don’t know if that’s just with Mini though?.
I have the 10 speaker non-dsp hifi. Literally two cable blocks to attach. I *think* there's a DSP version of this dongle with additional plug, but may have imagined that.
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by Weston Matt » Wed Dec 02, 2020 8:04 pm

Cheers, I’ll have a look as I have the DSP :thumbsup:

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by inkey$ » Wed Dec 02, 2020 8:47 pm

Weston Matt wrote: Wed Dec 02, 2020 8:04 pm Cheers, I’ll have a look as I have the DSP :thumbsup:
Failing that then other options are things like AUX with powered BT dongle - or if you're feeling flush, this $200 Bluebus solution looks really interesting.

https://youtu.be/8oEa9oZkOIo
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by inkey$ » Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:09 pm

Update: all MFSW controls work as they should :thumbsup:
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by Bing » Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:01 pm

inkey$ wrote: Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:09 pm Update: all MFSW controls work as they should :thumbsup:
Ok so this makes me inexplicably excited :lol:

What kind of display do you get on the Nav screen, if any ?
Current... Silver Grey ///M Roadster, non-flimper spec, Imola Red nappa, permanent ear-to-ear grin 8)

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by inkey$ » Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:07 pm

Bing wrote: Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:01 pm
inkey$ wrote: Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:09 pm Update: all MFSW controls work as they should :thumbsup:
Ok so this makes me inexplicably excited :lol:

What kind of display do you get on the Nav screen, if any ?
When you change tracks on the wheel, only thing on nav screen is Tr01, Tr02 etc showing as if it’s a CD playing but it doesn’t have any additional info.

If the nav screen is in closed position and you change tracks with the wheel, the nav screen activates and opens up. If you change track via your phone, it doesn’t.

Also, when my phone rang and I was playing music through the dongle, it switched to the cars OEM Bluetooth automatically.
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by dougie1142 » Tue Dec 08, 2020 1:18 pm

Brilliant, was just thinking about upgrading my head unit to allow BT but i'm never a fan of non-OEM headunits aesthetics. This will solve that!

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How-To: E86 CD changer cables for bluetooth

Post by inkey$ » Tue Dec 08, 2020 1:21 pm

dougie1142 wrote: Tue Dec 08, 2020 1:18 pm Brilliant, was just thinking about upgrading my head unit to allow BT but i'm never a fan of non-OEM headunits aesthetics. This will solve that!
:thumbsup: Another job for after you’ve debadged! :lol:
Current: Project Audi A2 1.4SE
Previously: Z3R 2.8 • E46 330i • Z4R 3.0 • Z4///MC • E90 335i • Z4///MR • Z3///MC 'Breadvan' • Z3R 2.8 • E30 325i R • Z4C • Z4R 3.0

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