Already have AUX, addition of Bluetooth?

[PhilW]

Hi all,

2nd day with my Z4 and already thinking of mods!

The car has an AUX socket in the ashtray compartment, but no bluetooth. How easy is it to add this on? Is there an OEM module to use or am I best going after-market?

Also my steering wheel has the speak/voice button on there, so it would be great if that could be hooked up to it all to make phonecalls.

Thanks,
Phil

 

[wattsie]

I have one of these....http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BMRMNUU/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1.... I seem to remember that I saw it on here in the first place. It just plugs into the aux port, comes with a load of different adaptors and leads etc. Does have a habit of going flat when you want to use it though!

wattsie

 

[PhilW]

Looks nifty! Does the "speak" button (not sure it's proper name!) work with it? I.e.:

 

[TonyP]

I have a Dension Gateway Pro BT which allows me to stream anything playing on my iPhone such as music, Spotify, Tunein etc via Bluetooth & also allows me to make & receive calls using the MFSW controls, the unit itself sits tidily inside the glovebox out of the way & the loom wires run through the glove box dampening strut hole, you do have to mount an external mic somewhere but other than that it's pretty much plug'n'play, I'll post up pics of my install if anyone is interested.

The device is Apple centric (iPod/iPhone) but if sure will happily Bluetooth to any other compliant device, however If you prefer not to use your phone you can load up a memory stick with MP3's & use this as your music source.

Allegedly Siri support is coming but I'll believe it when I see it, the device is a bit clunky to use & navigate but this is because it's hooking into the standard buttons on the head unit, I wanted a completely looking OEM install with no visible add on bits, oh & track names are displayed on the heads display ok too, doesn't need to be a black MP3 capable unit but can't be manufactured by Becker for the track names.

There is an DAB unit that can be attached to the GW Pro BT which I might try out at some point, this would need a specific DAB aerial though, I'm probably only going to worry about the DAB module when FM is eventually switched off.

Note, according to Densions compatibility matrix the standard Business CD head isn't supported, I spoke with Dension & this does work ok but only if you have a MFSW which you do.

http://www.dension.com/product/gateway-pro-bt

Tony

 

[ESP]

I have one of these....http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00BMRMNUU/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1.... I seem to remember that I saw it on here in the first place. It just plugs into the aux port, comes with a load of different adaptors and leads etc. Does have a habit of going flat when you want to use it though!
wattsie

I also have similar to this, does the job for streaming music awesomely.
I also have a Basic Parrot Blue tooth system fitted and hidden in the glove box, only cost £150 fitted, works with the MultiFunction stearing wheel (as long as u buy the correct Harness)

 

[PhilW]

Note, according to Densions compatibility matrix the standard Business CD head isn't supported, I spoke with Dension & this does work ok but only if you have a MFSW which you do.

Thanks for the detailed info Tony, I'll defintiely take a look at that as it looks like it gives a lot of functionality. I do have the Business CD head, but hopefully with the MFSW I'll be okay. Is it fairly easy to wire in?

I also have a Basic Parrot Blue tooth system fitted and hidden in the glove box, only cost £150 fitted, works with the MultiFunction stearing wheel (as long as u buy the correct Harness)

Sounds good too thanks, integrating with the steering wheel controls is what I'm pretty keen on.

 

[edd_jedi]

Considering the OEM bluetooth module lives in the boot and is controlled via the rear storage compartment, I would imagine retrofitting it would be a nightmare at best, and maybe impossible. So aftermarket would be the sensible option. As with most BMW extras such as bluetooth and nav, the after market solutions are generally far better anyway as these cars are now 10+ year old technology.

 

[PhilW]

Note, according to Densions compatibility matrix the standard Business CD head isn't supported, I spoke with Dension & this does work ok but only if you have a MFSW which you do.

Just tried their checker based on the Business CD unit, and the Pro didn't come back but the Lite did (I realise from what you said that the Pro should work anyway).

So I thought I'd see what the difference is between Pro and Lite:
http://www.dension.com/car-multimedia-adapter-ipod-iphone-usb-auxin

...looks like it's just the song info - I'm presuming the business head doesn't support that anyway?

 

[TonyP]

Note, according to Densions compatibility matrix the standard Business CD head isn't supported, I spoke with Dension & this does work ok but only if you have a MFSW which you do.

Just tried their checker based on the Business CD unit, and the Pro didn't come back but the Lite did (I realise from what you said that the Pro should work anyway).

So I thought I'd see what the difference is between Pro and Lite:
http://www.dension.com/car-multimedia-adapter-ipod-iphone-usb-auxin

...looks like it's just the song info - I'm presuming the business head doesn't support that anyway?

If you read the small print I think the Lite does show track info but for BMW installs only, the biggest difference between the Lite & Pro is that you can make outgoing calls with the Pro using the Phonebook transferred from the phone itself, with the Lite you can only answer incoming calls.

Install of the Pro BT & Lite is pretty much plug'n'play as you remove the vents, then the head, unplug the square connector from the back of the head, & insert the supplied harness in-between the original plug & the back of the head, & attach the small part of the harness to the Dension device, you just need to mount the supplied mic.

I'll post up pics on Sunday if I get the chance.

 

[TonyP]

Just re-read the instructions for the Lite BT & you can make phone calls but you have to initiate them from the phone itself, oh & the text display definitely does work ok for the Lite BT (BMW only), assuming that your head is not a Becker manufactured unit (you'll have to remove the head to check this out if not having text display is a show stopper)

 

[PhilW]

Just re-read the instructions for the Lite BT & you can make phone calls but you have to initiate them from the phone itself, oh & the text display definitely does work ok for the Lite BT (BMW only), assuming that your head is not a Becker manufactured unit (you'll have to remove the head to check this out if not having text display is a show stopper)

Hi Tony,

I reckon I'm going to take the plunge on the Gateway Pro, so I know I'll have all options available to me.

I'm not quite sure how to order it though, as when I select the make, model and radio type it tells me (as you suggested it would) that it's not compatible. Should I select a different radio type? If so can I be sure of getting the right connectors?

Thanks for all your help with this.

Cheers,
Phil

 

[TonyP]

After speaking to Dension (& on their suggestion)I altered the car model to an X3 which is valid

Do they still have the the bundled offer with the DAB add on? (I didn't buy it)

Tony

 

[Larsbjerregaard]

I'm also considering the Dension Gateway or Dice Mediabridge mainly because I want to be able to stream mp3's and Spotify from my Samsung Galaxy. Does anyone know if you can change tracks on the nav-screen or you have to do that on the phone itself? It doesn't really make sense if you need to take your phone out of your pocket everytime...

 

[TonyP]

Sorry, I don't know as I don't have Nav, give Dension a call, they were very helpful when I spoke to them.

As you'd expect, you can change tracks on the MFSW buttons.

 

[PhilW]

After speaking to Dension (& on their suggestion)I altered the car model to an X3 which is valid

Do they still have the the bundled offer with the DAB add on? (I didn't buy it)

Thanks Tony, I've ordered it now!

They had a DAB bundle but not an offer. Strangely it looked £5 cheaper to buy the DAB add-on separately, so I left it for now!

 

[Ninarvana]

I'm glad there's a thread on this... I have intravee but need to add bluetooth. I'm not looking for anything fancy as I will use the intravee for music as I want to work it through the nav screen. I was thinking of going for a Parrot CK3100 and have it fitted in the ashtray as I still want to be able to view who calls but this way it would be discreet... Anyone else done this?

 

[RenoRaines]

I have a Dension Gateway Pro BT which allows me to stream anything playing on my iPhone such as music, Spotify, Tunein etc via Bluetooth & also allows me to make & receive calls using the MFSW controls,

I would like to double-check. With Dension is it possible to answer a call with R/T button or only with Next (>>) and Rew (<<)?