Best way to integrate iPhone into the Z4?

[ph001]

Hey guys, so after pretty much giving up on getting my factory Bluetooth to work, I'm wondering what's the best way to get proper iPhone integration on my E85. I just have the basic 6 speaker business CD setup with nav. What I'd ideally like:

1) Lightning dock in front console in the space next to the fag lighter (to charge etc).
2) Full bluetooth integration (i.e. stream music, take calls, display track names on nav display etc)
3) Still use controls on steering wheel for volume, skip tracks etc

Easiest / most cost effective way to implement the above?

 

[mjennings23]

Sounds like you want an Intravee

 

[ph001]

Thanks, will check it out. This...
https://www.incarconnections.co.uk/...free-calls-ctabmbt009-quadlock-connector.html

....also came up in a different post which looks promising apart from it says only for vehicles upto 2006 and doesn't seem to have the kind of dock I'm after.

 

[ph001]

Intravee II stuff is confusing!!! What do I need exactly and will it do all the functions I'm after??

 

[Monkeydonkeyratmagic]

Grom bt3 with iPhone cable. Job jobbed.

 

[Monkeydonkeyratmagic]

Grom bt3 with iPhone cable. Job jobbed.

 

[Anmarube]

Grom bt3 with iPhone cable. Job jobbed.

That's what I've got and it's perfect. Calls through speakers. Spotify,ITunes etc. Great kit keeping the standard head unit.

 

[Rich8]

Intravee will allow you to hardwire the iPhone. Not Bluetooth.
Will let you control tunes through the steering wheel controls and will display album covers, playlists, song info etc on the screen.

It won’t do Bluetooth. It won’t do calls (doesn’t come with microphone etc). And I think you can only get old generation iPod cable, so you would need a converter from the 32 pin or whatever it is to lightning connector.
I think also the charging voltage will be wrong for more modern iPhone so may need an adapter for that too.

To have all you want with all info on the display and Bluetooth calls and streaming (assuming you don’t already have factory Bluetooth which it sounds like you don’t) I don’t think it’s all possible with an OEM setup.

I had intravee and liked it, until the satnav monitor packed up and stopped opening up and working. I ended up getting an aftermarket headunit that did all the above and accepted a redundant screen on the dash.

(Incidentally, A couple of month later, the electrics were doing odd things due to battery on it’s way out. Put a new battery in and.....hello.....poxy screen wakes up right as rain - obviously useless as the new headunit can not control all the satnav computer stuff. I could always put the old stuff back in and go back to working oem setup with intravee, but the new one does all the stuff I wanted and now I don’t want to go back - so now living with a redundant but working monitor ).

 

[matt_bott]

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]

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.

 

[wiseguy]

I hard-wired mine, though my unit (the Dice Mediabridge) offers Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a usb thumb drive connection. I have the original Bmw Head unit and an IPhone 7+.

 

[kis]

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.

I have this too. Came pre installed from a previous owner so not new tech (better ones available now) but it’s ideal for me and my needs!

 

[ph001]

Wow, so many options - thanks for all the replies. Because I have nav I'm reluctant to change the head unit. The grom BT3 sounds like it might do most of what I'm looking for. Will check it out - thanks again.

 

[ph001]

OK, the Grom BT3 looks pretty much identical to the CTABMBT009 https://www.incarconnections.co.uk/bmw-bluetooth-adapter-streaming-and-calls/bmw-bluetooth-adapter-for-streaming-and-hands-free-calls-ctabmbt009-quadlock-connector.html

....apart from the Grom doesn't appear to have a lightning charge port option so would have to faff around with an adapter. I'm still looking for something that fits properly into the recess next to the fag lighter - the spec.dock stuff is horrendously expensive and only avail in the old 30-pin style

 

[ph001]

Hmmmm.... https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31987

 

[ph001]

I see there is also a Grom USB option available. Looks very easy to install.. https://gromaudio.com/installs/bmw_z4_2003-2008_-_how_to_install_grom_android_iphone_ipod_usb_bluetooth_into_the_trunk__-_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]

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]

Thanks, any link to the Parrot stuff?

 

[kis]

I’ve got this one
https://www.parrot.com/uk/car-kits/parrot-mki-9100#parrot-mki-9100
But like I said better ones/newer ones now.

 

[Elsavavavoom]

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.

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