Bluetooth and DAB retrofit

[AnubisZed]

I think I understand what is happening now. My Z4 has a production date of #0609 and the radio was only released in 2010. I’ve probably got to adjust the date or go for another option. Is this worth trying or would I be better off waiting for the combox video and keeping the dates as they are?

Arrr yes, change the date. Then once its all working change the date back for CAS & NFRM (FA_Write) but not RAD

 

[nblu]

Just a quick update, I've been away, but I'm back looking into the coding again. I've managed to RA_Write CAS and NFRM followed by SG_Reset on the RAD2, and I have DAB again. I will try adding Bluetooth next although I understand the radio can't do Bluetooth audio.

Edit: Bluetooth is now coded as well.

Thank you for all your help.
Nick

 

[nblu]

A quick update, I have DAB working with the genuine antenna. I need to tidy up but I’m pleased this works.

Next up PDC while I have the bumper off.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[B21]

Well done … A for effort

 

[AnubisZed]

Excellent work :driving:

 

[Philz75]

Been following your progress as I would like DAB. At the moment I have the professional stereo with Bluetooth but just AM/FM.
Am I right in thinking that if I buy this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204372319486?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=9sTL11nyQ9C&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=e-B5dp42T-W&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

And buy a DAB aerial then I should be good to go? How do I do the coding stuff?

 

[nblu]

Been following your progress as I would like DAB. At the moment I have the professional stereo with Bluetooth but just AM/FM.
Am I right in thinking that if I buy this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204372319486?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=9sTL11nyQ9C&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=e-B5dp42T-W&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

And buy a DAB aerial then I should be good to go? How do I do the coding stuff?

The radio seems to be an equivalent part to the radio I installed. In terms of antenna the easiest option is a windscreen DAB antenna. This sticks to the windscreen and you would run the wire down behind the head unit. I went the difficult path which needs a cable to run from the HU to the rear bumper. as I was inspired by Dave and never liked the visible antenna.

Another way which might be cheaper is to buy the DAB module (#9176958) which fits in the boot. These link to the MOST fibre bus in the car and can be fitted using bracket #65159136696. I wanted the Bluetooth head unit so I ruled out that option.

In terms of getting the coding there are sellers on eBay who will code the radio for you which I might be tempted to do. If the car the radio came from had the same configuration it might not need adjusting.

Doing it using ISTA requires a K+DCAN cable and a working ISTA installation. You cannot code the radio directly without an ICOM interface. I’ve not gone that far yet but I wonder if someone else could explain. There are several guides on the process online. Many of independent specialists can do it. There is one in reading quoting £75 for coding a module.

I hope that helps.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[Philz75]

Thanks for the info. Not all of it made sense (yet) as I've only had the car a fortnight so I'm still learning.
Just to check I understand this correctly. I can just add the DAB module (9176958) and mount it to the bracket (65159136696) and then fit a DAB aerial to the windscreen? I don't need a new head unit if I do that?
If I went down this route I presume I still need to get it coded?

 

[nblu]

Hi,
Those are the main components you would need. The main complication with the BMW module is that it needs connecting to the MOST (Multimedia fibre) bus. I’ve not got experience doing that but I’m sure someone on here can explain how they have done it.

I would also consider using a vin decoder to double check what options you have as it might help. I’ve used this one but I understand there are others. https://www.mdecoder.com/

Finally, I would recommend watching AnubisZeds YouTube videos before buying anything as it will give you an idea what is involved in a retrofit.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[birdy_z4]

I’ve gone with the mr 12 volt most dab unit in the boot

This is linked to the cic via coding to have cd multi tuner

Have the stick on in the window not visually appealing

Considered the boot aerial and still am or the unit online at 110

Picks up lots of stations but as Dave has said before signal not great

What’s the reception like with the aerial in the bumper?

 

[AnubisZed]

STOP!!!!!!!! DO NOT use the boot module! I've tried this route but so far have not been successful in getting the headunit to recognise it yet.
Everything is connected properly and both INPA and ISTA see it but the headunit does not, and I've even tried two modules just in case, so don't do it. Oh and I'm using ICOM as well and still no luck yet.

 

[nblu]

STOP!!!!!!!! DO NOT use the boot module! I've tried this route but so far have not been successful in getting the headunit to recognise it yet.

Thanks Dave, that’s really useful to know. If you can’t get it working nobody can. Sorry Philz for leading you down the wrong path.

The DAB retrofit I came across was for the E60 which uses a similar module and connects it to a CCC head unit.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O4o3AHASELA

Thanks,
Nick

 

[nblu]

What’s the reception like with the aerial in the bumper?

I’ve not put it in the bumper yet but just having the module in the passenger footwell it seems stable. As soon as I can get the PDC mounts I’ll install it properly and I’ll report back.

Thanks,
Nick

 

[AnubisZed]

Thanks Dave, that’s really useful to know. If you can’t get it working nobody can. Sorry Philz for leading you down the wrong path.

The DAB retrofit I came across was for the E60 which uses a similar module and connects it to a CCC head unit.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O4o3AHASELA

Thanks,
Nick

Yeah I've seen the CCC E60 one as well, but I did my research (as much as I could anyway) and it appears on the parts list for the E89 and appears in the wiring diagram as well and the E89 only ever had CIC and never the CCC version of iDrive, so in theory then it 'should' work. Now the only option left to get the headunit to "see" it is to try to reset the MOST list (I forget the technical term for that), but that's not straightforward so I've just not got around to it yet.
So this project is on the back burner at this moment until I can be bothered to have another play with it as I've got far too many more important things to be getting on with (like video editing and some more filming to do! And with that a brand new project that a lot of E89 owners will absolutely love!)

 

[Philz75]

I only have the professional head unit, no screen. Can I still use the mr12volt dab unit?

 

[AnubisZed]

I only have the professional head unit, no screen. Can I still use the mr12volt dab unit?

In short, no.
But you can add an Android Touchscreen to that

 

[DonDon]

So this project is on the back burner at this moment until I can be bothered to have another play with it as I've got far too many more important things to be getting on with (like video editing and some more filming to do! And with that a brand new project that a lot of E89 owners will absolutely love!)

@Dave, thanks for your brilliant videos. Sorry to add to the list, but it would be very useful for noobs like me if you could make one on the various OBDII options and a basic overview of ISTA-D and ISTA-P. I have seen some on YouTube, but most aren't up to your standards.

 

[AnubisZed]

@Dave, thanks for your brilliant videos. Sorry to add to the list, but it would be very useful for noobs like me if you could make one on the various OBDII options and a basic overview of ISTA-D and ISTA-P. I have seen some on YouTube, but most aren't up to your standards.

This is something I've thought about. I already have the Carly (full edition) app and dongle (version 2) and I have the full version of Bimmercode but not specific adaptor for that, so I could do a comparison of the two. These things are relatively straightforward to use, but is nice to run through them and seeing what they can and can't actually do.
I also have ISTA+ and ISTA-P (as well as the full BMW Tools package) and the ICOM adaptor so could do something with that as a basic run-through, but I'm not proficient with it. So this is food-for-thought for the future I suppose

I'm still working on the retrofits I did last September for the videos as well as a couple I've not mentioned yet and I'm working on a few more "Shorts" for the instructional 'How-To-Use' series I started with the "Roof In Service Mode" video, so loads to come still :driving:

 

[nblu]

I know it has been a long time since I updated this thread, but I'm back to doing the DAB retrofit again. It turned out the BMW radio I got off eBay had a loose ground, causing a high-pitched noise. I've finally got a new unit (from a 2013 Z4, it turns out), and it all works perfectly. Over the weekend, I ran the DAB antenna based on the factory setup and switched the USB socket to connect to the radio rather than the MULF unit. All that is left is adding the microphone cable once the connectors arrive. Once the radio is done, I'll swap the door handles to match the rest of the trim, as my kids scratched that horrible base-spec Satin Trim.

I'm pleased with how this looks so far. Now, I need to use the car, as it desperately needs to be driven.



Thanks for the help with this little project.

Thanks,
Nick