Bluetooth audio streaming

[SteatoLegato]

Hi everyone, looking to stream music over Bluetooth in my 2004 e85

After reading a million posts I've narrowed it down to 3 options:

1. Bluebus - uses CD stacker 3+6 pin connection, best but pricey
2. Bluemusic AUX stereo head unit piggyback - Allows CD stacker to be used? Uses AUX input thus lower music quality? easier installation
3. Bluemusic CD stacker 3+6 pin connection - disables CD stacker

Options 2 and 3 about the same cost, which should I choose? Am I correct about option 2 adding AUX input while keeping CD stacker operational? Are there issues with battery drain with either of those? Sound quality?

Not looking to answer calls in the car - if I'm driving my Z i dont' want to be disturbed

Cheers!

 

[Harlock1796]

I've just gone down the option 3 route, about 3 weeks ago (also 2004 E85).

Couldn't have been easier to do - less than 5 minute job, and no need to take out the air vents and head units - from what I've seen on here, that's easy when you know how, but the first time (or more) the vents can be a real headache.

The Bluemusic unit works really well, and perfectly reasonable sound quality. Only issue I've had is that, at first, my phone connected immediately without prompting every time I got in the car. I noticed the other day that it wasn't doing that anymore, and I had to manually connect through the phone menu. Might well be a 'my phone' issue rather than the BT unit, so I wouldn't let that put you off. Given the weather, I haven't made a concerted effort to test what's going on.

edit - should have said, no noticeable battery drain issue, but probably too early to tell.

 

[caius]

I've got a couple of these sat here unused. First is a Bluemusic BM-HF + Speak plus the microphone, and the second is a Bluemusic I think "Flat Pin BM-HF" although unlabelled. The latter was fitted to the 3.0si with Business Head Unit & OEM Bluetooth but no CD Changer. I can't remember if it was AUX or CD on the head unit to make it work.

They look identical except the +SPEAK one has a larger circuit board and an extra port on it to connect the microphone to.

I got them for nothing with the car, so you're welcome to either for postage costs and a tenner to charity (or the forum).

 

[Simon 3.2M]

I’d be happy to take one for a tenner if one is still available.

I've got a couple of these sat here unused. First is a Bluemusic BM-HF + Speak plus the microphone, and the second is a Bluemusic I think "Flat Pin BM-HF" although unlabelled. The latter was fitted to the 3.0si with Business Head Unit & OEM Bluetooth but no CD Changer. I can't remember if it was AUX or CD on the head unit to make it work.

They look identical except the +SPEAK one has a larger circuit board and an extra port on it to connect the microphone to.

I got them for nothing with the car, so you're welcome to either for postage costs and a tenner to charity (or the forum).

 

[Wildfire]

I've just gone down the option 3 route, about 3 weeks ago (also 2004 E85).

Couldn't have been easier to do - less than 5 minute job, and no need to take out the air vents and head units - from what I've seen on here, that's easy when you know how, but the first time (or more) the vents can be a real headache.

The Bluemusic unit works really well, and perfectly reasonable sound quality. Only issue I've had is that, at first, my phone connected immediately without prompting every time I got in the car. I noticed the other day that it wasn't doing that anymore, and I had to manually connect through the phone menu. Might well be a 'my phone' issue rather than the BT unit, so I wouldn't let that put you off. Given the weather, I haven't made a concerted effort to test what's going on.

edit - should have said, no noticeable battery drain issue, but probably too early to tell.

Interesting, what was the actual fitting procedure. I'd really like to stop using a little adapter in the AUX socket. I have an E86, and don't have a CD changer.

Cheers!

 

[SteatoLegato]

I've just looked up my VIN and it seems I have the S677 professional (Carver) system with DSP. Not sure if its DSP 1 or 2 will need to see what connections the CD stacker has.

 

[Harlock1796]

I've just gone down the option 3 route, about 3 weeks ago (also 2004 E85).

Interesting, what was the actual fitting procedure. I'd really like to stop using a little adapter in the AUX socket. I have an E86, and don't have a CD changer.

Cheers!

I think my process was CD changer specific.

I went into the boot, pulled up the carpet on the rear bulkhead and found the wire with the 3+6 pin connector. It was already unplugged, and easy to find, suggesting someone had been in there before me for a similar purpose. Plugged the two connectors on the Bluemusic dongle into the appropriate bits, tucked it back inside the carpet and pushed the carpet back into place.

The slowest/trickiest part was working out the best way to get at the appropriate carpet edge, so as not to dislodge the trim any more than I needed to, but it turned out it was fine to directly attack the rear (vertical) bit of carpet at the bottom edge, and I had been overthinking it.

I wouldn't have known where to start without being able to mine the knowledge that is contained in this forum - so thanks all.

 

[LRC]

Hi everyone, looking to stream music over Bluetooth in my 2004 e85

After reading a million posts I've narrowed it down to 3 options:

1. Bluebus - uses CD stacker 3+6 pin connection, best but pricey
2. Bluemusic AUX stereo head unit piggyback - Allows CD stacker to be used? Uses AUX input thus lower music quality? easier installation
3. Bluemusic CD stacker 3+6 pin connection - disables CD stacker

Options 2 and 3 about the same cost, which should I choose? Am I correct about option 2 adding AUX input while keeping CD stacker operational? Are there issues with battery drain with either of those? Sound quality?

Not looking to answer calls in the car - if I'm driving my Z i dont' want to be disturbed

Cheers!

I use the Yatour in my case with the DSP adapter , USB, AUX and SD card as well as Bluetooth, not too expensive, simulates the CD Changer. Sound is not bad and i can change songs on the radio or just use my phone.

 

[samZ4M]

For those that have these new BT modules, can they clarify the audio quality? I've used 1 before, as well as AUX, and none are as good as the Intravee II I have. My car has DSP, CD's and the Intravee sound great, I'd like to keep it that way with a BT device.

Not fussed about BT phone, charging or song names etc, I solely want good quality audio. Annoying I'll lose the Intravee settings, but I can always connect it again if required!

@caius If your generous off extends to any of the above I'll happily cover costs etc.

 

[caius]

I've not used the Intravee(s) so don't know how the quality of the Bluemusic stacks up, I don't recall noticing the sound quality being bad though. Was certainly better through Bluemusic & stock Business radio than it was on the aftermarket Joying head unit I fitted for a week before sending back.

Still got the non-SPEAK (no microphone input) Bluemusic available, plugs into the back of the stock radio into the big square connectors to piggyback between the radio & the car. PM me if you're interested in it, not sure how it works with the DSP system though.

 

[samZ4M]

Massive thanks to @caius who sent me his spare BlueMusic adapter. Money on route to charity!

To answer the question i had, the quality is the same as an iphone connected via the intravee. The best thing is it still allows the Intravee to work!

The Bluemusic I was given is to connect at the stereo end (not changer in the boot), so the intravee can still use the 3+6 pin cd changer ports. Although I’ve removed the Alpine unit as well as the ‘audio’ cable that goes to the stereo as the Bluemusic adapter disregards it in the extender. Even the MSFW works, the only thing that doesn’t is the track names, but I’ll settle for that!

 

[caius]

Awesome, glad to hear it integrates well and does what you need. Certainly more use to you than it was sitting on my windowsill. :rofl:

 

[SteatoLegato]

Alright, a quick update and some troubleshooting – might help someone out!

I've got the Professional setup with SatNav and a CD stacker, and I went with the behind-the-head unit flat pin Bluemusic setup. Cost me $AUD 74 posted, and it’s an easy plug-and-play job. Plenty of YouTube vids out there showing how to remove the head unit. The connection replaces the CD stacker plug, so the audio quality is solid – this isn’t just an AUX input.

Now, here’s the catch – at first, the music would cut out after a couple of seconds. Had a dig through the forums and found others with BMWs of similar vintage having the same issue, specifically with CD stackers. Turns out, if you pop a CD into the stacker, the problem disappears! I reckon the CD stacker has some kind of feedback loop that stops playback if there’s nothing in it.

Also, a handy tip – if you remove the black plug from the original connector and slot it into the Bluemusic connector, your SatNav DVD functionality still works! Not that it’s super useful these days, but for nostalgia’s sake, why not? Bit of a shame you can’t use the SatNav DVD player to watch movies – now that would be a cool trick!

Hope this helps someone!

 

[samZ4M]

Interesting, I don't have a audio loop per say, but my Intravee screen does a strange cycle, it's a little distracting when driving, so I'll double check the CD stack and put one in if required.

It's great the Bluemagic splices into the cables to keep the other functions. I'm really happy with the setup