Bluetooth phone aftermarket / BMW head unit swap?

[True-Blue]

Afternoon all,

Mrs is pestering me about getting hands free sorted in her E89.

Is there an aftermarket kit with a microphone that works well? Looking for a cheap-ish solution, would even consider changing the head unit for a different BMW one if that’s an option?

Don’t know if that’s easy or needs coding?

She loves the car and just wants easy calls in it as it’s her daily.

 

[Zann]

I am going to be installing the UGODE unit really soon.
https://www.ugode.co.uk/products/fo...&variant=f16d9291-38b3-417c-b821-12611119c6ea

I went for the smaller 10 inch version because I think the 12 looks too big. Happy to report back once its installed (hopefully next week)

 

[B21]

Afternoon all,

Mrs is pestering me about getting hands free sorted in her E89.

Is there an aftermarket kit with a microphone that works well? Looking for a cheap-ish solution, would even consider changing the head unit for a different BMW one if that’s an option?

Don’t know if that’s easy or needs coding?

She loves the car and just wants easy calls in it as it’s her daily.

What car ?

 

[AnubisZed]

Possibly one of your cheapest solutions would be something like this....
https://amzn.eu/d/16EhRgz

There are other more expensive options, depending what is already in the car, and at some point I've probably done them all

 

[True-Blue]

Afternoon all,

Mrs is pestering me about getting hands free sorted in her E89.

Is there an aftermarket kit with a microphone that works well? Looking for a cheap-ish solution, would even consider changing the head unit for a different BMW one if that’s an option?

Don’t know if that’s easy or needs coding?

She loves the car and just wants easy calls in it as it’s her daily.

What car ?

Hers is a 23i without Idrive. I think it’s a basic head unit fitted.

 

[True-Blue]

Possibly one of your cheapest solutions would be something like this....
https://amzn.eu/d/16EhRgz

There are other more expensive options, depending what is already in the car, and at some point I've probably done them all

Thanks Dave, but looking for some sort of integrated solution, preferably one that links to the steering wheel phone button

 

[AnubisZed]

Possibly one of your cheapest solutions would be something like this....
https://amzn.eu/d/16EhRgz

There are other more expensive options, depending what is already in the car, and at some point I've probably done them all

Thanks Dave, but looking for some sort of integrated solution, preferably one that links to the steering wheel phone button

So there is a replacement OEM headunit that has Bluetooth (calls) and built-in USB control. You'd need a steering wheel upper cowl with the microphone and some wire to connect it to the headunit, and assuming you don't currently have it, a combined USB/AUX socket for the centre console. A bit of coding and it's all sorted

Headunit...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/405631586050?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=iT8bFsX0SP6&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=4gE5sDg4SPa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

USB/AUX socket....
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHFLDt6

Cowl and microphone...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225953562222?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=TG2Yz1wHRCy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=4gE5sDg4SPa&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

I've got the instructions here...
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ynfzpnhyy5b2zhaw3uv5s/Stereo-Install-BMW-e89.docx?rlkey=pg7jqyqks3k4g2168ax2rw8qm&st=yst1auxv&dl=0

Any questions, just ask. I did this, originally, to my own and I've done a couple for other owners aswell

 

[whosforpud]

I am going to be installing the UGODE unit really soon.
https://www.ugode.co.uk/products/fo...&variant=f16d9291-38b3-417c-b821-12611119c6ea

I went for the smaller 10 inch version because I think the 12 looks too big. Happy to report back once its installed (hopefully next week)

Hi Zann,
I am also looking to install the UGODE unit as a decent quality upgrade, so keen to hear how you get on with your installation. I agree with you regarding the 10 inch version. I don't have a OEM screen. I noticed on the installation video that the aux/audio cable was not required on his car though no clear reason was given. I am hoping this will be the same for all E89s as my understaning is that the audio should be better if it goes directly through the existing head unit and not an aux cable.
Good luck with your installation.
Derek

 

[B21]

I am going to be installing the UGODE unit really soon.
https://www.ugode.co.uk/products/fo...&variant=f16d9291-38b3-417c-b821-12611119c6ea

I went for the smaller 10 inch version because I think the 12 looks too big. Happy to report back once its installed (hopefully next week)

Hi Zann,
I am also looking to install the UGODE unit as a decent quality upgrade, so keen to hear how you get on with your installation. I agree with you regarding the 10 inch version. I don't have a OEM screen. I noticed on the installation video that the aux/audio cable was not required on his car though no clear reason was given. I am hoping this will be the same for all E89s as my understaning is that the audio should be better if it goes directly through the existing head unit and not an aux cable.
Good luck with your installation.
Derek

Its a mid tier Chinese android unit..uses aux conector..need to set up the correct balance on the aux input to get best quality..also aux input quality varies based on head unit

 

[whosforpud]

Thank you for that, makes sense

 

[whosforpud]

Hi, at long last I ordered the Ugode unit and fitted it yesterday, fairly straightforward, main issue I had was getting the old head unit back in with the extra wires behind it but got it in eventually. The good news is it Bluetooth connected to my phone easily and kicked up Android Auto straight away and the sound worked without having to plug in the aux cable. So I am very pleased and will see how it goes.

 

[B21]

Hi, at long last I ordered the Ugode unit and fitted it yesterday, fairly straightforward, main issue I had was getting the old head unit back in with the extra wires behind it but got it in eventually. The good news is it Bluetooth connected to my phone easily and kicked up Android Auto straight away and the sound worked without having to plug in the aux cable. So I am very pleased and will see how it goes.

So it has an integrated aux feed in the harness? How fo you select the ugode sound vs other sources?

 

[whosforpud]

Sorry for the delay in replying, it does have an integrated aux feed in the harness. I select the aux source for the ugode sound. Been a couple of months now and I am still very happy with it. It auto connects to my phone and Android Auto works very well.