cheap bluetooth option?

[Sidewaze Samm]

I've got the standard business CD setup with MFSW but no bluetooth. The car is a weekend drive only and I'd like to keep the OEM head unit.

So given this, I've considered Grom and Parrott for adding bluetooth functionality. But as I wouldn't be using bluetooth to stream much music and the telephony requirement is also minimal, I don't really want to spend that much money.

I wouldn't mind adding an aux socket, but don't want to replace the head unit to get all the functionality I want (and more) as I want to keep it simple to use when driving Suggestions anyone?

I tend to keep away from Chinese ebay specials, but has anyone any experience/comments on either of these?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bluetooth-Music-Handsfree-CD-Changer-Adapter-BMW-5-Series-X3-X5-Z4-Business-CD/222858255211

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bluetooth-Module-Audio-Aux-cable-Adapter-For-BMW-Z4-E85-E86-CD-E83-X3/302754199721

 

[DanG]

I got one of these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0773MX7BG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Best £30 spent ever. It's no good for telephony, but great for music. There are two open connections in the boot. Just lift up the flap, find the connections and plug this in. The device is tiny. Then hop in the car and turn on the radio - select mode till you get to CD1.

On your phone you'll find a Bluetooth option called Blue Music. Pair your phone to that and any music you play will now come out the car's stereo.

Lead to one very happy teenage son. Of course now we have to listen to all his Spotify playlists in the car. Suffice to say we don't always agree on the merits of UK grime. Sigh.

 

[tadekk]

There are two open connections in the boot. Just lift up the flap, find the connections and plug this in. The device is tiny. Then hop in the car and turn on the radio - select mode till you get to CD1.

Any photos? I have no idea which flap to lift but have the same device. Got defeated by German instructiosn tbh

 

[PHILGZ4]

I bought a bluetooth adapter that fits in my cig lighter and you tune it into the radio on an empty station. I can then stream my music via it and take calls . it comes through the speakers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Bluetooth-Car-Kit-Wireless-FM-Transmitter-Dual-USB-Charger-Audio-MP3-Player-/302946596997?hash=item4689063885

 

[DanG]

I did a bit of Google translate for the instructions. No photos I'm afraid but it's basically the back wall of the boot. Behind that piece of lining youll find there's a sort of hole. Stick your hand in and root around, you'll feel a wiring loom. Some people say it's hard to find. I got lucky, it was pretty obvious.

There are two wires coming off that wiring loom with connectors on the end. One is a 6 pin and one a 4 pin (from memory). They were originally meant to connect to the CD changer.

You take the corresponding 6 and 4 pin connections on the bluetooth module. Connect. Push hard till you hear a solid click (first time I didn't push them together hard enough) and that's it. Dump the module in that hole with the loom, but the carpet lining back and you're done.

 

[bz4kev]

I bought a bluetooth adapter that fits in my cig lighter and you tune it into the radio on an empty station. I can then stream my music via it and take calls . it comes through the speakers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Bluetooth-Car-Kit-Wireless-FM-Transmitter-Dual-USB-Charger-Audio-MP3-Player-/302946596997?hash=item4689063885

will this work on a e85 with 10 speaker dsp

 

[road warrior]

I bought a bluetooth adapter that fits in my cig lighter and you tune it into the radio on an empty station. I can then stream my music via it and take calls . it comes through the speakers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Bluetooth-Car-Kit-Wireless-FM-Transmitter-Dual-USB-Charger-Audio-MP3-Player-/302946596997?hash=item4689063885

will this work on a e85 with 10 speaker dsp

i got something similar - does everything - and it will play music from your smart phone, and of course handsfree phone through bluetooth

 

[MJJamieson]

My solution was to fit an AUX in then use a Sony-RM-X7BT-Bluetooth-Controller, gives Bluetooth for music and telephone calls and mounts in the centre console like an iDrive, works great and the hands free can have an external mic too.

 

[Sidewaze Samm]

Thanks for your comments guys - was really hoping someone had knowledge of the unit in my first link though

I got one of these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

Similar to the one in my second link, but I think I prefer plugging into the back of the head unit to fiddling around behind the boot carpet; more accessible in future too.

Of course now we have to listen to all his Spotify playlists in the car. Suffice to say we don't always agree on the merits of UK grime.

What, you mean you agree sometimes? :yu:

My solution was to fit an AUX in then use a Sony-RM-X7BT-Bluetooth-Controller, gives Bluetooth for music and telephone calls and mounts in the centre console like an iDrive, works great and the hands free can have an external mic too.

Looks interesting... though the total price is getting up a little and I didn't really want anything visible tbh. Don't suppose you could post a photo of how it looks in your car? Do you have the mike with it too?

cheers

 

[MJJamieson]

No mic, just use the inbuilt one.
Receiver.


Controller.

 

[R60BBA]

The GROM USB3 is worth every penny.

 

[bz4kev]

I bought a bluetooth adapter that fits in my cig lighter and you tune it into the radio on an empty station. I can then stream my music via it and take calls . it comes through the speakers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Bluetooth-Car-Kit-Wireless-FM-Transmitter-Dual-USB-Charger-Audio-MP3-Player-/302946596997?hash=item4689063885

will this work on a e85 with 10 speaker dsp

i got something similar - does everything - and it will play music from your smart phone, and of course handsfree phone through bluetooth

order complete

 

[Frankie169]

I bought a bluetooth adapter that fits in my cig lighter and you tune it into the radio on an empty station. I can then stream my music via it and take calls . it comes through the speakers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Bluetooth-Car-Kit-Wireless-FM-Transmitter-Dual-USB-Charger-Audio-MP3-Player-/302946596997?hash=item4689063885

Is this assuming you have a built in mic, it appears I don’t , Grrrr

 

[Torpalasse]

It is 10 times easier to fit the bluetooth reciever in the trunk than getting your unit out.
Go for the 30 pound one.

Thanks for your comments guys - was really hoping someone had knowledge of the unit in my first link though

I got one of these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

Similar to the one in my second link, but I think I prefer plugging into the back of the head unit to fiddling around behind the boot carpet; more accessible in future too.

Of course now we have to listen to all his Spotify playlists in the car. Suffice to say we don't always agree on the merits of UK grime.

What, you mean you agree sometimes? :yu:

My solution was to fit an AUX in then use a Sony-RM-X7BT-Bluetooth-Controller, gives Bluetooth for music and telephone calls and mounts in the centre console like an iDrive, works great and the hands free can have an external mic too.

Looks interesting... though the total price is getting up a little and I didn't really want anything visible tbh. Don't suppose you could post a photo of how it looks in your car? Do you have the mike with it too?

cheers

 

[road warrior]

Thanks for your comments guys - was really hoping someone had knowledge of the unit in my first link though

I got one of these.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

Similar to the one in my second link, but I think I prefer plugging into the back of the head unit to fiddling around behind the boot carpet; more accessible in future too.

Of course now we have to listen to all his Spotify playlists in the car. Suffice to say we don't always agree on the merits of UK grime.

What, you mean you agree sometimes? :yu:

My solution was to fit an AUX in then use a Sony-RM-X7BT-Bluetooth-Controller, gives Bluetooth for music and telephone calls and mounts in the centre console like an iDrive, works great and the hands free can have an external mic too.

Looks interesting... though the total price is getting up a little and I didn't really want anything visible tbh. Don't suppose you could post a photo of how it looks in your car? Do you have the mike with it too?

cheers

i think its shows we all went another way thats all ..

 

[tomrdy]

My current cheap BT solution all purchased from ebay:

- Aux cable retrofit (a few dollars for the cable, though you may need to modify it as I did with resistors etc)
- Bluetooth to Aux receiver (another few dollars)
- 12V stepdown board with USB plugs so I can run the power to my fuse box with ignition (another few dollars).

Total cost was maybe less than $20 AUD (so probably a tenner pounds). Best part is it's 100% hidden as all the bits are tucked inside the the fusebox area. My phone is held on a magnetic mount above my vent so the mic for calls etc is just through my phone.

Works a treat. Only downside is the BT receiver I got is a bit too basic and doesn't remember the pairing. I'm looking at swapping it out for something that can store the pairing so it links up automatically as soon as the car is on... but all the work has been done!

 

[bz4kev]

Arrived today and pretty impressed with it fo £8.99 streamed music is great calls are ok remembers paired phones two charging ports micro sd slot a lot for £8.99

 

[littlefeller]

Best £30 spent ever. It's no good for telephony, but great for music. There are two open connections in the

where did you find the connectors?

 

[littlefeller]

Found it

 

[DanG]

Sorry, slow to reply. Glad you found them!