Radio Advice

J

jeffers

Member
 South Wales
Hi All,

Looking for some advice on what to do with the current audio setup in my E86. It currently has the stock (non-DSP) headunit with bluetooth and no CD changer or nav. I have all of my music on my Android phone and just connect it via the aux socket but its a bit basic. What I want:

- bluetooth a2dp (or aptx) streaming
- basic controls (play/pause/next/prev) using the MFSW (avrcp?)
- artist info displayed on the headunit (avrcp again, i think)
- DAB would be nice but not essential (does it need a special antenna?)
- Dont care about iPod or CD support.

I was hoping to keep the existing head unit and use one of the devices which fake a CD changer but I dont think theres one out there which does what I want. sk93's SkiPi module sounds interesting but there's no sign of anything being available to buy in the immediate future. I'm quite techie and was considering a DIY android tablet install but the mounting options are a bit limited in the Zed without it looking crap or cutting chunks out of the dash.

Is my only hope to replace the headunit? Any recommendations on one which does all the above? Don't really want to be spending more than around £150.

Any suggestions?
Jeff
 
Don't think you'll get all of that with a cd changer fooler device!

You'll be best getting an aftermarket head unit which will provide you the Bluetooth connectivity you require

This is my Bluetooth head unit which provides all the functionality you need

This is mine



It was in my last Zed as I'm quite happy with the aux in on my coupe
 
If you want to keep the OEM headunit and want BT A2DP, have a look at Dension's Gateway series - there's a BT model that should work. I have just fitted the GW300 and it works well, except I can't get more than one line of text (ID3) on my Nav screen - this is a limitation of the HU not the Gateway300, I think (although I've seen multi line displays from other brands, so....?) Not too worried as it does what I want -play music from a USB memory stick. The Densions seem a bit cheaper than other brands as well.
http://www.dension.com/products#bluetooth-handsfree-solutions

Mounts discreetly in the dash.
 
Thats interesting, hadnt come across those. What's the verdict on the gw300 then? Easy to fit? Decent sound quality?

One thing I'm not sure of is if my phone would be able to be connected to both the existing hands free system for calls and the denison for a2dp streaming. Does anyone know? (OnePlus One running Lollipop if it makes a difference)
 
Ah, might have spoke to soon. From the Denison site...

"Text display function of the relevant iGateway / 300 / Lite or Lite BT product is not available for BMW if the Head Unit is made by Becker, the head unit has phone preparation (phone button) or the head unit has factory phone module"

So it doesnt look like track text info will work with mine since I have the hands-free option. enzed4 - I assume you dont have handsfree?
 
I have a Gateway 300 and it works just fine with my multifunction wheel and OEM Bluetooth. There was some setting g change that needed to be done when first set up to get it to display text on the BMW business CD head unit but once that's done it displays track info just fine. I suspect if you want to use the Bluetooth version of the Gateway you would probably want to disconnect the OEM telephone control module (ULF).
 
jeffers said:
Ah, might have spoke to soon. From the Denison site...

"Text display function of the relevant iGateway / 300 / Lite or Lite BT product is not available for BMW if the Head Unit is made by Becker, the head unit has phone preparation (phone button) or the head unit has factory phone module"

So it doesnt look like track text info will work with mine since I have the hands-free option. enzed4 - I assume you dont have handsfree?
Click to expand...
Same as mangozac - I have oem bt and phone prep etc and the GW300 is working OK. You've just reminded me, i haven't actually tested the car bt since i installed the GW300 but since the GW300 I have doesn't have bt I don't think it should be a problem. I'll let you know if any probs. I can't tell you if the bt version of GW works alongside oem bt or not.
You do need to set the text display mode for the Hu and you should get the Id3 display.
It was easy to install as long as you're confident removing the head unit.
 
Yeah hardest part of the install is getting the vents out to pull the head unit! All connections are plug and play ;)
 
So has anyone used the gateway 300 with bluetooth a2dp streaming alongside the standard OEM bluetooth. Will be phone be able to connect to both a t the same time?
 
The Intravee is a really nice way of connecting an iPod if you have navigation, and it has some extra features (bit like an OBD reader and can do limited coding - like locking the doors at 10mph etc), but it won't do anything for a phone. It integrates nicely if you've got (and want to keep) the stock head unit and navigation. It can be used without nav, but the interface benefits are less felt against cheaper rivals.

The OP needs something like the aforementioned Densions to keep the stock unit, but with that wishlist I'd do the best install of an aftermarket that I could, and return it to stock if ever selling.
 
jeffers said:
So has anyone used the gateway 300 with bluetooth a2dp streaming alongside the standard OEM bluetooth. Will be phone be able to connect to both a t the same time?
Click to expand...
I ended up not buying the BT Dension for this reason - I couldn't find an answer either way as to whether it would work well alongside the Z4's Bluetooth. I decided to not risk it, and went with the non-BT GW300, and keep my phone paired to the Z4 BT.
For all I know the BT version from Dension works perfectly with the Z4 BT (ie, Z4 BT for phone calls, Dension BT for A2DP music). Then again, maybe it doesn't, and returning/replacing things like this is very expensive from this part of the world.
If you do decide to go the Dension BT route, please let us know once and for all if it's a winner or not.
 
jeffers said:
So has anyone used the gateway 300 with bluetooth a2dp streaming alongside the standard OEM bluetooth. Will be phone be able to connect to both a t the same time?
Click to expand...
You won't be able to use both simultaneously - phone Bluetooth drivers will only support a single connection at a time.
 
Mangozac said:
jeffers said:
So has anyone used the gateway 300 with bluetooth a2dp streaming alongside the standard OEM bluetooth. Will be phone be able to connect to both a t the same time?
Click to expand...
You won't be able to use both simultaneously - phone Bluetooth drivers will only support a single connection at a time.
Click to expand...

Well, thats that plan out of the window then :headbang:

Seems like it might be better to just replace the headunit. Any recommendations? Needs to do all of my original requirements plus phone bluetooth, or connect to the existing ULF (unlikely I would think). I havent bought a new headunit in probably 15 years so have no idea on whats good/bad or what else I need to get it to connect to the MFSW
 
Why not use the Dension Gateway Lite BT and disconnect the existing ULF? Due to the wide design of the head unit fascia I'm yet to see an aftermarket head unit that doesn't look out of place in the clean lines of the Z4 dash.

If you got really fancy you could probably wire up to the stock microphone in the steering column cowling too!
 
OK, gonna give up with trying to retain the OEM head unit. Its probably easier and cheaper just to replace the head unit.

My shopping list so far is:
- PIONEER MVH-X380BT head unit (good reviews, does everything i need and good price)
- Connects2 CT24BM06 Facia Plate (seems to be the best quality surround am i right?)

I'm pretty sure I need something to get the MFSW working with the head unit. Anyone have a part number or link? I've found one online ( CTSBM004.2) but not sure if its the right one.

Thanks again
Jeff
 
Taken the plunge and ordered the above. Do I need any special tools to get the existing HU out? I've heard its a bit of a PITA.
 
jeffers said:
Taken the plunge and ordered the above. Do I need any special tools to get the existing HU out? I've heard its a bit of a PITA.
Click to expand...
It's not hard if you know where/how to lever the clips open to slide the vents out. I use small plastic trim removal tools, but I've seen someone say a dinner knife fits perfectly for them, others use small screwdrivers (I just don't like the idea of poking metal around anywhere near the Z4 dash).
There are dozens of threads and 'how to's' if you do a quick search.
Best of luck - don't forget to post pics of the finished result :thumbsup:
 
Get a light of some kind into the vents, you'll see the clips. They just lever down and allow the vents out. Might be a bit of resistance due to the seal.
 
Hopefully going to tackle this on the weekend. Does anyone know where the OEM bluetooth microphone wiring ends up? Hoping to re-use the existing mic with the new headunit.
 
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