Sat Nav/Bluetooth

[MCR]

I have just bought a 2004 E85 and I'd like to upgrade the car with a Bluetooth console with Sat Nav, and I'm guessing the best option would be to source one from a breakers and it would I'm assuming mean the top dash which incorporates the screen, the unit itself and a compatible steering wheel? Excuse my ignorance but is it a later model that I'd be looking at or what this always an upgrade as such? Any experience or recommendations of sourcing, buying, fitting? Cheers... loving the car incidentally.

 

[Chris_D]

I wouldn't bother mate, it's crap. I have it and don't use it.
I have the ipod prep which I hook up a bt dongle to to stream music from bt devices. use google maps on phone for satnav.

 

[sangbleu]

Same here, whenever I rely on the Z4's sat nav rather than my phone, it takes me twice as long to get there

 

[bladeowner]

The E85 sat nav display is a bit old tech but I've found the routing etc pretty reliable for A to B journeys. For customised routing I use my Garmin with gpx files or CoPilot (trp files) on my phone as these do not need mobile data.
I don't think an upgrade is worthwhile though as apart from the display you would also need the sat nav DVD in the centre console and the sat nav radio console plus other ancillaries too.
Some enterprising chaps on here have installed just the pop up centre display but replaced the screen with an android tablet -which is the way I would go if I didn't already have sat nav or mine stopped working. The world would then be your lobster

 

[srhutch]

Can be done, myself and PVR among two who have retrofitted.

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=6067

Hardest part now would be finding a loom.

 

[GuidoK]

I think the satnav works great btw.
Bluetooth is a separate module (called ULF) and the earlier versions (there are 13 generations) that you usually see for sale are crap as they dont work with android phones. The latest generation ULF is pretty expensive.

 

[enzed4]

Have to agree with most that the satnav's not the greatest, but TBH mine is a disc from 2013 that can't be updated anymore (apparently BMW stopped making them for NZ then - I certainly can't find anything newer). However, it is very useful when integrated with my Dension 300 audio system, so I can see the tracks, and search using the satnav screen. It's also mildly useful (well ok, really a novelty) with all of the fuel consumption, trip computers etc on the screen.
I certainly don't regret having it (it came with the car, after all), but wouldn't spec it today, or retrofit it, at least for the satnav.
I really like the idea of replacing it with a tablet, but it seems to be quite an involved process, and the OEM ones' still working okay.

 

[wegras]

I wouldn't bother mate, it's crap. I have it and don't use it.
I have the ipod prep which I hook up a bt dongle to to stream music from bt devices. use google maps on phone for satnav.

Chris ,how have you connected a B/T dongle to the iPod connection ??

 

[Chris_D]

I wouldn't bother mate, it's crap. I have it and don't use it.
I have the ipod prep which I hook up a bt dongle to to stream music from bt devices. use google maps on phone for satnav.

Chris ,how have you connected a B/T dongle to the iPod connection ??

You need the intermediary power dongle to make sure the bt dongle is powered sufficiently.
Replaces the cd changer input leaving aux still available.
All from amazon.

 

[wegras]

Chris possibly being a bit dense here
I have the factory iPod connection kit ,in my case routed to the glove compartment with the 30 pin male plug using the CD input in head unit
Do you still have to use the music held in 5 x BMW xx "playlists ??
The B/T receiver I would use has a micro usb power in and headphone jack which bits have you used to connect the receiver dongle to that Male 30 pin plug and hence into Audio system ?

 

[Chris_D]

Chris possibly being a bit dense here
I have the factory iPod connection kit ,in my case routed to the glove compartment with the 30 pin male plug using the CD input in head unit
Do you still have to use the music held in 5 x BMW xx "playlists ??
The B/T receiver I would use has a micro usb power in and headphone jack which bits have you used to connect the receiver dongle to that Male 30 pin plug and hence into Audio system ?

don't know anything about playlists, but this is the link for the bt dongle. It has a 30pin female connector.
https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00V090LQI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and the power dongle which sits in-between the hardwired bt 30pin male connector and the bt dongle is no longer listed on amazon.de where i got mine so you'll have to dig around a bit. the existing ipod prep connector won't power the bt dongle by itself. I'm not an electronics engineer so i can't tell you why - something to do with voltage conversion i think...

I'm using a nasty old iphone 4s but it works perfectly if using music, onkyo, flacplayer, or tunesplayer for radio.

 

[wegras]

Chris ,cheers that is the missing "link" couldn't find anything that had a female 30 pin
Thanks again for help

 

[Chris_D]

Chris ,cheers that is the missing "link" couldn't find anything that had a female 30 pin
Thanks again for help

yw bud.
maybe worth mentioning is that mine failed not long after using it. only get sound from the right channel. i saw another buyer complaining of the same failure.
the seller, Patox have emailed me to say they will send a new one. ok no problem, see if it works for a second time. but maybe something to consider as the return period is one month and i had mine 3 months now, so consider myself lucky that theyre playing ball and replacing. they could easily say no.
maybe worth spending a little extra to get one from a seller with 1 yr guarantee outside amazon...
does sound good with the A2DP codec tho

 

[wegras]

Ummm
Thanks for the warning ,but your info has pointed me towards the type of device I need ,couldn't get my mind round the type but now a clear picture
thanks again

 

[wegras]

Chris ,an update
Thanks to your posts I twigged the earlier Sound docks B/T receivers and found the one you have on UK Amazon but taking your advice purchased another the Vic sting version ,tiny and works superbly with good feedback.
The issue you have is due to the change a long time back of Apple switching from Firewire (12v/xxV ) to the normal 5V USB power and early or first Bose Sound dock required the adapter to change wiring for Apple devices post iPhone 4 .The Vic works just plugged in and is now hidden out of site and is using the old iPod connector

 

[williamdefender]

heres what I'm using and its fantasic
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=87463&p=1292426#p1292426