View Full Version : What was the first model year BMW offered Bluetooth?
Just curious...
There was a dealer installed option that isn't as good as the later units, IIRC, dating back maybe to '03? The first year that it came standard in the car from the factory was '05.
EDIT: To clarify, when I say "the car" I meant the E46.
Possibly the 02 redesigned 7. The 03 E39 had it as an option. My 05 E46 had it as well.
Thinking about the future replacement for the 330i? ;)
kognito
07-08-2008, 01:51 PM
Thinking about the future replacement for the 330i? ;)
or trying to win a bet?? :D
It was 2003 for the dealer installed option...
I have an '03 530 -- and even though it was the last model year of the E39, it was the first the BT was avail. I retrofitted it into my car -- not too hard to do, although it was fairly expensive (just under $400, and I bought the main module used off of eBay). Works fairly well, although there is a newer microphone avail that supposedly fixes the biggest problem (tinny and faint sound for people on the other end of the call).
It was also the first year Sirius was avail, and you can retrofit XM using the XM Direct kit that plugs into the Sirius inputs...
wdc330i
07-08-2008, 08:14 PM
Just curious...
of the e39 M5? :)
It was 2003 for the dealer installed option...
I have an '03 530 -- and even though it was the last model year of the E39, it was the first the BT was avail. I retrofitted it into my car -- not too hard to do, although it was fairly expensive (just under $400, and I bought the main module used off of eBay). Works fairly well, although there is a newer microphone avail that supposedly fixes the biggest problem (tinny and faint sound for people on the other end of the call).
It was also the first year Sirius was avail, and you can retrofit XM using the XM Direct kit that plugs into the Sirius inputs...
Hey ZBB,
I call dibs if you want to sell it. =)
of the e39 M5? :)
No. I was just curious.
Hey ZBB,
I call dibs if you want to sell it. =)
I'm looking to change cars relatively soon... Can you get by without BT in the M5 for a couple months? I'm probably not doing anything until Sept/Oct though...
I'm looking to change cars relatively soon... Can you get by without BT in the M5 for a couple months? I'm probably not doing anything until Sept/Oct though...
I can wait a bit but Ca just passed a no cell phone law in the car so I might need something sooner. Keep me posted though. Thanks
Terri Kennedy
07-09-2008, 01:49 AM
No. I was just curious.It varied depending on the car model. In the E46, there was a long gap between the end of availability of the CPT8000 (last hard-wired phone, based on the Motorola TimePort) and Bluetooth. The 7-series got the CPT9000 (based on the Motorola V60) as a stopgap measure.
I believe the first year you could order Bluetooth on an E46 was 2005, though retrofit kits work back well before that (I have a first-week-of-production 2003 and I have the kit).
With either aftermarket adapters like the one from bimmerNAV or BMW adapters like the snap-in cradle adapter (it pretends to be a CPT phone, but is a Bluetooth adapter) you can add Bluetooth to pretty much any BMW with phone prep (SA640 or friends).
It varied depending on the car model. In the E46, there was a long gap between the end of availability of the CPT8000 (last hard-wired phone, based on the Motorola TimePort) and Bluetooth. The 7-series got the CPT9000 (based on the Motorola V60) as a stopgap measure.
I believe the first year you could order Bluetooth on an E46 was 2005, though retrofit kits work back well before that (I have a first-week-of-production 2003 and I have the kit).
With either aftermarket adapters like the one from bimmerNAV or BMW adapters like the snap-in cradle adapter (it pretends to be a CPT phone, but is a Bluetooth adapter) you can add Bluetooth to pretty much any BMW with phone prep (SA640 or friends).
Do the dealer kits work the same way as the later OEM options? Do they give you full phonebook functions? I recall that perhaps they didn't, but my memory is often faulty.
clyde
07-09-2008, 09:12 AM
No. I was just curious.
then why this forum? :?
Terri Kennedy
07-09-2008, 10:23 AM
Do the dealer kits work the same way as the later OEM options? Do they give you full phonebook functions? I recall that perhaps they didn't, but my memory is often faulty.Yes. You get full phonebook support, last-10 memory, etc. The Bluetooth ULF also provides voice response support (previously provided by the SES module option on the CPT phones) so you can control the phone (and other stuff) by voice command.
Note that there were a bazillion revs of the Bluetooth module and some of them didn't work with particular phones, didn't support SMS, and so forth.
then why this forum? :?
There is no point in posting every half-baked car idea I come up with. Sometimes an isolated data point is all I need to either shoot down or support one of these half-baked ideas.
That said, I will not get another car without Bluetooth.
wdc330i
07-10-2008, 12:38 PM
I think we'd all be delighted to hear your musings. As we're all probably musing along similar lines. In fact, I feel kind of cheated when someone just goes out and buys a car without letting us in on the thought process!
Maybe that's just me...
In the last few months, I've given semi-serious consideration to the MCS, various E46 ZHP bodystyles, the E46 M3 convertible, the new A4 and A5, the E92, the 135i, used 911s, various E39 variants, the G8, the diesel Jetta, and the Audi TT coupe (and I'm sure I'm forgetting something).No need to bore you all...
In the last few months, I've given semi-serious consideration to the MCS, various E46 ZHP bodystyles, the E46 M3 convertible, the new A4 and A5, the E92, the 135i, used 911s, various E39 variants, the G8, the diesel Jetta, and the Audi TT coupe (and I'm sure I'm forgetting something).No need to bore you all...
I actually like reading about people's perseverations (within reason). Have you driven an e46 M3 convertible? I've heard that they are considerably different than the coupes...
In the last few months, I've given semi-serious consideration to the MCS, various E46 ZHP bodystyles, the E46 M3 convertible, the new A4 and A5, the E92, the 135i, used 911s, various E39 variants, the G8, the diesel Jetta, and the Audi TT coupe (and I'm sure I'm forgetting something).No need to bore you all...
But thats the nature of Perseverators Anonymous isnt it?
wdc330i
07-10-2008, 01:39 PM
In the last few months, I've given semi-serious consideration to the MCS, various E46 ZHP bodystyles, the E46 M3 convertible, the new A4 and A5, the E92, the 135i, used 911s, various E39 variants, the G8, the diesel Jetta, and the Audi TT coupe (and I'm sure I'm forgetting something).No need to bore you all...
I have semi-seriously considered almost all of these cars, too. With the addition of the Boxster. I think the only one I haven't thought about is the TT. Although it is great looking these days.
I was very hot for a convertible--and stalled between an '06 ZHP iteration or the 128.
Now because our big wagon has been in the shop and I have to schlep the dogs every day in the sedan, I'm all about small wagons.
I have semi-seriously considered almost all of these cars, too. With the addition of the Boxster. I think the only one I haven't thought about is the TT. Although it is great looking these days.
I often think about what I would get if my M3 died. My guess is that I'd pick up an 04 or 05 M3 coupe just because it would be an easy transition.
wdc330i
07-10-2008, 03:50 PM
I often think about what I would get if my M3 died. My guess is that I'd pick up an 04 or 05 M3 coupe just because it would be an easy transition.
Does the e46 M3 beat the e90 M in fuel efficiency?
Does the e46 M3 beat the e90 M in fuel efficiency?
I'm not sure. It certainly beats it in acquisition cost...
I often think about what I would get if my M3 died. My guess is that I'd pick up an 04 or 05 M3 coupe just because it would be an easy transition.
By the end of my time with my E46 M3 I couldn't wait to get rid of it. The driveline clunk, the overall leadenness of the controls, and the coupe bodyshell were all major annoyances.
By the end of my time with my E46 M3 I couldn't wait to get rid of it. The driveline clunk, the overall leadenness of the controls, and the coupe bodyshell were all major annoyances.
Yeah, I remember. I just can't think of a reasonable alternative that fits my criteria. 2004 M3s are pretty cheap, have a bunch of power, etc. I'd prefer an e90, but I just can't justify it considering how infrequently I drive.
Yeah, I remember. I just can't think of a reasonable alternative that fits my criteria. 2004 M3s are pretty cheap, have a bunch of power, etc. I'd prefer an e90, but I just can't justify it considering how infrequently I drive.
I would (and did) take a 330i over an E46 M3 any day.
Now, the E90 is maybe a different story...
By the end of my time with my E46 M3 I couldn't wait to get rid of it. The driveline clunk, the overall leadenness of the controls, and the coupe bodyshell were all major annoyances.
See I did not think it was a bad car at all. I actaully liked driving it a lot. The cost of ownership after warrenty was why I no longer wanted it. (Vanos had already been replaced once)
Thats part of what sealed the deal on the car I am getting. Full coverage warrenty (except for ware items of course) till 2012 or 100K miles.
I would (and did) take a 330i over an E46 M3 any day.
Now, the E90 is maybe a different story...
The 330s are too slow and too soft I think. The 335i was appealing when it leased well. I don't have much interest in owning one though. It's a shame that early 997s are still so damn expensive. Those are probably too small anyway. We can only really have one car in the city.
A 335 is exactly as soft as a 330. Just faster...
A 335 is exactly as soft as a 330. Just faster...
Right. Faster makes up for some softness. :D
clyde
07-10-2008, 05:51 PM
faster makes softer moresofter
not always a bad thing, tho
wdc330i
07-10-2008, 07:40 PM
By the end of my time with my E46 M3 I couldn't wait to get rid of it. The driveline clunk, the overall leadenness of the controls, and the coupe bodyshell were all major annoyances.
There's already a bulletin from BMW maintaining that the driveline clunk people are noticing in the e90 M is perfectly normal and will not compromise the longevity of the car.
There's already a bulletin from BMW maintaining that the driveline clunk people are noticing in the e90 M is perfectly normal and will not compromise the longetity of the car.
Thats just the race heritage. =P
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