Originally Posted by Brian-bmw

Do you know the SIB number?

The only significant TCU SIB I know about is SI B84 13 04. This SIB discusses the upgrade and explains the production breakpoints for cars that had TCUs without Bluetooth and then TCUs with Bluetooth but not voice recognition. There is a statement about wiring compatibility, but it is not exclusive to the X5, and it does not preclude the TCU from being installed in an earlier car in general. This is the quote...

"For E46 and E83 vehicles up to 3/05 production and E85 and E53 vehicles up to 4/05 production, voice activation functions are not part of the TCU. A separate SES module can be installed. Refer to the EPC.

• E46, E83, E85 and E53 vehicles produced between 3/2004 and 8/2004 are equipped with a TCU that does not support Bluetooth. On these vehicles, the TCU can be replaced at the customer's expense with a 2005 MY TCU. Cradles may not be added to these vehicles because of wiring incompatibility."

This is referring to the handset cradle, but you would simply remove the cradle, if you have it. If you have any idea what the SIB was that talked about X5 wiring compatibility, maybe we can take a look and figure it out.