2005 x3 - Doesn't display "Activate Phone"
 

I just picked up a 2005 x3 (11/04 production date) for my wife. I'm trying to get the bluetooth to work. I checked in the left rear compartment, the radio gizmo back there has the bluetooth symbol on it. The car has the premium package and BMW assist.

When I turn the key on, the radio display never shows "Active Phone". If I hit the R/T button the wheel, it says "Phonebook empty". I've done a lot of searching, read the manuals, etc...and I can't find an answer to this. Someone posted that if the radio never displays "Active Phone" that you need a software upgrade. Is this true? What specifically needs to be upgraded?

Thanks,
Dusten

Bump...anyone?

Have you attempted to 'pair' your phone to the car. If not, then the car doesn't know about any phone you are trying to use.

With Bluetooth, devices have to be manually paired to be able to communicate with each other.

Yes, when I search for BT devices, I don't find any. I've tried with both a Samsung phone and my ATT Tilt.

Any other ideas? I'm taking it in in two weeks to have it looked at.

There are several different phone packages (modules) that BMW fit. The ASSIST module may be too early to allow the pairing of a handset, but the later ones seem to work OK.

Your option may be to swap out the Assist module and replace with a standard ULF module which would then work with your phone. It depends whether you use or are likely to ever need BMW Assist and have subscribed.

In the UK, ASSIST equipped cars are few and far between, and we all have standard ULF phone modules (of various versions).

There is a thread on this on the X5 forum where someone is having the same issues as you are, pairing a phone to an Assist module.

Sorry I can't be much more help.

Thanks, do you happen to have a link to that thread? Thanks!