Good to know. I understand from your's and Big Bob's message that the ULF is model specific and that the SES has no phone compatibility issues, but do the older SESs (e.g., pre-2003) have any kind of compatibility issues with respect to the car itself? In other words, if I bought a 2001 SES that was taken out of a 7-series, would it work in my 2003 M3 coupe?

The ULF works in any ibus car, which means it is limited to the following:

BMW 3-series E46 (1998-2007)
BMW 5-series E39 (1995-2004)
BMW 7-series E38 (1994-2001)
BMW X3 E83 (2004-current [expected to be produced until 2010])
BMW X5 E53 (1999-2006)
BMW Z4 E85 E86 (2002-2008)
BMW New Mini One and Cooper R50 (2001-2006)
BMW New Mini Convertible R52 (2005-2008)
BMW New Mini Cooper S R53 (2001-2006)
BMW Range Rover L30 (1999-2003)
BMW Rover 75 R40 (1999-2005)
BMW MG ZT X10 / ZT-T X11 (2001-2005)
BMW Rolls Royce Phantom RR1 (2003-??)

Thanks, but my question is about the older SES modules, not the ULF. I'm looking at two options: Either the latest ULF, or the latest TCU with any SES that will work.

I've never seen a post that gives the full details of all SES modules and the improvements made in between. Do you really really need Nav VR? What the hell do you want to shout at your car like a loon for, before giving up and using your fingers? You can be sure VR will be a novelty that wears off in 2 weeks.

I do not know of any incompatibility between the various SES part numbers and the model year of your car. To be specific, an SES from a 2001 7 Series would work perfectly well in your car. This part is generally considered to be interchangeable between all applicable cars (E38 7 Series, E39 5 Series, E46 3 Series, E53 X5, E83 X3, and E85 Z4).

Well, to the extent that I will be doing VR with the phone, I would also like to do it with the nav. Different strokes, and all that. Interesting that there has been no breakdown of the SES modules similar to what I have found with the ULF and TCU modules.

Thanks, Brian. That is very good to know. I'm still comparing the ULF vs. TCU/SES. With the TCU/SES, I like the fact that the car automatically goes into pairing mode when turned on. Conversely, it seems that the ULF option is practical only to the extent that I can (or want to) either--

a) Retrofit my 2003 M3 with an Eject Box; or

b) Somehow acquire a pairing button, which seem very difficult to find; or

c) Make my own pairing button.


Of course, the ULF has the advantage of being an all-in-one unit. Fewer parts to go bad.

I've had VR on most of my BT car kits. It's useless with any road noise present. Just a friendly warning that it's a novelty ;)

Point well taken. I guess BMW just couldn't make it simple, huh?

Ok, I read the following statement on another site that was posted Feb. 2008: "A small momentary switch is perfectly fine since the button does not need to be accessed on a continuous basis - only when new phones are paired to the system."

I take it from this statement that I would only have to go through ULF pairing procedure the first time I pair the phone with the car. After that, the phone automatically pairs with the car. Am I understanding this correctly?