Newbie X5 owner (UK) with some questions.

[jfb1977]

Evening all,

I've just put down a deposit on a 2002 4.4i Sport, which I pick up on the 27th Jan.

The car has a great spec. It's in dark grey with full black leather, 20 inch wheels, sunroof, widescreen nav, heated rear seats, PS2, DVD player, rear screens, only 48k on the clock with full BMW service history etc.

I have a couple of questions however. I'd like to swap out the headlights for the ones with clear indiciators. The car does have xenon headlights, but they're not angel eyes and they have the amber indicators. Will these Hella lamps be a straight swap? Headlight 1EL 224 485-411 - AUTOTEILE - Auto Ersatzteile für Ihr PKW - Autoersatzteile und Autozubehör günstig online kaufen - hier finden Sie PKW Teile wie Auspuff, Bremsscheibe, Stoßdämpfer, Zündkerzen, Ölfilter, Radlager, Zahnriemen und vieles meh

Also, the car has a Motorola phone in the arm rest, but I'd like to swap this for Bluetooth. I'd like to try and use OEM BMW parts where I can, but is the BMW Bluetooth very expensive? Would I be better off with a Parrot kit with steering wheel controls?

And finally - I really want to fit an iPod, and was considering the DICE route, but don't really want to lose the CD changer. Does the BMW iPod kit mean you can still keep the CD changer active?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to add these little items to the car fairly quickly and want to make sure I know what my options are!

Cheers.

[jfb1977]

Is this a North American only forum or are my questions too dumb to justify any answers?!

[thedweeb]

Hi, LOL, No there are a few brits on here. The headlights you are looking at will not fit your car as they are designed for the face lift model which has a different front bumper and wings.Your car as mine is pre lift.
cheers

[JCAPX5]

Originally Posted by jfb1977

Evening all,

I've just put down a deposit on a 2002 4.4i Sport, which I pick up on the 27th Jan.

The car has a great spec. It's in dark grey with full black leather, 20 inch wheels, sunroof, widescreen nav, heated rear seats, PS2, DVD player, rear screens, only 48k on the clock with full BMW service history etc.

I have a couple of questions however. I'd like to swap out the headlights for the ones with clear indiciators. The car does have xenon headlights, but they're not angel eyes and they have the amber indicators. Will these Hella lamps be a straight swap? Headlight 1EL 224 485-411 - AUTOTEILE - Auto Ersatzteile für Ihr PKW - Autoersatzteile und Autozubehör günstig online kaufen - hier finden Sie PKW Teile wie Auspuff, Bremsscheibe, Stoßdämpfer, Zündkerzen, Ölfilter, Radlager, Zahnriemen und vieles meh

Also, the car has a Motorola phone in the arm rest, but I'd like to swap this for Bluetooth. I'd like to try and use OEM BMW parts where I can, but is the BMW Bluetooth very expensive? Would I be better off with a Parrot kit with steering wheel controls?

And finally - I really want to fit an iPod, and was considering the DICE route, but don't really want to lose the CD changer. Does the BMW iPod kit mean you can still keep the CD changer active?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to add these little items to the car fairly quickly and want to make sure I know what my options are!

Cheers.

HAHA No!

And welcome to the boards my friend, congrats on the X!

While I'm not smart enough to answer your other two questions specifically, I can give my experience! Also some great info on common topics like bluetooth and iPod on the homepage or in the specific area of the forum. There's a category all about electronics where you can find some great info.

As for the bluetooth I believe you can swap the unit in your truck for the BT one for around $500. Do some digging and having BT in the car is spectacular if you ask me. LOVE this simple feature.

As for the iPod I have the DICE unit on our E46 and yes, it does eliminate the possibility to use a changer as well with the stock system. I think the BMW OEM one allows for both but I'm not positive. I know you can have the OEM changer and add the AUX input for any audio source. You could do this although it's not the best iPod integration.

Anyway, welcome and good luck!

[X5Sport]

The BMW OEM Ipod kit uses the Aux port on the radio system. You keep the disc changer. However you can only control the iPod manually and will need a separate charger for it too. If you're going down the DICE route, then why do you need to keep the changer as your music will be on the iPod? Just asking. I have the older ICE>Link Plus on mine and don't miss the changer at all. I am now looking at the DICE system as an update.

I also have the tele handset in the armrest. I think to change to a full Bluetooth system you need to change the Telephone Control Unit (TCU) to one that supports Bluetooth and pairing with separate handsets. There was an issue with BMW in the UK only supporting certain versions of Bluetooth and the Address Book version (I think it was limited to Ver 1.1). This severely limited the phones that would pair and then work properly (address book visible on Nav screen). Have a look at BMW UK: Owner area - Bluetooth for answers as it used to hold a list of what worked with the 'X'. With the E53 being on 'old' model, the data may have been pulled off the site by now, but..... I ended up specifying the in car unit for mine and just put my sim card in as needed. Shame really as it's not the most 'elegant' solution but at least I know it works.