New X5 owner - Lots of questions

[gregorio]

Hi everyone - I just purchased a pristine 2004 X5 4.4i with 88,000 miles. It was a lease return that was really pampered. They even detailed it before they returned it! This is my second BMW after being a MB fan for decades. I am liking it a lot there are a few quirks that I am hoping everyone here can help me understand.

Options are; Premium Package, Rear Climate Package, Sport Package, 19" Wheels, Park Distance Control and Navigation.

First, the Park Distance Control seems flakey. It did not activate the first time I parked it but after backing up and trying again, it instantly went to full scream. No beeps. Also, after putting the car in PARK, I expected it to stop screaming but this is not the case.

Second, it looks like it had a mobile phone installed or at least the prep package. What is confusing me is that I have a laminated card with a Blue Tooth PassKey. What is that? I thought it means I could pair my BT phone to the car but after reading here I see that I would need an updated ULF (wahtever that is) module.

Last, what recommendations do you have for iPod connection? I bought one that took the place of my CD Changer in my 2006 325 Ci but that is not somehting I'd like to lose in this car because there is no CD in the dash. Do later Navigation units have a CD in dash and AUX input? Can they be swapped in?

Thanks in advance for all your help.
Greg

[Meiac09]

Originally Posted by gregorio

First, the Park Distance Control seems flakey. It did not activate the first time I parked it but after backing up and trying again, it instantly went to full scream. No beeps. Also, after putting the car in PARK, I expected it to stop screaming but this is not the case.

Second, it looks like it had a mobile phone installed or at least the prep package. What is confusing me is that I have a laminated card with a Blue Tooth PassKey. What is that? I thought it means I could pair my BT phone to the car but after reading here I see that I would need an updated ULF (wahtever that is) module.

Last, what recommendations do you have for iPod connection? I bought one that took the place of my CD Changer in my 2006 325 Ci but that is not somehting I'd like to lose in this car because there is no CD in the dash. Do later Navigation units have a CD in dash and AUX input? Can they be swapped in?

Thanks in advance for all your help.
Greg

The PDC is more tied to the button than the gearshift.

The Bluetooth - Its only "visible" for like 30 seconds after you turn the key on. Try that.

For our E53, I just jury-rigged an iPod cord with one of those old tape deck adaptors and fished it under the trim.

Congrats on the new ride and post pics!

[dragoncoach]

Your cd changer is located in the driver's rear cubby in the hatch area....

[blktoptrvl]

My PDC will continue to blare until I press the button to turn it off. Putting the car in Park does not terminate the alerts.

[gregorio]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I found the changer but there is no In Dash CD player like my 325. It came with both. On that model, I was able to buy a device that plugged into where the rear changer would be and now I can control and charge my iPod. I may have lost the changer but I still had the ability to play CDs from the dash. What I'm looking for is an iPod integration kit that does not eliminate the CD Changer on the X5.

I don't understand why can manufacturers can't figure out the little details. All of my MBs shut off the front PDC when you shifted out of forward gears (N, R, P) and shut off the rear PDC when you shifted out of Reverse. I don't feel bad because my 2010 LR4 does the same thing the X5 does.

From what I have read here and on other sites is that Bluetooth started in 2005 on the X5. So, my 2004 probably does not have it but I still can't understand why I have a card with a Bluetooth PassKey. That is the $64,000 question!

Thanks again,
Greg

[Helmuth]

Hi,

first congrats to you !!

PDC is engaged when you shift to "R" - disengages when you drive faster then 30 km/h. This means it stays on also when you drive into the front direction. Manual disengaging can also be done with the PDC button.

For iPod/iPhone I have mounted a DICE Silverline - CD changer is not possible in parallel. But: why would you want to use a changer when you can have an iPod which can hold much more music then your changer?

mobile - sorry - no idea.

Have fun, H

[blktoptrvl]

Originally Posted by gregorio

I don't understand why can manufacturers can't figure out the little details. All of my MBs shut off the front PDC when you shifted out of forward gears (N, R, P) and shut off the rear PDC when you shifted out of Reverse. I don't feel bad because my 2010 LR4 does the same thing the X5 does.

I kinda like the fact that it does not shut off until I tell it to.

Each time someone walks behind the vehicle I "hear them."

[ducati2242]

If your pdc is going off as soon as you go to reverse then theres something wrong with it . It could be a defective probe or , like mine , it needs resetting . No big deal but it will need bmw to do it.

[Lookin4Trouble]

Or it could be the same issue I had with my PDC - one of my rear sensors had the cover and sleeve busted off it, and was sitting inside the bumper cover, pointed directly at the tow bar. It "saw" the tow bar 2 inches away and blared every time I put the X into reverse until I picked up the sleeve and cover ($22 later), and put it back together Saturday afternoon...

E

[jbny]

Congratulations,

For the ipod I use the Aux connector, I got it installed by the dealer but you can go with DIY there are a lot of threads here on how to do it, that will let you use your CD too which is what i wanted.
Bluetooth - 2005 models and up had it standard (mine does 2005, but i have'nt used it yet)