Here's another option that is considerably less expensive and adds BT 2.0 so you can play music from your phone wirelessly if it has that feature

It's probably compatible with more phones than the BMW unit.

Kensington Liquid Aux BT

http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-Liq.../dp/B0011UIX2K

I have one but haven't gotten around to testing it yet (I've maybe driven 2k miles this year). I didn't like the remote control on the steering wheel so I have it attached to the shifter. I saw a post where someone had attached it to the door handle (not sure if it was on an X5).

It requires the aux input but that is a relatively inexpensive option and easy self-install if you don't have it yet.

sorry to hear your news.

i was lucky whereby another car club member sold his BT unit (cheap! AU$100) and then i bought the retrofit kit for AU$400-odd, and installed it myself.

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Well I'm back from the Stealership. Here is the write-up spelling errors and all.

CONCERN 51 CLIENT STATES BLUETOOTH IS NOT WORKING. PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE

CAUSE CAR NEVER HAD BLUETOOTH COMPATABILITY

CORRECTION TRYED TO PAIR BLUETOOTH PHONE, WAS UNABLE TO PAIR. INTERROGATED FAULT MEMORY, FOUND NO FAULTS IN TCU. REMOVED TCU AND CONFIRMED PART # ON OWNERS MANUAL INSERT AND TCU WERE THE SAME. CONSULTED WITH SHOP FOREMAN AND REDERD TO SIB 84-13-04. VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE BLUETOOTH COMPATABILITY. NOTE: SEE ADVISOR FOR DETAILS. A BLUETOOTH UPGRADE KIT IS NEEDED WITH PROGRAMMING/CODEING AND RETROFITTING FOR BLUETOOTH TO WORK.

The Service Advisor told me the upgrade was $1050.00, I again asked what was exactly was the "upgrade"? He had to go ask the tech, then came back and said it was replacing the TCU with one that has Assist and Bluetooth, plus 1 hour to install the TCU, and 3 HOURS to code/program the car. I asked if he was kidding. I told him there is something very wrong if it takes his techs 3 friggin hours to code the car. He still charged me the $165 troubleshooting, but said he would talk to his manager tomorrow to see if there was anything he could to about it.

haigha: I am very interested to hear your results with your Kensington BT/Music unit. Pleaase let me know if you ever get around to testing it out. The last Kensington iPod FM modulator I had, I didn't have great results.

Gobbleoff: Lucky you! Guess I am the hunt for a good deal on a TCU, but there is no way I am going to pay over a few hundie to get BT in the car. For the money the dealer wants I could go Pioneer and get NAV to boot...

So if anyone has a line on a BT TCU for a reasonable price, let me know...

Thanks for all the help!

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-Brad-

2004 X5 3.0
2008 F-150 SCREW
1999 HD Night Train Custom

I'll try to look at it this week. For $30 after rebate for the Kensington, you can't lose

Also, look at the reviews on Amazon. The only major complaint was some hiss but that may be a problem with the Aux in on the person's Civic.

After all, you paid $165 for "troubleshooting"

If I'm not mistaken, all they had to do was hook your car up to the diagnostic computer and look at a read out. Sounds like a few minutes work to me.

coding? i never had to do anything on mine. As soon as the BT ULF is plugged in, the Telephone option came up on the NAV screen.... installed the cradle, spent a week trying to pair (which was successful eventually), and that was it. No trips to the dealer for anything to be coded.

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No coding was required for me on my 10/03 (MY04) build (replaced the Assist module).

And pairing was a pain here too

You don't have a ULF. You have a TCU. I looked up the number you posted. I am in the same boat because I have a 04 X5 with a Bluetooth TCU but no functionality. Your options depend on the build date of your vehicle.

Mine is a 09/03 and cannot have an updated Assist module. I believe is is the 10/03 and beyond where you can get an updated Assist unit with bluetooth and assist included and it will function. Some on this forum have not needed recoding where others did not.
My only option is to use a ULF. Once I install the ULF, I will lose the Assist functionality. It is really a shame that BMW sold a vehicle with this feature and never attempted to make the owners who thought they paid for bluetooth whole.

A few people have used the Parrot BT module and I considered it but eliminated it because I have a friend who has one installed in their vehicle and the sound is not good at all. It also does not use the BMW built in microphone. You can get the steering wheel control module too.

Good luck!

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Abster641

I actually wondered about this. Has anyone tried to "push" their dealer into updating your vehicle with functional Bluetooth? I may be a little slow, but the documention that came with my car when purchased from BMW (albeit a used X5) stated that it has Bluetooth. I just don't know how to effectively put this to the dealer making a good argument for a no cost upgrade... Any ideas? Loosing battle? Shut up and go buy an alternative solution?

__________________
-Brad-

2004 X5 3.0
2008 F-150 SCREW
1999 HD Night Train Custom

Later build of 8/04 received the BT/assist. I think you have the assist only like mine (7/04 build). Post 3/04 build may be upgraded to the MY05 TCU BT/assist combo.

"In order to do this mod you will be replacing your Assist module with the
combo Assist and Bluetooth module - part # 84-11-6-946-993. The part
itself should likely run about $440, but you will also have to pay your dealer
to have the vehicle coded to make this work. Per SIB 84 13 04, the
vehicle must be recoded in order for it to function, which will likely run you
at least an hour labor. So you might as well have the dealer install the
module too."

Link to the thread: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80391
The TSB is in http://bluetoothyourbmw.com/. #16 and #17 under
Installation and Retrofit Guides and Information

This should not require a pairing button from what I've been reading as it will not wire up correctly. It's also written in the SIB 84 13 04. Hope this helps you out. Keep us updated.

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-Arjay