3G iPhone Snap in Adapter Mod

X5 Meister · #16 04-30-2010, 10:50 AM

Did some research into the bumper antenna question and with some excellent help from big bob here is what I found out.

The two BMW bumper antennas kits 84-51-0-016-669 and 84-11-1-470-326 really have the same antenna in them, which is a Hirschmann MCA 18 90 SF bumper antenna. See link:

Hirschmann Car Communication

This antenna is rated as follows:
AMPS: 824 - 894 MHZ
GSM 900: 880 - 960 MHz
GSM 1800: 1710 - 1880 MHz
GSM 1900: 1850 - 1990 MHz

According to Hirschmann, the two antenna kits have antennas with the same functionaily, the only difference is the plug.

84-11-1-470-326 kit has an antenna with a Fakra Code A plug.
84-51-0-016-669 kit has an antenna with the FME female plug.
By the way, the MCA 18 90 SF antenna also has the FME female plug.

Note that in the 84-51-0-016-669 kit the part number of the actual antenna is 84-51-0-016-668.

Why the 84-11-1-470-326 retails for $67.50 while the 84-51-0-016-669 retails for $220.95 is a complete mystery. (Maybe it's like what they did with the auxiliary input options: http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/...eferences.html) BMW calls the 84-51-0-016-669 kit "Dualband 900/1800 MHz" which I suppose is technically correct (since it does operate on those frequencies, but not exclusively only those frequencies) and it is listed in the ETK as applicable to Europe and the USA. BMW makes no such statement about the 84-11-1-470-326, strangely enough.

Lastly, just an FYI according to big bob who certainly knows his stuff:

850=GSM850 (USA)
900=GSM900 (EU)
1800=DCS1800(EU)
1900=PCS1900(USA)
AMPS=CDMA (USA)

My guess is that by calling the 84-51-0-016-669 kit "Dualband 900/1800 MHz" BMW is trying to identify this as a part for Europe which jives with the Europe installation instructions (BMW NA installation instructions are not nearly as detailed, organized or well-written).

Here is a link to the BMW installation instructions for the 84-51-0-016-669 which will be applicable to the 84-11-1-470-326 (as there are no separate instructions for the 84-11-1-470-326):
http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/bl...-%20Aerial.pdf

Those instructions also mention p/n 84-51-0-137-629 which I haven't been able to find any mention of anywhere.

I will also attach Hirschmann's own installation instructions and the pdf fact sheet of the MCA 18 90 SF bumper antenna once I shrink the pdf files (the board's limit has GOT to be increased).

Finally, here is the link to the excellent installation write-up done by Jeff330xi:
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/all...bluetooth.html

Hope this helps someone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

These are interesting part numbers and I'm a bit confused.

- The 3G adapter 84-21-2-151-038 I assume is the latest iPhone 3G adapter, and I suppose the 84-10-9-182-792 is the older regular iPhone adapter, is that right? Do you by any chance have a list of all the iPhone adapters that could be made to fit the E53?

- Do you know if the iPhone 3G adapter 84-21-2-151-043 will work in the E53?

- Your console eject box 84-21-6-933-415 comes up as a Euro spec only part for after 1/2003 (prior to that it was 84-21-6-924-067). Any reason why you specify that one and not the one specified for the USA which is 84-21-6-946-063 ?

- The bumper antenna you specified 84-51-0-016-669 which I understand is the entire retrofit kit and retails for $213.95. A number of people have indicated that for the USA all that is needed is the one I mentioned that is 84-11-1-470-326 which retails for $63.75. What do you think?

Here are the BMW parts on the BMW USA website. I'm curious as to your thoughts about the differences.

BMW Accessories - 2006 X5 4.4i SAV:Phone Snap-In Adapters