Voice Recognition

[hunds02]

Hey I have a 2005 e53 with bluetooth. How do I use voice recognition? Also how do I know if i have it or not?

[Brian-bmw]

Push and hold the "sneezing man" button on the steering wheel to activate VR.

[hunds02]

Originally Posted by Brian-bmw

Push and hold the "sneezing man" button on the steering wheel to activate VR.

Thanks a lot. I'll give it a try

[Yii]

have fun with it i have it but it dosent really work too well lol i even forgot that i have that function to begin with

[hunds02]

I guess i dont have the "voice activated" feature. I only have a button of what looks like a person's head with a speech bubble by its mouth lol... i tried holding the button nothing happened

[statdoc]

hunds02, what was your X5's birthday? Mine was built in May 05, and has the VR feature. I think it was added to the 05 model year in May, or shortly before. If yours was built very early in the model year, it probably doesn't have it.

[hunds02]

Originally Posted by statdoc

hunds02, what was your X5's birthday? Mine was built in May 05, and has the VR feature. I think it was added to the 05 model year in May, or shortly before. If yours was built very early in the model year, it probably doesn't have it.

Yea, I think you're right, mine was 01/2005... sucks.
Is there a way to get the VR module?

[Brian-bmw]

Originally Posted by hunds02

Yea, I think you're right, mine was 01/2005... sucks.
Is there a way to get the VR module?

You can get a brand new TCU with VR and Bluetooth from Tischer BMW for $328. You could either send your old TCU back for the $50 core, or sell it for around $200. Of, course, you would need to get the new one coded in your car for VR, assist, etc.

What is the part number of your TCU module? It is possible that your car has VR, but it has just been disabled by dealer coding. If that is the case, then all you need is coding to re-enable it.

[X5 Meister]

Specifically:

"For E46 and E83 vehicles up to 3/05 production and E85 and E53 vehicles up to 4/05 production, voice activation functions are not part of the TCU. A separate SES module can be installed. Refer to the EPC."

Originally Posted by statdoc

hunds02, what was your X5's birthday? Mine was built in May 05, and has the VR feature. I think it was added to the 05 model year in May, or shortly before. If yours was built very early in the model year, it probably doesn't have it.

[statdoc]

Yes, but new price is ~$1000. You can occasionally find a used one for less.