ULF Upgrade from BMW???

[edco]

I just installed a gen 13 ULF in my wife's 2004 325 Ci C and the voice reco and quality of sound (In a a vert no less), is miles above the one in my 06 X5.

Has anyone gotten BMW to "upgrade" their ULF ? For example, if I speak a phone number digit-by-digit, it will get 2 out of 11 wrong, and I start again, and it fails again, and I end up picking up the phone and dialing it by hand (which is now a $450 ticket in NJ)

Wondering if there is a legit complaint that would cause them to do the upgrade for free..?

Thanks
ED

[Halston Pitman]

You may have another issue in your X5. The ULF module itself is not more powerful or "better" in the later generations. There are some reasons to upgrade like text messaging and more data entries.

I believe you may have a failing microphone or failing module. I don't know if it would result in a newer ULF upgrade though.

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by edco

I just installed a gen 13 ULF in my wife's 2004 325 Ci C and the voice reco and quality of sound (In a a vert no less), is miles above the one in my 06 X5.

Has anyone gotten BMW to "upgrade" their ULF ? For example, if I speak a phone number digit-by-digit, it will get 2 out of 11 wrong, and I start again, and it fails again, and I end up picking up the phone and dialing it by hand (which is now a $450 ticket in NJ)

Wondering if there is a legit complaint that would cause them to do the upgrade for free..?

Thanks
ED

BMW still only offers the 1st generation ULF, we are on 13th Generation at the moment. If there is a problem with your ULF, it likely be replaced with another 1st Gen unit.

Does your X5 have Assist? If so, you would have a TCU and not a ULF.

[edco]

Originally Posted by Tom G.

BMW still only offers the 1st generation ULF, we are on 13th Generation at the moment. If there is a problem with your ULF, it likely be replaced with another 1st Gen unit.

Does your X5 have Assist? If so, you would have a TCU and not a ULF.

Wow, thats amazing that they are still using 6 year old + tecnology.
Guess I'll go buy my own and install it

[Halston Pitman]

That is the thing though. It is not "6 year old technology". In reality you are getting better features. IE Text Messaging and more contacts. Our testing here and in many customers vehicles who provided feedback found no difference in actual Bluetooth performance.

As with many other parts from BMW, say for instance Fog Lights. Company makes early model Fogs and then BMW switches to say Hella and now they are "Gen 2". In reality it is the same fog light, made to the same specs. If you have a 1st generation module don't worry about it

[Tom G.]

Originally Posted by edco

Wow, thats amazing that they are still using 6 year old + tecnology.
Guess I'll go buy my own and install it

Agreed. the 1st Generation modules ceased production back in 2003 and had a part number of 84 21 6 934 552. A full part listing can be found here:

BMW Bluetooth "358" 13th Generation ULF Module
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...oducts_id=1326

Generations 1-4 were very problematic, avoid them like the plague. If you're looking for something a bit less expensive, I have a used 9th Generation ULF here for sale.