E70 Voice Retrofit?

dwarfer · #1 09-05-2008, 04:05 AM

Hi,

One of the few things I did not spec on my e70 was voice control. Having also just bought a 135 coupe which has voice control I have come to love this feature.

Is there any way to retro fit voice control on the e70? I already have the nav professional and bluetooth and even the speech button on the steering wheel. I was wondering if it would be a simple recode to activate the feature or if a module had to be installed.

Thanks

Stephen

Sponsored Links

StumpyPete · #2 09-05-2008, 04:58 AM

I think all it needs is coding. But you need to buy a "licence" or something like that as it needs a key to unlock it - stealers will charge you about £250 for it.

However - there does seem to be a lack of info on this topic - all the US cars with Nav come with voice activation as std - no idea why they didn't make it std in UK. No-one I know has tried to get it activated after the fact.

dwarfer · #3 09-05-2008, 05:29 AM

Just rang my dealer and they are going to check into it and get back to me. I don't think they have ever had a similar request either as they were not sure if it was (a) possible (b) needs extra parts or (c) just a re-code as Pete thinks is the case. Here's hoping for (c) at a reasonable cost

dwarfer · #4 09-05-2008, 09:00 AM

Dealer got back to me said that they have checked into the programming and can't see any options to enable this feature and that it is not possible to upgrade basicly. Does anyone have any info to the contrary?

Pete did you get your info from any official source?

Thanks

KiwiJochen · #5 09-05-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwarfer

Dealer got back to me said that they have checked into the programming and can't see any options to enable this feature and that it is not possible to upgrade basicly. Does anyone have any info to the contrary?

Pete did you get your info from any official source?

Thanks

It may well be true that BMW UK Ltd decided not to offer the Voice Control feature to the UK market. Therefore, BMW UK may have specified the "standard country config" as being with no voice control.

And in a similar manner, BMW USA may have decided that this feature is standard fitting for all USA cars.

Such decisions are part of the marketing decision every car company makes when they decide what configuration a car should have for what country: with/without leather, with/without towbar, with/without CD changer, with/without voice control, specified for hot countries (extra strong cooling) or cold countries (extra heating options), etc etc etc. There are many many options. No country gets all of the options.

If BMW UK did indeed decide that the UK market will not get Voice Control, then the local dealer, using the standard-issue authorised BMW service tools, cannot change the car beyond the specifications that are authorised for the UK market.

So he would be correct in saying "it is not possible to upgrade", from his official BMW perspective. Remember, the UK dealer works to the rules set out by BMW UK.

However, as with most BMWs, with the right tools, and the right knowledge, any option can be enabled.

You won't be able to do it at a standard dealer, you need to find a BMW programming expert, with the right "super user" BMW tools, who can enable the option for you. And that may be dificult to find. I know a guy in the Chech Republic that can do it. And one in Russia. And I can enable Voice Control on earlier model BMWs. But that doesn't help you...

As to whether your car needs extra hardware - I am not sure. A brief look at the WDS will tell me (but I won't get a chance to check until tonight). If no hardware is required then it is a pure programming issue.

Bear in mind that modifying a car beyond standard country config may possibly cause issues with warranty, future programming, and repairs... however, none of these issues prevented me from reprogramming my BMW - but it was already 10 years old at the time....

Roy in GA · #6 09-05-2008, 09:58 PM

You might look for a shop who uses the AutoLogic diagnostic equipment. That might be able to do it. They are a UK company.

Steve Oakes · #7 09-07-2008, 02:38 PM

Hi Dwarfer

I am also trying to get voice control retrofitted to my 2008 X5 SD m sport. I bought it as a demonstrator and did'nt realise that the voice control was an option. I part exchanged a 635d and voice control is a standard feature if you take the navigation proffessional option, but obviously not on the X5. As I am sure you know it is a £200.00 option so I can't believe there can be much to it. Just as a point of interest in the 6 series accessories brochure it list a voice control retofit kit. I have spoke to my dealer but they don't seem interested in pursuing this for me with BMW.

StumpyPete · #8 09-08-2008, 05:05 AM

My comments above were based on contibutions over at the E60 board.

Essentially, I believe it can't be that much different to the current 5-series (but willing to be corrected). Some guys over there have successfully had it retrofitted.

http://forums.e60.net/lofiversion/index.php/t21032.html
http://forums.e60.net/lofiversion/index.php/t25873.html
(there are more)

However what is clear from this is that you get different answers from different dealers - and it is not a black and white answer (even though it should be). Might be worth a call to Sytners - they seem to be the dealer most people get it done by. It is a UK option - I know of other people that have had it fitted as a factory option.

StumpyPete · #9 09-08-2008, 06:26 AM

part number 65836976389 is listed on bmwfans.info as an activation code for voice input

Steve Oakes · #10 09-08-2008, 07:39 AM

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I have spoken to Sytner and they have confirmed that this is in fact the activation code but they say that it is still not possible to retrofit voice control as hardware is also required which cannot be purchased from BMW at this time. They have taken my chassis number to check this. Seems strange to me as many of the accessories brochures for other BMW quote a voice retrofit kit.

Sponsored Links