No wire... In all cases that i am aware of this is something that you have to add to your OEM stereo. This isnt a hidden feature, you will need to buy a wire and then plug it in to the back of the "radio". I don't know the config with a NAV unit but it will not be on the back of the CD or tape player. I am assuming this might also be the cases with the NAV unit so you might need to hook it up in the trunk as that is the location of the computer.

Have you even read any of the responses? If you did you would have your answer.

Probably no help from me here, but ...

I have a '01, build date 6/01, with the Nav screen, etc.

When I first got the car 2 years ago, I looked into the aux/bluetooth option (of course) and concluded that:

1. Be very wary of the array of possible solutions presented to you - it matters A LOT exactly when your car was made. Something easy for a slightly newer car may be an engineering project for you, depending on your build date.

2. For me, it was going to be an expensive engineering project that I did not need, so I basically punted and got a cassette adapter. The aux cable comes out of the cassette thing, folded behind the nav screen. 6-cd changer in the back still works.

3. If I were ever going to do something on my car (unlikely) it would probably involve an Office-Space-style beatdown of the Nav system.

Wondering - why do people want to keep the NAV? I find it to be absolutely useless, and a bit of a hassle that I have to press two buttons every time I drive to shut the thing down. Is it that getting rid of the NAV will cause other problems with the car? Because I can live without the fuel consumption calculations, etc. And the GPS navigation interface is painful to use to the point of being painfully useless.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9wsjroVlu8

Really interested to hear more details about how well this works. I understand it's bound to not be like a factory install, but if find if i know about shortcomings beforehand - they are much easier to live with!

Does it 'pair' automatically when you get in the car?
Have you installed the microphone and do you use the kit for handsfree calls successfully?
Do the steering wheel controls still work for skip / reverse / take and end calls?
Where have you mounted it?
Is it even possible to navigate the contents of a USB stick or memory card ?

Thanks,

Neil.

I've read lots about the Grom bluetooth unit here on Xoutpost. Seems like a few members have had some success with it.

BMW Mini 98-06 GROM USB Bluetooth Android iPod adapter - TRUNK

Splice in an 1/8 jack into the audio outputs from the CD changer (Behind the head unit or CD changer). Put the CD on pause Or play a CD with nothing but Silence. Then play your ipod or whatever through the 1/8th jack.

I'm one of the members with a GROM unit. It has bluetooth for the phone, an IPOD interface cable and a USB that I have music in MP3 formats in six folders to match the six buttons on the MID for the CD changer. There's no mystery to setting it up if you know something about stereo installation.

I got a GROM BT3 (which is capable of Bluetooth audio/phone, and with optional adapters aux-in, ipod/iphone/android-in, or HD Radio) for my '06 E53 and am satisfied overall but I had some issues.

Make sure to buy it directly from GROM USB and Android Car Kits | iPod, iPhone, AUX Car Adapters | Bluetooth Hands Free Car Adapters | Bluetooth Car Kits so you will be sure they can confirm you get the right model and harness for your specific system and options you want. That's where I bought mine and I got everything I needed in one package.

Pros: Bluetooth works fine. Connects very quickly, sound is fine (way better than FM modulators). I purchased the AUX-in and it works fine as well. I have factory bluetooth for phone and wanted to keep it as it works very well and am able to have both working without any problems. I was able to install it myself with very basic tools and I don't know anything about car audio.

Cons: A couple times the connection would drop and reconnect and repeat every few seconds. It's annoying so I had to re-pair bluetooth. It's simple but you have to reset the GROM and then re-pair. It's pricey, and the instructions are very lacking. It took me longer than it probably should because it took me forever to figure out the wiring and which wires to splice into - I took my time (a long time) to figure it out before doing anything and eventually got it. For my particular unit it automatically switches from bluetooth to aux, but it won't switch if you are trying to go from bluetooth to aux using the same device as it defaults to bluetooth (which is not a big deal for me since bluetooth works fine I never use the aux-in).

It does pair automatically.
-every now and then my stereo switches from CD(Bluetooth) to radio not sure why but the phone stays connected and playing media so i just press mode and back in action.
The mic cord is short so I have it mounted in the ashtray so calls are not the best on the other end, but i have ordered a longer mic cable and will install it in oem location.
The controls work for skipping tracks, but i haven't figured it out for answering calls yet, but im pretty sure its doable.
I mounted it in the glove box- cut out some of the plastic around the removable plastic panel, can send pics if needed (pm me)
navigating the content for a usb is probably all about how you set up folders on the usb, haven't used one yet.
2 things to note
-I have a windows based phone so i would assume any slight issues i might encounter (answering calls via steering wheel) are probably based on my OS, no promises but the BT on windows phones is strange, and manufactures usually dont include them in testing.
-I bought this so that i could listen to Pandora without wires all over the dash/car so i really havent explored the features/hang ups of the device as it does what need for a cheep price.

I might take care of my own need for an aux cable but just buying an Eonon unit that has it all & call it a day.