No, it currently has bluetooth and my iphone is paired. Works for its intended purposes.

Was just thinking of "upgrading" to the newer unit since newer must be better lol but you are saying that the ULF and TCU quality is not any different than maybe not worth the hassle as it looks like I need to also install a "pairing" button up front.

The phone quality is not the best but it's expected for a car this age and just thought a 2007 module would have better call quality.

I honestly don't notice any difference. What kind of phone are you using? I have an iPhone X and it sounds just as good as it does in my 2018 M2.

iphone 7, my radio sounds great with DSP. Just when it's phone calls sounds a bit muffled.

I have checked my microphone as well to make sure it's the latest prat # as well and it was.

Microphone might be bad? perhaps.

Well the people on the other end don't have a hard time hearing me. So doubt it's a bad mic in my case.

Make sure the volume is up on the phone. maybe it's too low.

I had this problem when I installed the second Bluetooth Bovee streaming device. Once I found the volume on the connected iPhone device was turned down for that network I turned it up and all good. :thumbup:

With the build date you gave...there is no "better" upgrade. You have the "best" that can be had (in regards to oe BT TCU) regardless if there are superseded part numbers. The next step up is the BT modules that are for the new generation BMWs which would have been the e70 X5 (in this case) and is NOT compatible with your e53 because they operate on the MOST but (your e53 communicates telephony ove the I- bus).

In fact, the instructions you are reading about that have a "pairing button" is for older BMWs that had the old phone systems and the BT ULF component was an optional upgrade. Starting with the 10/04 build date (for this example, the e53) ...BMW started installing the newer BT TCU components as standard equipment if you had BMW Assist or Premium Pkg. These new BT TCU units didn't require a pairing button...pairing takes place automatically for the first few minutes the ignition is turned on.

Hi guys, sorry to bring back an old thread. My bluetooth module got damaged due to water from sunroof. My car is 2004/05. Original module part # 84216945387 new(old) replacement # 84216955522. Replaced the unit but still no connection to my phone. Tried fuse #74 no luck. On the head unit I enter the PK code and it accepts it. Seem the car will not start without the code. Do these modules need to be coded to the head unit?

thanks

The ULF modules have always been a pain to pair vs. the TCUs. You it's a dance you do with the ignition and pairing button. You are probably better off getting a cheap TCU as they enter pairing mode automatically when switching the ignition on.