How to activate the Bluetooth?
 

Does it automatically show up if you set your phone to discover mode? I found in my manual what looks like the passkey to the BT module the previous owner had installed. But when I tried to discover it, nothing showed up. Is there something I have to do to make it discoverable? Where would this module be located, if in fact, it was installed by previous owner.

I just got a 04 4.8is.

TIA!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Motorola Assist/BT module installed in the 2004 X5's had the BT functionality disabled. You have to install an Assist/BT module from a 2005 or 2006 X5 in order to make it functional.

Mother*#*$@#* BMW. Thanks for letting me know

BTW, I wonder if this is a software limitation that can be reprogrammed somehow? I'm gonna ask my buddy who's a tech to check for me.

Yeah, I said the same thing when I found out my I couldn't do the bluetooth thing either. So I ended up buying one from a 2006 on fleabay. Been happy ever since.

As far as I know it is a hardware limitation and cannot be turned on via software.

Hardware limitation unfortunately. Same goes for 2005 TCU's not having the voice activation functionality. That was added in 2006. To get it for a 2005 TCU you need hardware.

I'm going to call BMW NA customer relations and see what the deal is with the BT. Why have a card included in the manual/books that has the BT Passkey, info, etc when its turned off. I want to find out from the horses mouth. LOL.

I think its something similar to what Apple did when they came out with wireless N in some of their iMacs/Macbooks but it was turned off. You had to buy a $2 patch and it enabled the hardware. Then subsequent builds came with it enabled. Sounds like what BMW has done here with the 04s.

I'll let you guys know what I find.

BMW already has a technical bulletin issued on this. Reference the second bullet point on page 2 - http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/841304.pdf

Well, thats clears it up tremendously. Thanks everyone. I'll stop beating the dead horse now :(