New and Toothless
 

I recently purchased an '06'- X5 3.0, no nav. I love my new ride but am a little confused and disappointed by what the BMW dealer just told me......

I asked them what it would take to add bluetooth to my vehicle, i have a telephone button on the radio panel and also have the T/R button on the steering wheel, as well as the buttons for BMW assist in the head panel.
The dealer told me that my car was not capable of having bluetooth or BMW assist and that BT could not be added at any cost... then something about the car being set up for a hard wired phone that BMW no longer makes.

WTHeck, does this sound right?? Do I have any other options??

Ok well I'm just a girl and don't really understand all things electronic, so a simple explanation/advise would be much appreciated.
This site rocks!!!

Thats complete BS. If your handy enough with wiring you can do it yourself or you can simply go to a local installation shop, some where in your area that you noe does nice installation of navigation's or speaker systems for cars, they would be able to do it for you without a problem.

HEY! That's my line
 

But it works :rofl: Welcome.

Waits for the testosterone to arrive.

First of all, your vehicle may have Bluetooth. 2006s had Bluetooth/BMW Assist as an option, so check the area next the moonroof switch; if you have an SOS button, then your vehicle has the Bluetooth option.

Secondly, there is a retrofit available for the X5. Usually it will cost around $700-750 since it requires a new Telematics Unit. However it will be completely OEM and work with the headunit and steering wheel controls.

if you have the preimum package, then it comes with bluetooth, look in the trunk for the TCU control unit, its located just under where the cd changer goes. it may be faulty if its not working.

I do not have the BT unit in the back by the spare tire, i looked.
But i do have the sos button on the head panel and buttons on steering wheel. So why when the dealer looked up my car did it not have and option for BT? and why would they tell me it is not possible, instead of quoting me a price for ordering the unit and installing it?

Here is the link to the Accessory and part numbers: BMW Accessories - 2006 X5 3.0i SAV:Hands-Free System with Bluetooth® Technology

FYI steering wheel buttons are not an indicator of whether a vehicle has Bluetooth. I'm pretty sure that having BMW Assist bundles Bluetooth, but someone could confirm it or maybe I'm wrong on the E53.

Try going to another dealer. I'm surprised yours passed up the opportunity to make some money. :rolleyes:

The thread in this link should give you the info you need to do it. The salesman and advisers are not mechanics, so not everything they say is set in stone. :thumbup:

http://www.xoutpost.com/electronics/...i-bus-car.html