Starris 1 Report post Posted July 30, 2020 I have recently bought a 2007 e91 325i with idrive. The speakers work fine and I can plug into the aux cord in the centre console to play music, however I can't use handsfree that way and I have to physically plug my phone in every time I get in the car. I am wondering what options are out there for upgrading to a bluetooth system. I have seen upgrades from just a bluetooth AUX-USB plug in to people doing full apple play installs. Has anyone done anything similar or have advice for what I should do? I'm basically interested in being able to play my music/make phone calls without having to plug my phone in. Thanks in advance! I've attached a photo of my dash because it seems that every vid I watch has a different dash setupIMG_2731.HEIC Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B.M.W Ltd 950 Report post Posted July 30, 2020 You can buy bluetooth adapters that plug into the AUX that will bluetooth music and allow hands free calling 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starris 1 Report post Posted July 30, 2020 Yeah I've seen them but I was wondering if its worth spending some money and getting a better system or if that's the best way to go. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B.M.W Ltd 950 Report post Posted July 30, 2020 Try pricing the change over then make a decision. See what your up against price wise to get a solution that's satisfactory Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted July 31, 2020 too many options and price variables depending on what you want. a brief summary would be: cheapest/easy: aux-bluetooth dongle adapter fair price/easy: any double din unit from audio store with a panel mount kit (i.e. removes original stereo and installs an aftermarket JVC/Pioneer/Sony type thing, looks a bit odd pricey/moderate: chinese/dynavin type units, looks decent but could be quite slow/laggy unlike genuine system. could DIY it if you're capable otherwise more money to get someone to install it. Plenty of online tutorials though expensive/hard-ish: OEM retrofit http://speed.academy/bmw-e92-e90-335i-328i-bluetooth-handsfree-retrofit-install/ biggest issue with this option is finding the required parts, will probably mean checking all the wreckers and or ordering from ebay/overseas. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starris 1 Report post Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) Thanks for the outline! that's actually super helpful. I think I'm going to run a cheap aux-bluetooth dongle adapter for a while and see how it goes. That link you posted is awesome but like most of the DIY posts I've seen, that car doesn't have Idrive. I was wondering if there's an easyish way to link into the Idrive system to enable bluetooth handsfree. It seems that its not super straightforward and a aux dongle may be the way to go. Thanks for the info! Edited August 3, 2020 by E30 325i Rag-Top Quote. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted July 31, 2020 Couldnt open your heic file so didnt know you had iDrive. The old CCC system is pretty much useless anyway. Same for the older CIC still cant stream music without mods. Just live with the AUX or getting a bluetooth/aux dongle is the cheapest and easiest option. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted July 31, 2020 I got a dension adaptor for my E61, not perfect but it gave me what I wanted and kept all the factory functions as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starris 1 Report post Posted July 31, 2020 Interesting. when you say "not perfect" what do you mean? connectivity issues? sound issues? also the dension adapters aren't cheap are they? I'd love more info on this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aja540i 1906 Report post Posted July 31, 2020 It has a few glitches, crashes the music app on my phone occasionally, a bit clunky to navigate using the idrive controller, and if I want to use the CD player I have to open the glovebox and switch it over, but it does everything I want and it is a fully reversible installation if I ever decide to take it out. The price wasn't too bad, I bought direct from the Dension website. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starris 1 Report post Posted August 1, 2020 That sounds like exactly what I'm after. I think I'll go down that path. was it difficult? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cammsport 391 Report post Posted August 1, 2020 How exactly did you code it? I have all the parts to retrofit to our E91. Just worried about the coding bit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brenthay 10 Report post Posted August 1, 2020 I have an AUX Bluetooth adapter in my e91 335i and the call quality and music is perfect! Way less hassle than trying to integrate the OEM solution which is more than 10 years old now. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Starris 1 Report post Posted August 1, 2020 4 hours ago, F10er said: You need NCS Expert and a k+dcan cable, then you have to change the Vehicle Order to include 644. It's pretty easy to do once you know how to use it. It's also useful for coding other features into your car as well. You can download NCS Expert for free. It's part of the BMW Standard Tools. Here's the link. https://www.bimmergeeks.net/downloads All this sounds WAY above what I am capable of sadly. I wouldn't even know where to begin with parts to purchase. Might be easier and safer for me to try an AUX bluetooth adapter and hope for the best. The use of steering wheel buttons would be nice though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cammsport 391 Report post Posted August 2, 2020 12 hours ago, F10er said: You need NCS Expert and a k+dcan cable, then you have to change the Vehicle Order to include 644. It's pretty easy to do once you know how to use it. It's also useful for coding other features into your car as well. You can download NCS Expert for free. It's part of the BMW Standard Tools. Here's the link. https://www.bimmergeeks.net/downloads Awesome! Thanks for that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
