[vernors]

Hi All,

I've got a 2010 (9/2009 build date) 535i and would like to replace the MULF2 (no TCU that I can see) with a combox so that I can stream bluetooth music, etc.

Read a bunch of stuff and have connected with Alpinemss who will code the combox, but am getting confused on which one I should get that meets my car specifications. Thought you all might be able to help, appreciated!

So,
Trying to figure out if the E60 has K word UC4g or not....because I'm adding Combox to CIC and working on figuring out which combox to get.

I've noticed that there are codes associated with them that state which functions the combox allows.

When looking at my vehicle description the following codes appear, and seem to be important when choosing a combox are:

S609A
S639A

Any others need to be matched??

The two combox's that look a possible match are:

Navigation system Professional and Preparation f mobile phone cpl. USA/CDN and Control for Combox

Important!
Only suitable for cars
With K word UC4G
Check vehicle order before ordering!
S609A=Yes

S639A=Yes

S6VCA=Yes
01 Combox for Telematics 4G 1 84102447926

For vehicles with Navigation system Professional and Preparation f mobile phone cpl. USA/CDN and Control for Combox

Important!
Not suitable for vehicles
With K word UC4G
Check vehicle order before ordering!
S609A=Yes

S639A=Yes

S6VCA=Yes
01 Combox for Telematics 1 84109257163



My vehicle specs:

S1CAA Selection of COP relevant vehicles
S2KYA BMW LA wheel, V-spoke 277
S2VBA Tire pressure display
S302A Alarm system
S319A Integrated universal remote control
S322A Comfort access
S346A Chrome Line exterieur
S403A Glass roof, electrical
S430A Interior/outside mirror with auto dip
S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip
S438A Fine wood trim
S441A Smoker package
S442A Cup holder
S459A Seat adjuster, electric, with memory
S473A Armrest front
S488A Lumbar support, driver and passenger
S508A Park Distance Control (PDC)
S522A Xenon Light
S524A Adaptive Headlights
S534A Automatic air conditioning
S544A Cruise control with brake function
S563A Light package
S609A Navigation system Professional
S615A Expanded BMW Online Information
S620A Voice control
S639A Preparation f mobile phone cpl. USA/CDN
S645A BMW US Radio
S653A High Definition Radio
S655A Satellite tuner
S676A HiFi speaker system
S697A Area-Code 1 for DVD
S6AAA BMW TeleServices
S6ABA Control for Teleservices
S6FLA USB/Audio interface
S6UHA Traffic Information
S823A Hot-climate version
S845A Acoustic belt warning
S850A Dummy-SALAPA
S853A Language version English
S876A Radio frequency 315 MHz
S8S4A Decoding variable light distribution
S8SCA Telematics access request,country-spec.
S8SPA Control unit COP
S925A Dummy-SALAPA
S992A Control of number-plate attachment

I can't tell if the E60 uses whatever K word UC4g is and if it matters which combox I choose....

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Jason

[ctuna]

Last time I read something about A2DP with a combox it won't
work unless you have Idrive/Nav.

[vernors]

Hi Ctuna, nice to connect with you again. You've been very helpful in the past, thanks.

I do have idrive and navigation. Unfortunately I haven't found any clear information on how to choose the right combox for an E60 install.

There is a physical walk through on installation, but not much else about what is also needed. I've read different posts in which talk about things like recoding vin, updating idrive software and changing maps, but in each case it seems to be one of those 'it's sometimes necessary' and nothing specific.

[opjose]

UC4G is the upgrade from 2G to 4G in the VO.

More info is available here:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1359528

[vernors]

Thanks, I don't think my vehicle has ever been upgraded from stock, I just don't know if it was 2g in 2010 or 3g/4g.......I'm pretty sure I'm stock though.

[ptpending]

you will not get any benefit if it will be 2g or 3g 4g because bmw assist subscription is not transferrable and it is not possible to buy bmw combox for e60
so for other functions you can get any combox with black 26-pin socket (black for e-series and white for f-series)
all combox functionality on e60 is coded using module options using e90 or e70 coding data instead of car options list because e60 coding data do not support combox

[vernors]

Thanks PTpending, that's good to know.

I've heard mixed reports that I may have to purchase a new FSC code, is that true?

Also, my current integration level is E06O-11-03-501.....and that my current navigation maps are North American Premium 2009-2.

The vehicle does not have the most recent software as BMW stated there is an update available.

I took my key into a dealer and they provided the above information.

If it's just coding that needs to be done to merry an E9x combox to the E60 I'm fine with that. Just trying to figure out what I'm facing as it has so far been a bit confusing.

Thank you for the help, it's appreciated.

[ptpending]

fsc required for bmw apps, if you want only bluetooth streaming then you do not need fsc
but cic software upgrade may worth to do and also you can upgrade to latest maps

[vernors]

Will the regular items within the idrive system still be in place without upgrading FSC? Navigation, music, hands free telephone, etc? Which apps would need FSC update? Thanks.

[ptpending]

Originally Posted by vernors

Will the regular items within the idrive system still be in place without upgrading FSC? Navigation, music, hands free telephone, etc? Which apps would need FSC update? Thanks.

yes
use the search on that forum on in google about BMW Apps e90

[vernors]

Got it, thank you so much. You've been very helpful. I'm going to call BMW and see how much a FSC code costs to determine if worth it for the apps. At a minimum just being able to stream music from my phone would be worth it for the non-fsc set up.

[vernors]

Ok, got an update for anyone reading this and thinking of doing the same. So, I spoke with my dealer who had no understanding of doing an E90 combox retrofit into an E60, but they did give me two phone numbers which proved helpful.

The first was to the dealer tech helpline, and when I called they were shocked and said this is a dealer only line and they wouldn't help. But, the second number took me through to BMW NA customer service who were surprisingly helpful and actually knew of this retrofit.

In order to activate Apps on an E60 with a combox, they said that BMW needed to update to a 4G combox (ie one that has K-word UC4G), upgrade the CIC firmware, add an activation code (FSC) and, once done, push the SOS button in the vehicle to get BMW on the line. Those folks will then test the integration and finalize the set up at the corporate level. In addition to the BMW dealer charges for this (which appear to be $475 flashing plus $300 for code), I would need, according to BMW NA, a BMW Assist subscription ($200 per year) for the apps to actually work.

The main 'want' for me is just to stream bluetooth music from my android phone, therefore I'm definitely not going the full Connected route...

Got my plan now, Non K-word Combox and basic programming to tie it to the system. I lose BMW assist option, which I'm not subscribed to anyways.

[fmugur]

Hi Vernors, did you manage to get the audio streaming going? If you did can you share. I am going though the a similar journey and I wonder what is the best solution.

[ptpending]

plenty of topics about streaming via combox and cic on that forum with detailed descriptions

[fmugur]

I know. I am new to this and I have been reading a lot. Some posts confuse me as for example 'the radio is not programmable' for oem combox.
My car is a 2008 535 with CCC, NAV and BT. I got a 2010 CIC ready to retrofit. Also, I can get a entire setup from a 2011 3 series that comes with BT/combox professional nav, professional radio...
So I can retrofit the one I already got and wire in the aftermarket combox. Correct me if I am wrong. The other option is to get the 3 series set with combox but I am not sure if I can get all nav, BT phone and streaming working on my 535, not sure if the wiring is the same for BT vs. BT/combox. The cost for me is the same.
Can you please shed some light on this? What is the best option for me at this point?

I should be ok with coding as I have some of the sw tools needed and I have done coding before but not for CIC.

[ptpending]

Originally Posted by fmugur

I know. I am new to this and I have been reading a lot. Some posts confuse me as for example 'the radio is not programmable' for oem combox.
My car is a 2008 535 with CCC, NAV and BT. I got a 2010 CIC ready to retrofit. Also, I can get a entire setup from a 2011 3 series that comes with BT/combox professional nav, professional radio...
So I can retrofit the one I already got and wire in the aftermarket combox. Correct me if I am wrong. The other option is to get the 3 series set with combox but I am not sure if I can get all nav, BT phone and streaming working on my 535, not sure if the wiring is the same for BT vs. BT/combox. The cost for me is the same.
Can you please shed some light on this? What is the best option for me at this point?

I should be ok with coding as I have some of the sw tools needed and I have done coding before but not for CIC.

may be you need to check combox retrofit threads on 5series forum and check equipment you have in car and how that all coded