6FL Retrofit Option

KenH · 07-24-2008, 09:33 PM

Whilst I was in Europe I was given a cd dated 07-07 with all the BMW wiring diagrams for current models.
They are somewhat cryptic (some components appear in several diagrams) but are in PDF format. They also some include details of the connectors (i.e. plugs and sockets). However, information about 6FL is somewhat limited (probably because it was a recent introduction back then).
Let me know if you need anything specific and I will see what I can do to let you have the diagrams.

l8apexer · 07-25-2008, 01:27 PM

Any word on whether this will be a feasible retrofit option? Have a 2008 E90 which I'd like to retrofit if possible (BMW assist/BT/Voice) - would rather wait on this than the current ipod option available (MOST)....

KenH · 07-25-2008, 04:48 PM

It appears that the retrofit kit is available in Europe so I guess we are just waiting for BMW NA to release it.
I imagine that NA will do their own tests and re-write the installation instructions to suit US models and environment, as is usually the case. The instructions I attached earlier came from a UK BMW dealer.

The individual parts of the kit are almost certainly available in the US as regular spare parts with two exceptions, those being the USB retrofit harness and, for cars without Bluetooth or phone prep, the retrofit power cable. I ordered a USB hub and a USB/Aux-In jack in the US and those arrived ok.

l8apexer · 07-25-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenH

It appears that the retrofit kit is available in Europe so I guess we are just waiting for BMW NA to release it.
I imagine that NA will do their own tests and re-write the installation instructions to suit US models and environment, as is usually the case. The instructions I attached earlier came from a UK BMW dealer.

The individual parts of the kit are almost certainly available in the US as regular spare parts with two exceptions, those being the USB retrofit harness and, for cars without Bluetooth or phone prep, the retrofit power cable. I ordered a USB hub and a USB/Aux-In jack in the US and those arrived ok.

Thanks for the update - keep us posted on how you make out!

Just to clarify then....would a 6FL retrofit enable song display info on the OEM head unit (in theory)?

gIzzE · 07-25-2008, 06:35 PM

As I said above, the retrofit is in final testing, although some customer cars have been done, but only those that were delivered without 6FL when ordered.

The parts themselves are also on back order, as soon as they are available I will order them, I only need the usb hub, the cable and the socket.
I will see if the local garage that has autologic can code it rather than BMW as well.

BavarianBullet · 07-29-2008, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenH

It appears that the retrofit kit is available in Europe so I guess we are just waiting for BMW NA to release it.
I imagine that NA will do their own tests and re-write the installation instructions to suit US models and environment, as is usually the case. The instructions I attached earlier came from a UK BMW dealer.

The individual parts of the kit are almost certainly available in the US as regular spare parts with two exceptions, those being the USB retrofit harness and, for cars without Bluetooth or phone prep, the retrofit power cable. I ordered a USB hub and a USB/Aux-In jack in the US and those arrived ok.

KenH- this is all I was looking for. I hate iPods so all I really want is the USB jack and the module that the USB/iPod connect to plus the plastic plugs to jack it into the wiring harness under the dash.

Can you post up the the part #s you used and the prices? I'd like to order this stuff up for 06/2008 335xi.

thanks!

battlehawk1025 · 07-29-2008, 03:56 PM

maybe some one here can simplifiy this. i have read the tread and still very confused.

what do i need in order to have the usb retrofit done in a 335 xi may 2007 production car that has bluetooth, i drive, pretty much every thing but xm radio and the usb or 6fl option?
thanks

gIzzE · 07-29-2008, 04:36 PM

If you have nav you will need to change your bluetooth module for a newer one with the usb (expensive) along with the retrofit cable and the usb hub.

battlehawk1025 · 07-29-2008, 04:55 PM

wow thanks guys that simplified things quite a bit

bartman32 · 07-31-2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AoshichanX

Basically, the members did their own research and found some part #s. Then someone uploaded a retrofit *.pdf. Various members tried to confirm the *.pdf with dealership. It was discovered this retrofit is only available in the EU but will be ported over "shortly"; "shortly" being a very variable term

.

So in theory would this work on pre 3/07 vehicles?

sparcomx · 07-31-2008, 08:07 PM

Okay Now I'm very confused.. I have went as far as tearing up a 335i with everthing on it.. Here is what I found...

1. A car with 6FL Nav Bmw Assist will have two modules wired in parallel MULF2 and a TCU. The TCU sits on top and the MULF2 is under the TCU..

2. A car with 6FL has a different harness that allows the parallel installation..
mi car dose not have this hardness. I have nav, va, bmw assist, bt 08/03 production..

3. The retofit kits posted here in the pdf.. removes the tcu.. the tcu has all the antenas, va, bmw assist, bt.. so you lose va and bmw assist..

Can someone provide a wiring diagram of the parallel harness for me i cant find it.. also find out the part numbers for both harnesses..

-- Thanks
-- George

KenH · 07-31-2008, 09:48 PM

Let me know exactly what wiring diagrams you need and I will try to get them to you.
When I looked at the EPC earlier today (= electronic parts catalog) it only listed one main wiring harness number. But that might mean that if you order one now you only get the latest and greatest. Which is how BMW tends to operate.
But I did see the following standard, not retrofit, part nos for e90s with 6FL which I hadn't noticed before:

51.16.9.149.111 Lead, Aux+USB 385mm
61.13.6.919.424 Holder, USB Plug ( a bracket of sorts)
61.11.9.129.361 Connecting Line, Hub/MULFII 3370mm (X17180-X17182)
61.11.9.129.360 Connecting Line, Hub/MULFII 2330mm (X17178-X17183B)

Don't know if that helps.
If you want to know what the "X" numbers mean (ie connectors) let me know and I will try to find out from the wiring diagrams.

KenH · 07-31-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartman32

So in theory would this work on pre 3/07 vehicles?

I don't think so, as so may electronic components changed from 03/07.
But nobody really seems to know.

gIzzE · 08-01-2008, 04:12 AM

I think it would work on any car, the reason BMW tend to stipulate that it is only with cars from XX/XX date is because there are major software changes needed to be made to the car before the vehichle can be coded for the new function you are trying to fit, often making a retrofit uneconomicly viable.

For example, BMW made it quite clear that E60's built before 09/2005 could not be coded for MP3 playback, it turned out the reason for this was just about every module on the car had to be updated before the MP3 function could be uploaded, it took 48 hours for my 535d to get to the point where the Mp3 feature could be added.
In fact when I picked the car up two days later it hadn't actually been done, they had coded so much that they actually forgot to do the MP3, they took the car back in and 20 minutes later it was working.

So I reckon in theory any car can have the 6FL retrofit, but you will probably find cars ofter 09/2007 will be ready to take it straight away.

KenH · 08-01-2008, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparcomx

Okay Now I'm very confused.. I have went as far as tearing up a 335i with everthing on it.. Here is what I found...

1. A car with 6FL Nav Bmw Assist will have two modules wired in parallel MULF2 and a TCU. The TCU sits on top and the MULF2 is under the TCU..

2. A car with 6FL has a different harness that allows the parallel installation..
mi car dose not have this hardness. I have nav, va, bmw assist, bt 08/03 production..

3. The retofit kits posted here in the pdf.. removes the tcu.. the tcu has all the antenas, va, bmw assist, bt.. so you lose va and bmw assist..

Can someone provide a wiring diagram of the parallel harness for me i cant find it.. also find out the part numbers for both harnesses..

-- Thanks
-- George

I am still working on the wiring diagrams. There are more than a million files to be copied to my hard drive, about 16 hours to go...

KenH · 08-02-2008, 10:53 AM

The wiring diagrams are in two parts, an HTM file with the title and an Adobe SVG file for the diagram itself.
I tried to attach a sample pair but got a message (from this site) saying that they were both of an invalid format.

KenH · 08-02-2008, 03:09 PM

Here are some sample wiring diagrams in PDF format.
As has already been said, the factory-fitted 6FL option uses both the TCU unit and the ULF-SBX-High unit in parallel. The latter box is only there to provide the 6FL capability (so presumably its other capabilities are ignored or are duplicated by the TCU).
I have included the standard (non-High) ULF-SBX diagram for completeness.
The power wiring schema is in separate diagrams which I can provide if anyone is interested.
It does seem that the European 6FL retrofit works in a different fashion to this.
For reference these diagrams are from 09/2007.

KenH · 08-03-2008, 01:05 PM

I have just realized that the Bluetooth/Assist option in the US is SA639 whereas the Bluetooth option referred to in the European retrofit instructions is SA644.
Perhaps that goes someway to explaining why the instructions say that if you have SA644 the BT box should be discarded.

rakone · 08-04-2008, 07:53 PM

Ok, just be 100% clear as of today there is no USB interface retrofit kit for an e90?

Thanks

KenH · 08-04-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rakone

Ok, just be 100% clear as of today there is no USB interface retrofit kit for an e90?

Thanks

It depends on where you are.
If you are in Europe it would seem that there is indeed a retrofit kit available.
With part numbers, installation instructions, etc.
But if you are in the USA it would seem there is no retrofit kit.
And no definite news as to whether there will be one in the future.
Anywhere else in the world - who knows?

BavarianBullet · 08-05-2008, 05:38 PM

I think I'm leaning towards getting something like a Garmin streetpilot 7200 rather than this stupid 6FL enigma. GPS/NAV/Sat-Traffic/MP3[w/8GB SD card]/Satellite Radio (XM, the real thing).

Since I basically don't have many options other than sport and cold weather, this pretty much covers it all, and in a device that one can actually use. Sure it's not as nice as something built into the dash but it seems a lot more useful vs iDrive and a ton cheaper. I'm looking to spy one in person so I can see how the interface works.

I've seen a Nuvi 550 and played MP3 over it via my Aux connector and it sounded pretty good on my logic7. Given road noise and the type of music I listen to, I doubt I'd notice the difference in good aux vs real digital quality via USB.

BB

keithdbodoh · 08-07-2008, 08:52 AM

My dealer wrote the following:

Also, I just got your letter about the 6FL interface, and they are not offering that retrofit for the US Models yet. My shop foreman looked at the instructions for it that you sent, and he estimated that even if we could do it, it would cost in excess of $1000, which is probably not worth it for the extra couple of features that it may offer.

07-24-2008, 09:33 PM	#89
KenH Private First Class 3 Rep 117 Posts Drives: e92m3 f25x3 e71x6 Join Date: May 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	Whilst I was in Europe I was given a cd dated 07-07 with all the BMW wiring diagrams for current models. They are somewhat cryptic (some components appear in several diagrams) but are in PDF format. They also some include details of the connectors (i.e. plugs and sockets). However, information about 6FL is somewhat limited (probably because it was a recent introduction back then). Let me know if you need anything specific and I will see what I can do to let you have the diagrams.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2008, 01:27 PM	#90
l8apexer Private 11 Rep 95 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Midwest iTrader: (1)	Any word on whether this will be a feasible retrofit option? Have a 2008 E90 which I'd like to retrofit if possible (BMW assist/BT/Voice) - would rather wait on this than the current ipod option available (MOST)....
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2008, 04:48 PM	#91
KenH Private First Class 3 Rep 117 Posts Drives: e92m3 f25x3 e71x6 Join Date: May 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	It appears that the retrofit kit is available in Europe so I guess we are just waiting for BMW NA to release it. I imagine that NA will do their own tests and re-write the installation instructions to suit US models and environment, as is usually the case. The instructions I attached earlier came from a UK BMW dealer. The individual parts of the kit are almost certainly available in the US as regular spare parts with two exceptions, those being the USB retrofit harness and, for cars without Bluetooth or phone prep, the retrofit power cable. I ordered a USB hub and a USB/Aux-In jack in the US and those arrived ok.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2008, 06:35 PM	#93
gIzzE Major General 361 Rep 5,985 Posts Drives: F11 + 997 Carrera S Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	As I said above, the retrofit is in final testing, although some customer cars have been done, but only those that were delivered without 6FL when ordered. The parts themselves are also on back order, as soon as they are available I will order them, I only need the usb hub, the cable and the socket. I will see if the local garage that has autologic can code it rather than BMW as well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-29-2008, 03:56 PM	#95
battlehawk1025 battlehawk1025 44 Rep 883 Posts Drives: 2007 335XI 6mt, SL 65 , M6 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: wilmette/chicago,IL iTrader: (4)	maybe some one here can simplifiy this. i have read the tread and still very confused. what do i need in order to have the usb retrofit done in a 335 xi may 2007 production car that has bluetooth, i drive, pretty much every thing but xm radio and the usb or 6fl option? thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-29-2008, 04:36 PM	#96
gIzzE Major General 361 Rep 5,985 Posts Drives: F11 + 997 Carrera S Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	If you have nav you will need to change your bluetooth module for a newer one with the usb (expensive) along with the retrofit cable and the usb hub.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-29-2008, 04:55 PM	#97
battlehawk1025 battlehawk1025 44 Rep 883 Posts Drives: 2007 335XI 6mt, SL 65 , M6 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: wilmette/chicago,IL iTrader: (4)	wow thanks guys that simplified things quite a bit
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2008, 08:07 PM	#99
sparcomx Enlisted Member 5 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Gate iTrader: (0)	Okay Now I'm very confused.. I have went as far as tearing up a 335i with everthing on it.. Here is what I found... 1. A car with 6FL Nav Bmw Assist will have two modules wired in parallel MULF2 and a TCU. The TCU sits on top and the MULF2 is under the TCU.. 2. A car with 6FL has a different harness that allows the parallel installation.. mi car dose not have this hardness. I have nav, va, bmw assist, bt 08/03 production.. 3. The retofit kits posted here in the pdf.. removes the tcu.. the tcu has all the antenas, va, bmw assist, bt.. so you lose va and bmw assist.. Can someone provide a wiring diagram of the parallel harness for me i cant find it.. also find out the part numbers for both harnesses.. -- Thanks -- George
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2008, 09:48 PM	#100
KenH Private First Class 3 Rep 117 Posts Drives: e92m3 f25x3 e71x6 Join Date: May 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	Let me know exactly what wiring diagrams you need and I will try to get them to you. When I looked at the EPC earlier today (= electronic parts catalog) it only listed one main wiring harness number. But that might mean that if you order one now you only get the latest and greatest. Which is how BMW tends to operate. But I did see the following standard, not retrofit, part nos for e90s with 6FL which I hadn't noticed before: 51.16.9.149.111 Lead, Aux+USB 385mm 61.13.6.919.424 Holder, USB Plug ( a bracket of sorts) 61.11.9.129.361 Connecting Line, Hub/MULFII 3370mm (X17180-X17182) 61.11.9.129.360 Connecting Line, Hub/MULFII 2330mm (X17178-X17183B) Don't know if that helps. If you want to know what the "X" numbers mean (ie connectors) let me know and I will try to find out from the wiring diagrams.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-01-2008, 04:12 AM	#102
gIzzE Major General 361 Rep 5,985 Posts Drives: F11 + 997 Carrera S Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	I think it would work on any car, the reason BMW tend to stipulate that it is only with cars from XX/XX date is because there are major software changes needed to be made to the car before the vehichle can be coded for the new function you are trying to fit, often making a retrofit uneconomicly viable. For example, BMW made it quite clear that E60's built before 09/2005 could not be coded for MP3 playback, it turned out the reason for this was just about every module on the car had to be updated before the MP3 function could be uploaded, it took 48 hours for my 535d to get to the point where the Mp3 feature could be added. In fact when I picked the car up two days later it hadn't actually been done, they had coded so much that they actually forgot to do the MP3, they took the car back in and 20 minutes later it was working. So I reckon in theory any car can have the 6FL retrofit, but you will probably find cars ofter 09/2007 will be ready to take it straight away.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-02-2008, 10:53 AM	#104
KenH Private First Class 3 Rep 117 Posts Drives: e92m3 f25x3 e71x6 Join Date: May 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	Wiring Diagrams The wiring diagrams are in two parts, an HTM file with the title and an Adobe SVG file for the diagram itself. I tried to attach a sample pair but got a message (from this site) saying that they were both of an invalid format.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-03-2008, 01:05 PM	#106
KenH Private First Class 3 Rep 117 Posts Drives: e92m3 f25x3 e71x6 Join Date: May 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	I have just realized that the Bluetooth/Assist option in the US is SA639 whereas the Bluetooth option referred to in the European retrofit instructions is SA644. Perhaps that goes someway to explaining why the instructions say that if you have SA644 the BT box should be discarded.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-04-2008, 07:53 PM	#107
rakone New Member 0 Rep 20 Posts Drives: 2012 335is Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	Ok, just be 100% clear as of today there is no USB interface retrofit kit for an e90? Thanks
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08-05-2008, 05:38 PM	#109
BavarianBullet Lieutenant 18 Rep 429 Posts Drives: 2014 Audi S5 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Connecticut iTrader: (1)	I think I'm leaning towards getting something like a Garmin streetpilot 7200 rather than this stupid 6FL enigma. GPS/NAV/Sat-Traffic/MP3[w/8GB SD card]/Satellite Radio (XM, the real thing). Since I basically don't have many options other than sport and cold weather, this pretty much covers it all, and in a device that one can actually use. Sure it's not as nice as something built into the dash but it seems a lot more useful vs iDrive and a ton cheaper. I'm looking to spy one in person so I can see how the interface works. I've seen a Nuvi 550 and played MP3 over it via my Aux connector and it sounded pretty good on my logic7. Given road noise and the type of music I listen to, I doubt I'd notice the difference in good aux vs real digital quality via USB. BB __________________ 2014 Audi S5 DSG 2011 335xi Sedan (retired) 2008 335xi Sedan (retired)
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08-07-2008, 08:52 AM	#110
keithdbodoh New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Convertible Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Atlanta, Georgia iTrader: (0)	My dealer wrote the following: Also, I just got your letter about the 6FL interface, and they are not offering that retrofit for the US Models yet. My shop foreman looked at the instructions for it that you sent, and he estimated that even if we could do it, it would cost in excess of $1000, which is probably not worth it for the extra couple of features that it may offer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote