[nimamilani]

I was looking at the Bluetooth ULF modeul at www.bimmernav.com

it seems very easy to install, but i do not have the BMW assist.
has anyone had the the dealers program the installed module???
thanks guys

[cpugh42]

I purchased the kit from bimmernav.com about a month ago, installed it myself and had the dealer make the software update for me. It hasn't been a completely pleasant experience, so maybe I can help yours go a little better:

1. The kit comes w/ a manual that will show you how to install the ULF, re-route the fiber-optic cable, install the bluetooth arial, phone charger/adapter and microphone. It wasn't extremely easy to install, as it was my first time taking the car apart, so I was very careful. But, I still prefer this way instead of letting the dealer do it.

2. You need a new microphone, even if you have NAV w/ voice recognition. The BT module uses a different microphone.

3. The Motorola Q has pairing issues and will not synch the address book. I'm going to purchase a RAZR tomorrow as it seems to have the most success in pairing consistently and synching the address book.

I don't understand a lot about the technical differences, but one thing to keep in mind is that the BMW Assist/Bluetooth (referred to as TCU I believe) factory option pairs w/ different phones, etc... than the module you'd be purchasing.

[nimamilani]

great summarization, thanks a lot
i have the razr so that probably won't be an issue.
how much did you pay for software upgrade???

[cpugh42]

It was time for my first service/oil change. The rep said it would be extra to upgrade the software. I told him I felt the latest version of software should be part of the 50K service/warranty. So, they did it for free.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by cpugh42

It was time for my first service/oil change. The rep said it would be extra to upgrade the software. I told him I felt the latest version of software should be part of the 50K service/warranty. So, they did it for free.

You were lucky as BMW is trying to clamp down on sw upgrades, even to the point of distributing refrigerator magnets to techs (for their toolboxes) telling them only to upgrade if the diagnosis calls for it.

[canuck335i]

Originally Posted by cpugh42

I purchased the kit from bimmernav.com about a month ago, installed it myself and had the dealer make the software update for me. It hasn't been a completely pleasant experience, so maybe I can help yours go a little better:

1. The kit comes w/ a manual that will show you how to install the ULF, re-route the fiber-optic cable, install the bluetooth arial, phone charger/adapter and microphone. It wasn't extremely easy to install, as it was my first time taking the car apart, so I was very careful. But, I still prefer this way instead of letting the dealer do it.

2. You need a new microphone, even if you have NAV w/ voice recognition. The BT module uses a different microphone.

3. The Motorola Q has pairing issues and will not synch the address book. I'm going to purchase a RAZR tomorrow as it seems to have the most success in pairing consistently and synching the address book.

I don't understand a lot about the technical differences, but one thing to keep in mind is that the BMW Assist/Bluetooth (referred to as TCU I believe) factory option pairs w/ different phones, etc... than the module you'd be purchasing.

I did the same as you did 2 months ago and can confirm your findings, my dealer was also very cooperative with the update, I was using the RAZR at that time with succes, I now use the Samsung D900 also with succes, so far.

[SCA]

I was reading the install instructions on their website and it states if your E90 is prewired for a mobile phone that your car should be coded. Has anyone not needed a SW update after the install of the BT module (ULF)?


BTW, can a BMW TCU be purchased and installed to get the BT features? I could careless about BMW Assist. My local BMW states that BT can not be added w/o BMW Assist and that you can not add BMW Assist after the fact (post-production).

[bmwesabi]

>BTW, can a BMW TCU be purchased and installed to get the BT features? I >could careless about BMW Assist. My local BMW has states that BT can not >be added w/o BMW Assist and that you can not add BMW Assist after the >fact (post-production).

Yes, the dealer told me the same thing so I went and installed the module that I purshased from bimmernav.

According to the dealer in order to code the BT module they will need to update the sw. After they coded/programmed my car, I was able to pair the samsung A900 and it works great. The phone book gets update immediatelly, caller id works, great sound quality, etc. The only bad thing, the Voice Command is in german.

I don't understand why they don't sell this software so we can do it ourselfs.
How difficult can it be? One USB port connection and UI that runs on your PC.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by bmwesabi

The only bad thing, the Voice Command is in german.

I bet this is because bimmernav gets the ULF from Germany, but you would figure that US BMW Centers would be able to update it while they are doing the SW update.

The bad news about this, at least for me. I really want BT, but I do not want the SW update in my car. It is perfect they way it is! From my past expeience (former E46 330) SW updates can screw with many things that were fine prior to the update. Example: The DBW (drive-by wire) throttle repsonse was never the same in my 330Ci after a SW update.

[bmwesabi]

>The bad news about this, at least for me. I really want BT, but I do not >want the SW update in my car.

You should probably contact at least two dealers and see if get the same response.

[cookrx7]

Well, I purchased and installed the Bimmernav.com E90 Bluetooth Upgrade for my non-SOS 2006 325i a week and a half ago (manuf. 08/05). The DIY instructions that came with the kit were pretty straightforward and other posts on this site helped with things like removing the back seats (Torque T50 required) and removing the front roof control center for the mic install. I decided not to install the center console eject box (the inserts were too pricey) which enables use of the car's cellular aerial "sharkfin" antenna and built in charger.

I went to my local dealership and asked for them to re-code the car for the new BT module which they did for .5 hour labor ($50). I picked the car up and the bluetooth functionality worked great but I found that the Voice Assist (which is the prime functionality that I wanted) is in the German language. I drove off and contacted Martin @ Bimmernav about the problem. He insisted that English IS an option and that the dealership simply did not code the MULF/Vehicle correctly. With this info I returned to the dealership to have them re-code the car again. After leaving the vehicle there for a day and a half and receiving an extra 1hr ($100) bill the BMW Service department told me that English would not be possible. They said they even spoke with Martin's BMW contact and also BMW NA trying to resolve the problem (who was not eager to help because it's a Euro MULF). They also stated they have no plans on supporting user added OEM parts (Euro especially) in the future.

Now I'm getting worried and upset. I have contacted Martin @ Bimmernav again who still insists that English IS supported and they are simply not coding the car properly. I'm out $150 in labor costs for a non fully fuctional MULF (since neither my wife or myself are multi-langual) since the Voice Assist is not working for me.

Bimmernav says English is supported on the E90 MULF upgrade and BMW says no.

Basti313 mentions that English is not an option on the MULF in the DIY thread. (WISH I WOULD HAVE SEEN THAT SOONER). I am still hoping that the MULF Voice Assist will work in English as Bimmernav says it will but I don't know what to do since BMW says it will not and I'm scared of more labor fees.

DOES ANYONE HAVE A BIMMERNAV MULF BLUETOOTH UPGRADE FOR THE E90 THAT HAS ENGLISH VOICE ASSIST WORKING? PLEASE HELP!!

[2Intense]

Originally Posted by cookrx7

Well, I purchased and installed the Bimmernav.com E90 Bluetooth Upgrade for my non-SOS 2006 325i a week and a half ago (manuf. 08/05). The DIY instructions that came with the kit were pretty straightforward and other posts on this site helped with things like removing the back seats (Torque T50 required) and removing the front roof control center for the mic install. I decided not to install the center console eject box (the inserts were too pricey) which enables use of the car's cellular aerial "sharkfin" antenna and built in charger.

I went to my local dealership and asked for them to re-code the car for the new BT module which they did for .5 hour labor ($50). I picked the car up and the bluetooth functionality worked great but I found that the Voice Assist (which is the prime functionality that I wanted) is in the German language. I drove off and contacted Martin @ Bimmernav about the problem. He insisted that English IS an option and that the dealership simply did not code the MULF/Vehicle correctly. With this info I returned to the dealership to have them re-code the car again. After leaving the vehicle there for a day and a half and receiving an extra 1hr ($100) bill the BMW Service department told me that English would not be possible. They said they even spoke with Martin's BMW contact and also BMW NA trying to resolve the problem (who was not eager to help because it's a Euro MULF). They also stated they have no plans on supporting user added OEM parts (Euro especially) in the future.

Now I'm getting worried and upset. I have contacted Martin @ Bimmernav again who still insists that English IS supported and they are simply not coding the car properly. I'm out $150 in labor costs for a non fully fuctional MULF (since neither my wife or myself are multi-langual) since the Voice Assist is not working for me.

Bimmernav says English is supported on the E90 MULF upgrade and BMW says no.

Basti313 mentions that English is not an option on the MULF in the DIY thread. (WISH I WOULD HAVE SEEN THAT SOONER). I am still hoping that the MULF Voice Assist will work in English as Bimmernav says it will but I don't know what to do since BMW says it will not and I'm scared of more labor fees.

DOES ANYONE HAVE A BIMMERNAV MULF BLUETOOTH UPGRADE FOR THE E90 THAT HAS ENGLISH VOICE ASSIST WORKING? PLEASE HELP!!

My advice would be to get ahold of Tom at EAS (www.europeanautosource.com) their kit is newer and better than the BimmerNav based on what I've read.

[dmfitz82]

^^maybe it's just me - but I didn't see any thing about a e90 bluetooth retro kit on that website... (just the older model bmw's)

[cookrx7]

Here is a response from Martin at BimmerNav to my problem, I have not had a chance to talk or return to the dealership and I'm not sure if they will try to charge me again to try this:



In the E90 you MUST code the language and the bluetooth since your car is different from the earlier BMWs that do not need coding. below are the languages, the default language and the coding option the dealer needs to use based on the language you prefer

SPRACHE //Language variant used by VR system
anlieferung //Default value: German
deutsch //German, SA851 oder SA869
us //English US, US+SA853
italienisch //Italian, SA855
englisch //English UK, SA853
spanisch //Spanish, SA856
franzoesisch //French, SA854
japan //Japanese, SA852
koreanisch //SA867 (current englisch)
china_trad //SA866 (current englisch)
niederlande //SA868 (current englisch)

If you would like US english they MUST use coding option SA853. If they do not, the language will still be the default as listed above.

[dmfitz82]

humm - interested to see how the dealer handles this and if it can be done...

[cookrx7]

Called dealership today and they say that they have already tried the above SA programming when they last had the vehicle and although they could see the choices, they were unsuccessful in coding the car.

It appears that the consensus on the internet forums is that the Euro MULF from Bimmernav will not work in English although Bimmernav says otherwise. I'm left $150 shorter than where I started and still without Voice Assist. I am going to try to return the bluetooth upgrade kit.

Hard lesson learned...

[bmviz]

Sorry for all your troubles cookrx7. When I added a BT kit, I went for aftermarket option with Parrot kit and connects2 adaptor. No dealer visits needed and it was easy to install.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26682

[ambishop]

The E90 ULF CAN be coded in english. It supports all of the languages posted above. The issue is that US dealers are not trained on how to code E90s for upgrades such as bluetooth. If you have access to a MOST optolyzer (Programming tool) you can code your own car. Here is a simple tool for the Optolyzer that can be used to code the e90 ULF. Other codings on BMWs can be done on the Optolyzer as well, you just need to have a software tool such as this one.

The fundamental issue is that dealers are not trained on coding anything but the TCU in the new cars. The modules support many languages, but without a dealer knowing what to do, you are at their mercy. A very friendly passed this on, who I can assure you knows what they are talking about.

Mulf_LangSel.oci

Here is the text of the attached programming file with the coding parameters (just as FYI)


[Remote]
FrmHeight=728
FrmWidth=720
FrmLeft=304
FrmTop=40
ShowGrid=1
StayOnTop=0
RunMode=0
WaitForAck=0
MsgTimeout=10
Msgdelay=2
Background=
Top01=180
Left01=20
Width01=108
Height01=24
Caption01=US English
Msg01=01020101000636050022F1362E300000014242425F4D 554C4600000001424242204D554C4200020136313111
Color01=0
Glyph01=
Top02=220
Left02=20
Width02=108
Height02=24
Caption02=Italian
Msg02=01020101000636050022F1362E300000014242425F4D 554C4600000001424242204D554C4200030136313111
Color02=0
Glyph02=
Top03=256
Left03=20
Width03=108
Height03=24
Caption03=UK English
Msg03=01020101000636050022F1362E300000014242425F4D 554C4600000001424242204D554C4200040136313111
Color03=0
Glyph03=
Top04=296
Left04=16
Width04=108
Height04=24
Caption04=Spanish
Msg04=01020101000636050022F1362E300000014242425F4D 554C4600000001424242204D554C4200050136313111
Color04=0
Glyph04=
ButtonsActive=7
TargetAddresses_0=0
TargetAddresses_1=0
TargetAddresses_2=0
TargetAddresses_3=0
TargetAddresses_4=0
TargetAddresses_5=0
TargetAddresses_6=0
TargetAddresses_7=0
TargetAddresses_8=0
TargetAddresses_9=0
Top05=24
Left05=36
Width05=88
Height05=24
Caption05=Start Coding
Msg05=01020101000636050004F1361088
Color05=8421376
Glyph05=
Top06=336
Left06=16
Width06=108
Height06=24
Caption06=French
Msg06=01020101000636050022F1362E300000014242425F4D 554C4600000001424242204D554C4200060136313111
Color06=0
Glyph06=
Top07=112
Left07=16
Width07=108
Height07=24
Caption07=Default (Ger)
Msg07=01020101000636050022F1362E300000014242425F4D 554C465F535601424242204D554C4200010136313111
Color07=0
Glyph07=

[dmfitz82]

bump for more info...

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by ambishop

The E90 ULF CAN be coded in english. It supports all of the languages posted above. The issue is that US dealers are not trained on how to code E90s for upgrades such as bluetooth. If you have access to a MOST optolyzer (Programming tool) you can code your own car. Here is a simple tool for the Optolyzer that can be used to code the e90 ULF. Other codings on BMWs can be done on the Optolyzer as well, you just need to have a software tool such as this one.

The fundamental issue is that dealers are not trained on coding anything but the TCU in the new cars. The modules support many languages, but without a dealer knowing what to do, you are at their mercy. A very friendly passed this on, who I can assure you knows what they are talking about.

This is all correct but I have a question for ambishop.

Can you code an E90 (or E60 for that matter) - and I mean the CCC specifically as well as the Assist TCU - to a language other than French, U.S. English, or Spanish.

[ambishop]

yes each of the language coding options are listed below

The only asian language is Japanese, as the last three are currently Enlgish until updated

anlieferung //Default value: German
deutsch //German, SA851 oder SA869
us //English US, US+SA853
italienisch //Italian, SA855
englisch //English UK, SA853
spanisch //Spanish, SA856
franzoesisch //French, SA854
japan //Japanese, SA852
koreanisch //SA867 (current englisch)
china_trad //SA866 (current englisch)
niederlande //SA868 (current englisch)

In the I bus cars, language is a simple coding of the IKE

You can actually do this with some of the Serial to I bus tools out there
Languages are listed here
http://www.e38.org/E38-Options.pdf

English
French
Italian
Spanish
German
Japanese
Gulf States

now since the I bus cars do not have the complicated Master/slave relationship as the E90 does, but uses a serial bus system once you code the IKE, the other devices recognize the language and adjust.

For Example, sending the code string 3F 09 3B 07 01 FF 82 81 84 00 73 over the i bus will set the ibus cars to three language options on the nav (other devices such as IKE, voice recognition etc will adapt on next power cycle)
Language settings are US English, GB English, Spanish. All Female voice.

the crucial bytes are 82 Female US 81 Female UK 84 Female Spanish, the rest of the string is 3F (from coding device) 09 (write code) 3B (destination) 07 Data string size 01 (data to write) FF, 82 data bytes and lastly 73 = checksum

With the Master/Slave relationship of the MOST Ring Fiber Optic system it is a little more complicated. You need to code each device to the language of choice.

With the MOST bus cars the data string to code the language of the ULF module is
01020101000636050022F1362E300000014242425F4D 554C4600000001424242204D554C4200020136313111

Out of all of that junk the single bit between 2000 and 0136313111 in this case 2 is the language setting for voice recognition only. To my limited knowledge of this stuff you have to code each device on the MOST ring individually in the master/slave configuration.

Long story short... what was your question

I do not know the Assist TCU as well, but I do know the bluetooth module for the E90. The TCU is Motorola (or now (?soon?) Continental).

[doc325]

Originally Posted by ambishop

With the Master/Slave relationship of the MOST Ring Fiber Optic system it is a little more complicated. You need to code each device to the language of choice.

With the MOST bus cars the data string to code the language of the ULF module is
01020101000636050022F1362E300000014242425F4D 554C4600000001424242204D554C4200020136313111

This is KW2000 over MOST on the diagnostic fblock, which is what all units on the MOST handle when the daig tool is plugged in. In fact it would be straight forward to create a tool if the KW codes were available to enable all functions in the car. All KW commands on CAN are available on MOST and there is a version of EDIABAS that runs on MOST.