Must Have Accessory!

weletourneau08 · 03-03-2014, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sappy13

If you use this, will your phone still stay connected to the car bluetooth for the phone functionality, if you are streaming from your phone?

Yes... i Phone can connect to multiple devices

Dark_Knight_335 · 03-03-2014, 10:01 AM

If our car already has Bluetooth this is largely useless correct?

weletourneau08 · 03-03-2014, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

If our car already has Bluetooth this is largely useless correct?

You can't stream music to the old ccc idrive systems...

Try this for cic idrives

Dark_Knight_335 · 03-03-2014, 10:48 AM

Thanks for that! Fortunately I've been able to stream audio from my iPhone since day one out of the box (2011 E93 with BMW apps etc.)

To be fair, it IS a bit buggy though.

I've charged with the lightning cable in the center console, and that effectively kills the Bluetooth audio (if Bluetooth is currently on on your iPhone.)

Trouble is, occasionally, even when you re-enable audio playback in the Bluetooth options, it STILL won't work.

I have had to remove the phone from the Bluetooth profile in iDrive, forget the BMW Bluetooth device on my iPhone, and re-pair it. It is an annoying issue that no dealer has been able to address or fix.

Does this ever happen to anyone else?

PascalsWager · 03-03-2014, 12:02 PM

This is what I bought for ~25.99 i believe:

Stays hidden in the center console, includes charger, works great on my pre-LCI Logic7 system!

-PW

silver07335i · 04-23-2014, 10:27 AM

I ended up purchasing the Kinivo BTC450. The sound quality is pretty good and the BT auto sync when I start the car is a great feature.

Agentphish · 06-10-2014, 08:46 PM

I have the XtremeMac BT adapter like the OP in my car currently.

My wife has the Kinivo BTC450. Yes it's nicer that the Kinivo has the auto-pair feature, however the xtrememac sounds better, at least on the hifi system.

I have been using XtremeMac BT for about 2 years in 2 different vehicles without any issue with multiple devices. I can give it a solid thumbs up for sure.

I'm trying out the AirEnabler right now...So far, I'm having issues with ground loopback and a shitty Creative DAC I bought (already sent it back)

PTinVT · 04-30-2015, 09:09 AM

What the heck - I'm going to give this a try. Down to $35/shipped (even for non-prime) at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...070_em_1p_1_ti

I need an aux-in solution for my e46 'vert (yes, still listening to CDs in that car, which I drive all of 1000 miles a year) so I'll probably try it there as well.

AWDBooSTIn90 · 04-30-2015, 09:14 AM

Ive been using a cheap ebay bluetooth stresmer just like you described for a while now. Quality is good. Its not CD quality, but its pretty close.

If you have CIC, you can get a combox and take advatage of OEM bluetooth audi stresming plus a bunch of other features.

NBT has built in bluetooth in the head unit itself

2011+ had combox "media" standard

Douche · 04-30-2015, 09:15 AM

I bought the Blackberry music gateway a couple of weeks ago for cheap and am pretty happy with it. It works flawlessly. And I also have Bluetooth in my car, and it doesn't interfere. So I can listen to music while in Aux mode, and answer a phone call in any mode (radio, Sirius, aux, cd, etc), and at the same time. It cuts the music obviously.

Snguy82 · 04-30-2015, 09:45 AM

I'm using this and very happy with it. Iclever HimBox. Ordered the Kinivo but was not happy with the call quality. I leave the receiver just outside of the centre console lid, so you cannot see the wire. Clean simple and cheap solution for bluetooth calling and music streaming.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GJF...=bluetooth+car

AzureHaze · 04-30-2015, 11:47 AM

When I first bought the car, I used the Belkin Bluetooth Car Hands-Free Kit but after a while, it got annoying that I had to press the pair button every time I entered the car.

I then upgraded to the BlackBerry Music Gateway and was very satisfied with it. Only issue with it was that when I had to fiddle with the bluetooth settings on my phone, the device itself would pair but the car's phone system couldn't connect with the phone. The solution was to to pair the phone system first, then the BlackBerry device.

I was recently curious about the AptX codec since it would be compatible with my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 so I purchased the Kinivo BT450. It worked fine and noticed a difference in the sound quality from my BSW Stage 1 speakers but every time I ended a call, whatever was playing before was strangely in a very low volume and it would take a reconnect for things to be normal again.

Then I gave the TaoTronics TT-BR03 and this also worked fine at first but then every time I started the car and played something immediately, the content would skip for 10-20 seconds. It was very annoying and thought I had a defective unit. TaoTronics provided me with a replacement but the same issue persisted.

I was planning to test the Kinivo and TaoTronics on my friend's car who has an iPhone, doesn't have the iDrive but has the bluebooth option like I do. If they worked fine with his, either my car or the Android phone was the main issue.

Finally, I found the perfect receiver which is the HomeSpot bluetooth audio receiver. I think the issue was the the last two devices had calling capabilities built in to it so it might of interfered with the car's phone system. Anyway, this device is similiar to the BlackBerry as it's strictly a music streaming device. It came with cables but I bought micro cables for both the USB and AUX ports to reduce the clutter in my armrest compartment. I highly recommend this device to anyone looking for a bluetooth streaming device with AptX codec compatibility.

Agentphish · 04-30-2015, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snguy82

I'm using this and very happy with it. Iclever HimBox. Ordered the Kinivo but was not happy with the call quality. I leave the receiver just outside of the centre console lid, so you cannot see the wire. Clean simple and cheap solution for bluetooth calling and music streaming.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GJF...=bluetooth+car

Post a pic of how you have it set up.

Agentphish · 04-30-2015, 08:20 PM

I'm still using Air Enabler as I mentioned almost a year ago and several posts up on this page. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1002984

Snguy82 · 04-30-2015, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agentphish

Post a pic of how you have it set up.

Here it is. I still have to clean up the wires inside the console, but wires are not visible when the lid is closed. Calls are clear and plays through the car speaker. I am using an Android.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

[IMG]

[/IMG]

vapore0n · 05-01-2015, 05:40 AM

I use the Kinivo. Haven't had any problems because I set my phone to only use it as a media device, not to use it as phone. Much better quality (at least for android) in sound.
Car takes care of the phone calls.

mweisdorfer · 05-01-2015, 09:30 AM

This one is built for audio enthusiasts.

http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-RFBTA...gate+bluetooth

The0pportunist · 05-01-2015, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

This one is built for audio enthusiasts.

http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-RFBTA...gate+bluetooth

This ones great, do you know if this will fit in the arm rest & close?

ThugzZ BunnY · 05-01-2015, 04:10 PM

kinivo is what i've been using for a year now. it works very well. i use it for media, and the cars BT for calls.

mweisdorfer · 05-02-2015, 12:56 PM

Yes, I have one. I put my lighting cord in and am still able to shut the armrest door.

Sounds awesome (almost as good as digital)

Wires · 05-02-2015, 04:51 PM

I used the iPod adaptor for the first while, then replaced it with a 64GB USB stick (I have no idea why I wasted $50 on the adaptor to start with since it will just play from a USB stick). Works way better and isn't analog audio.

03-03-2014, 10:01 AM	#46
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1115 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	If our car already has Bluetooth this is largely useless correct?
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03-03-2014, 10:48 AM	#48
Dark_Knight_335 Came to the N55 Darkside 1115 Rep 12,740 Posts Drives: 2011 335 E93 M-Sport Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY/NJ iTrader: (28)	Thanks for that! Fortunately I've been able to stream audio from my iPhone since day one out of the box (2011 E93 with BMW apps etc.) To be fair, it IS a bit buggy though. I've charged with the lightning cable in the center console, and that effectively kills the Bluetooth audio (if Bluetooth is currently on on your iPhone.) Trouble is, occasionally, even when you re-enable audio playback in the Bluetooth options, it STILL won't work. I have had to remove the phone from the Bluetooth profile in iDrive, forget the BMW Bluetooth device on my iPhone, and re-pair it. It is an annoying issue that no dealer has been able to address or fix. Does this ever happen to anyone else?
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03-03-2014, 12:02 PM	#49
PascalsWager Cognitive 4 Rep 273 Posts Drives: '06 330i TiAg Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Triad, NC iTrader: (0)	This is what I bought for ~25.99 i believe: Stays hidden in the center console, includes charger, works great on my pre-LCI Logic7 system! -PW
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04-23-2014, 10:27 AM	#50
silver07335i Captain 25 Rep 755 Posts Drives: 335i titanium silver metallic Join Date: May 2013 Location: CA iTrader: (5)	I ended up purchasing the Kinivo BTC450. The sound quality is pretty good and the BT auto sync when I start the car is a great feature. __________________ Car: 2007 e90 335i 6MT - sports, premium, cold weather, light, and smoker's package. Performance Mods: Cobb AP v3, ETS 7" FMIC, Injen DCI, Michelin PSS, CDV delete, rear spoiler, BMW PE w/ Magnaflow tips, PTF pro-tune, VRSF downpipes, ER chargepipe w/ Tial Q, APEX 18" EC-7 wheels, MP outlet/ inlet, MMP Stg. 3 turbos. Other mods: BMW cargo liner, 20% window tint, BMW alarm system, Weathertech floorliner, Lux E90 V6 bulbs, Philips X-treme Vision H7 bulbs, Blackvue DR650GW-2CH.
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06-10-2014, 08:46 PM	#51
Agentphish Major 130 Rep 1,052 Posts Drives: '08 328i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (2)	I have the XtremeMac BT adapter like the OP in my car currently. My wife has the Kinivo BTC450. Yes it's nicer that the Kinivo has the auto-pair feature, however the xtrememac sounds better, at least on the hifi system. I have been using XtremeMac BT for about 2 years in 2 different vehicles without any issue with multiple devices. I can give it a solid thumbs up for sure. I'm trying out the AirEnabler right now...So far, I'm having issues with ground loopback and a shitty Creative DAC I bought (already sent it back) __________________ '08 328i \| TiAg \| 6MT \| CDV Mod \| RevMotoring Silicon Intake Tube \| AG M310 \| Cold \| Premium \| HiFi \| V1 Hardwire \| AirPlay - FiiO DAC '15 Golf SE Sport \| Pure White
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04-30-2015, 09:09 AM	#52
PTinVT armchair enthusiast 223 Rep 1,019 Posts Drives: 18 340xi, 02 325Cic, 93 850Ci Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Burlington, VT iTrader: (3)	What the heck - I'm going to give this a try. Down to $35/shipped (even for non-prime) at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...070_em_1p_1_ti I need an aux-in solution for my e46 'vert (yes, still listening to CDs in that car, which I drive all of 1000 miles a year) so I'll probably try it there as well. __________________ '18 340i xDrive EB/Dakota, 6-speed manual, M-sport '02 325Cic vert AW/Montana leather, 5-speed manual, premium/removable hardtop '93 850Ci Oxford Green/Parchment, auto '71 Buick Riviera, 455 V8 land yacht
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04-30-2015, 09:14 AM	#53
AWDBooSTIn90 Nomore 149 Rep 793 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe 6MT N54 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Long Island iTrader: (1)	Ive been using a cheap ebay bluetooth stresmer just like you described for a while now. Quality is good. Its not CD quality, but its pretty close. If you have CIC, you can get a combox and take advatage of OEM bluetooth audi stresming plus a bunch of other features. NBT has built in bluetooth in the head unit itself 2011+ had combox "media" standard
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-30-2015, 09:15 AM	#54
Douche Banned 466 Rep 1,980 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Location iTrader: (0)	I bought the Blackberry music gateway a couple of weeks ago for cheap and am pretty happy with it. It works flawlessly. And I also have Bluetooth in my car, and it doesn't interfere. So I can listen to music while in Aux mode, and answer a phone call in any mode (radio, Sirius, aux, cd, etc), and at the same time. It cuts the music obviously.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-30-2015, 09:45 AM	#55
Snguy82 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i sedan Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Whitby, ON iTrader: (1)	I'm using this and very happy with it. Iclever HimBox. Ordered the Kinivo but was not happy with the call quality. I leave the receiver just outside of the centre console lid, so you cannot see the wire. Clean simple and cheap solution for bluetooth calling and music streaming. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GJF...=bluetooth+car
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-30-2015, 11:47 AM	#56
AzureHaze Lieutenant Colonel 69 Rep 1,766 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Sport Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	When I first bought the car, I used the Belkin Bluetooth Car Hands-Free Kit but after a while, it got annoying that I had to press the pair button every time I entered the car. I then upgraded to the BlackBerry Music Gateway and was very satisfied with it. Only issue with it was that when I had to fiddle with the bluetooth settings on my phone, the device itself would pair but the car's phone system couldn't connect with the phone. The solution was to to pair the phone system first, then the BlackBerry device. I was recently curious about the AptX codec since it would be compatible with my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 so I purchased the Kinivo BT450. It worked fine and noticed a difference in the sound quality from my BSW Stage 1 speakers but every time I ended a call, whatever was playing before was strangely in a very low volume and it would take a reconnect for things to be normal again. Then I gave the TaoTronics TT-BR03 and this also worked fine at first but then every time I started the car and played something immediately, the content would skip for 10-20 seconds. It was very annoying and thought I had a defective unit. TaoTronics provided me with a replacement but the same issue persisted. I was planning to test the Kinivo and TaoTronics on my friend's car who has an iPhone, doesn't have the iDrive but has the bluebooth option like I do. If they worked fine with his, either my car or the Android phone was the main issue. Finally, I found the perfect receiver which is the HomeSpot bluetooth audio receiver. I think the issue was the the last two devices had calling capabilities built in to it so it might of interfered with the car's phone system. Anyway, this device is similiar to the BlackBerry as it's strictly a music streaming device. It came with cables but I bought micro cables for both the USB and AUX ports to reduce the clutter in my armrest compartment. I highly recommend this device to anyone looking for a bluetooth streaming device with AptX codec compatibility. __________________ JBD @ 100% \| KW ST Coilovers \| M3 rep. front bumper \| 888Concepts AE Upgrade \| GP Thunder 7500k fogs \| Cyba 4" carbon tips \| BSW Stage 1 \| APEX ARC-8 W/ Michelin PSS \| Ziza LED interior \| Weisslicht LED side lenses \| Sprint Booster \| Euro side mirrors \| M-Sport semi-conversion \| Coded \| LOTS of carbon fiber
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04-30-2015, 08:20 PM	#58
Agentphish Major 130 Rep 1,052 Posts Drives: '08 328i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (2)	I'm still using Air Enabler as I mentioned almost a year ago and several posts up on this page. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1002984 __________________ '08 328i \| TiAg \| 6MT \| CDV Mod \| RevMotoring Silicon Intake Tube \| AG M310 \| Cold \| Premium \| HiFi \| V1 Hardwire \| AirPlay - FiiO DAC '15 Golf SE Sport \| Pure White
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05-01-2015, 05:40 AM	#60
vapore0n Captain 40 Rep 669 Posts Drives: 2010 335i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	I use the Kinivo. Haven't had any problems because I set my phone to only use it as a media device, not to use it as phone. Much better quality (at least for android) in sound. Car takes care of the phone calls.
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05-01-2015, 09:30 AM	#61
mweisdorfer Major General 1909 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 2007 Black/Black 335i e90 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Holly, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E90 335i [0.00] 2008 bmw x5 [0.00]	Rockford Fosgate Bluetooth This one is built for audio enthusiasts. http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-RFBTA...gate+bluetooth
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05-01-2015, 04:10 PM	#63
ThugzZ BunnY Major 682 Rep 1,155 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: BMW of Chattanooga iTrader: (0)	kinivo is what i've been using for a year now. it works very well. i use it for media, and the cars BT for calls. __________________ IG: @andy__wise Inquiries: Andrew.Wise@bmwofchattanooga.com
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05-02-2015, 12:56 PM	#64
mweisdorfer Major General 1909 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 2007 Black/Black 335i e90 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Holly, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E90 335i [0.00] 2008 bmw x5 [0.00]	Yes, I have one. I put my lighting cord in and am still able to shut the armrest door. Sounds awesome (almost as good as digital)
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05-02-2015, 04:51 PM	#65
Wires Brigadier General 1671 Rep 4,933 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	I used the iPod adaptor for the first while, then replaced it with a 64GB USB stick (I have no idea why I wasted $50 on the adaptor to start with since it will just play from a USB stick). Works way better and isn't analog audio.
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