[stepanko]

Just got a beautiful 2006 X3. Luv the car. However, in our province it is now illegal to use a cell phone while driving. Needs to be hands free. My X3 did not come set up for that. What are my options (or what is my best option) to add this feature? Any advice?

[Convertible]

Well, I just bought a nokia phone holder for the hand rest and installed it. Numbers and names show up in the navi. Check if you have the same option.

[rs6655]

http://www.bimmernav.com/store/catal...o-item-85.html

[fijigabe0]

i think your best bet is to just get a handsfree headset and use that. retrofitting the car for bluetooth is going to get expensive, and then you'll only have the option available when you're IN the car. i'd just go with a headset if i were you.

[smellthebeans]

You can replace the head unit in the vehicle with an bluetooth enabled one. Best Buy or similar type place is your best bet.

[fijigabe0]

i think the issue is more than just the head unit, as he'd also need the BMW antenna.

also, Best Buy (or whatever you have up in Canada) probably won't want to replace a BMW head unit with another BMW head unit, without charging massive labor rates.

if you want to know what you NEED to replace, go to the parts counter, have them run your VIN, and tell them you want to add the Bluetooth unit. see what they tell you. my guess is that it's probably not worth what they want.

[fijigabe0]

Originally Posted by rs6655

http://www.bimmernav.com/store/catal...o-item-85.html

did you check the price on that thing? $760!

[smellthebeans]

I may have jumped the gun...does the vehicle have BMW assist? An SOS button located next to sun roof button? If it does that I am 99.9999999 percent sure it has a factory bluetooth unit (called a telephone control unit TCU).

If not...
A reputable shop can replace the head unit. The bluetooth unit utilizes the antenna in the phone. The E83 (X3) electonics are primarliy built around the E46 Generation of vehicles so there is no fiber optic BUS between the Amp or siruis unit thus, potentially complicating replacement as seen in the new generation E90s.

The vehicle external antenna is only activated with the installation of the armrest power adapter (assuming you have a matching BMW approved phone).


It does not cost anything to ask about replacing the head unit.

[rs6655]

Originally Posted by fijigabe0

did you check the price on that thing? $760!

Yep!

A cheaper option:

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-T305-.../dp/B000JKKE5M

[rs6655]

stepanko,

If you have factory Bluetooth and your car is prewired for a phone you can dock your phone (if BMW makes an adapter for your model) in the lid of the armrest.

I docked my iPhone 3G and couldn't be happier with the result.

Here is the DIY I posted on another board:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...1&postcount=15

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...5&postcount=14

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...0&postcount=17

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...44&postcount=8

After I was done I discovered that BMW already makes a modified eject box for the 3G:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...7&postcount=28

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...2&postcount=34

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