Subject: E53 question re: how to get Bluetooth and IPOD on BMW business CD Author: smeghead26 : member since March, 2010 : 41 posts Posted on: 2010-07-24 23:34:29

So, we just purchased a 2002 X5 3.0. We have to wait to actually pick it up from the dealership, but we remember it having a BMW Business CD. We can't remember if it had a DSP button or not. It did have a CD slot though. Not sure if that makes a difference and is then considered Premium Sound.

The ultimate goals are:
1. to get bluetooth on this radio (we did see a button on the steering wheel for the phone like in the newer BMW models) with steering wheel controls.
2. We would love it if we could get music streaming via bluetooth as well,
3. but would want an ipod connector that shows the music information on the screen and allow controls on the steering wheel.
4. We also want RDS.

So, been reading all afternoon all the posts in the E53, Nav, and Bluetooth sections here as well as Bav Soundwerks and Xoutpost. Seems like people are frowning upon aftermarket radios (and we were thinking of adding in the Blaupunkt Toronto 400BT, but were also wondering how that would fit in the slot as it is a bit long lengthwise).

So, how does everyone else get the BT w/steering controls for iphone (3g, 3gs, 4g, ipod, etc), music streaming (I think it's called A2DP) via BT with steering controls, and RDS?

Would we need to upgrade to the new BMW Business CD? However, we could not tell if it has RDS or not. If we did that, I'm assuming we would still need to somehow get the Bluetooth and ipod connectivity, which I'm assuming is with the $200 universal bluetooth kit that I've read about, and the DICE ipod kit ($100-$300 depending on if you get the one from BSW or the one that has Mediabridge). Total cost would then be in the $1000's as the new version of the Business CD radio is minimum $500 on BSW's site. And we're not even sure if it has RDS too (so that piece might still be missing).

What did you all do to get your stereos up to date? I'm seriously thinking to just go with an after-market. If you went with an aftermarket, which one would you highly recommend that has all the features I need? Please include online websites where we could order the items as I'm finding it hard to find these things (i.e. Harmon was difficult to find online, and Crutchfield is only selling Kenwood/Alpine mostly, while Midwest sells Blaupunkt only).

~smeghead26~

1993 e32 740iL
Production date - 1992 / 11
VIN - DE84204

• E53 question re: how to get Bluetooth and IPOD on BMW business CD - smeghead26 2010-07-24 23:34:29 (2807 views)
  • Re: E53 question re: how to get Bluetooth and IPOD on BMW business CD - maller63 2010-08-14 22:18:13 (2775 views)
    • Re: E53 question re: how to get Bluetooth and IPOD on BMW business CD - 06highlandx5 2010-08-19 23:41:22 (2497 views)