What bluetooth options are there going into 2019?

[stephenkirsh]

I bought a ZSP for my wife with 100% original non-Navigation stereo. She's moving from a 2010 car that had an Aux input, and that's a feature I'm looking to bring to this ZSP. She wants just bluetooth connectivity for music and making calls while maintaining OE look. No nav or running applications/video. I believe it's a 10/2003 build.

I have a DICE Media Bridge in my ZHP, but it's not up to most people's standards. It has difficulty maintaining a bluetooth connection sometimes and has a bit of alternator whine. As a comparison, the $60 deck I put on my 1995 Miata early this year connects in under 10 seconds to my phone every time, never disconnects and has no sound quality issues.

I don't have a set budget yet, as I'm willing to consider all options. It looks like there's only 2 options:
1.) Some kind of Android or iOS based system.
- I was leaning this way until I realized how much is involved in adding this to a car without Factory Navigation. I'm not opposed to it, but if there's better alternatives for option #2 (down below), then I'd prefer that
2.) Something that plugs into the car's existing stereo system, similar to my DICE Media Bridge.
- Are there other options out there?

So, what's the best options out there?


And now, the car does not have bluetooth as an option from factory; it's simply "pre-wired."

[dpark]

This is what I put into my 2004 ZHP. BUT it only does voice, no music

http://www.bokchoys.com/differential/diy_parrot_bluetooth.htm

I also installed the factory iPod adapter which uses the trunk CD changer input for an iPod.

Not the most elegant setup, but it works for me. When I changed from an HDD-based iPod to a flash iPod Nano, also had to get the adaptor that drops the voltage.

I don't think there is a non-nav head unit for the e46 that supports A2DP so you can stream music through bluetooth.

[ELCID86]

Do you have an Aux port? I’ve been happy with one of these. Calls and music are clear.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181102/d2542dd95e3e241fcc7c3bc3b63b0ee8.jpg

[az3579]

It's actually pretty easy to upgrade to an Android based unit. The nav cars are the PITA because the harness has to go all the way to the trunk. With a stick business radio, all you need is an HVAC relocation kit. You can do the whole thing while sitting in the driver's seat.

If you want to keep factory radio, I highly recommend Dension's Gateway products. This is what I had before I changed to an Android unit and was super happy with it.

It looks like Dension has more products available for the E46 compared to when I had mine, so you should have a good selection to choose from.

https://www.dension.com/automotive/compatible-products/GWL3BM1,GW17BM1,GW33BM1,CDR2BM4,GBL3BM1,GW33BM1,GW L3BM1,GBL3BM1,GWL2BM1,GBL1BM1,GBL2BM1,GW16BM1?star tlng=&make=BMW&type=3%20Series%2C%20E46&year=1998-2005&hu=Business%20CD&img=bmw_compact_2001-2006_business_head_unit.png&info=Head%20Units%20with%20DSP%20are%20not%20suppo rted.%20External%20CD-Changer%20capability%20is%20required.%20Text%20dis play%20function%20of%20the%20relevant%20%20iGatewa y%20/%20300%20/%20Lite%20or%20Lite%20BT%20product%20is%20not%20av ailable%20for%20BMW%20if%20the%20Head%20Unit%20is% 20made%20by%20Becker%2C%20the%20head%20unit%20has% 20phone%20preparation%20%28phone%20button%29%20or% 20the%20head%20unit%20has%20factory%20phone%20modu le.%20




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[pedro2u]

I wanted 100% stock look, and I have to say I have no complaints about the Grom BT3 purchased and professionally installed in my convertible by my local car stereo shop. I have a non-nav car, and BT sound quality is fine for me, plus the steering wheel controls work for both stereo and phone calls. Mic is tucked neatly away around the rear view mirror. People tell me voice quality is good even with the top down. It's trunk mounted (there is a behind the radio version) and I recall that I was $339 out the door

[stephenkirsh]

It's actually pretty easy to upgrade to an Android based unit. The nav cars are the PITA because the harness has to go all the way to the trunk. With a stick business radio, all you need is an HVAC relocation kit. You can do the whole thing while sitting in the driver's seat.

If you want to keep factory radio, I highly recommend Dension's Gateway products. This is what I had before I changed to an Android unit and was super happy with it.

It looks like Dension has more products available for the E46 compared to when I had mine, so you should have a good selection to choose from.

https://www.dension.com/automotive/compatible-products/GWL3BM1,GW17BM1,GW33BM1,CDR2BM4,GBL3BM1,GW33BM1,GW L3BM1,GBL3BM1,GWL2BM1,GBL1BM1,GBL2BM1,GW16BM1?star tlng=&make=BMW&type=3%20Series%2C%20E46&year=1998-2005&hu=Business%20CD&img=bmw_compact_2001-2006_business_head_unit.png&info=Head%20Units%20with%20DSP%20are%20not%20suppo rted.%20External%20CD-Changer%20capability%20is%20required.%20Text%20dis play%20function%20of%20the%20relevant%20%20iGatewa y%20/%20300%20/%20Lite%20or%20Lite%20BT%20product%20is%20not%20av ailable%20for%20BMW%20if%20the%20Head%20Unit%20is% 20made%20by%20Becker%2C%20the%20head%20unit%20has% 20phone%20preparation%20%28phone%20button%29%20or% 20the%20head%20unit%20has%20factory%20phone%20modu le.%20




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Is t the hvac relocation kit like $160?

[az3579]

Is t the hvac relocation kit like $160?


Over $200, actually. Pretty ridiculous since I bought mine for less than $120 with tax, and that was the high price at the time.
I thought you were referring to ease of install in the first post, not price.

[stephenkirsh]

If it’s what I have to do to meet the requirements, I’ll deal.

[stephenkirsh]

At this point I’m leaning toward a unit from Dension.

[John in VA]

Grayson Terry of 865 Retrofits posted this video the other day. Uses something that plugs into the 3.5 mm AUX jack. $10 shipped.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVNuL2GvQTI&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2MbdeYfhIvhdFdE1JtttpGry1CEbtMDq-Q2huk0Fg9bjriwOOzcv0_e8Q

[stephenkirsh]

The car doesn’t have an aux port to begin with.

[John in VA]

The car doesn’t have an aux port to begin with.
I thought post mid-2002 head units were equipped with the AUX option.

[ELCID86]

I thought post mid-2002 head units were equipped with the AUX option.

And it’s an easy add on that gives musical options. [emoji2957][emoji443]

[bvmackin]

If one has an aux port and 3.5mm cable, I can recommend this bluetooth receiver off Amazon. Audio quality is pretty good, and the volume is plenty loud. It also plays nicely streaming music from Spotify and working with the built in phone bluetooth on a factory Nav head unit (interrupting music when a call comes in, and passing the call to the BT in the head unit via an iPhone 6).

https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Bluetooth-Receiver-Portable-Hands-free/dp/B075JCCLVK?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-osx-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B075JCCLVK

[Overboost]

I had an old Dice iPod adapter with the original 25 pin iPhone connector laying around. My wife wanted a decent streaming option for her X5 so I used the old Dice unit and simple plugged in the Bovee 1000 Tune2Air. This little unit streams anything from her iPhones, iPads, my Androids etc. We can stream music, YouTube, Sirius app, anything. I use my factory Bluetooth module for phone calls and contacts with voice commands and a second Bluetooth network for the Bovee 1000 streaming capabilities. Both Bluetooth networks work simultaneously and when a phone call comes in, the dice unit (w/Bovee 1000) automatically switches to the BMW Bluetooth. And yes, the steering wheel controls still work changing the volume and tracks on the music library. About $80 and tucked away in the back of her X5 out of site. True streaming.

34328

[Unamused]

The one I'm looking forward to uses the CD changer factory wiring. No splicing and plug and play. It will do Bluetooth audio and phone calls. Nice feature he lists is the Metadata is transmitted to the factory radio no matter if you have the navi or regular HK radio. I have one on pre-order and will report when ever he releases and ships.
https://www.bluebus.dev/