Garage Door Openers

[das boots]

I nopticed on my S.O's '03 E39 5 Series, it came with garage door openers. Did E46's also come with them? Was this an option on some of them? Thanks.

[aurelius]

It was an option and you can retrofit it. There's a DIY from a prolific E46fan HERE (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=703825).

[Rustyh]

By garage door openers I'm guessing you mean Homelink. BMW Homelink is an available option. They didn't come with them as part of the basic package though.

To be honest, the version BMW uses isn't all that great. I had one installed about 6 months after buying the car and it was a disappointment. On a scale of 1 - 10 with 10 being great range, I'd put it at around 2-3. A standard Homelink remote (which if memory serves me correctly is under $50) is much much better.

With the BMW Homelink system I had to be within 15 feet to get the gate to open. With the Homelink handheld/snap on your visor unit, I can open the gate from probably 75 feet away.

And the dealer replaced my unit once to see if maybe if the first one was bad. Nothing changed.

Rusty

[danewilson77]

Well done, home grown DIY here!

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1391-BMW-E46-Homelink-DIY&highlight=garage

[wsmeyer]

This is one of those things we should figure out for the FAQ. For 2005, 2006 MY it was standard on 330, option on 325 so every ZHP would have it.

William.

[Rustyh]

This is one of those things we should figure out for the FAQ. For 2005, 2006 MY it was standard on 330, option on 325 so every ZHP would have it.

William.

Hmm...well, all I can say is I had a 2005 330i (with the ZHP option of course) which I bought new and it didn't come with Homelink.

It came "wired" for Homelink, but the unit itself was an option. I added it at the same time I added the trunk CD changer.

Rusty

[das boots]

Are all installed garage openers like my SO's also made by Homelink?

[johnrando]

Hmmm, I have homelink on my '06 and I think it came with the car. I just checked my VIN report and I don't see an option for "homelink", but it could be called something else? BTW, mine works just fine, not from a long distance, but I don't need it to. As long as I'm at the driveway, that's far enough for me.

[das boots]

+1. No statement of Homelink on my VIN report. But I was just told to look in the trunk. Eye level on the lip of the trunk that there should be some plastic signs. The tags should say something like "Alarm", "CD Changer" "Garage Opener", etc....which indicate that the car is prewired for those accessories. I will check this out when I get home.

[johnrando]

+1. No statement of Homelink on my VIN report. But I was just told to look in the trunk. Eye level on the lip of the trunk that there should be some plastic signs. The tags should say something like "Alarm", "CD Changer" "Garage Opener", etc....which indicate that the car is prewired for those accessories. I will check this out when I get home.

For some reason the OP (or someone) removed all my plastic signs. My car is pre-wired for phone, etc., but I have none of those stickies.

[Hermes]

John, I think it depends on build date cause mine didn't have them either

[wsmeyer]

I'm starting to realize that the 2006 convertibles that johnrando and I have included a lot of options as standard. Probably due to it being a "lame-duck" model.
I'm putting together a Library of Sales Brochures and Owners Manuals here:

http://tinyurl.com/693qoro

William.

[johnrando]

I'm starting to realize that the 2006 convertibles that johnrando and I have included a lot of options as standard. Probably due to it being a "lame-duck" model.
I'm putting together a Library of Sales Brochures and Owners Manuals here:

http://tinyurl.com/693qoro

William.

Very nice! :thumbsup

[kayger12]

August 2005 build here-- no homelink. Had to install myself.

[das boots]

2313

2005 November build date. No Homelink. But I found this on my trunk. So I figure it has the wiring harness ready for hook up.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

What's interesting is that it doesn't say pre-wired like the rest of them. Logically (just using the others as a reference), you'd think that the car has it already.

But I'm guessing that it's pre-wired as well.

[das boots]

I agree....we shall see when the time comes. Just purchased a Homelink thingy for $45 coming from LA.

[wsmeyer]

I'm confused. I thought the Universal Garage Door Opener was Homelink? Mine doesn't say "Homelink" anywhere but I followed the Homelink instructions that came with the garage door opener and it worked.

William.

[zj96sc]

UGDO/homelink are the same thing.

If you're going to retrofit it, i'd recommend retrofitting one of the newer autodimming mirrors with the homelink buttons built in. i've started to research it, not 100% sure, but i think it should still be a 100% plug and play swap.

the stupid UGDOs are on backorder new at $150/175+, all the used ones on ebay are in rough shape and still draw a solid $80-100. pretty high demand little box.

My first ZHP had it, had i known a nice one was so hard to come by I would've kept it.

[das boots]

What's interesting is that it doesn't say pre-wired like the rest of them. Logically (just using the others as a reference), you'd think that the car has it already.

But I'm guessing that it's pre-wired as well.

This is what on my SO's 5'er with opener. Same thing. Does not say pre-wired. So, they must be pre-wired and ready to go.

2314

[johnrando]

What is SO?

[zj96sc]

significant other, and yes, it is my understanding that all cars are pre-wired for the ugdo.

[wsmeyer]

Looked in the sales brochure for 2006 Convertibles and for both 325 and 330 it lists as standard:


Pre-wiring for cellular phone, alarm, garage-door opener, 6-disc CD changer and auxiliary input

But, later it lists:


BMW Universal Transceiver (integrated garage-door opener)

and indicated that is optional on the 325 and standard on the 330

Not conclusive but IMO it alludes to two separate pieces.

William.

[johnrando]

significant other, and yes, it is my understanding that all cars are pre-wired for the ugdo.

No wonder, I was trying to figure out what it had to do with a car. :biggrin

[danewilson77]

Mine. Build date 2/2004.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/IMAG0844.jpg

[aurelius]

None of that stuff is factory-installed. They're all high-margin, dealer-installed accessories. The little caps on the trunk lid are essentially advertisements -- BMW throwing a bone to the dealers. Speaking of which, anyone want the trunk CD changer...? Realizing I have never used it.

[MrMaico]

None of that stuff is factory-installed. They're all high-margin, dealer-installed accessories. The little caps on the trunk lid are essentially advertisements -- BMW throwing a bone to the dealers. Speaking of which, anyone want the trunk CD changer...? Realizing I have never used it.

I've kinda tossed around the idea of looking for a trunk CD changer. PM me if you'd be interested in selling it. Not sure I really need one since a lot of the time I don't even turn the radio on.......I just listen to the engine making music. :-) Still might be nice to have for road trips though.

I already have pretty good range with mine but here is a DIY for extending the range of the Homelink.

http://www.bmwtips.com/tipsntricks/Homemade%20super%20range%20extender%20here!_files/UGDOrangeextender.htm

Barry

[ryankokesh]

Pm'd re: cd changer


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[WOLFN8TR]

I went this route. I hid my garage door opener underneath the rear ash tray inside the console. Then I mounted the momentary switch inside the ash try.
Works great and you can't see anything.

DIY Garage Remote (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=114466&highlight=garage+door+opener+ashtray)

[zj96sc]

that is slick. nicely done.