BMW Bluetooth and iPhone problem

Hi;
I just got the new iPhone and tried to use it with my Built-in bluetooth in the car, like everyone else it pairs fine and download the address book,
BUT,Randomly it looses connection with the car.
When I receive a call, the car BL rings but can not answer the call using the card mircophone / speaker and have to use the iPhone handset. I also noticed that the green connection like stays on until for long time while there is no call.
In simple word I can not make or receive call using the car.(Wifi is OFF)

My car specification is:-
Model: 330Ci sport (I think E46)
Year build:- BMW 05 (August 2005)
Radio model:- Full professional, Bluetooth, TV and color SAt. Nav
ELU Module:- (Don't know how to check / location)

Any help and comment appriciated.

Hi Mavrick

Not sure which BMW you have but it you go to this site http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/bluetooth/0,,_,00.html?siteID=1312 and input your car details it will tell you which phones are compatible. If the iPhone is showing check which BMW software is required, you may need to update your car. Some 3 series are sompatible and some are not.

If it is just a case of updating your BMW software then take it to your local dealer and they can do this. It costs around £200.00 and the car will be in the garage for around 3 days depending on any problems.

As yet BMW have only tested the iPhone with software level 1.1.2 so as far as they are concerned if you have this software level and your car is showing on the website with the BMW software level,it should work.

I've feeling your car will need the latest BMW software in order to work, as you are still in warranty they my do this Free of Charge. Worth asking.

My dealer is very good if you get stuck, Dick Lovitt Bristol, 0117 905000.

Good Luck

I have a E91 (2007) with bluetooth and an iPhone 1.1.4 . I have the same problem as others posting here:- The pairing works once and then drops calls and loses pairing every time - it's quite dangerous to have a call fall through from the car to phone whilst driving so I am not very happy with this.

If I re-pair with car on each journey (not practical) then the phone works fine.

I have a fair number of contacts (approx. 500) - I have cleared out all pictures etc on the contact cards and it still does it.

I will try the Wireless Solution proposed in other responses.

Not sure what car an E91 is but if you look on the BMW website under Owners area and then 'Bluetooth compatibility' and select your car it will say if the iPhone is compatible.

I can assure you it has NOTHING to do with amount of contacts, WiFi on or Off, Pictures or anything like that. It is all down to the BMW software level (This is shown as a date on the website) and the fact that your iPhone has to have 1.1.2 software and nothing else.

BMW and Apple worked together developing this phone and I would think that any car made after 2007 onwards will work with a little tweaking from BMW. It is not the fault of the iPhone it is down to the software in your car not being up to date. Contact your local dealer and they will help, again your car is within warranty so they should do this update Free of Charge.

Good Luck.

HI Gettoff;

Thank you for the prompt response, I will check with the dealer and will post the finding.
Thanks for your time.

To anyone trying to use iPhone with a car bluetooth system... some car systems require 'SIM Access' which allows the car system to 'read' the phone - which would allow you to see your contacts in the car phone (radio) display... and dial via the car vs. via the phone.

Does anyone know if the iPhone has this 'SIM Access'???

Peter

Gettoff,

Do you know anyone who has an iPhone on Version 1.1.4 that you can try your car with ?

I have just bought a 535D MY 2005 and must be on a really old firmware version so I'm going to use your information to get my dealer to get my car updated too but my iPhone is on 1.1.4 so I wondered if that will work else I'll have to try and get my firmware downgraded

Thanks
Si

Hi Simon

I do know someone with a fully updated phone, I'll ask him if I can try it out. Might be good for me as well as I'd like to update. Although I fear that until BMW show it as an approved software level then I will not update.

I think there is a way to install the 1.1.2, check the forum.

I'll get back to you.

Hi Simon

Good news, I tried an iPhone with 1.1.4 in my BMW BT and it worked fine. I tried all the various things with it that before would not work so all I can say is that it worked without any call drops or loosing BT connection as in the past.

So I would speak to your BMW dealer and ask about updating your software level to Sept 07, however, I must warn you mine too 4 days solid as it kept crashing (So they said)

Good luck.

Just to say thank you to "Gettoff" for his advice on here. I have just spent the day (arrived at 7.45am, left at 6.10pm!) at Dick Lovett as Nigel was the only technician I could find (tried 3 other dealers local to me) who would perform the upgrade with a guarantee it would work. I have an iphone with 1.1.4 and couldn't get it to work with my 3 year old 645i convertible - same problem you've been reporting, it works fine if you pair and unpair it each time you get in. The only solution is the bmw software upgrade and it worked fine.

Apparently a number of people have seen this post and come to see him - Surrey and Manchester are as far as they have travelled. I can assure you this guy knows what he is talking about - call him to speak to him before you book the service. It cost me £155 plus vat - it won't be more than that (or shouldn't be) as they are not allowed to charge (by bmw) more than 2 hours technicians time for software work but check before you book it in. I think I was quite lucky that they did it in the working day as the upload only crashed once (apparently it crashes quite a lot). But they have free wifi, and a business centre upstairs where you have a desk and a phone, free coffee and tea. To be honest it was so good I'm thinking of going back tomorrow!

I just hope that the new iphone when it comes out works with this software update.

Thanks again - and tell Nigel you read about it on this forum!

Marlowtech

I'm so pleased that this forum has helped you and that my advice was of some help as well. It so frustrating when things do not work.

Will be speaking to Nigel as I think I might be due some commission!!!!!

I have a 2004 e46 330Ci and an 2005 e53 X5 4.8is and I've tried pairing a friend's iPhone.

I'm having the same connection problems as reported here...
Phone pairs fine and reads contacts and places call but when call connects the bluetooth connection is dropped. Connection also drops when you accept an incoming call.

Very frustrating as I'd love an iPhone but until it works with the car kit I'll have to stick to my Nokia

Hi

Thanks to Getoff and his link to BMW (International) I spoke to my BMW dealer (9 ELM) in london about problem with iPhone.
They checked with their Head office and were told that oly UFL module (Bluetooth Module) produced in 2007 support iPhones. They kindly ordered the unit and since the car was under warranty, only partialy charged for it.
The car went in for two hours and they changed / updated the software.

Now I phone works excellant even with Wireless ON. BMW does not suport the iPhone SMS at present but receving / making call works and my address book sync wihtout any problem.

So for those of with BMW 3 series, you will need UFL module for 2007. So check When your car was produced or check with BMW for detail on your existing ULE module.


SO good luck.
Once again, thanks Getoff for useful link and information.

I would try to turn off the data roaming as well. I was having some problems with my handsfree as well.
Alex

good afternoon everybody,
i am french,living in paris,
each time i try to use the bluetooth facility on my iphone it does not work,
it seems that the IPHONE does not permit to send datas with bluetooth,
my MAC does not recognize my iphone and when trying to use the settings on my iphone
the device is searching with no results,
does anybody knows if the bluetooth function works on iphone,
thanks
philippe from paris