How to install Bluetooth in the BMW Z4 - Bluetooth Kit Installation Instructions

How to install Bluetooth in the BMW Z4 - Bluetooth Kit Installation Instructions


What is BMW Bluetooth?

Bluetooth Functional Overview

Users Manual for the BMW Bluetooth System

Users Manual for the BMW Voice Control System (features included in Bluetooth retrofit kit)

BMW recommended phones for BMW Bluetooth System

Bluetooth Features and Functionality

BMW Bluetooth Troubleshooting Guide

 Click here to buy now.

Although the Bluetooth Kits come with detailed step by step instructions for installing both the pairing button and eject box, the below quick pictorial guide will give you a good idea about the installation in the BMW Z4. 

NOTE: Our Bluetooth Kits come with the latest Generation BMW ULF modules Available as shown in the BMW Compatibility matrix (and NOT the problematic first generation 84 21 954 552 others are selling,   Be careful on getting older ULF modules as some people have had difficulties and incompatibilities with the old first generation ULF modules. Why use Our Bluetooth Solution?

The two options for the  Z4 install are pairing button and the Eject box install.  The eject box and pairing button installation are the same, although the eject box provides a cradle for charging and boosting the antenna of your cellphone.  For those of you who do not want to mess with installing the Eject box, you could easily find a suitable mounting location for the 3 series pairing button.  The pairing button can be mounted in any location you choose, or hidden in the rear compartment . 

All North American BMWs even without BMW phone currently are already prewired for phone.  You can verify by finding the Prewired for BMW Cellular phone in the trunk area.  Prewiring consists of wiring for all telephone equipment, plus coding for phone and voice recognition.  If your BMW is prewired for phone, and you install a new generation Bluetooth module, like we sell, it is unlikely that you will need to have your car coded.

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

Start your installation by removing the bottom trunk liner that covers up the battery.  Then remove the trunk liner covers on the front and LEFT side of the trunk with the TOP FULLY UP.

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

Next remove Plastic cover that hides convertible top.  Start by disconnecting the cloth cover that runs across the entire plastic tray.  Cloth cover is located where my thumb is in the picture and the base of the cover just pulls straight out.  Then remove the the clips on both sides that holds in the trunk cover.  Press up on the clips shown in the image, and unclip the plastic tray to remove.  It is easiest to remove the plastic tray if it is up halfway.

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

Remove the one 11MM nut that holds, the assembly in place, to allow the trim cover to be pull out from the left side.

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

Remove the Torx 15 screws that hold the convertible top switch

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

Disconnect the switch, by unplugging the 3 pin plug

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

Lift on the trunk liner from the bottom left direction to reveal the ULF module mounting location.  You should have the bracket installed from the factory as shown below.  Remove the 3 10 mm nuts to remove the Bracket.  If you do not have the bracket you can order the following part number 84 10 6 922 719 from your local dealer

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

Connect the 54 pin connector to one end of the ULF module  and the cream/purple colored Bluetooth antenna wire to the the other end of the ULF module. 

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free 

Mount the ULF module to the Bracket using the 3 mounting holes.  Once youc onnect the Bluetooth antenna wire and the 54 pin connector on the ULF module, and mount the bracket back in its original location.   If you had BMW Assist, you will need to remove the Assist module and replace with the Bluetooth ULF module.

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-freeConnect the Bluetooth antenna to the Bluetooth antenna wire and mount in the electronics access hole.  Double sided tape works really well mounting this way.

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

Bluetooth antenna mounted.

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

In this SAME hole, although on the RIGHT side, locate the 18 pin connector and the FAKRA SMB antenna connector.  (sorry but hard to get a good photo of it).  Remove the 18 pin connector from it's mounting location in order to make it easier to connect to the new Bluetooth eject box.  To remove the 18 pin connector, just turn clockwise about 30 degrees to release the mounting tab

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

 

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

To mount the Bluetooth eject box inside the cabin (Or E46 pairing button), open the storage compartment and locate the Telephone wiring access hole.  Push the 18 pin connector on the Bluetooth eject box thru the hole.

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

I found it easier to remove the cover from the 18 pin connector and press thru the Telephone wiring access hole.  Your cover will be black in color and not blue as shown below

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

Back in the trunk, put the cover back on the 18 pin connector and connect the 18 pin connector from the eject box to the car wiring 18 pin connector.  Then connect the eject box FAKRA SMB antenna wire to the car's FAKRA SMB antenna

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

If doing the Z4 eject box installation install your mounting trim piece on the rear compartment lid.  If you did not have a BMW phone system before and your trim lid is not configured to take the eject box, you can easily replace the Fold Down Door that is setup to hold the Bluetooth eject box as shown below.

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

 

Part numbers are as follows:

51 46 7 066 180 Black

51 46 7 066 181 Gray

51 46 7 066 182 Beige

 

If installing the E46 pairing button, you can find any suitable location, for mounting this small button.  I recommend mounting this button in the little coin box just forward of the storage compartment or on any other small replaceable trim piece.  Click here for the E46  Pairing button cutout template

If you do not have a microphone, remove the overhead lights and install the microphone.  If your Z4 was built BEFORE 09/03 only.  To remove the lights lever down the lights from the rear.  If built AFTER 09/03 your microphone will be mounted on the steering column.  If you have BMW Assist now, you will already have the Microphone

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

When mounting the antenna, make sure that you have the ARROW on the microphone pointing forward

BMW Bluetooth E38 E39 E46 X5 Navigation Sirius Hands-free

Once you have tested your system, you can put everything back together the opposite of how you took it apart

Bluetooth Pairing procedure and operational videos


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