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DaveSTi · 08-01-2012, 09:26 PM

Good news: Bought an updated TCU (Telematics Control Unit) for the car. Bad news: It may not have Bluetooth on it despite having the logo.

BMW was cray cray with these early TCUs...twenty-five different part numbers with nine only having BMW Assist on them (think German OnStar). Of those nine, four were labeled as having Bluetooth but probably didn't (I'll be verifying if mine does or not).

From 2001-2004, BMW pre-wired the cars for Bluetooth integration. Steering wheel buttons and radio buttons are on these cars despite not having the feature. In late 2004, when MY2005 came out, they were the first ones to get Bluetooth. These TCUs were later upgraded 13 times up until 2006, with Voice Recognition being included and improved. There are also different microphone versions with each one getting better noise cancellation.

You can tell that they were riding the wave of technology with these TCUs in an effort to nail down one that fulfilled the feature requirements.

So while my 2004 has the BMW Assist "shark fin" antenna, the Bluetooth controls on my steering wheel and radio, the microphone installed in the headliner, and the Bluetooth antenna mounted in my center console...my TCU is only for BMW Assist.

A bit of a dice roll, but maybe I'll get lucky with this TCU that I bought. If not, I can always resell it.

C'est la vie.

08-01-2012, 09:26 PM	#243
DaveSTi Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Charlotte Member #1591 iTrader: (0)	Good news: Bought an updated TCU (Telematics Control Unit) for the car. Bad news: It may not have Bluetooth on it despite having the logo. BMW was cray cray with these early TCUs...twenty-five different part numbers with nine only having BMW Assist on them (think German OnStar). Of those nine, four were labeled as having Bluetooth but probably didn't (I'll be verifying if mine does or not). From 2001-2004, BMW pre-wired the cars for Bluetooth integration. Steering wheel buttons and radio buttons are on these cars despite not having the feature. In late 2004, when MY2005 came out, they were the first ones to get Bluetooth. These TCUs were later upgraded 13 times up until 2006, with Voice Recognition being included and improved. There are also different microphone versions with each one getting better noise cancellation. You can tell that they were riding the wave of technology with these TCUs in an effort to nail down one that fulfilled the feature requirements. So while my 2004 has the BMW Assist "shark fin" antenna, the Bluetooth controls on my steering wheel and radio, the microphone installed in the headliner, and the Bluetooth antenna mounted in my center console...my TCU is only for BMW Assist. A bit of a dice roll, but maybe I'll get lucky with this TCU that I bought. If not, I can always resell it. C'est la vie. __________________ Member Journals: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. / To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.