Bluetooth calling & streaming options for iDrive

[taranfx]

I just bought a 2011 Z4 35is. It has iDrive, navigation professional and a button for phone calling on steering wheel. But in the idrive menu, I don't see "phone" option. Neither do I see streaming in "external devices".

Can I enable voice calling at least? I understand streaming requires combox, which is expensive.

what are the alternative iPod adapters that can display track information and control music from iDrive/steering wheel when connected to Android and playing music on something like Google play music, spotify.
Does this one work? Bovee WMA3000B https://www.amazon.com/Bovee-Bluetoo...A2M0TX9WX7YD3U

VIN: E393911

[fmorelli]

Look up your car and tell us the production date.

Filippo

[taranfx]

Originally Posted by fmorelli

Look up your car and tell us the production date.

Filippo

2010-07-27

[DavesZed]

Originally Posted by taranfx

.....
what are the alternative iPod adapters that can display track information and control music from iDrive/steering wheel when connected to Android and playing music on something like Google play music, spotify.
Does this one work? Bovee WMA3000B https://www.amazon.com/Bovee-Bluetoo...A2M0TX9WX7YD3U

....

I can't help with your streaming problem as far as what you have built-in to your Z, but that Bovee (Tune2Air) is the one I use. Although I don't have iDrive so can't be actually sure as to what will be displayed on your screen. I use it with my Android phone and I don't receive track information on the stereo screen, so I just have my phone on a bracket displaying what I'm listening to (via Android Auto, with AnyAutoAudio for Apple Music to work with it) but my wife's iPhone displays the track name and I'm told that the iDrive screen should as well.

Photo attached of what my phone looks like when it's in the car, old set up using only the AUX input shown on the stereo screen though (it's much better with the Tune2Air now though).

Here's a short video on using it with CIC iDrive.....

[taranfx]

Originally Posted by DavesZed

I can't help with your streaming problem as far as what you have built-in to your Z, but that Bovee (Tune2Air) is the one I use. Although I don't have iDrive so can't be actually sure as to what will be displayed on your screen. I use it with my Android phone and I don't receive track information on the stereo screen, so I just have my phone on a bracket displaying what I'm listening to (via Android Auto, with AnyAutoAudio for Apple Music to work with it) but my wife's iPhone displays the track name and I'm told that the iDrive screen should as well.

Photo attached of what my phone looks like when it's in the car, old set up using only the AUX input shown on the stereo screen though (it's much better with the Tune2Air now though).

Here's a short video on using it with CIC iDrive.....

Thanks. Can you change songs from steering when connected to Android?

[DavesZed]

Originally Posted by taranfx

Thanks. Can you change songs from steering when connected to Android?

You certainly can, in fact this was the main reason as to why I bought it.

[taranfx]

Originally Posted by DavesZed

You certainly can, in fact this was the main reason as to why I bought it.

And does it work with apps other than apple music? Spotify? Google play music?

[DavesZed]

Originally Posted by taranfx

And does it work with apps other than apple music? Spotify? Google play music?

Anything your phone can play the phone will transmit to the device.
Apple Music,
Amazon Music,
Spotify,
Google Play Music,
Digital Radio (I know you have HD radio there in the US instead of our Digital Radio so I assume you have apps on your phone for the same??),
Soundcloud,
Shazam,
etc

As I say I use the Android Auto app to play everything so it stays lit up on the screen and doesn't go into screen saver like all other apps do.
Not all apps work through Android Auto, but I use AnyAutoAudio to fool the app and play Apple Music through it.
Sat-Nav also works through it as it'll lower your music volume and place the spoken directions over the stereo..... But then if you have iDrive you already have that lol

[taranfx]

Originally Posted by DavesZed

Anything your phone can play the phone will transmit to the device.
Apple Music,
Amazon Music,
Spotify,
Google Play Music,
Digital Radio (I know you have HD radio there in the US instead of our Digital Radio so I assume you have apps on your phone for the same??),
Soundcloud,
Shazam,
etc

As I say I use the Android Auto app to play everything so it stays lit up on the screen and doesn't go into screen saver like all other apps do.
Not all apps work through Android Auto, but I use AnyAutoAudio to fool the app and play Apple Music through it.
Sat-Nav also works through it as it'll lower your music volume and place the spoken directions over the stereo..... But then if you have iDrive you already have that lol

Got it.
I ordered one and tried it. Skipping tracks works, but no track info on the screen. And most importantly: audio quality sucks. I'll stick with a better quality APTX HD receiver with no track skipping (for now)

I'm gonna return this.

[DavesZed]

Originally Posted by taranfx

Got it.
I ordered one and tried it. Skipping tracks works, but no track info on the screen. And most importantly: audio quality sucks. I'll stick with a better quality APTX HD receiver with no track skipping (for now)

I'm gonna return this.

Sorry you're having problems bud, but I can honestly say that that mine is spot-on sound quality wise.
Is it definitely showing as an iPod on the screen? And not just an AUX input?

[taranfx]

Originally Posted by DavesZed

Sorry you're having problems bud, but I can honestly say that that mine is spot-on sound quality wise.
Is it definitely showing as an iPod on the screen? And not just an AUX input?

Yes as iPod.
Its personal perception. I'm audiophile. If I dont hear quality, I refuse to listen to music lol

[DavesZed]

Originally Posted by taranfx

Yes as iPod.
Its personal perception. I'm audiophile. If I dont hear quality, I refuse to listen to music lol

In that case you need the all singing-all dancing Harman Kardon 14 speaker set-up complete with the top spec head unit, other than that you aren't going to get top quality, after all it's a car far too many other noises there to spoil it.

At the end of the day you are using a reduced quality sound file over a bluetooth connection and then through a AUX connection (controlled via the USB/iPod connection) to a head unit within a vehicle environment and you expect it to be perfect? That's just not going to happen. And even if you spent top money and got it perfect you wont notice the difference when you're driving down the highway with the roof down and the wind in your hair!!

[Lurcher]

^^ get's it ^^^

[taranfx]

Originally Posted by DavesZed

In that case you need the all singing-all dancing Harman Kardon 14 speaker set-up complete with the top spec head unit, other than that you aren't going to get top quality, after all it's a car far too many other noises there to spoil it.

At the end of the day you are using a reduced quality sound file over a bluetooth connection and then through a AUX connection (controlled via the USB/iPod connection) to a head unit within a vehicle environment and you expect it to be perfect? That's just not going to happen. And even if you spent top money and got it perfect you wont notice the difference when you're driving down the highway with the roof down and the wind in your hair!!

I do have premium audio package and its just alright. Sound is liveable ever since I ripped apart doors and mats to add more insulation. Problem is these non APTX BT receivers make it sound so much worse, way closer to FM radio. Try putting some songs on USB drive/audio CD and compare the quality vs BT. You'll probably understand why it bothers me.

Ever since the insulation, taking care of other rattles, cabin is very quiet. I did the same to my F30 3-series and its quieter than 5-series and C-class Mercs. Yes, I verified that using SPL meter.
Z4 is getting there. I would post those tutorials if anyone is interested.

[fmorelli]

Yeah. Stock upgraded HiFi (676a) is ok at best. Bluetooth from Bovee is ok. Audiophile ... you're screwed with mediocre equipment in a convertible. I went down this path. You can see it in my build thread (in my signature). Started with a Bavsound Stage 1. That install made me realize how much the amp sucks. Swapped that out, and decided just to fix everything. My car is now completely sound deadened, all speakers changed, two Alpine subs behind the seats. I'm busy reassembling and tuning.

How am I getting sound to the car? APTX HD box with an aux directly into the new DSP. My android has APTXHD, so transmission quality is where it needs to be. It will all be up and running and dsp-tuned in the next few weeks.

Best of luck to you.

Filippo

p.s. only 10/2010 and forward build Z4s have the bluetooth Combox that can do A2DP. But I've not found anyone without iDrive that has figured out how to make it work with the HiFi head unit.

[taranfx]

Originally Posted by fmorelli

Yeah. Stock upgraded HiFi (676a) is ok at best. Bluetooth from Bovee is ok. Audiophile ... you're screwed with mediocre equipment in a convertible. I went down this path. You can see it in my build thread (in my signature). Started with a Bavsound Stage 1. That install made me realize how much the amp sucks. Swapped that out, and decided just to fix everything. My car is now completely sound deadened, all speakers changed, two Alpine subs behind the seats. I'm busy reassembling and tuning.

How am I getting sound to the car? APTX HD box with an aux directly into the new DSP. My android has APTXHD, so transmission quality is where it needs to be. It will all be up and running and dsp-tuned in the next few weeks.

Best of luck to you.

Filippo

p.s. only 10/2010 and forward build Z4s have the bluetooth Combox that can do A2DP. But I've not found anyone without iDrive that has figured out how to make it work with the HiFi head unit.

what AptX HD box are you using?
OH wow. That's exactly the path I'm going. Luckily the premium sound HK (S677A "HiFi System Professional DSP") is slightly better than Hifi base so I can live with that amp for a while.

So far I've done:
1. doors and door seals
2. Trunk plastic lid.
3. felt tapes on several rattling sources (still rattles here and there).

Next I'm thinking of:
1. doing roof after I figure out how to remove lining.
2. the area where woofers are mounted vertically (on HK system)

Do you've any posts on your sound deadening process? Or can you list everything you ended up doing?

[fmorelli]

In my signature is my build thread and build sheet. The build sheet itemizes all the parts, and is publicly visible. The build thread has lots of details on what I am doing - sound, sound deadening, et cetera. My car is going back together right now. I'm wiring in the APTX HD unit, putting back together the rest of the interior, final mounting on the two subs, and finally doing the DSP programming.

The roof headliner is easy to remove. It's held on by plastic snaps like the doors. Just pull firmly and it pops loose.

I don't know much about the 677 system - it has more speakers. I'd be surprised if the quality of the system is that much better - but if it is, that's great.

If you are looking to get to the woofer area on the back separation wall, it's a fair bit of work - not so bad once you've done it (like most things in life). Unfortunately I did not document taking it apart (just a few highlight items in my thread) because I used a thread on the UK z4-forum that walked one through it. Well that thread now has the photos decimated ... another photobucket-like disaster I think. Anyway if you look to take that apart and have questions, I can probably help.

I don't check this forum much (it's pretty dead) and spend my time on spool street, which is where you'll find me build thread. Hit me up there for a faster response.

Filippo

[taranfx]

Originally Posted by fmorelli

In my signature is my build thread and build sheet. The build sheet itemizes all the parts, and is publicly visible. The build thread has lots of details on what I am doing - sound, sound deadening, et cetera. My car is going back together right now. I'm wiring in the APTX HD unit, putting back together the rest of the interior, final mounting on the two subs, and finally doing the DSP programming.

The roof headliner is easy to remove. It's held on by plastic snaps like the doors. Just pull firmly and it pops loose.

I don't know much about the 677 system - it has more speakers. I'd be surprised if the quality of the system is that much better - but if it is, that's great.

If you are looking to get to the woofer area on the back separation wall, it's a fair bit of work - not so bad once you've done it (like most things in life). Unfortunately I did not document taking it apart (just a few highlight items in my thread) because I used a thread on the UK z4-forum that walked one through it. Well that thread now has the photos decimated ... another photobucket-like disaster I think. Anyway if you look to take that apart and have questions, I can probably help.

I don't check this forum much (it's pretty dead) and spend my time on spool street, which is where you'll find me build thread. Hit me up there for a faster response.

Filippo

Thanks. I started my own sound deadening and rattle fix thread https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=106899

> The roof headliner is easy to remove. It's held on by plastic snaps like the doors. Just pull firmly and it pops loose.
I did that and the clip broke. Damn! I'm afraid of going any further unless I've those clips. Any idea if I need a tool for that or where I can get those clips?

[fmorelli]

Originally Posted by taranfx

Thanks. I started my own sound deadening and rattle fix thread https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=106899

> The roof headliner is easy to remove. It's held on by plastic snaps like the doors. Just pull firmly and it pops loose.
I did that and the clip broke. Damn! I'm afraid of going any further unless I've those clips. Any idea if I need a tool for that or where I can get those clips?

I like this kit, but you can find stuff for less money: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's the realoem diagram: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=54_0397

And those connectors I suspect are in a "kit". If it is the front panel, my guess it is the first kit: p/n 54377220538 which you can order from anyone that sells BMW parts, like ECS or FCPEuro.

Filippo

[taranfx]

Originally Posted by fmorelli

I like this kit, but you can find stuff for less money: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's the realoem diagram: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=54_0397

And those connectors I suspect are in a "kit". If it is the front panel, my guess it is the first kit: p/n 54377220538 which you can order from anyone that sells BMW parts, like ECS or FCPEuro.

Filippo

Awesome!. That was very helpful.

[Bstears]

I too was determined to make my 2011 35i sound really good. I did the Bavsound stage one upgrade and replaced the subwoofers behind the seats with bavsound subwoofers. The stage one upgrade definitely helped, but I wanted more low end bass. So I had a custom enclosure made for my trunk with a JL audio W7 10" subwoofer. It was loud, but took up a lot of room in the trunk and would make the rear deck rattle. My wife made fun of me. In the end, I removed the subwoofer box and it's sitting in my garage. I think the Bavsound subwoofers needed to be broken in, because I feel like they sound much better now. Not amazing, but tolerable. The BEST upgrade I did, after all of this, was purchasing the combox from bimmertech. It allows me to stream bluetooth, including the album art, and allows full function of volume and track up/down. It also allows the USB port to be full function with album art and track up/down. The sound quality is good. I am somewhat of an audiophile as well, and I enjoy streaming Bluetooth from my phone through the combox and playing it on the Bavsound speakers. It's not as good as my burmester sound system in my C class, but being able to drive with the top down makes up for it! Get the Combox. It's worth it.

[taranfx]

Originally Posted by Bstears

I too was determined to make my 2011 35i sound really good. I did the Bavsound stage one upgrade and replaced the subwoofers behind the seats with bavsound subwoofers. The stage one upgrade definitely helped, but I wanted more low end bass. So I had a custom enclosure made for my trunk with a JL audio W7 10" subwoofer. It was loud, but took up a lot of room in the trunk and would make the rear deck rattle. My wife made fun of me. In the end, I removed the subwoofer box and it's sitting in my garage. I think the Bavsound subwoofers needed to be broken in, because I feel like they sound much better now. Not amazing, but tolerable. The BEST upgrade I did, after all of this, was purchasing the combox from bimmertech. It allows me to stream bluetooth, including the album art, and allows full function of volume and track up/down. It also allows the USB port to be full function with album art and track up/down. The sound quality is good. I am somewhat of an audiophile as well, and I enjoy streaming Bluetooth from my phone through the combox and playing it on the Bavsound speakers. It's not as good as my burmester sound system in my C class, but being able to drive with the top down makes up for it! Get the Combox. It's worth it.

Thanks for the tip. which guide did you follow for combox installation? where did you buy it?