2010 Z4 - Iphone audio through BT?

[towski1]

Maybe a stupid questions, but searched and didn't find an answer. I have a 2010 Z4. I noticed that google maps audio plays through the car's blue tooth automatically. Is is also possible to play Iphone audio through the bluetooth without any mods?

Thanks

[ManiacGT]

It depends on when the car was built... if you have COMBOX. TO find out, use the BMW VIN checked online, if you have combox you can play audio through BT, if you don't (like me) you'll need to cable the phone.

[jparnes1]

in your iDrive, go to Main Menu/telephone/highlight your phone and press Option/configure phone/you should see a box next to "audio" that can be checked. This must be checked to allow music to be played from your phone through the bluetooth player.

[towski1]

Thanks for the quick replies. No iDrive, so I guess I'll do the VIN lookup.

[CeEl]

Originally Posted by towski1

Thanks for the quick replies. No iDrive, so I guess I'll do the VIN lookup.

IDrive allows for the driver to update phone models and drivers. If it doesn't work, a driver update may help. I don't know whether the non-iDrive cars allow for this or how it works.

[HpDellNestle]

Most likely no. What you heard is google map voice going through regular phone BT setup. Not audio A2DP. Can't find a way to play any music through regular phone BT yet.

[fl_cyclist]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

in your iDrive, go to Main Menu/telephone/highlight your phone and press Option/configure phone/you should see a box next to "audio" that can be checked. This must be checked to allow music to be played from your phone through the bluetooth player.

Also note if you plug your phone into USB the car will automatically disable this setting and you have to reset it. Also this is one command than cannot be saved to the buttons for some reason. Somewhat annoying if go you back and forth, although these days I just use BT.

[ManiacGT]

[QUOTE=CeEl]

Originally Posted by towski1

IDrive allows for the driver to update phone models and drivers. If it doesn't work, a driver update may help. I don't know whether the non-iDrive cars allow for this or how it works.

Only on MY11 combox equipped cars. Prior to that you cannot upgrade drivers, have artwork, play BT audio, have BMW apps etc

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by fl_cyclist

Also note if you plug your phone into USB the car will automatically disable this setting and you have to reset it. Also this is one command than cannot be saved to the buttons for some reason. Somewhat annoying if go you back and forth, although these days I just use BT.

Oh! that's why I always have to reset the BT audio!! Thanks for that tip.

[nicknaz]

My understanding is that if you have a non idrive car then it doesn't have A2DP capability and its $$$$ to retrofit

I just use this http://www.amazon.com/electronics/dp/B0031U1AU0 and call it a day. Audio comes out through AUX, phone is charged, i have to control using phone.

[Hujan]

I'm a bit confused.

I have a 2010 Z4 35i. According to the VIN lookup I used, the build date is October 26, 2009. I can't seem to stream audio via Bluetooth.

Will I be able to do so if I get a Combox? Excuse my naivety, but what is a "Combox" anyway?

[Beryl]

combox on E89 since 09/2010 (build date)...

[ManiacGT]

You can't just 'get' a combox. It's part of the cars electronics and while you can retrofit it along with other requirements its very expensive (thousands) and not worth it IMHO. Get a Bluetooth adaptor that plugs into the USB and aux port in the armrest if you really want this. Super cheap to do.

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

You can't just 'get' a combox. It's part of the cars electronics and while you can retrofit it along with other requirements its very expensive (thousands) and not worth it IMHO. Get a Bluetooth adaptor that plugs into the USB and aux port in the armrest if you really want this. Super cheap to do.

Thank you for clarifying. I thought perhaps the "Combpx" was a third-party, aftermarket module like the SmartTop. It really sounds like it's not worth it.

Any recommendation for a good adapter? I'm guessing you lose the steering wheel buttons with all of them, correct?

[nrevezzo]

This is what I use, fits in the center console:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Connect to the power source using the USB cable and use the audio cable for sound. My iPhone's bluetooth reconnects automatically for playing music. When the car is off the unit automatically powers down (car functionality) to prevent draining the battery.

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by nrevezzo

This is what I use, fits in the center console:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Connect to the power source using the USB cable and use the audio cable for sound. My iPhone's bluetooth reconnects automatically for playing music. When the car is off the unit automatically powers down (car functionality) to prevent draining the battery.

Thanks for posting. Looks good. Does it allow you to use the steering wheel controls for volume and song skipping?

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Hujan

Thanks for posting. Looks good. Does it allow you to use the steering wheel controls for volume and song skipping?

No (at least, I didn't buy that because my understanding is.. no) and you still need to figure out how to charge your phone, which is why I went with the cheaper Y cable instead.

[nrevezzo]

nicknaz is right, it does not allow use of the steering wheel controls for song selection; only the volume controls work which have nothing to do with the iPhone. When I took delivery of my Z the Y cable was supplied. It has a USB connection and an audio connection which allows for the charging of the iPhone and playing of music. I found the handling/display of songs, playlists, albums, etc... cumbersome; probably because I don't have the iDrive/Nav system.
The device I installed just gives me the ability to stream music over Bluetooth so I don't have to plug my iPhone into anything each time I get in the car.

[Hujan]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I am not too worried about charging the phone. I'll sacrifice that for the convenience of being able to keep it in my pocket. (I used to leave my phone in the car all the time in my old setup with a dock.)

Too bad the song selection keys don't work on the steering wheel. I guess it's better than nothing, though.

[jimreed1948]

I've had my 2011 Z4 6 days now and still trying to figure out how some of this works. I also have a 535i and it is a little different than the Z car.

When I plug in my iPhone in the console, I can not locate my playlist. I use it in the 535 without a problem. Am I having the same issue?

[Kessler35is]

I bought a very small (physical size) 8 or 16 GB flash drive and put my MP3's and Playlists on it. Works like a charm and I do not need to dig into the center console every time to play my music, since it is so small putting stuff in the console doesn't break the USB drive/port as if it was a long one.

It also is nice since it stays on the USB selection, when I was connecting my phone it was changing back to FM radio every time I unplugged my phone.

[jparnes1]

Plug it in, press CD button by the idrive knob, select your phone, scroll down to the magnifying glass (search) and from here you can search your music stores in your phone.