'09 e90 M3, is there a way to add Bluetooth for audio?

[NitroBiz]

I really want a 2011.5 but I came across a 2009 that is a really good deal that has virtually everything on it except for a few key features like apps and Bluetooth for streaming music. Is there any way to do a software upgrade? Sorry I am completely ignorant when it comes to this.

[Montaver]

Combox upgrade from Bimmertech, I got it for my 09. Gives it bluetooth audio, artwork, and allows you to plug in via the arm rest USB.

[NitroBiz]

How hard and how expensive is that?

[Montaver]

Originally Posted by NitroBiz

How hard and how expensive is that?

Fairly simple install in the boot, they then remote code it so you will need a laptop with an internet connection. The coding takes about 30 minutes. They have a list of installers they can recommend depending on where you live. As for cost, try googling 'E90 M3 combox bimmertech'...

[cjpavao]

I just got a tune2air device for my ‘09 that is supposed to work well.

[shimmy23]

I use a tune2air for bluetooth music and it works well.

[Majdi]

Originally Posted by shimmy23

I use a tune2air for bluetooth music and it works well.

Can you kindly share a link to the one you purchased? Thanks.

[Rzrdogg55]

Coodio Bluetooth on amazon. $6.98. I have it, works well. Does use aux input so audio is ...ok.

[Redd]

For the price of Combox might as well get the Android head unit screen. Can BT stream and can do everything Android does.

[Rzrdogg55]

Avin makes a decent looking one...unfortunately still uses aux input?

[CSI]

I also use the tune2air on my 09. It's sufficient and much cheaper than a combox retrofit.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R3ABHXY/

[NitroBiz]

Originally Posted by CSI

I also use the tune2air on my 09. It's sufficient and much cheaper than a combox retrofit.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R3ABHXY/

Interesting. I was considering the Combox because not only do I want Bluetooth but it would be nice to have some of the other controls.

[derbo]

Originally Posted by NitroBiz

Interesting. I was considering the Combox because not only do I want Bluetooth but it would be nice to have some of the other controls.

Tune2air for myself as well. I usually stream with Spotify and the steering controls wouldn't work until I out a song. I downloaded the 10 minute silent track from Apple music.

[anubis]

I've used tune2air for years on my 09 and it's worked fine. Use with Apple Music, Spotify, pandora.

[Aktavate]

Will eventually do the avin but have been using a tune2air for a while as well and it works great. Haven't figured out how to get calls to route through it though.

[anerbe]

Originally Posted by Aktavate

Will eventually do the avin but have been using a tune2air for a while as well and it works great. Haven't figured out how to get calls to route through it though.

Mine switches between tune2air and the BMW Bluetooth when a call comes thru. It does it automatically. Is yours not?

[kawstik]

I've used Blackberry Music Bluetooth Gateway for years. It works flawlessly. Auto detects my phone every time for Spotify streaming and cycles to the cars Bluetooth for phone calls.

It looks like it's out of production, but they can be had on eBay for under $20.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F282622100569

[New2Roundel]

I had the Tune2Air WMA3000 and it never worked in my car. The music would constantly pause and the radio display would shift between messages. It was a complete mess that the manufacturer had no way to fix. So just an FYI---this setup doesn't work on all cars, particularly in my case, those equipped with the standard professional radio.

I'm now looking for another good streaming bluetooth option.

[qbnlykwhoa]

I have an 11 (06/10 prod date) without the combox, and the Tune2Air works great. It does have a few hicups here and there but 95% of the time it works as it should. Can use steering and radio controls and song info is displayed in iDrive as well and all I stream is Spotify. Would like to do a combox retrofit one day but some places charge a ton for them. Find a used compatible combox and pay for remote coding from Alex at alpine. Will probably end up being way cheaper than going with some of these other vendors. Some of them are still charging $1000.00 for this retrofit.

[Iyzmi]

My Tune2Air works well enough that I wouldn't bother doing a combox retrofit. If I did anything, it would be a full NBT EVO retrofit to make it worthwhile.

[jaehshim]

honestly retrofitting or updating i-drive is waste of money
it will cost a lot especially when including install.

The real Catch is that not only our phones are changing quickly, the i-drive changes quickly.
The one you get installed with new maps, new functions, bluetooth etc are already an "old" system you are "updating"... I mean these days a sub 25K car has wireless charging.

Just get the Tune2Air, plug it in, music quality is good as oem and you control your music on your steering wheel like the OEM bluetooth unit.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by jaehshim

honestly retrofitting or updating i-drive is waste of money
it will cost a lot especially when including install, and the catch is our phones change quick, and i-drive changes quickly, the one you get installed now is already an "old" system you are "updating"...

just get the Tune2Air, plug it in, music quality is good as oem and you control your music on your steering wheel like the OEM bluetooth unit.

Yup. The only exception I'd make is for CCC iDrive which truly looks ancient and needs an upgrade at this point. I'm happy with CIC though and can't really justify the cost to upgrade.

I've heard the sound quality over combox is a little bit better than Tune2Air, but not sure how true that is. With that said, I've never had any sound quality complaints with my Tune2Air.