Bluetooth music streaming on older models
Discussion
This mainly applies to models dating back to E Series models, especially those with built in bluetooth for calls but am curious as to how people who stream music through the bluetooth do so.
Ive gone to the effort to replace my business cd unit with a professional one in order to get DAB, USB and Handsfree.
I decided against a carplay unit or an aftermarket so I can keep everything integrated and to keep the interior looking as factory.
Im very grateful to have a proper hands free system now with a proper phone directory however the only downside of this setup is that you cannot stream bluetooth music through it (its an 09 model so it wasn’t common to have cars steaming bluetooth back then but is a compromise I guess)
The only problem I find with keeping this setup is that if you try streaming Bluetooth music (either through an aux or a usb adapter) is that when you have the phone connected to both it seems to cause random skipping or stuttering when playing music…..well for me at least. It happens at random but music streams fine when you disconnect from hands free - this happens with different adapters too. It’s not a major problem but would be nice to get everything working seamlessly without having to go through the cable connected route or disconnecting from handsfree.
(Would go for bmw Y cable but heard sound quality isnt great)
Im guessing this is likely an iOS/iPhone problem with dual Bluetooth connections but would be interested to see if anyone else has come across this.
I currently have a Bovee Tune2Air which gives you steering wheel controls and track info, ive had the conflict of Bluetooth devices before I bought this.
It’s not just a bmw quirk either as it’s well documented on Audi and Mercedes forums who have early MMI systems with hands free only.
I guess the easy solution would be to replace it with an android unit or retrofit the newer CIC system which supported steaming but would be a shame to start all over again and spend even more or put in something that makes the cabin look weird.
Ive gone to the effort to replace my business cd unit with a professional one in order to get DAB, USB and Handsfree.
I decided against a carplay unit or an aftermarket so I can keep everything integrated and to keep the interior looking as factory.
Im very grateful to have a proper hands free system now with a proper phone directory however the only downside of this setup is that you cannot stream bluetooth music through it (its an 09 model so it wasn’t common to have cars steaming bluetooth back then but is a compromise I guess)
The only problem I find with keeping this setup is that if you try streaming Bluetooth music (either through an aux or a usb adapter) is that when you have the phone connected to both it seems to cause random skipping or stuttering when playing music…..well for me at least. It happens at random but music streams fine when you disconnect from hands free - this happens with different adapters too. It’s not a major problem but would be nice to get everything working seamlessly without having to go through the cable connected route or disconnecting from handsfree.
(Would go for bmw Y cable but heard sound quality isnt great)
Im guessing this is likely an iOS/iPhone problem with dual Bluetooth connections but would be interested to see if anyone else has come across this.
I currently have a Bovee Tune2Air which gives you steering wheel controls and track info, ive had the conflict of Bluetooth devices before I bought this.
It’s not just a bmw quirk either as it’s well documented on Audi and Mercedes forums who have early MMI systems with hands free only.
I guess the easy solution would be to replace it with an android unit or retrofit the newer CIC system which supported steaming but would be a shame to start all over again and spend even more or put in something that makes the cabin look weird.
Edited by E82_125i on Monday 29th April 22:21
Edited by E82_125i on Monday 29th April 22:22
There's a few options, you could always retrofit the bluetooth AD2P module, but that's likely to be the most expensive option.
Sounds like you have aux-in, so a few options I can think of. Not played in this arena for a while, but options were always a bit limited on this generation of cars.
Connects 2 could work
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225680582389?var=0&...
I run a Dension unit in an older model. I just use that for Audio, and BMW for phone, it will do both though
A mate used this in his E series https://roskinc.com/products/bluetooth-aux-adapter
Or this https://integratedautomotive.co.uk/product/retrofi...
Sounds like you have aux-in, so a few options I can think of. Not played in this arena for a while, but options were always a bit limited on this generation of cars.
Connects 2 could work
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225680582389?var=0&...
I run a Dension unit in an older model. I just use that for Audio, and BMW for phone, it will do both though
A mate used this in his E series https://roskinc.com/products/bluetooth-aux-adapter
Or this https://integratedautomotive.co.uk/product/retrofi...
Older and he says it's 2009, I feel old now.
I've been using BlueMusic in my E91 with Professional CD radio and S6FL preparation that provides a USB+3.5mm jack in the centre console; from what I have read it is very similar to Tune2Air (but much cheaper). I use an Android handset and only use it for Spotify (track skip works, that's all I care about) via the adapter and calls via the factory head unit.
You can check if your car's build using your VIN at mdecoder.com (there are others around, but that one works well for me).
You can find the BlueMusic adapter by searching for "bmw bluemusic 6fl usb", I can't link directly because my account is too new.
I've been using BlueMusic in my E91 with Professional CD radio and S6FL preparation that provides a USB+3.5mm jack in the centre console; from what I have read it is very similar to Tune2Air (but much cheaper). I use an Android handset and only use it for Spotify (track skip works, that's all I care about) via the adapter and calls via the factory head unit.
You can check if your car's build using your VIN at mdecoder.com (there are others around, but that one works well for me).
You can find the BlueMusic adapter by searching for "bmw bluemusic 6fl usb", I can't link directly because my account is too new.
I’m using a BlueMusic adapter in my Z4 and it works really well; I have no conflict between Bluetooth connections and switch seamlessly from the music connection to the phone connection on my iPhone.
I’m using an eBay special in my wife’s E91 and that’s the same to be honest.
I had an aux one in my 130i until I added CarPlay and they worked well / sounded good enough for me, again no conflict switching between music and calls. It plugged in under the armrest and was stuck to the underside of said armrest.
I’m using an eBay special in my wife’s E91 and that’s the same to be honest.
I had an aux one in my 130i until I added CarPlay and they worked well / sounded good enough for me, again no conflict switching between music and calls. It plugged in under the armrest and was stuck to the underside of said armrest.
I've got an '08 E83 and use one like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hagibis-Bluetooth-Receive...
It was considerably cheaper when I bought it.......
The one foible is that I have to re-connect it when I start the car each time - my son has one in an E84 and he doesn't. It works in tandem with the built-in BT.
It was considerably cheaper when I bought it.......
The one foible is that I have to re-connect it when I start the car each time - my son has one in an E84 and he doesn't. It works in tandem with the built-in BT.
Ok after a good amount of mucking around with different bluetooth devices, it doesnt seem to be down to the adapter itself but the phone, or ios.
I tried a different adapter and even a bluetooth speaker and the music playback did the same thing playing through them while the phone is also connected to the car.
A little annoying and i dont know if its a phone or an ios problem. Ive played with various different settings on the phone and none make any difference and the stuttering playback comes and goes very sporadically....odd. Maybe it cannot cope with handling the BMW handsfree and another device at the same time.
The only real solution is either get rid of the stereo for a non oem one that can stream and take calls over bluetooth, which i dont really want to do.
Or if i want to keep the steering wheel and unit controls while connected to hands free, is to get a BMW Y cable (Media cable) like this...
The problem however notoriously expensive and not much better second hand and there are reports of the sound quality not being very good. Not sure why though as essentially its just using the AUX for music and USB to control though car. Does anyone have experiencing of the sound through these?
I have looked at finding a cheap used one however the other issue is that the cable is nowhere near enough and finding an old 30pin ipod to lightning adapter, let alone a long enough cable that can handle music, seems nigh on impossible.
I can live with using the Tune2Air though as i know i can quickly reconnect to handsfree by pressing on the cars phone button on the wheel to turn on the bluetooth as it pairs very quickly with my phone.
I tried a different adapter and even a bluetooth speaker and the music playback did the same thing playing through them while the phone is also connected to the car.
A little annoying and i dont know if its a phone or an ios problem. Ive played with various different settings on the phone and none make any difference and the stuttering playback comes and goes very sporadically....odd. Maybe it cannot cope with handling the BMW handsfree and another device at the same time.
The only real solution is either get rid of the stereo for a non oem one that can stream and take calls over bluetooth, which i dont really want to do.
Or if i want to keep the steering wheel and unit controls while connected to hands free, is to get a BMW Y cable (Media cable) like this...
The problem however notoriously expensive and not much better second hand and there are reports of the sound quality not being very good. Not sure why though as essentially its just using the AUX for music and USB to control though car. Does anyone have experiencing of the sound through these?
I have looked at finding a cheap used one however the other issue is that the cable is nowhere near enough and finding an old 30pin ipod to lightning adapter, let alone a long enough cable that can handle music, seems nigh on impossible.
I can live with using the Tune2Air though as i know i can quickly reconnect to handsfree by pressing on the cars phone button on the wheel to turn on the bluetooth as it pairs very quickly with my phone.
Not 100% sure how iOS works, but on Android when you connect to a Bluetooth Device it gives you options around what you want to "stream" over Bluetooth. I've got the same car with a BT Head Unit and a Sony Bluetooth Dongle for streaming and they work together fine.
The BT Head Unit is paired and just shares Call Audio and the Phonebook, the Sony dongle is paired and just shares music. That's all controlled through BT Settings on the phone and is easy enough to set up on Android.
The BT Head Unit is paired and just shares Call Audio and the Phonebook, the Sony dongle is paired and just shares music. That's all controlled through BT Settings on the phone and is easy enough to set up on Android.
What about a Mr 12Volt or Integrated Automotive MMI box? Mr 12 Volt is very popular in the E series community.
They both retain the factory integration but funnel the audio into either the AUX or CD inputs.
In my old Golf, I just used a £20 bluetooth module from Amazon hardwired into the stereo's AUX input and it would auto connect to my phone.
I never make or accept phone calls whilst driving, so that aspect is irrelevant to me, so can't help with that bit. I don't even use it in my F30 which has streaming BT and handsfree built in
My car time is my chill time. Phone calls can wait until I get home.
They both retain the factory integration but funnel the audio into either the AUX or CD inputs.
In my old Golf, I just used a £20 bluetooth module from Amazon hardwired into the stereo's AUX input and it would auto connect to my phone.
I never make or accept phone calls whilst driving, so that aspect is irrelevant to me, so can't help with that bit. I don't even use it in my F30 which has streaming BT and handsfree built in
My car time is my chill time. Phone calls can wait until I get home.Oliber said:
My understanding was both the Mr12Volt and Integrated Automotive kits required the "iDrive" style "headunit", switching to iDrive from Professional/Business CD headunit would require replacing the dash.
Mr12volt does a streaming only module that works with a business head unit. Uses the fiber optical system, very similar to the Dension unit.E82_125i said:
Ok after a good amount of mucking around with different bluetooth devices, it doesnt seem to be down to the adapter itself but the phone, or ios.
I tried a different adapter and even a bluetooth speaker and the music playback did the same thing playing through them while the phone is also connected to the car.
A little annoying and i dont know if its a phone or an ios problem. Ive played with various different settings on the phone and none make any difference and the stuttering playback comes and goes very sporadically....odd. Maybe it cannot cope with handling the BMW handsfree and another device at the same time.
The only real solution is either get rid of the stereo for a non oem one that can stream and take calls over bluetooth, which i dont really want to do.
Or if i want to keep the steering wheel and unit controls while connected to hands free, is to get a BMW Y cable (Media cable) like this...
The problem however notoriously expensive and not much better second hand and there are reports of the sound quality not being very good. Not sure why though as essentially its just using the AUX for music and USB to control though car. Does anyone have experiencing of the sound through these?
I have looked at finding a cheap used one however the other issue is that the cable is nowhere near enough and finding an old 30pin ipod to lightning adapter, let alone a long enough cable that can handle music, seems nigh on impossible.
I can live with using the Tune2Air though as i know i can quickly reconnect to handsfree by pressing on the cars phone button on the wheel to turn on the bluetooth as it pairs very quickly with my phone.
I had the Y cable. Sound quality is fine, it’s just the same as if you plugged your phone into the aux normally. Steering wheel controls work great, it also displays the song info on the head unit. It was great until it stopped being compatible when I got an iPhone 12 I think it was.I tried a different adapter and even a bluetooth speaker and the music playback did the same thing playing through them while the phone is also connected to the car.
A little annoying and i dont know if its a phone or an ios problem. Ive played with various different settings on the phone and none make any difference and the stuttering playback comes and goes very sporadically....odd. Maybe it cannot cope with handling the BMW handsfree and another device at the same time.
The only real solution is either get rid of the stereo for a non oem one that can stream and take calls over bluetooth, which i dont really want to do.
Or if i want to keep the steering wheel and unit controls while connected to hands free, is to get a BMW Y cable (Media cable) like this...
The problem however notoriously expensive and not much better second hand and there are reports of the sound quality not being very good. Not sure why though as essentially its just using the AUX for music and USB to control though car. Does anyone have experiencing of the sound through these?
I have looked at finding a cheap used one however the other issue is that the cable is nowhere near enough and finding an old 30pin ipod to lightning adapter, let alone a long enough cable that can handle music, seems nigh on impossible.
I can live with using the Tune2Air though as i know i can quickly reconnect to handsfree by pressing on the cars phone button on the wheel to turn on the bluetooth as it pairs very quickly with my phone.
You can get the y cable with the lightning connector, so no need for an adapter. This is the one I had.
Thanks for the suggestions. I sent back my Tune2air as despite the usefulness of the controls and auto play it just didn’t sound right. It had this weird split of bass and treble across the channels where my cheap bluetooth dongle doesn’t and I think it actually sounds better.
Ideally I’d like the steering wheel controls and auto play again so have been looking into the types of modules that plug into the fibre optic loop like mr 12 volt and blue music.
What im not sure about though Is that I have all the options under my pro head unit apart from a cd changer that typically uses the fibre optic connection. Do I need this coded in before I connect a module that uses this loop? I cannot seem to find a straight answer so far.
Ideally I’d like the steering wheel controls and auto play again so have been looking into the types of modules that plug into the fibre optic loop like mr 12 volt and blue music.
What im not sure about though Is that I have all the options under my pro head unit apart from a cd changer that typically uses the fibre optic connection. Do I need this coded in before I connect a module that uses this loop? I cannot seem to find a straight answer so far.
In my 1990 E30 325i Cabrio, I had Halfords fit a Pioneer DEH4700BT. It cost me less than £200 perhaps 8-years ago.
It just works. It has a slot for my old CD collection on a thumb drive, plays my favourite stations, but more importantly plays Google Maps and my music preference anywhere in Europe. I bought an expensive head unit for my Boxster and it is far less than reliable than this unit.
It fits in a single DIN slot like the original with a cassette player did, which was replaced after 10-years with a Pioneer with a CD player, but this is definitely the best solution yet.
It just works. It has a slot for my old CD collection on a thumb drive, plays my favourite stations, but more importantly plays Google Maps and my music preference anywhere in Europe. I bought an expensive head unit for my Boxster and it is far less than reliable than this unit.
It fits in a single DIN slot like the original with a cassette player did, which was replaced after 10-years with a Pioneer with a CD player, but this is definitely the best solution yet.
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