I just got my 04 545i which was built in 4/01/04 and would like to get BT enabled. The car is currently at the dealer for service and they are telling me that BMW did not start doing BT in the 545i until September 04.... is the dealer telling the truth? Has anyone had BT enabled in there 545i? If so what did you do?

On your production month, I believe all you need is a software retrofit. Otherwise, if you have the BMW assist option, at a minimum, you should be able to replace your TCU w/ a newer unti to gain BT support. TCU prices are all over the place but don't pay more then $500 for one.

I would suggest you veiw the www.e60.net forum. I have a 03/2004 build and I had it activated w/ not issues as long as you have bmw assist. check the phone and bluetooth forum and you will see the TIS and many posts about this. good luck

I'm wrangling with my dealer on this too. Seems that we're reading the SIB's differently. They updated my software for free but still didn't turn on my BT.

I have a 2004 525i, 03/04 build. They updated the software and activated the bluetooth at no charge. I was having the software updated for some warranty issues and I printed the actual SIB, gave it to the SA, and he attached it to the work order.

Here is the address were you can print a copy of the SIB. The board won't let me post the whole address, so just add the w w w before the address below. Good luck.

bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/bulletin_graphic_temp/B841304g.htm

I have a similar problem. I just bought a 04 530i for my wife. I was told it had Bluetooth and the sales person even took my wife’s Bluetooth phone to hook it up for her. While we watched he said he didn’t know what was wrong and we should see the service dept on Monday. Saw them, first they said we didn’t have Bluetooth, then we did, then we had to have the assist activated, and today I was told it would be $1,800 to install a new TCU because my car was manufactured on 3/04. I found a BMW Service Bulletin released in mid 2004 which says all it takes for the 3/04 production E60 (530i) is to be connected to the computer and reprogrammed. They asked me to send it to them and I haven’t heard from them since. Their last comment to me was “maybe you should just buy one of those things that hang on your ear.” Astonishingly this came from the service manager.

It appears that BMW is not educating the service people on this issue. I've met with resistance too. Still not resolved and I've physically verified my model TCU. They upgraded my s/w and still did NOT activate my BT.

here is a link from another forum that may help
download the pdf and see section 4 of the document...
h**p://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=42819

*****Replace h**P with http because the site will not allow to me post a URL.

BlackE39Sport-
If you're still in this thread, I found a dealer who turned on my BT, but the other party cannot hear me. They say I need a new TCU. I have assist in the car, but do not have the service. BMW Assist can hear me fine, but say they cannot get any data from the car. Since my goal is to have BT, should I:
1) pay for the assist service, hope that they still don't get data and replace the TCU under warranty
2) purchase a new TCU
3) press the issue and try and get a dealer to replace my TCU for FREE

I wanted to enable Bluetooth in my 09/03 production 530i. I researched and read all the posts. Two things happend that caused me to get a new TCU replaced under warranty and have the bluetooth enabled in the new TCU. Somehow they finagled(sp?) a charge of $170 onto the bill.

1. Sporatically my trunk would open. We would come out from eating dinner and the trunk was open. We could be in the Mall and come out and find the trunk open. After "searching" for this problem on the forums there were posts that a software upgrade would fix the problem. At first the dealer said that they needed to replicate the problem in order to authorize a software upgrade. I politely told them that the terminology is "Customer states that the trunk opens sporatically at inopportune times" and that me stating it is all he needs. If he wants to replicate it he will have to keep the car for a few weeks (or a month) before the problem will happend. This authorized a software upgrade which didn't "take" somewhat requiring a new TCU.

2. BMW Assist - the "SOS" function did go dead on the car. If I pushed the SOS button nothing would happend. A call to BMW assist confirmed that the TCU was "disabled" and they could not receive data. That sealed the deal. I was asked for my credit card by two people. Someone in sales and someone at the service facility to "sign up" for BMW assist for $200. My card was not charged and when I got the car they said for me to activate BMW assist from the car which I have not done. There are no $200 charges on my credit card.

Scott

Thanks for the reply Scott. Not certain if the sporadic and inopportune issue I've have with the Nav system going dead or the SMG giving "no-go" in 2nd gear is related. BMW is working on the 2nd issue, but cannot replicate either. I will update my language during my next service visit (tomorrow).

As far as no data on BMW assist: I don't quite understand how the system/service works but I do know that my car has been trying to make a data call for service and it is failing. I do believe that it worked before.