BT promise | Forums BMWauto.net

BT promise

Over the past year and a half I have enjoyed 80% of the BMW I purchased. Although I have called multiple time, not only to my local bmw dealer (speaking with my sales person, sales manager, service advisor, service manager, and lastly general manager I have always been told to wait for the PROMISED integration of Bluetooth technology which was a simple SW upgrade. I waited and waited.

I started calling BMW customer service and received responses that there was never to a retrofit of this technology into my vehical. I then returned calls to my dealer who denied this stating BMW CS did not know what they were talking about and that BT would be available soon.

When I bought this vehical BT was 50% of my decision to let go of my 540i. Two weeks ago I decided again to look into this. Some forums stated their dealers did a simple SW upgrade and BT is working fine (it appears based on production date). In the past two weeks I have read nearly 1600 posts in multiple forums of unhappy persons promised BT in their nearly 60k purchase price who do not have it. I posted info on a class action law suit with, what I feel, is a significant response (628 2004 530/545 owners) who are interested. When I promise, I deliver.

I feel cheated, forgotten, and that BMW is not standing behind its product mistakes or promises. I do have BT pairing card info in my glove box with my VIN and the ESN of the TCU (but no one to date can tell me why this pairing info was delivered with my car. I was told "there is nothing BMW will do for anyone at this stage for BT". That's BMW's CS response to my last call.

A replacement TCU and BT antenna are both needed to deliver this promised good per my purchase. I am more than happy to follow the direction of litigation as the attourneys I have consulted with will take it on contigency and are pleased with the large, though not huge list. The stated they would have the time and means to find all 2004 and 2005 BMW purchasers and then filter this list to 530/545 owner/leasers.

I expect my BMW to be BT ready as promise! I will allow BMW to review this email for a period of 5 days (expecting a response from BMW during the day of Wednesday next week). If BMW feels it is in their best interest to no serve it customer base BMW's response will be forwarded to a Law firm in SF, CA (they are out of state do to their reputation in class action cases) to start legal preceedings on behalf of BMW 530/545 owners within NA.

Dr. Sullivan

Reply » BT promise

I too have a 2004 545i, which I as well spent 60K on and find it absolutely ridiculous they give us the Bluetooth card and info and during the entire pre-sale and sales exchange insist that it would be ready via software upgrade by Sept of 04. Many posts said it was a software conflict between the BMW Asisst and the Bluetooth technology. Even the BMW PDF explained there was a conflict of the BMW Assist and the Bluetooth. BMW now wants $1300 for a replacement TCU and not to mention labor and programing fees. Class action I concur.
Never did BMW state it MAY work, they stated to dealers and the general public that as of Sept 04 a softwrae upgrade would resolve the conflict. If nothing else, offer to disable BMW Assist at no charge and activate Bluetooth if they are not compatible.
Jay (Chnsky545i)

Reply » BT promise

So this "BT software update" for the E60 never happened?

Quote:

For E60/63/64 vehicles produced from 3/04 to 8/04, Bluetooth® functionality can be added to most of these vehicles by updating the vehicle software using CIP 13.2 or higher. After this is performed "Retrofit" of "Tel Bluetooth" needs to be performed. Follow the procedure as described in this Service Information for "Activating Bluetooth" and "Pairing the Handset". Vehicles prior to 3/04 would need to have the TCU replaced with the 2005 MY TCU at the customer's expense and the vehicle updated to CIP 13.2 or higher. Phone docking cradles may not be added to these vehicles because of wiring incompatibility. Note: This software update and retrofit is not covered under warranty and is at the customer's expense.

http://www.bmwmotorsports.org/pdf/841304.pdf ... Page #2

Reply » BT promise

However, anyone who had a BMW E60 made prior to March of 04, were not included, the TCU is not compatible which makes it a requirement to replace a very expesnive peice of hardware. Seems like BMW put the cart before the horse, not enough R&D was done before publishing and selling people E60s saying they were able to support Bluetooth.

Reply » BT promise

Can you confirm the production date on your vehicle? It should be noted on the label on the drivers side door.

BT is a software update if your car was built after the first week of March 04. Cars produced before this date have a conflict between Assist and BT hence the need to replace the TCU unit. That is the route I took and it worked. Cost me some $$ but I ended up with what I wanted.

Please post your production date and we can advise you if it is simply a software issue or if you need to replace the TCU.

Reply » BT promise

I would like to be part of a lawsuit.... please PM me if you need more info... I was also very angry to find I had to pay $1500 to get this working.

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