Has anyone successfully used a bluetooth transmitter to play music out the speakers?

[Georgeous]

Hello,

So, my Z4 06 has bluetooth which I've used in the past with one of my cellphones (strangely enough, I don't actually remember entering in a passkey when I did use that phone, it just seemed to work automatically).

Long story short, I don't have the money or time right now to install a 1/8 auxiliary input for audio. I figured, maybe a quick and cheap way of getting the same functionality is to just buy a bluetooth transmitter that has a little 1/8 connecter on the end of it and just use that to transmit audio directly into the Z4.

I bought an Aluratek ABT01F (and kept the receipt) to try to send audio into the Z4 but as of now I haven't been able to make it work (even though according to the transmitter's manual, blinking blue light means that supposedly it connected, but it doesn't have a function to enter in a passkey so maybe that's stopping it.)

Anyway, what I'm wondering is, has anyone actually gotten a bluetooth transmitter to work with the Z4 as an alternative to installing an audio jack? I'm worried that maybe the Z4's system only strictly works with phones and phones only for making phone calls and that I'm barking up the wrong tree but I haven't seen explicit confirmation one way or another.

[keeton]

It kind of depends on your actual model of the radio (standard, digital DSP or analog DSP), but you can get a DICE adapter which plugs into the CD changer wiring that is buried under the console. This can stream audio, which the factory bluetooth cannot. However, if you can't afford to wire in the audio jack, I doubt if you can afford the DICE adapter.

[Georgeous]

So, I did a bit of digging and it looks like there are different bluetooth standards such as A2DP, which is what is usually used for audio over bluetooth but that the standard Z4 doesn't support.

The alternative is to use a Bluetooth gadget that takes an audio source and then tricks the onboard bluetooth into thinking it is receiving information from a phone over the bluetooth phone standard. These devices do exist but from what I've seen, they seem to be more expensive (but otherwise full featured).

I think I'm just going to get the auxiliary input ashtray conversion kit.

[Outrider]

The Aux input is a sensible way to go. My Z4C has a Digital Sound Processor, which seems to be pretty common. The Bluetooth adapters I've seen don't work with DSP audio. I'd prefer full Bluetooth, but Aux in works well enough.

[Georgeous]

Yeah, I was willing to go the bluetooth route if it would run me like 20 dollars but to get a bluetooth that sends music over the phone appears to be at least 100 (has anyone seen a cheaper one?). But the ashtray kit costs like 70-90 dollars depending on where I get it from and so I might as well at that point. I do like that with the Z4 radio that once I have the radio out an aux input is plug and play (my other cars, it's not so simple).

[Outrider]

If your radio has DSP, you really ought to focus on the aux. It's a sure shot and fits like it's factory--because it is. I looked at the better quality BT adapters (Grom, Audiovox, and a European brand called Dension). None works with DSP.

[chickdr]

Yeah, I was willing to go the bluetooth route if it would run me like 20 dollars but to get a bluetooth that sends music over the phone appears to be at least 100 (has anyone seen a cheaper one?). But the ashtray kit costs like 70-90 dollars depending on where I get it from and so I might as well at that point. I do like that with the Z4 radio that once I have the radio out an aux input is plug and play (my other cars, it's not so simple).

There are much cheaper ways to go with the aux-in if you want to save $$$. They make a simple aux in which can be put anywhere you like in the car(I would probably put it in the location BMW did starting in 07 (under the ventilation controls). You can buy it easily online. https://www.amazon.com/BMW-82-11-149-389/dp/B000PA00XM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476281174&sr=8-2&keywords=bmw+z4+auxiliary+input

One other option is the generic cable for $10. Again- it can be put anywhere you want to drill a hole. https://www.amazon.com/ConPus-3-5Mm-...uxiliary+input

[BimmerBreaker]

Its a BMW, one minor repair can cost hundreds... Just do the bluetooth upgrade its not a big cost in the long run

[wdb]

I would be careful attempting to use bluetooth intended for telephone-only use as a music source. I suspect the sound quality will suck. Better to use aux in + audio quality bluetooth adapter. Maybe you already came to this conclusion.

[ilmostro]

I recently bought this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wireless-Blu...YAAOSwMNxXUj3Q
Sounds quality isn't fantastic, but it does work well for transmitting music via bluetooth to phone, and for speakerphone function. No cords needed, and has a couple USB ports for charging. As an added bonus the amber LEDs are an ok match to the rest of the interior LEDs/screens. For under $20 shipped I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again.

[kakashi]

JETech Wireless Bluetooth FM Transmitter.

Works great.

[GaryD]

I bought this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Not an inexpensive alternative but it sounds great.
Don't know why but it is still made with the 30 pin plug so you will need an adapter for the lightning connector.

[cleoburyp]

I not planning on changing the speakers - YET! but here is my take on improving the input to the Stock system (I have Business CD - HIFI with DSP in trunk input! (I posted this in the Zpost forum this week http://www.zpost.com/forums/index.php)

As many of the discussion on the forum are several years old this is my take on installing/upgrading the Business CD radio - I'm not looking for getting a qualification in Radio installs, I just want a quick quality solution to plug in or with minimal install and provides input of ..ipod/USB drive/bluetooth/android/iphone - charges the Ipod - changes Ipod from radio/MFS when attached - works with the installed Radio
Allows song data on the head unit/plays playlists and works with the Multifunction steering wheel -Just installed this to my 2003 write up here viewtopic.php?f=26&t=16422#p239126 -

Here are my list of manufacturers for the DSP Radio OEM option (and none DSP - without the adaptor or with a different unit)...

1 BMW OEM No DSP Not a lot of good other than AUX cable

2 Dice Audiovox DSP Not directly supported - third party support is average and Crutchfield are not knowledgeable about DSP issue
Unclear as to What happened to Dice or product longevity with Audiovox or if its even made anylonger
http://www.voxxelectronics.com/OEI/
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_220CBM...C-BMW-DSP.html
a DICE MBR-1500-BMW NLA $0.00
b DICE DUO-100-BMW Silverline NLA
c Audiovox A-ACC-BMW-DSP $79.99
Sound quality unknown - some reports of interference.

3 Grom Audio - Seems to be well supported and useful Customer support chat https://gromaudio.com/
a BMW Mini 98-06 GROM USB Bluetooth Android iPod adapter - TRUNK $149.99
b BMW DSP CONVERSION KIT $69.99
c GROM In-Car Bluetooth Extension for select GROM kits, 10FT $49.99
d AUX-IN 3.5mm audio and 5V USB Charging cable , 5FT $14.99
Expensive at $300 for all capability
Concerned with long cable runs for possible interferance
Sound quality unknown


4 Interavee
http://www.toysinyourcar.com/acatalog/BMW.html
a Intravee II £109.98
b DSP Adapter £68.99 OUT OF STOCK
http://www.toysinyourcar.com/acatalog/BMW.html
I cant work out what I need from the web site and no customer support to help - other than an email request page on the web site I don't know if they support DSP workaround
Coaxial type connector you will also need a separate analogue to digital converter.
Don't know who makes this product. supplied by third party distribution
Sound quality unknown


5 mObridge - its been mentioned but no information
Web selection no longer covers z4 E85 2003+
Sound quality unknown


6 PAC Audio - its been mentioned but no information
https://pac-audio.com/?fc=module&mod...mp-sbv-submit=
I think this uses the Antenna to input to the radio
Sound quality unknown FM quality


7 Yatour -available from Asia on ebay -seems to have DSP solution but no customer support http://www.yatour.net/shop/?type=detail&id=53
On ebay = DSP KIT FOR YATOUR BMW04 DIGITAL MUSIC CHANGER / IPHONE IPOD ADAPTER US $60.00
Sound quality unknown

8 Parrot
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_333MKI...g&awug=9002273
MKi9200 $239.99
Sound quality unknow

9 USA Spec
https://www.usaspec.com/p-329-pa12-bmw_dsp.aspx
a PA12-BMW_DSP - DSP connection built in - interface adaptor are capable of connecting two audio sources $189.99
Sound quality unknow

At the moment I going with Grom because
1 got some good advice from the company
2 they understood my question and understood the DSP issue
3 don't look as if the company is going to disappear in the near future - can only hope!


Please tell me if i'm wrong or what your experience/advice is

[cleoburyp]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01 ... UTF8&psc=1 £5
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1 £6.95
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1 £8.40
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gankarii-Circu ... A419158031 £3.99

£23.34 Gives you bluetooth audio streaming, via a hudden bluetooth receiver inside the dash.

I could have sourced the parts much cheaper if I shopped around and didnt mind waiting for thigs to arrive.

I did try a more expensive connects2 interface but it kept on dropping the bluetooth connection. so far the bluetooth receiver option has not dropped connection once, and because I have the phone mounted just to the left of the steering wheel skipping tracks is just a swipe away.

[Ashley2003]

This one worked great for me TPLINK ..https://youtu.be/3bwalre6q24