A newly designed bluetooth module made specifically for older BMW's.

[Blacck540]

Subscribed and put my name down for a pre order.

I have a 2003 540 with the double din, sat nav and DSP in the trunk. Supper annoying as I don't want to rip out the head unit, replace things in the trunk etc...this might be a winner!

[t3ddftw]

Great thanks! And if that’s the case I’m sure you’ll find someone with a multifunction steering wheel to test it out. I appreciate the answer and I’m very glad that you decided to do this for those who have older bmw’s. I just preordered!

Thanks! I have a multi function control stack, but I haven't messed with it with the TCU hooked up into the bench.

Subscribed and put my name down for a pre order.

I have a 2003 540 with the double din, sat nav and DSP in the trunk. Supper annoying as I don't want to rip out the head unit, replace things in the trunk etc...this might be a winner!

Plus, I think it's better to keep the OE equipment in these cars -- it makes them look better

[computiNATEor]

Plus, I think it's better to keep the OE equipment in these cars -- it makes them look better

Completely agree!

[Young 23]

Thanks! I have a multi function control stack, but I haven't messed with it with the TCU hooked up into the bench.



Plus, I think it's better to keep the OE equipment in these cars -- it makes them look better

Great thanks! And likewise agree. It all has its own flavor.

[Frankie]

...The R/T button...I don't know how they would traditionally function.

The R/T steering wheel button toggles the wheel controls between radio and telephone mode. This button works only when a factory TCU or ULF is connected. The active mode is not annunciated.

When in "R" mode (radio), the up/down and +/- buttons control radio station/CD track and volume respectively. When in "T" mode (telephone), the paired telephone directory appears (displayed either on OBC or cluster Info Center) and the up/down button now scrolls the directory while the +/- button controls in-call volume. I use this button frequently.

Additionally, a long press of the "talking head" button (speech recognition) activates the voice assistant of the SES module (9/00-on) or the VR (voice recognition) features of a connected TCU/ULF. A short press of this button activates re-dial. Alternatively, with a directory contact selected, a short press dials the selected number. Once in-call, a short press disconnects the call.

I believe cars made before 9/00 (with telephone icon button) had no VR capability whatsoever. However, they can gain VR features by simply swapping steering wheel button pads (and connecting an appropriate device). If I recall, BMW no longer offers telephone icon button pads as replacement parts (only VR).

[t3ddftw]

The R/T steering wheel button toggles the wheel controls between radio and telephone mode. This button works only when a factory TCU or ULF is connected. The active mode is not annunciated.

When in "R" mode (radio), the up/down and +/- buttons control radio station/CD track and volume respectively. When in "T" mode (telephone), the paired telephone directory appears (displayed either on OBC or cluster Info Center) and the up/down button now scrolls the directory while the +/- button controls in-call volume. I use this button frequently.

Additionally, a long press of the "talking head" button (speech recognition) activates the voice assistant of the SES module (9/00-on) or the VR (voice recognition) features of a connected TCU/ULF. A short press of this button activates re-dial. Alternatively, with a directory contact selected, a short press dials the selected number. Once in-call, a short press disconnects the call.

I believe cars made before 9/00 (with telephone icon button) had no VR capability whatsoever. However, they can gain VR features by simply swapping steering wheel button pads (and connecting an appropriate device). If I recall, BMW no longer offers telephone icon button pads as replacement parts (only VR).

Thanks, Frankie! That's extremely helpful and I see no issues duplicating this functionality. I can even use the speech recognition button for Play/Pause when in radio mode, rather than the R/T button that I'm currently using. That way, R/T can be used like the OE equipment.


Somewhat of a small update: My family and I moved to Cincinnati but we have yet to move into our new house, so I haven't had any time to work on this project, which means it's getting pushed back a little bit more. We should be moved in next week, and then I'll be able to resume work on Rev C and likely send it off for manufacture by that Friday (the 14th).

The starter in my E46 M3 also died and when I went to replace it, I found leaky heater core hoses, so I'm having to take care of that in my mother-in-laws driveway...

[Young 23]

Thanks, Frankie! That's extremely helpful and I see no issues duplicating this functionality. I can even use the speech recognition button for Play/Pause when in radio mode, rather than the R/T button that I'm currently using. That way, R/T can be used like the OE equipment.


Somewhat of a small update: My family and I moved to Cincinnati but we have yet to move into our new house, so I haven't had any time to work on this project, which means it's getting pushed back a little bit more. We should be moved in next week, and then I'll be able to resume work on Rev C and likely send it off for manufacture by that Friday (the 14th).

The starter in my E46 M3 also died and when I went to replace it, I found leaky heater core hoses, so I'm having to take care of that in my mother-in-laws driveway...

That’s good, I think the closer the functions are to oe equipment the better no? But good luck with moving in and your starter and heater core! At least you found the issue in a driveway and not have the car overheat in the middle of a busy road or something.

[t3ddftw]

That’s good, I think the closer the functions are to oe equipment the better no? But good luck with moving in and your starter and heater core! At least you found the issue in a driveway and not have the car overheat in the middle of a busy road or something.

Yup, I agree!

Thanks! It's definitely better to find issues before they have a chance to leave you stranded

[TexasTouring]

Makes me very happy to see all this R&D going into the old I-bus cars. I think the late creator of the Intravee would be proud!

Also, regarding the discussion of VR above... VR works fine using the old-school phone button in my '99 528iT with TCU-retrofit. So I'm not sure changing the button is necessary?

[t3ddftw]

Makes me very happy to see all this R&D going into the old I-bus cars. I think the late creator of the Intravee would be proud!

Also, regarding the discussion of VR above... VR works fine using the old-school phone button in my '99 528iT with TCU-retrofit. So I'm not sure changing the button is necessary?

Thanks!

Does the phone button work the same as the "Talking Head" button?

[Frankie]

VR works fine using the old-school phone button in my '99 528iT with TCU-retrofit.

Good to know. I would've suspected the speech button's i-bus signal to be different than the phone button. According to RealOEM.com, the change occurred in 9/99. I wonder if it signifies SES voice assistant capability or pre-wiring? Or maybe it was just a cosmetic update made by BMW?

[Joe///540i]

Plus, I think it's better to keep the OE equipment in these cars -- it makes them look better

Completely agree Ted! Joe Z here, can't wait to get mine. Thanks for all your efforts.

[ThaDoubleJ]

13 months later....??? Any updates?

[t3ddftw]

13 months later....??? Any updates?

I've sold 1180 units, and I don't have any available at the moment. ECS Tuning carries them for backorder if you're interested.

Here are some reviews:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnJSSnYYfyE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORZKQXAu5EY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH-cwfXe8cI

[BAM3]

13 months later....??? Any updates?

Ive had mine installed for a few months now. Bluebus is the real deal. Really makes the car more modern. Zero drawbacks at this point. Ted goes out of his way to make sure his customers are happy. I personally aggravated the sh*t out of him with multiple questions. He always got back to me quickly.

I cant recommend this product enough!

[cpf9]

Very happy with mine.

[Joe///540i]

Anyone know where to download the latest firmware? I haven't updated mine in a while and am out of the loop.

[ThaDoubleJ]

Glad to hear it happened. I added the 'newer' business CD to mine with the aux cable that costs more than braces for my kid. Little USB thing plugged in that kinda sucks and it all work ok. This seems like a more elegant solution.

[computiNATEor]

Anyone know where to download the latest firmware? I haven't updated mine in a while and am out of the loop.

BlueBus is on GitHub, but you can also email Ted directly.