Bluetooth streaming in E39/E46/E53

[BarryM]

This is a bit niche but for anyone old fashioned enough to still be using an iPod/iPhone & Intravee in their E39/E46/E53 for music you can now add an Invery device which allows you to control the Apple device from your steering wheel controls via BT. Maybe not ground breaking but it does make the car feel a little bit more modern.

There are other options but if you already use an Intravee this is quite a nice touch.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1

[Fast3000]

Nice share Barry. Intravee have a bit of a cult following now! I believe an old can bus setup with Alpinegear still fetches good money. Had done this in my Z4. Super piece of kit.

[hap]

How’s it work in e46 pls
I have no connecting ports

[BarryM]

How’s it work in e46 pls
I have no connecting ports

Do you have an Intravee hap?

[JASV8S]

Coincidental topic as a lockdown project I have been playing about with an old iPod I used to use with an FM transmitter and then I found an old iPhone 4 and have been looking to integrate that into the car in a better way. Would also like to get bluetooth with phone capability and be able to see the contents of the iPod/iphone on the screen with more steering wheel controls. Also would like DAB radio.

Looking at the Dynavin unit but as we are not getting out and about very often doesn't seem worth it at the moment. Also too cold outside to fit anything.

Have looked at the Intravee before and assume that you need it fitted to get this bluetooth adapter to work?

[BarryM]

Have looked at the Intravee before and assume that you need it fitted to get this bluetooth adapter to work?

You do need an Intravee (and Alpine kca-420i too), they come up on ebay from time to time like here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Intravee-and ... SwZg5gDEtz

I'm a big fan of the intravee as it gives a lot of expandability - I have a separate Alpine DAB unit connected as well as a Digital processor, but the BlueBus is a more recent creation by a very clever chap in the US and his device gets rave reviews and also supports BT phone calls so if I hadn't gone the Intravee route a number of years ago I might have one of these instead: https://www.bluebus.dev/

There are other devices too but they all basically make the CD changer in your boot redundant by plugging into the same wiring at that point.

Happy to try and provide extra info for anyone if I can.

[hap]

I don’t Barry all mine is stock HK and 6 cd changer in boot which I do use
I’ve managed to get basic Bluetooth handsfree on my I phone 6s so that’s good but not very functional but adequate for few calls here and there

[BarryM]

stock HK and 6 cd changer in boot which I do use
I’ve managed to get basic Bluetooth handsfree on my I phone 6s so that’s good but not very functional but adequate for few calls here and there

Great if you have BT hands free in the car which is separate to music streaming but you have to sacrifice your CD changer if you want to play music from your phone. My brother in law still listens to his CDs and hasn’t worked out how easy it is to have a virtually limitless library on his phone so that’s the real decision you need to make!

[Metrics]

Nice find Barry.

Not sure what route I'm going to go down with my B10, but likely I will get a modern head unit (with E39 look).

I have a brand new and unfitted Intravee and also a new unfitted Bluebus. If anyone is interest in either drop me a PM.

[BarryM]

likely I will get a modern head unit (with E39 look).
I have a brand new and unfitted Intravee and also a new unfitted Bluebus. If anyone is interest in either drop me a PM.

Interesting you have both “good” options and still can’t decide

If I wasn’t going with either of those I would get the Double DIN fascia a chap on the 5forum has designed and sells: https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/135647-i ... in-fascia/
it’s identical to the OEM design and allows you to fit the double DIN unit of your choice. I know some have had success with Dynavin and similar but many have had issues and tbh I don’t think they look OEM enough.

[JASV8S]

likely I will get a modern head unit (with E39 look).
I have a brand new and unfitted Intravee and also a new unfitted Bluebus. If anyone is interest in either drop me a PM.

Interesting you have both “good” options and still can’t decide

If I wasn’t going with either of those I would get the Double DIN fascia a chap on the 5forum has designed and sells: https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/135647-i ... in-fascia/
it’s identical to the OEM design and allows you to fit the double DIN unit of your choice. I know some have had success with Dynavin and similar but many have had issues and tbh I don’t think they look OEM enough.

That facia design does look good. I had been following a thread on the bimmerforum of a guy designing a unit and not sure if it the same person. This gives you a good choice but working through the options of head units that will be compatible and provide bluetooth music and phone plus updated Nav and possibly reversing camera is quite a task in itself.

[JASV8S]

Nice find Barry.

Not sure what route I'm going to go down with my B10, but likely I will get a modern head unit (with E39 look).

I have a brand new and unfitted Intravee and also a new unfitted Bluebus. If anyone is interest in either drop me a PM.

Hi Asim, Barry's info has really helped me consider the options available but still think the Inravee sounds a promising solution. Is the Bluebus like a modern update of the Intravee providing more functionality or are they different technical approaches?

[Metrics]

Interesting you have both “good” options and still can’t decide

Yep typical of me, both bought and neither even fitted

Not so keen on that double din fascia unit. I’m looking at the xtrons head unit with the ibus dongle that works like the intravee. Looks good from what I’ve seen so far

[Metrics]

Nice find Barry.

Not sure what route I'm going to go down with my B10, but likely I will get a modern head unit (with E39 look).

I have a brand new and unfitted Intravee and also a new unfitted Bluebus. If anyone is interest in either drop me a PM.

Hi Asim, Barry's info has really helped me consider the options available but still think the Inravee sounds a promising solution. Is the Bluebus like a modern update of the Intravee providing more functionality or are they different technical approaches?

Hi John

Yes I believe it operates like the intravee, but in a simpler way, but I think with not the same depth of functionality the Inttravee provides.
I’ve not actually fitted it to my car so can’t tell you for sure.
The best way to learn more is this video:

https://youtu.be/KnJSSnYYfyE

[BarryM]

I think the easiest way to differentiate the Intravee and BlueBus is to say the BB offers phone calls and music over bluetooth whereas the Intravee offers music via a wired connection and doesn't provide phone call connectivity.

The Intravee is a great device and offers more options but needs more hardware to do it (Intravee+Alpine kca-420i as a minimum) whereas the BB is a single unit.

While I love my Intravee and have it working with DAB, BT music, sound processor, separate amp, reversing camera and hands free phone it's done with a lot of components and expense so not straight forward. If I was starting today and I just wanted a simple solution to add phone and BT streaming I'd possibly go with a BlueBus (I'm only going on what I've read and have no first hand experience).