picaso

Can any of you installers out there verify the nonsense the BMW service techs are telling me? BMW Assist and Bluetooth WILL work if not connected to the BMW electronics. What the hell does this mean???

I'm in the same boat. I really want a solid navigation and solid bluetooth. After reading many posts on this forum, customer reviews on other sites (excluding all the idiots who have no clue about the bypass) I am really starting to opt out of any Pioneer systems. I was thinking about the Alpine, but way too expensive, and apparently it sucks for navigation. Noe I am seriously considering the Kenwood DNX7100, everyone loves the navigation (basically a Garmin, though I prefer Tomtom - I have a portable version of both and the Garmin looks graphically better, but tomtom seems to get me where

So I talked to 2 different BMW dealers. Both of these guys say first, that do not recommend any aftermarket systems (of course they will say this). They do say: "BMW does not recommend installing aftermarket Electronics in the vehicle Electronic. As long as the aftermarket unit is not hooked up to the BMW electronic - ASSIST will work." (I don't know exactly what this means). Anyway, for any of you who really want to retrofit a double din nav into an M3, check this thread out http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=359575

Thanks for the feedback. I also talked to an excellent installer who has worked on a few M3s. He also told me factory bluetooth would be lost. Also no more BMW assist. I knew about the massive retrofit job, this guy had pics of his work and looked great. The labour plus parts (not including nav unit) would run $500. Not bad for what BMW says is a 8.5 hr job. They would have charged $2500 including crappy OEM nav. Now I have to really think if I want to get rid of BMW assist, which again is a great safety feature and acts as a "LoJack" and just use a portable Tomtom or Garmin. I also like t

I have an 05 BMW M3. I have factory bluetooth and BMW assist. I now only have the business CD and want to retrofit a Z2. What I need to know is, will the factory bluetooth be compatible with this unit? If not, and I need to get the pioneer bluetooth adapter, will I be able to use the phone controls on my steering wheel? Finally, will installing an aftermarket unit affect the BMW assist? I really like the phone controls on my steering wheel and use the BMW assist as a "LoJack" system, I don't want to loose either. I also don't want to shell out big bucks for OEM BMW nav that has no touchsc