Phone Drawer Repurposed

[Hugo_za]

So, my 7er comes with option 638, Telephone Professional, which includes the handset in the console drawer. Now, my iPhone 5 used to fit into the slot where the handset goes, but there is no way I could make the iPhone 6 Plus fit. Since I did not get the handset with the car, I figured it would be no great loss if the phone tray was repurposed. On later E65's with bluetooth the drawer has a rubberized insert, just like the lower one, and this insert can be purchased from BMW for around R400.

Steps:
Remove upper drawer
Remove side wood trim
Remove radio wood trim
Undo the 6 phillips screws
Undo 2 torx screws
Remove radio and dailpad, unclip harness
Remove entire tray frame
Remove phone tray moulding
Remove sim-card and charger hardware from tray
Wrap hardware securely to prevent damage
Store in sidewall of console, route ribbon cable and attach
Re-assemble

Pics to follow

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[zaleonardz]

But yours is a facelift ?

 

[Hugo_za]

But yours is a facelift ?

It is, but it is an early facelift. Option 638 was phased out mid 2006 at which point BMW offered the E65 with option 633 and TCU 1.5. So my car has a build date of 2005 but the TCU ECE has a build date of...wait for it...2003.

I am not going to spend R3k on a replacement TCU just to get bluetooth telephony

Besides, when I install the AUX I can route calls through there using a bluetooth puck anyway, and that setup will cost me a lot less

 

[zaleonardz]

Do you at least have the updated CDC that supports MP3 playback..

 

[Hugo_za]

Do you at least have the updated CDC that supports MP3 playback..

Yup-yup. Everything is facelift as it should be. MP3 CDC, high-res screen, MKIV nav, etc. Just the phone system is old. In NCS I have to select the last coding files on the list for pretty much every module...except the TCU is .C04 while the list ends at C.12.

From what I have seen on autotrader only 2007 onwards 7ers have bluetooth (No Phone Connected message on the iDrive).

 

[zaleonardz]

The e65 has that phone keypad extension thingy. Which I loved. Wished it would feature back in the f01. But alas. The S class has a manual keypad...

 

[Hugo_za]

Haha, yeah the keypad is cool. I rather use that for dialing numbers than the voice system. That being said, I do find that the voice system in the 7er is slightly better than the one I had in the 6er. She responds quicker, though the list of commands she is able to understand is shorted.

I ordered the bushing contacts for the AUX cable this morning, so will be making the cable this afternoon. BMW gave me dealer level discount on the parts

 

[moxypen]

Hi hugo_za

My phone does not detect a sim. What do i need to look at.

Any advice

 

[Hugo_za]

The flex cable which connects to the phone drawer hardware may be damaged. Not worth the money to replace as the whole console needs to come apart. Are you certain the sim is inserted correctly?

 

[moxypen]

The flex cable which connects to the phone drawer hardware may be damaged. Not worth the money to replace as the whole console needs to come apart. Are you certain the sim is inserted correctly?

Hi yes it is in correct. Is a micro sim. Handset keep saying connect base.when i go into the idrove setting and select tel base nothing happens

It is a micro sim tho. Will that be a issue

 

[Hugo_za]

Ah ok. The car is asking you to pair the handset. Not sure why though since mine works perfectly fine without it. Do you also have an E65?

 

[moxypen]

Ah ok. The car is asking you to pair the handset. Not sure why though since mine works perfectly fine without it. Do you also have an E65?

Hi hugo

Yes also e65 730D. Have a couple of small niggling problems. Car drives fine but little under boost. Diconnected maf and runs fine.

Also in 4 gear i have a stutter and about 80km i have a vibration

Regards

 

[Hugo_za]

Ah ok. The car is asking you to pair the handset. Not sure why though since mine works perfectly fine without it. Do you also have an E65?

Hi hugo

Yes also e65 730D. Have a couple of small niggling problems. Car drives fine but little under boost. Diconnected maf and runs fine.

Also in 4 gear i have a stutter and about 80km i have a vibration

Regards

Have you had the codes pulled? If you are in or around Jozie sometime we could meet up and I will pull the codes free of charge

Gearbox stutter could be software or oil. The vibration could be any number of things, though I would start troubleshooting at the tyres. MAF might need a clean only (petrol or MAF cleaner), and boost might be a leaking hose.

 

[moxypen]

Ah ok. The car is asking you to pair the handset. Not sure why though since mine works perfectly fine without it. Do you also have an E65?

Hi hugo

Yes also e65 730D. Have a couple of small niggling problems. Car drives fine but little under boost. Diconnected maf and runs fine.

Also in 4 gear i have a stutter and about 80km i have a vibration

Regards

Have you had the codes pulled? If you are in or around Jozie sometime we could meet up and I will pull the codes free of charge

Gearbox stutter could be software or oil. The vibration could be any number of things, though I would start troubleshooting at the tyres. MAF might need a clean only (petrol or MAF cleaner), and boost might be a leaking hose.

Hi hugo

Waiting for BMWhat adapter to arrive. Bought application and order part from germany.

I have 19" narrow and wides 9j front and 10j rear with new goodyear exelance tyres. +/- 1500km on them. Though of maybe scaling down to the 18" rims. Will need to get some moola back as tyres where 18000 big ones

How do one remove maf. I do have liqui moly syntetic electrical cleaner

When maf is disconnected the car runs as it was made for. Still have fair feul usage and avering 9.5 to 9.4 l/100km in town

I stay in pretoria. Will pm if i am in jhb

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Ah ok. The car is asking you to pair the handset. Not sure why though since mine works perfectly fine without it. Do you also have an E65?

Hi hugo

Yes also e65 730D. Have a couple of small niggling problems. Car drives fine but little under boost. Diconnected maf and runs fine.

Also in 4 gear i have a stutter and about 80km i have a vibration

Regards

Have you had the codes pulled? If you are in or around Jozie sometime we could meet up and I will pull the codes free of charge

Gearbox stutter could be software or oil. The vibration could be any number of things, though I would start troubleshooting at the tyres. MAF might need a clean only (petrol or MAF cleaner), and boost might be a leaking hose.

Hi hugo

Waiting for BMWhat adapter to arrive. Bought application and order part from germany.

I have 19" narrow and wides 9j front and 10j rear with new goodyear exelance tyres. +/- 1500km on them. Though of maybe scaling down to the 18" rims. Will need to get some moola back as tyres where 18000 big ones

How do one remove maf. I do have liqui moly syntetic electrical cleaner

When maf is disconnected the car runs as it was made for. Still have fair feul usage and avering 9.5 to 9.4 l/100km in town

I stay in pretoria. Will pm if i am in jhb