Looks like a good replacement for my ULF13/DICE Silverline Pro setup. Not preordering yet, but definitely something to keep an eye on.
:thumbsup:

 

Most definitely!

Just so everyone is aware, the pre-order list is so I have a round-about idea how many units I need to have manufactured when I send off for that in a few weeks

 

That's really cool. Amazing how well you were able to integrate everything into the factory headunits - you'd never know it wasn't a factory option.

 

Thank you! That's exactly what I was going for. The DICE/Grom units do a really poor job of interfacing with the vehicle, which is why I set out to make this adapter to begin with.

The only issue is the "flicker" of the main display area on the nav units when the radio decides to update it with the CD / Track info, hah.

-Ted

 

This sounds very interesting!
I see reference to the Business CD in your video, this is all I have in my '02 325i - no CD changer.
Where does the BlueBus mount? How many panels need to be pulled? I saw reference to perhaps de-pinning connectors over on the m3forum...
If you can point me to any install pics I would be grateful!

 

You have what I have, as I don't have a CD changer either. I don't think Ted has prepared any install photos yet. Do you have a 'talking head' on your steering wheel? If so, then you probably already have the necessary connectors in your trunk on the left hand side behind the trunk panel liner. The BlueBus gets mounted in the trunk behind the left hand panel. The video is not mine, it is something I copied from the M3forum site.

You may want to start reading ~page 55, ~post 542 of this thread. Or if you have time, scan the whole thread for a real feel for the genesis of this unit:
http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=599340&page=55
Ted brought the BlueBus to fruition all on his own, both hardware and software. It really is quite an achievement, IMHO.

You may also want to send Ted a PM, at t3ddftw. He'll probably answer you back quite promptly if it is like what happened to me. Be sure to watch his video in the original post #1, of this thread, up above.

 

Hey guys!

For some reason I'm not getting subscription updates for this thread, which is why I have missed everything you said until now!

beechbmw: Thank you for being so helpful! You didn't miss a beat on any answer

I do plan to offer "plug and play" connectors for the TCU connector so that you don't have to de-pin stuff. I'm getting my ducks in a row there before I announce it to everyone who pre-ordered.

For the E46, it looks like this:

The M3F thread is definitely a time capsule for the development of this unit. To think I posted it about it in June of 2018!

Anyways, my original pre-order got extended because Ryan let me know he was getting ready to drop the review, so it didn't make sense to pause them then. Then, I ended up getting way more orders than I had TH3122 ICs for, which are only available from China. So, right now I am sitting like a dog by the window waiting for the DHL man to come with my new parts so that I can submit all 500 units for manufacture!

With that said, they will probably be 2 weeks delayed. I'll post more about timelines once I submit it to the assembly house and they get me a lead time.

Feel free to PM me or email me at tass2001@gmail.com / support@bluebus.dev if you have any questions, concerns, or if you just want to say hello. I try to respond within minutes to all inquiries.

Thanks!
-Ted

 

Sorry for your delays, but good news that the pre-order is extended. I think I will jump in as it sounds like I can plug this in with a minimum of hassle to my Business CD player, TCU or not.

 

Yep, without the TCU side of things, install is extremely simple

 

I noticed on the preorder website a list of Android phones this works with. Will it work with iPhones as well?

 

txradioguy:

I found this post in the 'main BlueBus thread' over on the M3forum site:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showpost.php?p=1068002776&postcount=543

Hopefully, it answers your question. This was from ~10/29/19 so there may be more devices currently compatible. BlueBus Ted (with all the respect in the world, really!) may need to correct/update my response.

 

Im a bit of a knucklehead when it comes to some of this "modern" tech. So... what Im reading is correct. Will the CD portion of my Business head unit still be able to play CD's ?? OR in simple terms which I only am able to understand... will I still be able to insert a CD into my factory head unit and have it play the CD ?? thanks

 

Hello!

Yes, your head units single disc player will remain available

The BlueBus simply displaces the 6 CD Changer that would've mounted in the trunk.

Thanks!
-Ted

 

Ted:

My reading of the Bluebus.dev page tells me that the TCU emulation plug & play harness is on the way to fruition.

https://www.bluebus.dev/ under ‘Click for More’.

Are you taking any orders for it yet? If so, how do I order one? The harness will really ease installation. Thanks for all your efforts and I sincerely hope all of your family members are doing well, especially the 2 new ones!

 

Yes! Actually, I just had some pre-production tests of the manufactured wires delivered to my door a few minutes ago. Once I give the okay on their manufacture, I will send the email to everyone on how to identify which of the three wires they might need. As a heads up, if you're in the U.S. you might not get the adapter harness immediately and it'll come in a different package (free shipping, though) at a later (weeks) time.

Thanks!
-Ted

 

Hello Ted, not sure how much of a lag/delay you have on your system that's handling requests over on the Bluebus site. But I haven't received anything since I completed the form to purchase on Friday. Please let me know if a PM works better through here. Thanks

 

Howdy,

Sorry if you got the wrong impression, but I'm not currently taking orders for the BlueBus! Once you fill out the form, you're placed on a waiting list and when I'm ready to have more manufactured and sold, I will reach out via Email.

Hope this helps!
-Ted

 

Cool, understood, thanks! And hope the numbers climb fast enough to whip up another batch! ;-)

 

Anytime!

The numbers are there ! I plan on taking orders starting 2020-03-30, with a delivery date in May.

The big issue is the fact that I just had twin boys, and I have a two year old daughter. To make things worse, my twins were 10 weeks early and JUST got out of the NICU, so they are on a strict feeding schedule -- every three hours around the clock. I can already feel the years of life poofing away from me

 

Quick question: arent solutions like this already around? I'm using the denison gateway lite and its fully integrated in the factory HU, I can use steering controls on it. Plugs into where the 6cd changer would and spoofs as that, also added an aux and usb port.

 

Yes, plenty of products take the CD Changer input and turn it into a Bluetooth input. What makes the BlueBus special is the level of integration it offers along with the extra features. The firmware is also upgradable, so you will continue to get new features as they are developed.

This is a great review of the BlueBus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnJSSnYYfyE

Thanks!
-Ted

 

Cool project!

Though I've already broomed the Business CD unit in favor of a Bluetooth enabled Sony that sounds awesome...so I don't think i have a need.

 

Thanks! Too bad you went aftermarket

Congrats on the twins! You're gonna be a busy Dad!!
Just wanted to confirm that this will work in my 2001 330ci Business CD (non-HK) without the CD changer, but it has the sticky in the trunk with the CD enabled thing. Also, no mic AFAIK.

You have no idea! I'm wondering how many years I'm going to age in the next 6 months.

Yes, it will work just fine with your vehicle, but you won't be able to take calls without that microphone being installed. There should be pre-wiring for it, so if you're interested, look for part 84318380338 (do NOT get the microphone with P/N ending in 762!).

If there’s a return, I want one. I have been searching for a solid solution for 2 years!

I have the Business CD, trunk changer, HK speakers, BT and TCU, or whatever, and use the telephone and Siri regularly. It’s so annoying tho, because Siri comes over the car speakers, and cuts the radio audio, but Nav instructions do not.

Of course with this having the ability to stream audio from the phone it will be awesome!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Make sure you fill out and submit the form on www.bluebus.dev to get on the waiting list!

I will say: The whole "Siri comes through but Nav instructions don't" issue is not one the BlueBus can fix unless you're in Bluetooth mode. Unfortunately, nav instructions only come over the A2DP profile, not HFP. You'll also want to ditch your ULF/BT TCU ("Everest" TCU).

Some good news:

 

If there’s a return, I want one. I have been searching for a solid solution for 2 years!

I have the Business CD, trunk changer, HK speakers, BT and TCU, or whatever, and use the telephone and Siri regularly. It’s so annoying tho, because Siri comes over the car speakers, and cuts the radio audio, but Nav instructions do not.

Of course with this having the ability to stream audio from the phone it will be awesome!

 

Ted:

I thought I’d post this here in case it might be useful for others. I did some probing around in my trunk this morning. The effort was triggered by your email last night regarding the patch harness order. I found the silver box in the photos on the black shelf that I removed from the car.

1) Will the silver box be needed any longer? I don’t think so, but wanted to confirm.

2) In the second picture, the other side of the 54 pin connector shown is what will connect to the new harness for your BlueBus, correct?

3) Will the coax wire connectors that were connected to the coax ports on the silver box in the first photo be connected to any ports on the BlueBus? I don’t think so, but wanted to confirm. I’m thinking they are/were cellular phone antenna connections, in and out.

Thanks in advance for your time and trouble to answer my questions. Even more thanks for all of your work on this project. I’m really looking forward to this slick gadget!! It’s going to be quite an upgrade!!

 

...I found the silver box in the photos on the black shelf that I removed from the car.

The silver box is the Telematics Control Unit (TCU).

1) Will the silver box be needed any longer? I don't think so, but wanted to confirm.

I asked Ted this same question in an email the other day; he said no.

2) In the second picture, the other side of the 54 pin connector shown is what will connect to the new harness for your BlueBus, correct?

Yes - The J100.

3) Will the coax wire connectors that were connected to the coax ports on the silver box in the first photo be connected to any ports on the BlueBus? I don't think so, but wanted to confirm. I'm thinking they are/were cellular phone antenna connections, in and out.

Correct.

 

Im intrigued! But whats functionality like for Business cd owners? Is it worth the pricetag for us? Seems all the fun is only for the navi owners. I like the siri integration and sameless phone calls and know it should work, but im assuming the turn signal function wouldnt be able to work?

 

Functionality is almost all the same, just the UI is somewhat more limited as you'd expect. I am looking forward to it in my 325xi with Business CD. Watch the videos in posts 1 & 12. See the UI details here: https://github.com/tedsalmon/BlueBus/wiki/CD53-UI

 

I asked for pictures of a production board to verify that everything was correctly oriented (it is). Here are the pictures I got back:

 

I can't wait to get one of these although I am concerned about the wiring for the microphone for my convertible.

 

Will this work on cars without a CD changer?
Just Business CD.
Does it connect behind the radio?

 

Yes, in fact it will not work with cars that have the changer installed as it replaces it. You must have the pre-wiring for the changer, though!

It connects in the trunk, regardless of vehicle / radio.

 

What if you do not have the CD changer pre-wiring ?
(FYI, some of the later cars had the CD changer in the arm rest)

 

If you don't have the pre-wiring, your radio most likely still supports the protocol, so it would be a matter of retrofitting the harness.

I have never seen the Changer in the arm rest. Can you show me an example?

 

What does BlueBus do that GROM can't already do for $140 ?
GROM already supports BT phone calls and music streaming.
What else does this new product offer ?

 

Let me count the ways: --

The BlueBus:

* Supports OE telephony mode (taking calls outside of "Bluetooth" mode)
* Supports the OE microphone(s) (except for one of the P/Ns, which works, but not well)
* Has a full UI regardless of what kind of radio you have
* Can display hidden OBC data
* Adds additional features to vehicles without the need for complex programming:
** Comfort Blinkers
** Comfort Locks
** More coming soon
* Supports firmware upgrades that will continue to enhance the user experience and add features
* Has higher fidelity audio components which I have been told make it sound better than the GROM BT3
* Comes with a lifetime warranty
* Is fully open source, so anyone can modify it as they wish
* Is not made by GROM

 

What are comfort locks?

What is the complete list of cars this can work on?

Great to see someone offer up a good thing

 

What are comfort locks?

If you view this video, you will learn all about Comfort Locks:
https://youtu.be/8oEa9oZkOIo

What is the complete list of cars this can work on?

If you follow the link in post 1, etc, to http://www.bluebus.dev, you'll see:
Known Compatibility

The BlueBus unit is compatible with the following IBus-Enabled vehicles

BMW 3-series E46 (1998-2006)
BMW 5-series E39 (1995-2004)
BMW 7-series E38 (1994-2001)
BMW X3 E83 (2004-2010)
BMW X5 E53 (1999-2006)
BMW Z4 E85 E86 (2002-2008)
BMW New Mini One and Cooper R50 (2001-2006) R52 (2005-2008) and the R53 (2001-2006)
BMW Range Rover L30/L322 (1999-2003)
BMW Rover 75 R40 (1999-2005)

 

Thanks for posting that, I had no idea I could send texts with siri. Pretty cool for an 18 year old car

 

I eventually want to make an app and add in some party tricks. For example, I'd like to tie into the Siri API so you can summon it and tell it to "roll the windows down" or "lock the doors". Dumb gimmicks, but they'll allow me to get familiar with iOS development and the Siri API.

 

I have a ULF13, which works OK.
Will I be able to keep using it for phone calls, while the bluebus does the rest?

 

Yup! No issues there

 

Well, I started prepping for the BlueBus installation in my 2004 E46 325xi Touring... I removed the TCU and prepped its bracket for mounting the BlueBus. I located the SES connector (with jumper plug), the CD changer 3 & 6 pin cables, and prepped the 54 pin TCU connector for depinning. Did not locate the DSP CoAx connector.

While I was in there, I noticed that the 6906071-02 Radio Amplifier has an 8" cable hanging off it with what looks like a blob of solder on the end of it (see red arrow). Does anyone know where this is supposed to attach? Might explain why my FM reception is not that great?

EDIT: OK, it looks to me like it's supposed to be soldered onto the side window where I can see an antenna. Has anyone had experience soldering it back on?

 

So, the first ten units are out the door as a complete set. I only had ten cases on hand (this is what I ordered from my "new" case manufacturer as a sample batch), so I sent those units out to those who have been waiting more than a year for a BlueBus (well, no one had paid prior to late November of 2019, so I don't feel as awful)!

If you're one of these folks, you will have gotten an email from me with the tracking information.

Anyways, here's some images.