Get an FM modulator. You plug it into your headphone jack on your phone and set your radio to an unused station, and dial the same station in on the modulator. BOOM, your iPhone is playing Pandora, or your own playlist, over your stereo system. The FM modulator is one of those things where you want to avoid going cheap because depending upon the FM station you select, drifting will prove to be annoying. You want a modulator that has a very strong signal so your car detects it as the strongest station around, and remains locked on to it. I had a modulator that my XM radio played through and it was fabulous. I bought a modulator for another car that my phone played through, and it was an epic fail.

 

Thank you. Can you recommend one that worked well?

 

Honestly not sure how good FM modulators are now, but all the ones i have heard in the past sound bad.

On the most cost effective, I would go with the Factory AUX kit, but verify that it is compatible with your oem radio. then use bluetooth kit for amazon. This is what i currently have.

Auxiliary Input Retrofit Kit

This wiring kit allows you to play your iPod or other MP3 players through your BMW sound system. For vehicles without navigation.

www.ecstuning.com

On the high end and better implementation i would go with blue bus

BlueBus

A fully integrated Bluetooth module for your vintage BMW

www.bluebus.dev

Fully Integrated Bluetooth Solution

Hey guys! I'd like to share a project I have been working on for almost a year -- it's a Bluetooth adapter for our cars that integrates as if it were factory equipment, much like the "Intravee". The adapter, known as the BlueBus, also integrates with other vehicles from the E46 era which were...

www.e46fanatics.com

 

When I bought my car a couple years ago, there was a direct link via Bluetooth called HB01. There is an old school 1/4” plug that this HB thing is plugged into, which includes a usb plug for power in the cig lighter. The thing blinks blue, I click it, and I have Bluetooth audio through the AUX on the radio.

I wish in knew more about it, but it works and I don’t eff with it. Maybe google HB01 and see what comes up.

 

Bluebus

bluebus.dev

 

^^ THIS ^^
You might not like to wait till February, but that device is simply worth every penny you pay.
Read the link @ElrichMeister posted, there is interested story of its development.

 

Im not sure if this will be helpful because it has been discontinued but I bout this years ago.

iSimple ISBM72 iPod Integration Kit for Select BMW Vehicles

iSimple ISBM72 • iPod Integration Kit for Select BMW Vehicles without "DSP" Button • iSimple iPod Integration Kit For Select BMW Vehicles • Retains Digital Sound Quality • Controls iPod Just Like A CD Changer • Using Factory Radio Buttons • Comes Equipped With BMW Vehicles Harness

www.sonicelectronix.com

Its the Isimple ISBM72 it plugged into where my CD changer was and I ran the under the carpet and out through the where the CIG lighter is. I then connected an old school apple converter to lightning. It's been working great for years. I mount my phone to a heat vent for GPS. Im sure you can find a modern one somewhere.

 

If you have the money, do the Bluebus. It is clean and factory and works fantastically.

A cheaper route is to get this:

Car Bluetooth 4.0 AUX Cable Adapter for BMW E39 E46 E53 Business CD Head Unit for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Car Bluetooth 4.0 AUX Cable Adapter for BMW E39 E46 E53 Business CD Head Unit at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

or AUX Audio Cable Adapter Bluetooth For BMW E46 E39 X5 X3 Z4 R50 R53 CD Radio Navi | eBay

The first one I installed in my wagon and it works like a charm. Pairs when you start the car, and you can play music/podcasts through the business radio without any issues. The second one has the adaptors so you don't need to tap the power and ground - your call. This is way better than the aux adapter, which is really outmoded at this point with the changed Apple has made, and who really wants to connect a cable anyway!

The advantage of the BlueBus is the mobile phone, but for $75 you can buy a used factory TCU with a mic and antenna and do that as well as the radio dongle.

I have done 4 different approaches, and I would not do AUX phono input again.

 

Get the second EBay one for $20 - it requires no cutting and about 20 mins to install. Then swap in bluebus when it arrives

 

I got a GROM bluetooth adapter and I love it. It plugs into the back of your radio in place of your CD changer, and there is an aux cable included as well as a USB port. It displays what song is playing on the radio display and everything. Only drawbacks are the usb port is for charging only, and you can only pair 2 phones to the bluetooth, if you want a different phone to be paired you have to reset the grom module and re pair the phones

 

This product works like a champ. Running it in my 03 touring with business cd. connects via bluetooth automatically when i get in the car. i also have a similar system in my 911 and it works like a champ as well.

Bluetooth Music Handsfree MP3 CD Changer Adapter BMW E36 E46 Z3 Business Radio | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Bluetooth Music Handsfree MP3 CD Changer Adapter BMW E36 E46 Z3 Business Radio at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

Thank you everyone. I have some good choices now to look at!

 

Do not use a FM module, those things are AWFUL quality in terms of sound.
Depending on year you can go with the factory aux jack adapter, easy retrofit.

My car already had a bluetooth module installed, Denison gateway lite, this one just plugs into the back of the radio similar to the aux retrofit, but sacrifices the CD changer if you have one, it basically mimics the function of the CD changer, as far as the car knows. Has bluetooth connectivity which I use all the time, an aux cable, and can take flash drives and I believe SD cards... Not sure if they still make this anymore but there are lots of options out there. Devices like bluebus and these bluetooth modules all piggyback off the CD changer connections

 

Bluetooth Audio Interface for BMW E46 E39 E38 X5 E53 X3 E83 Z4 E85 CD changer connection 3 + 6 Bluetooth Audio Interface for BMW E46 E39 E38 X5 E53 X3: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

I used this device when my cd changer stopped working. Removed the CD changer in the boot for this.Best gadget I have bought. Also been informed that if you don’t have a cd changer in the boot the cabling will still be there. Really good and simple product.

 

This one works great, because it's bluetooth and very small. Only~ $20. No complaints.

https://www.amazon.com/SmartCharge-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Receiver-Cancellation/dp/B0813L778N/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=2UOCALWRGPJLI&dchild=1&keywords=anker+roav+smartcharge+f0+bluetooth+fm+transmitter&qid=1603904414&sprefix=anker+roav%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyQzI5WFNVM1UyNDBRJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODEzMjgwRURQVVo5S0UxUUY5JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0Mzc1MzYxTjVaWUVTWTE4RFkxJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==