Blue Bus install is kicking my butt

[homebrw]

If anyone can help me, I'd sure appreciate it. Install instructions and videos seem non existent for a Z4MR...lots of coupes.

After messing about for 2 hours getting the carpet kind of pushed out of the way (never could figure out how to release the top). Ive removed the amp and the amp bracket. I found the smaller 3 pin cable, but not the second one. I'm attaching a picture and I think this is it, and if so, I am probably screwed. It feels stuck and cannot get to the right side of the plastic blocker that is in the way. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

[wyshyvanuk]

Mine is still sitting on the workbench....got sidetracked by other projects. DO NOT GIVE UP!! I need YOU to be successful to pave the way for MY installation ;~). I'll try to forward this post to the BlueBus Ted. Hopefully he can comment.

[homebrw]

Ted emailed me and verified that was indeed the wire to the plug I needed.

I finally got it unstuck (just tried for another 20 mins). I used a small machinist's rule to help slide it further right. Finally, magically it came out.

Can't put it back together yet as my shoulders are fried. Bengay and rest. I'll tackle the back-together tomorrow.

Maybe one of the hardest things I have ever tackled on a car! (I've installed a supercharger).

Ted also verified the Z4 is the hardest platform for installing due to the yoga.

I'll report back tomorrow.

Thanks,
Chris

[wyshyvanuk]

Nice work, Chris. Any additional info, and pictures, showing how you gained access to that area would be great!!
Ted

[Aloyouis2]

Originally Posted by homebrw

Ted emailed me and verified that was indeed the wire to the plug I needed.

I finally got it unstuck (just tried for another 20 mins). I used a small machinist's rule to help slide it further right. Finally, magically it came out.

Can't put it back together yet as my shoulders are fried. Bengay and rest. I'll tackle the back-together tomorrow.

Maybe one of the hardest things I have ever tackled on a car! (I've installed a supercharger).

Ted also verified the Z4 is the hardest platform for installing due to the yoga.

I'll report back tomorrow.

Thanks,
Chris

Ted is excellent. If I was able to get bluebus installed in my Z4 Roadster anyone can!

[homebrw]

Ted is excellent!

That said, this is one of the more PIA jobs I have ever done, and I've done full exhaust swaps several times on Jack stands. All in , I think it took me more than 6 hours. A headers back exhaust swap I can do in less time. I imagine I've set a new record for the longest Bluebus install ever.

Probably a good 2 hours fighting the bulkhead carpet. If I had known that I was never going to get it completely removed, and just had to push it up and sorta, kinda out of the way, I could have saved some time.

The white with stripes cable I needed as one of the 3 Bb plugs was seriously stuck. More than 2 hours trying to free it. I finally got it by sliding a machinist's rule. Most people should not have to deal with that. Suspect the Spartanburg plant had a hand in that.

Finally, it took me another 1.5 hours to get the parcel tray in correctly with the micro switch properly engaged. The switch had to come out and put the metal actuator on too.

I'll bet if I did it a second time (never, ever again!), I could get it done in 3 hours.

Was it worth it? Totally.

Thanks,
Chris

[homebrw]

Here are some pics at the end

[XMetal]

Glad you got it figured out I know the feelings as I just spent the morning stripping out the trunk of my coupe in preparation for some dampers refresh and used the opportunity to tidy things up a bit on my previous GROM BT module install. Consider this a learning exercise for a future dampers refresh if you haven't already done so yet I don't what's worse, a coupe or roadster trunk liner removal

[HBeric]

Hopefully this thread is fresh enough for me to get some help. I will first give this thread a try, and if not, create a new one specific to my Bluebus install. Anyway, the Bluebus install in my Z4MR is kicking my butt too! And I thought my recent replacement of the left headlight washer through the wheel well liner (rather than bumper off) sucked - it did!

I took out the bottom trunk insert, removed the battery cover, removed the battery, detached the left side of the carpet on the trunk's back wall (the right side looked move involved, so I left it attached), and pulled the carpet up as much as I could (which wasn't much). With the carpet only about half way up, visibility was very limited, but I managed to find the rectangular hole near the amplifier where the two wires are. After some struggling, I was able to get the 3-pin wire out, but the second wire is still stuck in there - seems to be stuck under the bottom of the plastic center console storage compartment. I worked on that wire for quite a while with no luck, as I didn't want to pull too hard and break something.

I then moved over to the Telematics unit, but had no luck in removing it from the back trunk wall. I just did not have enough visibility, as the carpet was always in the way, and I did not want it to tear.

After a couple hours of this unsuccessful endeavor, I white flagged it, and put everything back together. And on this note, the battery cover is a royal PITA! The rightmost nut is very difficult to get started because one of the positive cables prevents the cover from going down far enough on the bolt of the bracket underneath. Eventually, I moved/bent the cable a bit, and then discovered that as you tighten the other two nuts, but bracket bows upward, and then it is possible to get the rightmost nut started. Not the most user-friendly design here.

At the end of all of this, I was pretty close to listing the Bluebus in the Zpost classifieds. But I really want it installed in the car, so I will probably give it another go. On that note...

Is there anyone in Southern California how has successfully installed a Bluebus in a Roadster who is willing to help me? Or does anyone know of a shop in the area that has installed one of these? At this point, I don't mind paying a professional for the install.

Also, does anyone know the part number of the two carpet retainers that are found in the back left corner of the trunk? I am referring to the two-piece retainers, one male, one female, that thread together. I managed to break both of them while muscling/removing them - should have watched a video first to discover you simply unthread them.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you all can provide.

[XMetal]

Have you seen videos like this =>

Not sure how much it applies to the ///M as the battery is below the right parcel shelf.

If and when you're able to get the rear carpet off, a word of caution on the telematic connector - make sure you watch videos on how it comes off. I broke the retaining clip on my first try and I have to find a replacement from ebay. If you're in Huntington Beach as your info suggest, then I'm fairly close by and can help with the BlueBus hookup if needed. However, I have no experience with the roadster's trunk.

[wyshyvanuk]

1. It's been a while, but I believe the two parts you are referring to are 51478189959 and 51478189958. One is the "backing/spacer" and one is the push button. Total fun to apply. I believe I ended up using some adhesive on the backing/spacer piece to hold it in place while the push button was inserted.
2. I used a tall piece of plywood to prop up the carpet section on the back wall. Getting that carpet section to stay out of the way was VERY helpful in massaging the rest of the items into submission.
3. There's a diagram under "Communications Systems" in RealOEM that shows the bolt locations for the Telematic bracket. Very helpful both on removal and re-attachment.
4. I eventually treated each of the steps of this installation as a separate project. Approaching it as a whole was overwhelming ;~).
5. On a positive note, the results of a successful installation are very rewarding!!

[HBeric]

XMetal

Thanks for sharing the video - should be useful when taking a second stab at the install.

Yes, I am in Huntington Beach, and thank you for the offer of assistance. If I am unsuccessful in my second attempt, I'll reach out.

On another note, do you know of any BMW-related events coming up in our area?

[HBeric]

wyshyvanuk

Thank you for the tips.

Regarding #1, yes, those are the part numbers. Turns out I only need the push button, as the backing spacer is undamaged. I will order a couple of those and some replacement battery compartment rivets (mine did not break, but are slightly stripped in the screwdriver slot area) to install once I am finished with everything. The carpet stays nicely in place without the push buttons/backing spacers attached, but I tend to be picky about everything being as it should in my cars.

#2 Good tip - will use a 2X4 during my next attempt.

#3-5 Good advice here has well

My understanding is the telematics unit is totally bypassed after the Bluebus is installed, so my plan is to remove it. Does anyone know if this is okay to do? If so, should I remove the bracket that held it in place as well, or should I reinstall it empty without the telematics unit inside?

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by HBeric

XMetal

Thanks for sharing the video - should be useful when taking a second stab at the install.

Yes, I am in Huntington Beach, and thank you for the offer of assistance. If I am unsuccessful in my second attempt, I'll reach out.

On another note, do you know of any BMW-related events coming up in our area?

You can join ZSCCA (www.zscca.org) and look for upcoming events from the local SoCal chapter. You can also find them on Facebook. There was Bimmer Invasion of Los Angeles just this past week. Right now, I don't see any upcoming local events...at least I haven't paid much attention. I usually just like going on drives with the SoCal chapter, but they hadn't had one in a while - it's mostly car/air museum visits, or car shows which I'm not that interested in.

[wyshyvanuk]

I re-installed the Telematics bracket. It provides some "backing" support for the carpeting against that wall.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by wyshyvanuk

I re-installed the Telematics bracket. It provides some "backing" support for the carpeting against that wall.

This. I too had initially wanted to remove the whole thing, but decided to just leave the unit and bracket in place to provide support. Also I didn't want to find room to store it in my garage that I won't eventually lose it

[ried]

Originally Posted by HBeric

Is there anyone in Southern California how has successfully installed a Bluebus in a Roadster who is willing to help me?

Not a Roadster, but I installed mine in my Coupe. If you ever get down to Carlsbad, I'd be happy to help.

[homebrw]

Did you get it @HBeric? It's a real beat down, but totally worth it. My BBus functions like OEM. If you are having trouble with the second wire, try using a small ruler like I did to slide it free.

[HBeric]

homebrw Not yet, but I plan to give it one more try using your ruler method.

[Polarbert]

I was strongly considering a bluebus but the lengthy production time made me wait a while. I ended up purchasing an ipod adapter for a jaguar that interfaces with the bmw system. It obviously doesn't have the advanced features of the bluebus but I've been very happy with it. For anyone else interested its called a coolstream carpro bluetooth adapter. I think trying to install this would have made me pull my hair out lol.

[Knightgj]

I'm just here to say don't be intimidated to the folks considering it. My experience was probably a couple hours... moving fairly slow. I was able to do it without removing the parcel shelf thing or much of the carpet (roadster), you just get the carpet pulled down on that back wall and kinda propped out of the way so you can find the wires. I used some double sided foam tape to "mount" the box on the frame.

The result? It makes the car feel 8 years newer tech-wise. The kicker for me was being able to code the blinker with it - I hated that it didn't do the triple blink when I first got it. There's several "comfort" settings that are really nice to have access to. And the BT quality is great, seamless controls... really well made product.

[HBeric]

I am going to give the Bluebus install another try tomorrow morning with the help of a second set of hands.

A couple questions:

1. My car has a Telematics unit installed in the usual place under the trunk carpet on the steel bulkhead. With my Bluebus, I bought the 54-pin connector that on one end, connects to the harness currently attached to the Telematics unit, and on the other, to the Bluebus. Is this cable necessary to connect my phone to the Bluebus via Bluetooth and be able to pair through the stereo head unit, answer calls with the steering wheel buttons, etc.? Or does the cable serve some other purpose? Or is it not necessary? The reason I ask is I have seen a couple of installs where it looked like this cable was not used (only the two smaller cables you have to fish out of the square mystery/misery hole are used).

2. The Telematics unit has a 54-pint cable attached to it on the left side (facing the front of the car), and two smaller cables attached on the right side. Are the two smaller cables no longer used? Just bundle them away for possibly reconnecting to the Telematics unit at a later time?

3. With the Bluebus fully installed for telephone use, my understanding is the Telematics unit is no longer used by the car for any purpose. Should I just remove it and its mounting bracket from the car? Will removing Telematics from the car trigger any OBDII error messages?

4. Have any of you left a micro USB cable attached to the Bluebus that is accessible from the trunk area for updating firmware without having to remove the car battery, carpet, etc.?

5. When did the latest firmware come out? I received my Bluebus in about September 2024, and at the time, Ted Salmon said it had the latest firmware installed on it.

Thanks again for all of the help!