Trying to install a Bluebus

[bob'smerlot]

Guys, I'm pulling my hair out trying to find 2 wires in my '04 Z4. According to Ted, the cars' prewired for the CD changer, which apparently are the 2 wires I'm looking for. I've pulled the back covering out & up and found a bundle of wires going into a rectangular opening. From there, they disappear. No flimsy little piece of plastic to push out of the way, just a hard piece of something blocking any access to what's hidden back there. Beginning to think the only way to get in there is from behind the passenger seat. What am I missing here guys?

[XMetal]

Keep looking in and around that center opening. I found them on mine tucked up (and taped to the body of the car behind the AMP) toward the right (passenger) side of that rectangular opening. Take a look at this post and see if it will help provide a visual aid => https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthr...highlight=GROM

[bob'smerlot]

Looks like my amp is located next to the battery, located towards the R. rear of the car in the floorboard. Think the wires might originate there?

[Steeler]

Go to 5:36 on the vid titled "clearing the air" below.
Its a non M. Seems it should be PnP

https://www.bluebus.dev/install

[3002 tii]

I have 2 tools that have helped tremendously in my years of owning German cars. The annoyance of losing a clip or nut in middle earth, or searching for a non existent wire… no more!


1. https://www.amazon.com/MAG-MATE-900W...G2/ref=sr_1_4?

2. https://www.amazon.com/NIDAGE-Automo...ps%2C93&sr=8-5


Number 2 may save you a ton of further frustration and cut up hands

[bob'smerlot]

Originally Posted by Steeler

Go to 5:36 on the vid titled "clearing the air" below.
Its a non M. Seems it should be PnP

https://www.bluebus.dev/install

That's one of those frustration videos. Yes, it is the same as mine, and yes he does have to pull out the back 'paneling', but then it doesn't show where he found the darn wires. Magically, poof, it's installed.

[bob'smerlot]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

I have 2 tools that have helped tremendously in my years of owning German cars. The annoyance of losing a clip or nut in middle earth, or searching for a non existent wire… no more!


1. https://www.amazon.com/MAG-MATE-900W...G2/ref=sr_1_4?

2. https://www.amazon.com/NIDAGE-Automo...ps%2C93&sr=8-5


Number 2 may save you a ton of further frustration and cut up hands

Just ordered both. Thanks!

[3002 tii]

Btw if you’re referring to 3 pin and 6 pin wires, maybe you don’t have the 6 pin? See this post here which summarizes which cars came pre-wired

https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=384056

[spambojambo]

Let me know if this is still a struggle - I'm 80% of the way through simultaneously wiring in a Bluebus and a Navtool (reverse/front camera) and I have my trunk still taken apart. I'm just waiting on the Bluebus to arrive tomorrow

I could snap a pic or quick video showing which wires are needed and where they were/are on my 08 M Coupe.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by spambojambo

Let me know if this is still a struggle - I'm 80% of the way through simultaneously wiring in a Bluebus and a Navtool (reverse/front camera) and I have my trunk still taken apart. I'm just waiting on the Bluebus to arrive tomorrow

I could snap a pic or quick video showing which wires are needed and where they were/are on my 08 M Coupe.

Please take pics or post DIY on the reverse camera install. Curious how others route the wiring.

[bob'smerlot]

Originally Posted by spambojambo

Let me know if this is still a struggle - I'm 80% of the way through simultaneously wiring in a Bluebus and a Navtool (reverse/front camera) and I have my trunk still taken apart. I'm just waiting on the Bluebus to arrive tomorrow

I could snap a pic or quick video showing which wires are needed and where they were/are on my 08 M Coupe.

Yes sir. Still playing with it. But the weather's not been the warmest here in Ohio. But we haven't given up yet!

[MajorMason]

I'm having the same issues installing a Bluebus in my 2005 Z4 with the mid-level business CD. I have the rear taken apart but I can't seem to find the 2 connectors I need for the Bluebus. Anyone have photos of where to look?

[spambojambo]

Here is a quick video I made that shows the cables and points to where I found them:

[XMetal]

Does the Bluebus replace the BMW telematic unit?

[spambojambo]

Yup, it takes the Telematic unit's harness.
Come to think of it, I'm unsure if the BMW SOS button still works through Bluebus. I don't intend on using it, so I haven't checked.

[spambojambo]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Please take pics or post DIY on the reverse camera install. Curious how others route the wiring.

I used a License Plate Light Backup Camera and was able to fish the wires behind the bumper, over to a grommet under the left tail-light assembly. I *think* the grommet is a blank on the Z4M because there are no parking sensors.

This is the camera I bought, though it seems you can get the plate-light assembly from aliexpress and mount your own camera: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-bremmen-.../002480brpc03/

Here's a video of the routing into the trunk (I wired it into Navtool, but no demo yet because the Navtool harness they sent me is bad):

[bob'smerlot]

Originally Posted by MajorMason

I'm having the same issues installing a Bluebus in my 2005 Z4 with the mid-level business CD. I have the rear taken apart but I can't seem to find the 2 connectors I need for the Bluebus. Anyone have photos of where to look?

Once I can get my son back over here to help out the old man, we'll go lookin' again. If we find it, we'll shoot some pictures. But that latest vidoe helped somewhat. Now to find someone who's done it with the '04-'05's.

[bwright657]

Originally Posted by spambojambo

Yup, it takes the Telematic unit's harness.
Come to think of it, I'm unsure if the BMW SOS button still works through Bluebus. I don't intend on using it, so I haven't checked.

The cellular networks that the Z4s used have been out of commision for a few years, so the SOS button is now useless. You can replace the switch panels with a small storage cubby, part number is 51467073533.

For the BlueBus wiring, it uses the pre-wiring for the 6 disc CD changer that went into the console behind the seats. Mine was taped to the bulkhead underneath the amp. If you happen to have a 6 disc changer in your car, you'll
need to disconnect it. All US cars should have had pre-wiring for the CD changer. Canadian cars might not be pre-wired.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by spambojambo

Yup, it takes the Telematic unit's harness.
Come to think of it, I'm unsure if the BMW SOS button still works through Bluebus. I don't intend on using it, so I haven't checked.

I've seen video of the Bluebus on the E39/E46, but it would be great if you can do a short video of how the Bluebus works specifically on the Z4? I'm interested to see how it integrates the phone directory - is it similar to the OE? Thanks.

[MajorMason]

Originally Posted by bob'smerlot

Once I can get my son back over here to help out the old man, we'll go lookin' again. If we find it, we'll shoot some pictures. But that latest vidoe helped somewhat. Now to find someone who's done it with the '04-'05's.

Any update on your install Bob?

[bob'smerlot]

Nope, just waiting on my son. As soon as we get somewhere I'll definitely post something........

[bob'smerlot]

So, the son & I (mostly son) again went fishing for these elusive 2 prewired CD changer wires.....to no avail. Used the bore scope, nope. Took out the r. speaker, no help. Cussed at it, still didn't help. So we give. Short of taking a sawzz-all to the back of the trunk we can't find these 2 wires. And Ted swears they're there. Not knowing what colors the wires are, coupled with apparently being buried somewhere, we give. Will be putting this Bluebus up for sale. Shame, really wanted to have this thing installed.......