2013 X3 Bluetooth Issues

Braumin · 05-11-2016, 11:33 AM

On our 2013 X3 we have a lot of issues connecting Bluetooth audio devices for music playback. It can take a lot of connecting and reconnecting in order to get devices to work, and then if you stop the vehicle for a bit, sometimes you have to start all over again.

I've seen several other mentions of this but is this just an issue with the combox that will be fixed under warranty? I've tried to do the Bluetooth update from the BMW website - there was an update but it hasn't made a difference.

Feedback is always appreciated!

Pinewood · 05-11-2016, 12:17 PM

Depends a lot on the phone being paired,just as much as the cars comms.
We have tried Iphone 4s, 5s, Samsung Note 4 and Sony Experia aqua 4 and they all paired well.

My note 4 can sometimes not pair, but i find if i leave it for 5 minutes after the car has been started then it works every time. This is probably just giving the various systems time to boot up and be ready for external connections

Braumin · 05-11-2016, 11:27 PM

Hmm well we've used several devices. One of the workarounds is to connect back and forth from one phone to another, and eventually the Bluetooth audio will start working. It's frustrating because I have Bluetooth in my car (pre-combox - I use a Blackberry Music Gateway) and my phone connects instantly every time. Having the built-in I thought would be a blessing but it's been pretty frustrating.

najnad · 05-14-2016, 09:34 AM

Try updating the bluetooth software on your X3:

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/con...re_update.html

Braumin · 05-16-2016, 09:22 AM

Tried that. It's still under warranty I'm just wondering how willing they will be to swap the Combox.

02420X3 · 05-16-2016, 03:09 PM

They'll apply the latest updates to the combox before even considering replacing it. The updates may help.

Braumin · 05-16-2016, 04:00 PM

Do you mean updates they apply at the dealer or updates I download from the web?

02420X3 · 05-16-2016, 06:30 PM

Dealer updates. Very different than user-installable updates.

Braumin · 05-17-2016, 08:22 AM

ok great I'll have them look at it next time I get it in. Thanks for the info!

05-11-2016, 11:33 AM	#1
Braumin First Lieutenant 40 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Regina, SK, CAN iTrader: (0)	2013 X3 Bluetooth Issues On our 2013 X3 we have a lot of issues connecting Bluetooth audio devices for music playback. It can take a lot of connecting and reconnecting in order to get devices to work, and then if you stop the vehicle for a bit, sometimes you have to start all over again. I've seen several other mentions of this but is this just an issue with the combox that will be fixed under warranty? I've tried to do the Bluetooth update from the BMW website - there was an update but it hasn't made a difference. Feedback is always appreciated!
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05-11-2016, 12:17 PM	#2
Pinewood First Lieutenant 45 Rep 363 Posts Drives: BMW X3 30d M sport LCI Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Buckinghamshire iTrader: (0)	Depends a lot on the phone being paired,just as much as the cars comms. We have tried Iphone 4s, 5s, Samsung Note 4 and Sony Experia aqua 4 and they all paired well. My note 4 can sometimes not pair, but i find if i leave it for 5 minutes after the car has been started then it works every time. This is probably just giving the various systems time to boot up and be ready for external connections
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05-11-2016, 11:27 PM	#3
Braumin First Lieutenant 40 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Regina, SK, CAN iTrader: (0)	Hmm well we've used several devices. One of the workarounds is to connect back and forth from one phone to another, and eventually the Bluetooth audio will start working. It's frustrating because I have Bluetooth in my car (pre-combox - I use a Blackberry Music Gateway) and my phone connects instantly every time. Having the built-in I thought would be a blessing but it's been pretty frustrating.
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05-14-2016, 09:34 AM	#4
najnad General of the Space Forces 171 Rep 721 Posts Drives: 11 X3 35i M-sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Elkridge, MD iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X3 x40i [0.00] 2011 BMW X3 35i M-s ... [0.00] 2017 BMW 330 GT (Wi ... [0.00]	Try updating the bluetooth software on your X3: http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/con...re_update.html
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05-16-2016, 09:22 AM	#5
Braumin First Lieutenant 40 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Regina, SK, CAN iTrader: (0)	Tried that. It's still under warranty I'm just wondering how willing they will be to swap the Combox.
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05-16-2016, 03:09 PM	#6
02420X3 Captain 63 Rep 983 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	They'll apply the latest updates to the combox before even considering replacing it. The updates may help.
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05-16-2016, 04:00 PM	#7
Braumin First Lieutenant 40 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Regina, SK, CAN iTrader: (0)	Do you mean updates they apply at the dealer or updates I download from the web?
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05-16-2016, 06:30 PM	#8
02420X3 Captain 63 Rep 983 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Dealer updates. Very different than user-installable updates.
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05-17-2016, 08:22 AM	#9
Braumin First Lieutenant 40 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2013 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Regina, SK, CAN iTrader: (0)	ok great I'll have them look at it next time I get it in. Thanks for the info!
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