How to Connect Bluetooth on an Older BMW 730li?
2 Answers
First, enable the Bluetooth function on both your mobile phone and the car's Bluetooth device, and set the phone's Bluetooth to 'Visible to All' or enable detection. Search for Bluetooth devices on your phone, select and pair with the car's Bluetooth. If prompted for a password, enter the pairing code. Once the car's Bluetooth and your phone's Bluetooth are successfully paired, you can play music through the car's Bluetooth system.
Connecting Bluetooth to an older BMW 730Li requires some technique. As a car enthusiast who often helps friends with these issues, I find the Bluetooth setup on this model quite unique. First, get in the car and start the engine, then wait a few minutes for the system to fully load. Next, press the iDrive button to access the main menu, rotate the knob to the Communications or Settings option, and locate the Bluetooth connection function. Select it to enter pairing mode. At this point, the car screen will display a search for devices. On your phone, open Bluetooth settings and look for a name similar to "BMW" in the available devices, then tap to connect. Sometimes, a pairing code will be prompted—the default is usually 0000 or 1234, just enter it. If it fails, it might be a phone compatibility issue. Older BMWs support Bluetooth 2.0 or 3.0, so iPhones or newer Android devices may need manual version adjustment. I recommend enabling "Allow all devices to search" in your phone’s Bluetooth settings beforehand to avoid repeated attempts. Once connected, don’t forget to test the volume and call functions to ensure everything works properly. Also, remember to operate while parked—safety first, avoid distractions while driving.
