1997 740Li Car Phone - BMW Forum

wcalice · 12-04-2008, 04:49 PM

Greetings!

I recently purchased a 1997 740 that has a "Cellular" phone built in. Is there any retrofit/converter technology available to make the phone usable?

Thanks

witeshark · 12-04-2008, 05:34 PM

It may need a custom refit. The cell networks now are the later version of CDMA (code division multi access) or GSM (global system for mobile, at&t only in the US so far).

AlpineSixAndSeven · 12-05-2008, 01:32 AM

you can swap it out for a bluetooth unit like I'm doing!
BMW 7 Series 1995-2001 E38 BMW Bluetooth Kit for 7 Series 1995-01 E38 USA (all N. America)

marti5 · 12-05-2008, 05:40 AM

Why doesnt the phone work, the BMW phone is GSM.

AlpineSixAndSeven · 12-05-2008, 08:21 PM

^ arn't the old phones analog and the new ones digital?

marti5 · 12-06-2008, 03:26 AM

^ Mines a stock BM phone 1997 and is gsm with a sim card in.

Sketch · 01-15-2009, 01:28 AM

Way back when my mom had a 2001 740iL there was a cord but no phone for the handset. This was is 2003 (I think) and they said there was no way to retrofit the system to allow for a newer cell phone. The really bad part was that it cost around $400 to get it removed!

brettski · 08-07-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpineSixAndSeven

you can swap it out for a bluetooth unit like I'm doing!
BMW 7 Series 1995-2001 E38 BMW Bluetooth Kit for 7 Series 1995-01 E38 USA (all N. America)

Have you installed one of the BMW Bluetooth kits?
Was the installation process difficult?
How good are they and are they worth the money?

M3Sedan22 · 11-14-2009, 01:22 PM

I have an E36 sedan with a factory cellular phone, what have people done with theirs as it is useless?