Telephone Systems

The E38, E39 and E53 have the capability for telephone integration due to the layout of the bus network.

With the exception of the E38 750iL, the phone is a dealer installed option. The E38 750iL is a factory (port) installed phone system.

Depending upon the model year and specific vehicle, there have been numerous phone system configurations used.

Upon introduction, the E38 was equipped with CMT 3000VR. The CMT 3000VR was specifically designed for the E38 7 series. As with the other subsequent phone systems, the CMT3000VR phone system is integrated into the vehicle. This integration is possible byway of the I-Bus allowing shared functions of the MID, MFL and instrument cluster.

Many of the CMT 3000VR features will carry over into later BMW mobile phones such as:

I/K-Bus Interface - The telephone is linked to the IKE/Kombi for display of telephone numbers in the Matrix display. The MID also allows telephone number display and system control. The MFL provides for control at the steering wheel and the Radio/ Amplifier provides for automatic muting and audio system speaker use when in hands free operation.
Road Speed Sensitive Volume - When in hands-free operation the volume of the telephone will increase slightly with an increase in road speed. The Eject box/PSE receives Speed signal "A" from the IKE for monitoring vehicle speed.

Fig 1: Identifying Telephone Systems

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Beginning with the CMT 3000VR in 1995, there have numerous cellular phone systems used with various configurations.

The phone designations indicate some of the features available. For instance, the CMT 5000 VR telephone designation indicates the following; the CMT indicates Cellular Mobile Telephone and the VR designation indicates Voice Recognition. The CMT phones are integrated into the vehicle, but are not portable. In other words, the handset cannot be removed from the vehicle.

On the other hand, phones with the CPT designation are portable. The handset can be removed from the vehicle and used as an independent cell phone. Once plugged into the vehicle, the phone is then fully integrated into the vehicle.

Some of the phone systems used include:

CMT3000 VR - The CMT 3000 VR is a non-portable analog cellular phone system used from approximately 95 model year until late 97. This is a Phase IV phone system in which the I-Bus is directly connected to the eject box. The handset is integrated into the center armrest and is not removable from the vehicle.
CMT 5000 VR - The CMT is a non-portable analog cellular phone system used in 1998 model year vehicles. The CMT 5000VR is a Phase V phone in which the I-Bus is not directly connected to the eject box. The handset is integrated into the center armrest and is not removable from the vehicle.
CPT 6000 VR - The CPT 6000 VR is the first portable integrated phone in the BMW model line. This system uses an analog Motorola handset.
CPT 7000 - The CPT 7000 phone system uses the digital Motorola StarTAC(tm) handset. This system is also capable of utilizing voice recognition technology. The Voice Recognition System (SES) is a separate module and not part of the handset. The system uses a Portable Support Electronics unit (PSE) to allow the handset to interface with the vehicle. The CPT 7000 phone system is used on 2000 model year vehicle.
CPT 8000 - The CPT 8000 phone system utilizes the Motorola Timeport(tm) portable phone. This system is designed for use in 2001 model year vehicles. This is a digital Telematics system which utilizes a TCU rather than the previous PSE box. This phone system also incorporates SES functions.