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TRI 84 10 18 2018-10-
COMBOX INFORMATION OVERVIEW 01

E82 (1 Series E88 (1 Series

E89 (Z4) E84 (X1)
Coupe) Convertible)
E90 (3 Series E91 (3 Series E92 (3 Series E93 (3 Series
Sedan) Sports Wagon) Coupe) Convertible)
F30 (3 Series
F25 (X3) E70 (X5) E71 (X6)
Sedan)
F10 (5 Series F07 (5 Series F10 (5 Series
E72 (X6 Hybrid)
Sedan) Gran Turismo) Hybrid)
F12 (6 Series F13 (6 Series F06 (6 Series F01 (7 Series
Convertible) Coupe) Gran Coupe) Sedan)
F02 (7 Series F04 (Hybrid 7
Sedan) Series)

Only affects vehicles equipped with a COMBOX Telematics unit

SITUATION
This service information is being published to clear up some of the
confusion because of the multiple hardware configurations that are
possible in the vehicle (2G vs 4G).

Vehicle is being checked over for one of the following issues:

Bluetooth system inoperative

SOS / eCall is inoperative

Diagnosis has been performed and resulted in the Telematics

control unit requiring a replacement to resolve the customer
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concern.

However, the vehicle falls into one of the following situations

below:

Vehicle is equipped with the original 2G COMBOX which has

been deactivated (no active Assist Service subscription) and
only Bluetooth functionality

Or

Vehicle has been upgraded to the Next Generation COMBOX

4G unit (may or may not have an active Assist Service
subscription) in addition with Bluetooth functionality.

INFORMATION
2G COMBOX Hardware

1. Only supports Bluetooth functionality

2. Cannot be installed in vehicles upgraded to use COMBOX Next
Generation 4G (+UC4G seen in VO)
3. No longer supports BMW Assist services
4. • 2G COMBOX cannot be activated with BMW Assist service
5. • Supporting 2G Network deactivated as of December 31,
2016.

COMBOX Next Generation Hardware (4G)

1. COMBOX Next Generation 4G supports:

2. • BMW Assist services – Subscription required for functionality

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3. • Bluetooth Functionality
4. Programming will abort / fail when installed in a vehicle not
upgraded to use COMBOX Next Generation 4G (does not have
VO code +UC4G)

HOW TO IDENTIFY COMBOX UNIT INSTALLED – 2G

VS 4G
The easiest and most efficient way is to check the following
information on the label of the unit currently installed in the vehicle:

Part number – refer to the parts information below

“COMBOX Gen2” printed on the label (4G unit)

The picture above is for reference only using a COMBOX Next

Generation 4G unit.

PARTS INFORMATION
Performing a part number look-up in ETK by VIN or model will
provide 2G COMBOX results.

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2G COMBOX
Hardware
Part Number Description Quantity
COMBOX Telematics (F Series
84 10 9 257 153 1
w/ Nav)
COMBOX for Telematics (F
84 10 9 257 154 1
Series w/o Nav)
COMBOX Telematics (E Series
84 10 9 257 163 1
w/ Nav)
COMBOX for Telematics (E
84 10 9 257 164 1
Series w/o Nav)

4G COMBOX
Hardware
Part Number Description Quantity
COMBOX Telematics (E Series
84 10 2 447 925 1
w/o Nav)
COMBOX for Telematics (E
84 10 2 447 926 1
Series w/ Nav)
COMBOX Telematics (F Series
84 10 2 447 927 1
w/o Nav)
COMBOX for Telematics (F
84 10 2 447 928 1
Series w/ Nav)

COMBOX REPLACEMENT
After identifying the current version of COMBOX installed in the
vehicle, as outlined above, proceed as follows:
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2G COMBOX Hardware

1. Order the replacement unit

2. Do not attempt to activate replacement unit with BMW Assist
3. Install COMBOX and program the vehicle
4. Test Bluetooth functionality only

COMBOX Next Generation (4G) Hardware

1. Check the status of the BMW Assist Service subscription. This

information can be found as follows:
2. • ConnectedDrive Service Cockpit tool – Check expiration date
for Assist Service subscription
3. • ESA – Check expiration date for Assist Service subscription
4. Assist Service subscription expired:
5. • Yes – Do not request activation of the replacement unit as per
B84 03 11
6. a. Install and program replacement unit with vehicle
7. b. Test Bluetooth functionality only
8. c. Do not attempt to update Assist Services
9. d. Do not test eCall / SOS as these will not work.
10. • No – Proceed to the next step
11. Verify the following:
12. • Did the Parts person activate the replacement unit as per B84
03 11?
13. a. Yes – Proceed to install COMBOX Next Generation and
program vehicle
14. b. No – Request activation as per B84 03 11 only if vehicle has
active Assist Service subscription.
15. Note: If an error message is received or activation fails after
multiple attempts, a PuMA case must be submitted requesting
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activation. Include a picture of the label for the replacement

COMBOX Next Generation.
16. c. Once COMBOX Next Generation has been activated
proceed with installation and programming
17. d. Update Assist Services
18. e. Test functionality – Bluetooth and eCall / SOS

a. A 2G COMBOX unit is installed in a vehicle which was upgraded

to accept COMBOX Next Generation 4G unit

OR

b. A COMBOX Next Generation 4G unit is installed in a vehicle

which was not upgraded to accept COMBOX Next Generation 4G
unit

BMW ASSIST SERVICE - COMBOX 4G UPGRADE

INQUIRY
Customer inquire about COMBOX Next Generation (4G)
Hardware – Customer Pays 100%

1. Customer requests to have BMW Assist Services functionality

in the vehicle
2. Advise customer this is a customer pay upgrade
3. The information below outlines some of the cost associated
with this upgrade which the customer will incur:
4. • Cost of Parts
5. • Labor to install, program vehicle and update KISU
6. • Cost to renew / reactivate Assist Service subscription (i.e.,
New ESA needed)

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7. Customer agrees to information provided in the step above by

completing and signing new ESA.
8. Refer to the attachment “COMBOX Upgrade Procedure” to
complete the upgrade

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Not Applicable.

TRI B84 10 18 COMBOX Upgrade.pdf

TRI B84 10 18 KISU SW update.pdf

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