BlueTooth Module for Convertibles?

TheBry · Aug 24, 2004

Guys, I hate to start another bluetooth thread, but I'm getting conflicting information from my dealer and really need to sort it out -- specifically for convertibles.

I took my car in today for the 15K oil service AND bluetooth install, but they told me the BMW BlueTooth module isn't even available for convertibles and sent me packing. It's available for coupes and sedans, but not convertibles. What gives?

Has anyone on this board who owns a 330Cic had the bluetooth module installed? I'm really annoyed. I saved up for two months for this and now find out it's not even an option for my car. My dealer is BMW of San Francisco. Service advisor is Chris M.

CaveDweller · Aug 24, 2004

Not "officially" available, but check out http://golilm.com/DIY/Bluetooth/BluetoothCab/bluetoothcab.htm

I don't know the site owner personally, but he works with some guys I work with. He's supposed to be in the office Friday at which time I hope to corner him and ask him questions. His name is Adam Hicks and he would probably be more than happy to answer any questions if you email him.

Edit: Direct link to his bluetooth site. http://golilm.com/DIY/Bluetooth/

TheBry · Aug 24, 2004

CaveDweller said:

Thanks CaveDweller. Nice car by the way! ;-)

So it's not "officially" supported. What a letdown. I could swear I was lead to believe (by my dealer before purchase and by members of this board) that it was indeed a BMW Dealer-installable option for convertibles. Why did they tease me by slipping a BlueTooth card into my delivery package? That was just cruel.

Do you know if this aftermarket work will void the warranty on the car?

BRC · Aug 25, 2004

Did you asked your service center about disconnecting BMW Assist and then installing bluetooth? From what I have read, that is the only way right now. I am waiting to have it installed as well. In fact, I called BMW cust. service this week and they said that they expect a software update in September.

TheBry · Aug 25, 2004

BRC said:

Yes... I asked about that. They said that is the only way to get BlueTooth to work... and only in Coupes and Sedans -- not Convertibles. For convertibles there is NO BMW BlueTooth option.

Talk2USoon · Aug 29, 2004

Yes... I asked about that. They said that is the only way to get BlueTooth to work... and only in Coupes and Sedans -- not Convertibles. For convertibles there is NO BMW BlueTooth option.
__________________
<<<

My impression was that the software upgrade (due next month) *would include our convertibles...
however, you can get an idea of how the phone would sound when you use the ID number (included on your bluetooth card) to receive incoming phone calls (you answer thru your steering wheel).
Although *you can hear the caller clearly.......*they can barely hear you, if the top is down and you are traveling at speeds of over 30 mph. That is because the driver's voice is transmitted over the speaker located in the convertible's rear view mirror.
It's works great sitting in traffic, and I can hear callers clearly going 80 mph on the highway with the top down. Trouble is, they can barely hear *you.
I don't see it as an issue of software anymore, but rather of hardware. The wind is always going to drown out our voices.

DigitalDawn · Aug 30, 2004

I thought that the Assist/Bluetooth microphone on the convertibles was on the top edge of the steering column -- that's where mine is.

Dawn

BRC · Aug 30, 2004

I can't find the number on my id card. It is alpha-numeric and even using the letter/number keys, I get a message that my call cannot go through... Is your # alpha-numeric?

Talk2USoon · Aug 30, 2004

DigitalDawn said:

<<<<
Hi Dawn,
I see an indentation at the top of my steering column (indicating you are most likely to be correct) I don't even know WHY I believed the microphone was located in the rear view mirror.
(LMAO!!!! at the visual of ME yakking at the darn mirror!!)

Talk2USoon · Aug 30, 2004

BRC said:

<<<<<<

In my owners manual case, there was a laminated document titled "BlueTooth Passkey PK*"
At the bottom of that document, is a white sticker with printing that seems to indicate the date my car was ordered, along with something called an ESN: #
and ending with a MIN: #
the 10 digits (numerals) following the MIN:
is my car's telephone number. My car came into port at New Jersey, therefore I have 609 as the area code.

Now, I don't know if having every single option you could order on this car ( that the factory could install ) had anything to do with them including the Bluetooth passkey card (with an activated incoming phone numberonly), but I believe the combination of having BMW assist AND the onboard navigation system had something to do with it.

CaveDweller · Aug 30, 2004

I talked to Adam Hicks on Friday at work and he says that he has personallay installed Bluetooth in a vert with Assist. You need ot get the Assist disabled at the dealer, though. Not a requirement, but a good idea. He also mentioned that the Mic may be in the steering column, but I haven't looked, yet, and my car is in for service so I can't now.

http://golilm.com/DIY/Bluetooth/

drkeng · Aug 31, 2004

1. If you don't use the BMW phone, what phone will you use with Bluetooth?

2. I thought that there is some number for your BMW assist that would theoretically receive an incoming call. How do I get this number??? I don't think it came with my car.

Talk2USoon · Aug 31, 2004

drkeng said:

<<<<<<<<<<
Well, I could be wrong (just ask me where I thought the Assist speaker was

, but I don't believe BMW intended for us to have the incoming phone number. It may be printed on the sticker on the laminated Blue Tooth card enclosure, or it may not. When I called to find out if I would be charged for incoming calls, I was told that using the # for incoming calls was like mis-using your local 911 system.
At first I was reticent about using it, but then I quickly got over it and really like the fact that I can be reached by car (when I'm in an area not covered by my cell).

Has anyone else here been able to locate their number and use it?

CaveDweller · Aug 31, 2004

Talk2USoon said:

Yes [bmwdance] [shake]

TheBry · Aug 31, 2004

I'm going to be the Guinnea Pig here. It doesn't seem like anyone who owns a 2004 3 convertible (at least those who have commented in this thread) have had the BMW BlueTooth module installed. I went to yet another BMW dealer today, and he confirmed that the part is, indeed available for (and compatible with) the convertible. They'll have to disable my BMW Assist but since I didn't use it anyway, I won't miss it. Besides, most of the concierge features are accessible only if you call a toll-free number -- not actually using the hardware in your car (SOS or Mech. butons).

You'll recall the first dealer (BMW San Francisco) told me the part was NOT compatible with the convertible.

So, at the second dealer (Steven's Creek BMW - San Jose) I ordered the module ($450) and the installation kit ($165). I'm not a do-it-yourselfer, so when the parts arrive, the dealer will do the install. The parts guy said the parts could arrive as soon as Monday, at which time I'll be able to make an apointment for install. I'll check back in with you guys once the install is complete.

DigitalDawn · Sep 1, 2004

TheBry said:

I'm going to be the Guinnea Pig here. It doesn't seem like anyone who owns a 2004 3 convertible (at least those who have commented in this thread) have had the BMW BlueTooth module installed. I went to yet another BMW dealer today, and he confirmed that the part is, indeed available for (and compatible with) the convertible. They'll have to disable my BMW Assist but since I didn't use it anyway, I won't miss it. Besides, most of the concierge features are accessible only if you call a toll-free number -- not actually using the hardware in your car (SOS or Mech. butons).

You'll recall the first dealer (BMW San Francisco) told me the part was NOT compatible with the convertible.

So, at the second dealer (Steven's Creek BMW - San Jose) I ordered the module ($450) and the installation kit ($165). I'm not a do-it-yourselfer, so when the parts arrive, the dealer will do the install. The parts guy said the parts could arrive as soon as Monday, at which time I'll be able to make an apointment for install. I'll check back in with you guys once the install is complete.

Yes, please let us know how it goes. We're very interested in getting the Bluetooth module as well. Which phone will you be using --- the new Moto?

We have Navi, will that be a problem?

Thanks,

Dawn

Talk2USoon · Sep 1, 2004

I'm going to be the Guinnea Pig here. It doesn't seem like anyone who owns a 2004 3 convertible (at least those who have commented in this thread) have had the BMW BlueTooth module installed. I went to yet another BMW dealer today, and he confirmed that the part is, indeed available for (and compatible with) the convertible. They'll have to disable my BMW Assist but since I didn't use it anyway, I won't miss it. <<<<<<<<<<<<

Good luck! BMW Assist just told me that they aren't any closer to a fix for the conflict and that the conflict itself (between Bluetooth and Assist) took BMW by surprise. It appears that Assist will offer the stolen car recovery and lockout feature in the "near future".

TheBry · Sep 1, 2004

DigitalDawn said:

I have the NAV system as well -- they said it won't be a problem. In fact, the NAV display makes the experience a little nicer since you can visually scroll through your address book, retrieve and read SMS messages sent to your phone, etc. One really nice feature I didn't know about was the voice-command feature. The dealer told me I'd be able to press the little voice-command button on my steering wheel, then "tell" the system to do a number of things: dial a number, read back address book, etc. The NAV voice is the voice used to confirm commands given.

I've got the Sony Ericsson T616 phone.

I'll give you a full report once I've had the BT module installed.

TheBry · Sep 7, 2004

Today's the day. I dropped my car off at Stevens Creek BMW in San Jose this morning to have the BlueTooth module installed. They quoted me $225 for installation, bringing the total price for this nifty feature to $875. If it works as described, it'll be totally worth the money.

One thing that annoyed me was that I was required to leave my mobile phone with them for the day (to be sure they could pair it with the built-in BT module). A bit frustrating since I use it constantly for business calls.

I'll leave another update once I've picked up the car -- in about five hours.

CaveDweller · Sep 7, 2004

Okay, it's been 5 1/2 hours and the suspense is killing me. [chair]

What's the verdict? I know it's doable, but yours would be the first dealer installed system on a vert. [thumb]

Edit: That I know of.

BlueTooth Module for Convertibles?

Member

Member

Member

New Member

Member

2

Member

New Member

2

2

Member

Member

2

Member

Member

Member

2

Member

Member

Member