BlueTooth Module for Convertibles?

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#21
OK. After a full day of hope... I got a call from the service advisor at Stevens Creek BMW letting me know that the service guys cannot install the BlueTooth kit in my car and that they've lined me up for a refund! [mad]

The head advisor said the service guy who ordered the parts for me "should" have known better, and that the only car in the 3-series lineup that is incompatible with the device is the convertible. He went on to say that the reason it's incompatible is because of an "ambient noise situation" they're trying to resolve. He said a part would be available in about ONE YEAR to resolve the issue. I got a bit pissed (both at myself for circumventing what the first dealer advised... and at THIS dealer for not knowing enough to save me the time and trouble). I asked why the "ambient noise" situation doesn't exist when using the BMW Assist feature, and he just scratched his head and said he didn't know.

So, here's the deal -- I think the kit will work just fine with a convertible. They just don't want to perform the install and disable BMW Assist which is a subscription-based revenue generator for BMW NA. There may also be something to the noise issue, and I'm betting they don't want unhappy customers on their hands (like me) who were expecting a better experience.

So, there you have it. I got my refund this afternoon after work. Unless I want to do this job myself (which I don't) I won't be using bluetooth in my convertible. Big bummer.
 
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Texas
#23
MrElussive said:
Exactly wtf does this Bluetooth module DO? Is it just so you can wirelessly use your phone through the car or something? Built-in speakerphone, etc.?
Exactly. It integrates your own bluetooth compatible phone into the speaker system as well as the steering wheel controls. I want to integrate a phone, but I don't want the CPT9000, which is the only one currently supported by BMW.

When I get the $$$, I'll probably just get Adam's VIN and buy the module.
 
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#24
MrElussive said:
Exactly wtf does this Bluetooth module DO? Is it just so you can wirelessly use your phone through the car or something? Built-in speakerphone, etc.?
One of the coolest features is the ability to control your phone (or even the NAV system) via voice. I was totally looking forward to this. Here's a movie file of a guy who has the kit installed (DIY job) and has the same bluetooth enabled phone as I do (Sony Ericsson T616):

http://www.m3smg.com/bt/voice_dialing.avi

I'm suffering big-time today. Sometimes life just sucks.
 
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Northbrook, IL
#25
Stopped in at Verizon today as I'm eligible for a new phone in a few weeks. They now have a Motorola Blutetooth phone (??model 600??). The guy there says it's compatible with Acura and Lexus BT systems, but not BMW since they didn't "cooperate" or something with the development. He rambled on that it's compatible with the new Chevy Malibu or something. [bash] Yeah, there's my 04 330 outside; I'll just go buy a Chevy so I can use BT! For such a "progressive" company, BMW really missed the boat on this one, judging from the interest shown here.

Verizon sell a little module for BT control, but it sounds like they have to install a speaker and microphone, too. Seems like a real shame, given the wiring that's already in our cars, given the steering wheel buttons and the mic for Assist. It probably wouldn't take much.

There are also wireless earpieces that allows some phone control, like voice dialing and probably answering calls. It still looks interesting. Can you hear me now?????? [poke]
 
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#26
TheBry said:
One of the coolest features is the ability to control your phone (or even the NAV system) via voice. I was totally looking forward to this. Here's a movie file of a guy who has the kit installed (DIY job) and has the same bluetooth enabled phone as I do (Sony Ericsson T616):

http://www.m3smg.com/bt/voice_dialing.avi

I'm suffering big-time today. Sometimes life just sucks.
My parents' cars have been doing that for years, but not via Bluetooth and you're limited to only the Motorola V60 phone. You just open up the center console, place the phone in there, and close it. It downloads the phonebook into the COMAND Center and you have your voice dialing and all that voice activated bullshit as well. The voice activation, IMO, is pretty much bullshit. You have to speak pretty clearly for it to work and it's just weird to me to talk to your car, lol.
There is another Bluetooth thread and I posted some Bluetooth equipment that might help you out:
http://www.motorola.com/mdirect/demos/bluetooth03/index.html

I know you really wanted to use the features that the car offers but that doesn't seem to be working out for you at the moment, so maybe it's time to give some of those accessories in the link a try. If you think about it, the voice activation, dial/hang up, and viewing your phonebook through the nav is pretty worthless for the most part. The car's features regarding working with your phone connection is basically having the car act as the "middle man" in between you and your phone. It's quickest to just dial numbers (such as from your phone's phonebook) by using the phone itself. The only really useful features are the "answer" and "hangup" buttons on the steering wheel.

I say this after spending lots of time on my parents' cars that have the buillt-in phones and after having had an aftermarket hansdfree phone kit in my car when I had my Motorla T720 phone.

The REAL issue is that there simply isn't any good, universal way to talk hands-free while driving. Every option requires you to make some kind of "sacrifice" and I think this is just ridiculous because A LOT of phone calls (statistics state 40% of all cell phone calls) take place IN A CAR !!!
Another issue is the fact that so far the only cars that wirelessly interact with your phone use Bluetooth....why the hell do they have to use Bluetooth??? Any wireless connection would do just fine and many more phones would support it, rather than only being limited to phones that support Bluetooth. IBM is gay sometimes.
 
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#27
Mr. E makes some good points. Realistically, we're at the infancy stage of BT apps, especially with regards to cars. I had a dedicated in car system for my old StarTac phone-- cost about $350--with a bracket mounted on the dash next to the radio that the phone attached to; this powered it from the car and recharged the battery. There was a speaker under the passenger seat and a mic on the A pillar. The sound was great. It worked through the radio antenna, so there was no dedicated cell antenna. If you know your common calls' speed dialing number, dialing is easy. Having a conversation with the top down is difficult unless you're holding the phone once you get up to about 50 mph; hearing is fine, but usually the other person can't hear me. Never got the car kit for my Moto 720; will definitely get a car kit with my next phone. I truly believe that holding a phone while driving should be illegal; I usually use a headset that works pretty well. In the past 3 days I've seen 2 women talking and smoking while driving [screwy] . Again, look at the Motorola BT car kit-there's a small control panel that probably duplicates the steering wheel buttons; I just don't know where you'd put it and it sounds like the speaker and mic have to be wired. Anyone know if you can stash the mic in the little compartment above the rear view mirror???
 
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#28
I guess to each his own. I spend about 90% of my commute on the phone. I currently use a bluetooth headset but it's totally uncomfortable. To me, the joy and benefit of this BMW BlueTooth setup was to be trifold:

1.] I'd be able to screen incoming calls (using the NAV display) without digging around for my phone.
2.] With the technology being wireless, I wouldn't have to worry about having the phone in the car. I often leave the phone in my backpack which usually is in the trunk.
3.] To make a call, I'd be able to "say" the name of the person I'd like to call, and have the computer do it for me -- avoiding the unnecessary fumbling for the phone, and taking eyes off the road to dial.

Also, I never really planned on using the car mic with the top down either, so the noise issue is moot.
 
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Midwest
#29
They now have a Motorola Blutetooth phone (??model 600??). The guy there says it's compatible with Acura and Lexus BT systems, but not BMW since they didn't "cooperate" or something with the development. He rambled on that it's compatible with the new Chevy Malibu or something. Yeah, there's my 04 330 outside; I'll just go buy a Chevy so I can use BT! For such a "progressive" company, BMW really missed the boat on this one, judging from the interest shown here.
<<<<<<

My husband just got that phone thru AT&T. He *would be able to install the BlueTooth modual, if *only I could convince him how great it would be. I wonder if there are after market Bluetooth moduals compatible with these different phones?
I remember hearing an ad about a place in the next town over, that offered after market ON Star installation. Something I would consider if I went the route of disabling BMW Assist. Just thinking outloud ;)
Sorry it didn't work out for "The Bry" I had always heard the conflict had something to do with sound quality. And just where IS that microphone located for the Assist? In the steering column?? <--lol!
 


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