Bluetooth

[StephenA]

I'm still confused about the bluetooth. I asked the dealer about using a bluetooth phone with my wife's new 325Ci and I've gotten several different answers.

1. The first was it will work, no issues.

2. I have to disable the BMW Assist.

3. I have to buy a BMW Phone kit.

I also asked my AT&T rep and they think it will work fine since the car came with a passkey number.

Has anyone just tried to get thier phone with the provided passkey?

[325isBaby]

Bluetooth is designed to work with bluetooth equiped phones...true BMW assist will be disabled if you get bluetooth due to the fact bluetooth can interfere with the assist...to integrate it properly and to make it work with your phone properly you may need to buy a BMW phone kit.

[StephenA]

I'm just amazed at how poor the information is on this feature.

[rgzimmer]

I've written BMWNA about it and they are just as clueless, but I think I have a good idea of what you need if you have assist.

1. Assist and Bluetooth can not currenly coexist. I have heard that they are working on something to allow it and that the due date is September, but that info is from an email I recieved 4 months ago from BMWNA and it's accuracy is suspect.

2. To get BT in your car you must disable Assist. That is done via the dealer supposedly, but I belive you can just get the BT module and plug it into the same wires that Assist uses. Thats why they can't coexist. They use the same connectors

3. You only need the BT modules and adapters. You don't need a phone kit. The BT module doesn't care where the phone is so why would you need a kit?

4. Purchasing the BT module may be problematic because BMWNA requires dealers to check your VIN before selling it to you.

Some links to look at:

http://golilm.com/DIY/Bluetooth/BluetoothC...luetoothcab.htm
http://www.bmwnav.com/bluetooth.htm

I have not tried the products in the links or done any installs so I can not attest to thier validity, but it appears to be possible.

[StephenA]

Thanks for the info!

[StephenA]

I emailed BMWNA and go this reply:

Dear Stephen:

Thank you for contacting BMW of North America, LLC regarding the Bluetooth phone. According to our records, your BMW was not produced with the necessary wiring and components to allow for an installation of the Bluetooth accessory. Please accept my apologies for any frustration or inconvenience this situation may cause.

If you have any further questions, please respond to this e-mail or contact the Customer Relations and Services Department at 1-800-831-1117, Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time. Again, thank you for contacting BMW.

Sincerely,

Anthony Salla
Customer Relations and Services
Representative

Pretty useless email with Zero information. ghead

[rgzimmer]

That's a form letter they send everyone. I have the exact same one verbatim. Your car doesn't have the wiring because that wiring is in use by BMW Assist. Unplug the assist module and you have the neccesary wiring. :-)

[StephenA]

Unplug the assist module and you have the neccesary wiring.

How do you unplug it?

Do you use the Assist in your car? I find it to be useless.

[rgzimmer]

Originally posted by StephenA@Aug 16 2004, 10:43 AM

How do you unplug it?

Do you use the Assist in your car? I find it to be useless.

Look at the links in my previous post.

[StephenA]

I just got this:

Dear Stephen:

Unfortunately, it would not matter what options are, or are not, on your BMW. The vehicle was not produced with the necessary wiring and software to support Bluetooth technology.

Sincerely,

Anthony Salla
Customer Relations and Services
Representative

[rgzimmer]

I've got numerous emails from them saying I can't do it and that it's not possible to deactivate Assist, but I pointed out thier own service bulletin that shows how to do it. Just remember that they're probably some kids sitting in a cube responding to emails with form letters. They do a quick search in thier database and answer with what they find. They have no interest in pleasing the customer, just answering with some type of response.

I found out yesterday that a guy who works on our servers via a contract has actually done a BT retrofit in a car with Assist. All he did was replace the Assist module with the BT module and install the pairing system. He hasn't been in since last week, but I'm going to ask him about it when I see him. One of the links above is his web site. I didn't know he worked with us when I posted that, though. I just realized it when I saw his picture on that website yesterday. I see him about once every two weeks. I don't work directly with him, but I know the guys who do and he's one of the smartest gadget freaks out there. If he says it can be done, it can be done.

[StephenA]

Thanks, keep us posted.

Your car looks nice!

[rgzimmer]

Originally posted by StephenA@Aug 16 2004, 08:17 PM
Thanks, keep us posted.

Your car looks nice!

Every time I see a post of yours I have to do a double take and rememebr it isn't mine. Is that SG or TiAg?

[StephenA]

What does SG or TiAg mean? It's a Titanium Silver Metallic if that is color. With Grey Leather, sport and prem package, xenon lights and NO bluetooth

[cse94]

I just had the blue tooth installed in my car at the dealer. This is very expensive and there is very litttle information coming from the phone companies or the dealer.

However, it works great and I recomend it highly. The clarity is great and it functions great. The phone can be anywhere. It can be in your briefcase or the glovebox what ever. You can dial by voice. You just press a button on the steering wheel and say "dial phone". You can speak quickly and it picks it up great. You can also use the phone to dial or retrieve phone book data and it will work hands free through the speakers. It also turns off the stereo but only after someone answers the phone on the other end. You don't need to listen to the phone ringing.

I am trying to get my entire phone book loaded into the car system and I am having trouble getting help on this. I'm sure it will be easy once I find the right help though.

I think this system will work best if you have the navigation system. Some phones may also intigrate better. I have a Nokia 3650 and no navigation and it works just fine though.