Bluetooth news/rumors

[vlad]

I was at my dealer today getting the oil changed, so I was asking about the cost of a Bluetooth installation. I stated that I thought that the install was good for March 2002 models and later. The SA then replied, "That's OK, there will be Bluetooth for a lot of BMW's soon, including the older models." I asked for details, but he didn't know how old of a model it would fit into, he also didn't have an e.t.a. either.

Anyway, a little news is better than none, eh?

 

[jrt67ss350]

I've heard alot of talk about the whole bluetooth interface in the BMW lately. I know what Bluetooth is, but what does it do for you in these cars? Just curious.

 

[Spidey]

I've heard alot of talk about the whole bluetooth interface in the BMW lately. I know what Bluetooth is, but what does it do for you in these cars? Just curious.

If you have a bluetooth cell phone and bluetooth hands free phone kit for your bmw you'd be lovin it. When your phone and car are near each other they "sync". So, if your driving and your cell rings in your pocket/backpack/trunk/whatever , all you need to do is push that little phone tab on your dash and talk. No need to touch your phone at all. Dialing can work the same way. Touch the tab on your dash, then voice dial.

I have a bluetooth phone and wireless earbud that works the same way. It would be much nicer to have the entire bluetooth kit for the car though. vlad, keep us informed if you find anything out.

 

[DRWWE]

I'm interested too. Didn't feel like paying the big bucks for BMW's Motorola phone option (they wanted $2500). Getting pretty tired of my old phone and the silly little earpiece and cord. Bluetooth would be a perfect addition to my 2002 530i.
[driving2]

 

[SoonerE39]

I have a bluetooth setup in my car. When I heard that BMW only had plans for retrofit on the 2001 and newer models, I searched out my own. My phone is a Siemens S56(S55)

http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=S55&asource=SIEME

and the Bluetooth Kit is a Parrott CK3000

http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=PAR_CK3000&asource=S55
which costs $179.91 (Mine was closer to $160 a couple months ago).


It works flawlessly. Every time I start the car, the car kit detects the phone and chirps that it synced up. When I get an incoming call, it automatically mutes the radio and I press one button on the dash and I am operating handsfree. Same for outgoing calls, press 1 button and the radio mutes and I state where I am calling ("HOME") and it auto dils the numbers I preprogrammed. Its great

 

[SoonerE39]

Here is a picture of it installed in the car. This is all of it that you see and you can mount this button whereever you want to.

 

[SoonerE39]

When the call is over, the radio comes back on. This installation should be done by a professional installer because they have to wire into the BMW radio harness to tap into the front speakers and the mute switch. But the installation is basically like any other hard wired car kit.

 

[Heresy]

blue tooth isnt secure though. its pretty easy to listen in over the waves.

 

[ThaRealest]

I have a 2004 330Ci I picked up in Dec. I did not get the built-in phone option, but my car is already wired for bluetooth, correct? All I need is a bluetooth phone and it will work right? If so, as anyone done this? I keep hearing about people with 2001's installing kits but has anyone just used their bluetooth phone in a 2004 that's already wired for it (assuming it is)?

 

[SoonerE39]

blue tooth isnt secure though. its pretty easy to listen in over the waves.

I had to set up the phone to "Trust" the car kit so it won't interact with just any bluetooth device unless you instruct the phone it's OK to do so. Even if someone still could get the signal, BT is a very short signal. WHen I leave the car running and walk away, the chirp indicates they lose contact at about 15 feet so I assume someone would need to be within around 15 feet to pick up your bluetooth signal (Or at least the signal in MY phone)