BMW Bluetooth connection

Posted by: Lee Brindley on 17 July 2007

Hey
Anyone had a problem getting a new mobile phone to work with BMW Bluetooth?
Ive a 03/05 X5 and on the BMW web site the choice of mobiles that link via Bluetooth and work - partially or fully - is limited and all old models. Currently i use a Motorola V3 which BMW say works partially yet ive found works fully !
None of the new phones out seem to be on the list ...............so...does anyone have an X5 with Bluetooth who has succesfully got their mobile to work - and have a relatively new phone (im on Orange btw). Apparently a lot will connect with Bluetooth but you dont get access to phone number memory , etc so you have reduced capability, which kinda defeats the object! Any help would be greatly appreciated. Lee

Posted on: 17 July 2007 by El-Rey

Hi Lee
The first thing to say is that Bluetooth is still quite a clunky technology and can be a bit variable.
I have had a few BMWs recently and have got Motorola, Sony Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung phones to work without any trouble, no problem reading the numbers on the SIM card.

The only limitation is that the signal strength meter on the dash display does not show up with the Samsung and with all except the Motorola the phone has to be set to be visible when the bluetooth is powered up otherwise the car cannot find it when seeking a new device or after it has been paired.

The Motorola's have a 'find me ' feature which means that once paired the Bluetooth is switched on automatically by the car and disable when the car ignition is turned off.

i use a V3 simply because i do not have to take out of my pocket for it to connect to the car and when i leave the car the bluetooth powers down. this apparently makes the phone less vulnerable to those hacker type people.

Hope this has been of some use.

M

Posted on: 17 July 2007 by Chillkram

I can't add anything about BMW and their Bluetooth system but I have to say that my experience with my Jaguar Bluetooth has been pretty patchy.

The radio will suddenly cut in during a conversation, it sometimes will not pick up the phone at all and sometimes the stored numbers are not all present.

Most annoying of all it will suddenly connect if I stray too close to the parked car, even though the ignition is off and the car is locked.

I prefer the old fashioned wired hands-free kit.

Mark

Posted on: 17 July 2007 by northpole

My 03 330D came with bluetooth which worked perfectly with my old Nokia 6130. My Sony P990i worked, but with severely restricted functionality.

Around 2003/2004 there was quite a furore from bmw customers who ticked the bluetooth option box only to find when they took delivery of their new car that they had to change their phones also!

Peter

Posted on: 26 July 2007 by Harry

And it seems that changing the phone is still a frequent option. I don't think BMW are significantly worse that anyone else - but the situation remains piss poor.

Cheers