Your dealer will call in your VIN Number to BMW to check the suitability of your car before they do any work.
[/quote]
Thanks man.

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the cradle will NOT help improve the audio quality.. the cradle is only for charging, and to store the phone.. again, bluetooth is a "wireless" solution. the shark fin will only help to achieve better reception.. however, with 3/4 bars, you are getting strong signal..

it is the decoder in the bluetooth software that needs work.. wait for an upgrade of that.. you will see a substantial difference.. bluetooth takes the voice, scrambles it, sends it through the air, unscrambles and reproduces the sounds.. if software is off, so is quality...

don't waste the money on the cradle unless you need charging capabilities!

 

Wassy:

What do you recommend to get better audio quality now? Should I go with the CPT9000 for the time being? If I did that, I would just leave the CPT9000 in the car and use the V600 for normal use. What do you recommend? Thanks.

 

well, having both requires you to keep changing the SIM card.. that will piss you off mighty quick.

i would site tight for a little while.. let's see if 13.4, 13.5, or even 14 has better quality.. now that they know it works, give it time to work its way through the system.. as you know BMWNA keeps upgrading software to "fix" things, lets hope they know about the lack of quality with BT..

even their retrofit ULF modules for the older E39, X5, etc.. isn't all that great.. BT is still a new technology.

 

The new motorola RAZR just came out and it is really sweet. It also has BT and is global GSM (all region frequencies). But needs a GSM provider like T-Mobile or Cingular.

I wonder if different phones would help in any way.

The other thing I was wondering is if anyone (pharding or others) have tried making calls without the car's BT connection, but with a BT earpiece connected to the same phone to know it that quality is much better for the audio.

 

pharding:

Are you saying that you are not satisfied with the audio quality of your Bluetooth setup now? That the audio quality of CPT9000 was much better?

 

Boy...this topic has been a real roller coaster ride. Ups, downs and in betweens! I've not seen this much activity on a single topic since I've been a member. Just goes to show the wide range of opinions out there regarding new technology and its practical applications.

I'm sorry to hear about the disappointing audio quality. As for myself, I'll stick with the CPT9000 until BMW and the cell phone makers can work the bugs out.

Does anyone know if the Acura has the same BT audio quality issues?

 

I wonder if the problem is your TCU. Here is a repost of my earlier post:

My dealer provided me with a copy of this BMW Service Bulletin. Instead of scanning, I'll just type the text:

SERVICE MEASURE
Phone, Navigation Systems B84 226 04 August 30, 2004

Subject:
CPT9000 (V60s) Telephone Landside Echo in Hands-free

Complaint:
An echo niose can be heard from the landside party while in a hands-free call.

Cause:
DSP sensitivity of TCE (Telematics Control Unit)

Measure:
Currently this complaint is under investigation. This measure will be updated as soon as a resolution is available. In the interim inform the customer of the following recommendations in order to reduce the echo.
- While in a hands-free call make sure all windows and sunroof are completely closed.
- Turn the hands-free volume heard in the vehicle down.
- Direct the heating and air conditioning center vents down away from the microphone.


Hope this helps people out - sounds like a fix is on the way.

 

Has anyone been able to see a copy of the two service bullitins yet? Can they be downloaded or seen on www.bmwtechinfo.com ?

 

SI B84 13 04
Phone, Navigation Systems October 2004
Technical Service

Load Graphics


SUBJECT
BMW ASSIST with Integrated Bluetooth


MODEL
E46 (3 Series) from 9/04 production (325i/iA from 10/04 production) with Premium Package (ZPP) or BMW ASSIST (SA 639)

E83 (X3) from 9/04 production with Premium Package (ZPP) or BMW ASSIST (SA 639)

E85 (Z4) from 10/04 production with Premium Package (ZPP) or BMW ASSIST (SA 639)

E53 (X5) from 10/04 production with Premium Package (ZPP) or BMW ASSIST (SA 639)

E60 (5 Series) from 9/04 production

E63, E64 (6 Series) from 9/04 production


INFORMATION

All model year 2005 vehicles equipped with BMW ASSIST (except E65/66 7 Series expected 3/05) now have integrated Bluetooth capability. Currently, these vehicles will be arriving at your BMW Center with Bluetooth set to active (I Bus vehicles 633L low version without cradle, E60/63/64 K633 without cradle).

For E46/E83/E85/E53 vehicles produced between 3/2004 and 8/2004, are equipped with a TCU that does not support Bluetooth.

[8404U121.JPG]
Please disregard the Owner's Manual insert, shown to the left, indicating Bluetooth functionality. The hardware in these vehicles will not work correctly.

3. Please refer to the Accessories Electronics Portal for information on approved Bluetooth handsets. To access the portal, follow the path as outlined below:

Log into CenterNet.

From the "Menu" tab select "Aftersales".

In the Aftersales page select "Accessories", then "Electronics Portal".

Information will be added shortly on approved handsets.

For further information on the functionality of the telephone, consult the handset Owners Manual.

4. Stolen Vehicle Recovery service has also been added to subscribers of the BMW ASSIST program.

5. Refer to SI B84 15 03 for more information about BMW ASSIST.

RETROFIT CODING WITH CRADLE
Currently cradles are not available. Information will be released in an Aftersales Bulletin at a later date.

E83 (X3)/E85 (Z4)
Using the SSS (Software Service Station) or GT1, start CIP 13.2 or higher.

Select the appropriate model series selection.

Select the vehicle model.

Select "Load software".

Answer "No" to "Have control modules been replaced?"

Select "Retrofits".

Select "Retrofits".

Select "TEL Bluetooth".

Select "Added".

The following message will be displayed:

"Retrofit of Telephone with cradle selected. The Vehicle order is changed during the sequence Continue only with "Continue" if the retrofitting scope is already fitted in the vehicle. Otherwise terminate the procedure with "Cancel"

Select "Continue".

Follow the onscreen prompts to finish coding.

Change to "Vehicle".

Perform "Complete Vehicle Coding".

When the Measure Plan is displayed verify that "K633" has been added to the vehicle order and finish coding.

Exit CIP and check the functionality of the system.

E46 (3 Series)/E53 (X5)

If the vehicle is equipped with Navigation, ensure that the warning message has been answered on the Board Monitor screen by pressing the large control knob.

Using SSS or GT1 with CD39.1 or higher, select Coding/Programming.

Select (3) ZCS/FA Coding.

Select E46 or E53 as applicable.

Select"Retrofit".

Page down and select "Bluetooth Telephone".

On confirmation screen asking if correct, select "YES".

Complete the coding per the onscreen instructions.

Exit from coding and check the functionality of the system.

PAIRING PROCEDURE E46/E83/E85/E53

Turn Key off and then to KL-R or KL-15.

The vehicle is ready for pairing for the first 2 minutes of key on.

"Bluetooth Pairing" appears on the MID or Board Monitor.

During the pairing process, depending on equipment, the indicator lights on MID or Board Monitor display flash.

Your mobile phone should now be set to search for BT devices. See the Owner's Manual for your handset.

A request to enter a password, PIN, or code appears on the handset display, depending on your model. Enter the 'BLUETOOTH PASSKEY" (supplied with the vehicle literature), using the numerical keys on the handset and confirm the input. Look for a confirmation message on the handset.

To conclude the pairing process turn the key off.

Wait approximately 30 seconds before turning the key back on. The phone will now be connected when the key is turned on.

ACTIVATING BLUETOOTH E60/E63/E64

This procedure must be carried out first in order to properly pair a handset to the vehicle.

[S8404U11.JPG]
2. From the start menu press briefly down on the controller.
3. Scroll down to the "Communication settings" and select.

[8404U123.JPG]
4. Select "Bluetooth" and press controller.
5. Select "Settings" and press controller.
6. Select "Bluetooth communication active" and press the controller to activate the connection.
7. Exit back to the start menu.

PAIRING THE HANDSET TO THE VEHICLE E60/E63/E64
[S8404U11.JPG]
Turn the key on.

From the start menu press briefly down on the controller.

Scroll down to the "Communication settings" and select.

[S8404U85.JPG]
Select "Bluetooth" and press controller.

Select "Phone" and press controller.

Once the message "Bluetooth connectable in this menu" is displayed the vehicle is in pairable mode.

[S8404U86.JPG]
Your handset should now be set to search for BT devices. See the Owner's Manual for your handset

In order to pair you must enter a random passkey both via the handset and via the CID. The passkey can be any number that you choose up to 16 digits long.

Via the CID select "Add device" and press controller.

[8404U122.JPG]
Enter your passkey. Depending on the handset, you will have approximately 30 seconds to enter the passkey on the handset and the CID.

Enter the same passkey in the handset and in the display.

Select "Confirm passkey and press the controller.

[S8404U87.JPG]
After a few seconds your device will be listed.

Depending on the handset, the device will ask you to accept connection.

You must exit this menu in order for the handset to operate correctly.

Turn the key off. When the key is turned on the handset will connect and transfer the phonebook entries from the handset. This may take several minutes depending on the size of the phonebook.

Up to 4 handsets can be paired to the vehicle.

Please consult the Owner's Manual of the handset for additional information.

[ Copyright ? 2004 BMW of North America, LLC ]