I've connected several Windows Mobile phones with no issue at all. Either it works or not, but I don't see how it could make permanent damage.

 

I dont see any warning toward using non tested devices. Moreover, if there is a risk to the TCU if unapproved phones are attached I completely see that as a design flaw on BMW's part. If TCU vulnerability is an issue then there is a need for proactive programming to only allow approved devices to connect. Each bluetooth enabled device emits a signature and I am pretty sure there is a way to block undesired phones.

Shanangains......

 

The closest I've come to seeing a significant problem is when pairing a non-compatible Samsung mobile (coincidentally, this was at the BMW Welt on day 1 of customer deliveries) caused a CCC in a 3er cabrio (belonging to e.d. forum moderator Beewang) to crash.

The technicians took the car down to the workshop (they tried getting it to work on the delivery floor but it wouldn't cooperate) and returned about half an hour later saying "You weren't using a Samsung mobile, were you?".

They were not forthcoming in what they did to resuscitate it and it certainly did not have to be recoded or programmed but it did not respond to the normal reboot nor to turning off the car and letting the car go to sleep either (which is what was tried before taking it down to the workshop).

 

Ive been using a Nokia 5800 and LG Viewty for the past 8 months with zero problems here.

 

I heard that if you use an unapproved phone your wheels fall off

 

Where is the BMWNA member? Would really like to hear the company line.

 

 

The wording from the BMW site is saying that the phones listed have passed compatibility tests and even with these phones they "make(s) no guarantees or warrantees as to the performance of each phone"
Which means if any phone doesn't work as expected "don't come running to us". That I can understand, however if a particular phone causes some part of the car's software to crash then I think that demonstrates poorly written software on BMW's part (regardless of the poorly written phone software causing the crash) and any problem should be covered under warranty.

 

I remember now that I had tried to pair an old Sony Ericsson and it didn't work. I had to restart the phone which had frozen, but no impact on the car system at all.

 

Except that BMW is expressly stating that a problem emanating from a mobile that is not listed as compatible will NOT be covered by the warranty.