E46 phone connectivity
E46 phone connectivity
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Discussion

Jonboy_t

Original Poster:

5,038 posts

207 months

Wednesday 26th January 2011
quotequote all
I recently bought an 04 plate M3 and in the flip up 'ashtray' in the centre console (the one with the cigar lighter in it), there is a cable with what looks like a mini-USB connector - i.e. the connection a lot of phones use as their chargers etc. The wiring looks a bit dodgy (exposed wires) and the actual connector is just white plastic and looks as though it should be metal coated or something.

My question is in two parts. Firstly, is this wire actually what I think it is? It has all the looks and the placement of a phone or hard drive connection but not sure that it is! Secondly, can I replace this to have an iPhone or other handset connection on it? I'd like to plug the phone in and try to use it to play some of my 'bangin choons' through the stereo instead of the constant skipping that CD's in cars with hard suspension inevitably deliver!

(don't know if it matters/helps with answers or not, but the car also has Bluetooth. I just haven't figured out how to work it yet!)

LordGrover

34,082 posts

236 months

Wednesday 26th January 2011
quotequote all
Sounds like something a previous owner's added rather than factory fitment.

Nedz

2,439 posts

198 months

Wednesday 26th January 2011
quotequote all
Its certainly not something fitted by bmw.Id contact the previous owner if you can to see if they can shed any light on it.

Blutooth is easy to use but it only reads your contacts list from your phone so you can make and recieve calls.

There should be a connection for a mobile under the tray just behind the hazzard light switch but only for certain mobiles and i think all this does is charge the phone.

Jonboy_t

Original Poster:

5,038 posts

207 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
quotequote all
Perfect, cheers guys. I need to contact the previous owner anyway, trying to find a bit of history and he gave me his number incase I chose to do so anyway.

On a slightly related topic - I have managed to sync my iPhone with the Bluetooth and made an outgoing call, I could hear them but they couldn't hear me at all. It's a convertible and the manual says there should be a mic above the rear view mirror (where the interior lamp is), but there's nowt there.

thekingofdonair

4 posts

183 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
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Iv'e got an 03 convertible and it definitely has a little mic to the right of the interior light. I have got a PDF version of the phone manual if it will help you. One thing to think about is that the iphone might not be compatible with your BT modem. I was surprised that my Blackberry works with it.

Nedz

2,439 posts

198 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
quotequote all


On a slightly related topic - I have managed to sync my iPhone with the Bluetooth and made an outgoing call, I could hear them but they couldn't hear me at all. It's a convertible and the manual says there should be a mic above the rear view mirror (where the interior lamp is), but there's nowt there.
[/quote]

Mine does this now and again.Dont think theres anything wrong with it,just try again and youll find it probably works.

The mic is inside what looks like a little slatted air vent next to the interior light and switches.

Jonboy_t

Original Poster:

5,038 posts

207 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
quotequote all
thekingofdonair said:
Iv'e got an 03 convertible and it definitely has a little mic to the right of the interior light. I have got a PDF version of the phone manual if it will help you. One thing to think about is that the iphone might not be compatible with your BT modem. I was surprised that my Blackberry works with it.
I've got a PDF that I printed off the t'interweb for the whole car (didn't have one with it), but it hasn't really got anything substantial for the phone. That would be fantastic if you could send one over. Cheers mate.

Jonboy_t

Original Poster:

5,038 posts

207 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
quotequote all
Nedz said:
The mic is inside what looks like a little slatted air vent next to the interior light and switches.
I thought that was a temperature sensor for the air con or something rolleyesredcard

thekingofdonair

4 posts

183 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
quotequote all
Jonboy_t said:
I thought that was a temperature sensor for the air con or something rolleyesredcard
Ha ha. If it makes you feel any better it was a good 3 weeks before I realised you couldn't fit 3 people in the back.
Here's a link to where you can view the PDF -
http://www.carnationsoftware.com/carnation/images/...



Jonboy_t

Original Poster:

5,038 posts

207 months

Thursday 27th January 2011
quotequote all
thekingofdonair said:
Ha ha. If it makes you feel any better it was a good 3 weeks before I realised you couldn't fit 3 people in the back.
Here's a link to where you can view the PDF -
http://www.carnationsoftware.com/carnation/images/...
Perfect, cheers buddy. Very much appreciated.