E46 Bluetooth/Hands Free Solution?

[David Flatman]

Hi all.

I have a 2004 E46 330ci and it’s fantastic. I would like to have a handsfree phone and music option though, without changing the original (non-Nav) fascia.

Is there such thing as a modern, hidden solution?

Thanks in advance.

David.

[QuartzDad]

If it has a 12v socket and aux-in in the armrest this works well, my son has one in his E92.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01HXXJPWK/ref...

[Earthdweller]

I have this .... works an absolute treat and it’s a tenner


VicTsing FM Transmitter for Car, Bluetooth 5.0 Car Radio Audio Adapter with QC3.0 Quick Charge & 6 RGB Colorful Light, MP3 Player Car Charger Support Hands-free Calling, USB Drive, TF Card,Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SQTXJ18/ref=cm_sw_r...

[d_a_n1979]

David Flatman said:

Hi all.

I have a 2004 E46 330ci and it’s fantastic. I would like to have a handsfree phone and music option though, without changing the original (non-Nav) fascia.

Is there such thing as a modern, hidden solution?

Thanks in advance.

David.

Do you have a CD changer? If so do you use it? If not; look into Grom Audio BT3 kit

That's what I have installed in my E39 touring and it's superb; full hands-free. Works with the OEM system and steering wheel and full Bluetooth A2DP music playback etc

It connects into the OEM wiring, so you can hide it away etc

Better than any plug in dongle or FM/Bluetooth receiver / transmitter etc

[Earthdweller]

David Flatman said:

Hi all.

I have a 2004 E46 330ci and it’s fantastic. I would like to have a handsfree phone and music option though, without changing the original (non-Nav) fascia.

Is there such thing as a modern, hidden solution?

Thanks in advance.

David.

I’d suggest that you buy the cheapest £10 one ( there are several out there ) and see if it does what you need it too

It will stream radio and music and provide provide hands free calling and voice command paired to your phone with even navigation coming through your car speakers

If ... that doesn’t work for you then think about about a hard wired system like grom .. but bear in mind it will be 15 times the price

I think try the cheap option first

[mikewilliams79]

Earthdweller said:

I have this .... works an absolute treat and it’s a tenner


VicTsing FM Transmitter for Car, Bluetooth 5.0 Car Radio Audio Adapter with QC3.0 Quick Charge & 6 RGB Colorful Light, MP3 Player Car Charger Support Hands-free Calling, USB Drive, TF Card,Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SQTXJ18/ref=cm_sw_r...

I just got this and I am amazed at the quality compared to the ones I had several years ago

[Earthdweller]

mikewilliams79 said:

Earthdweller said:

I have this .... works an absolute treat and it’s a tenner


VicTsing FM Transmitter for Car, Bluetooth 5.0 Car Radio Audio Adapter with QC3.0 Quick Charge & 6 RGB Colorful Light, MP3 Player Car Charger Support Hands-free Calling, USB Drive, TF Card,Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SQTXJ18/ref=cm_sw_r...

I just got this and I am amazed at the quality compared to the ones I had several years ago

Me too .. it’s like witchcraft

[helix402]

Add an aux in input to rear of h/u, plug in Bluetooth receiver with hands free. Sorted.

[anonymous-user]

d_a_n1979 said:

Do you have a CD changer? If so do you use it? If not; look into Grom Audio BT3 kit

That's what I have installed in my E39 touring and it's superb; full hands-free. Works with the OEM system and steering wheel and full Bluetooth A2DP music playback etc

It connects into the OEM wiring, so you can hide it away etc

Better than any plug in dongle or FM/Bluetooth receiver / transmitter etc

Second this, the other suggestions are not worth your time nor money.
I purchased a used grom audio usb3p kit w/ bluetooth dongle and bmw harness, you remove the cd changer and the kit connects in its place without cutting wires or splicing any harnesses.
Full steering wheel controls (skip track, phone button brings up siri/google assist, skip track buttons also answer/hang up incoming phone calls) , bluetooth auto connects and works with modern phones.
CD player displays track name, artist etc.
You can also play MP3's via usb with the grom unit as well.
It is as factory as you could get for bluetooth integration.

[David Flatman]

Cheers all. Think I’ll try the cheap job and see how I go (don’t use the car as a daily anyway) and upgrade if I find it annoying/suboptimal.

Thanks again,

David.

[rfsteel]

Check out bluebus.dev if you want full OEM integration with the factory fit phone system, I have one in my E39 for the past year and can't fault it;



There are also options available via modifying the BM54 unit, again I've used Baris before for pixels fix and BM54 repairs and can't fault the service.

http://www.carphonics.co.uk/bm54upgrades.htm

[David Flatman]

...so I bought the cheap option... the FM transmitter jobbie. Sorry - great idea but awful for me. Cannot get on with it. Just can’t make it work seamlessly.

Think I’ll invest some cash here as it’s now driving me mad (excuse the pun!).

[David Flatman]

...I’m keen to buy the Grom Audio kit but would almost certainly cause my car to explode if I tried to fit it myself.

Anyone close enough to Bath by any chance to give me a hand/fit it? Can sort cash etc obv.

Cheers.

[mikewilliams79]

David Flatman said:

...so I bought the cheap option... the FM transmitter jobbie. Sorry - great idea but awful for me. Cannot get on with it. Just can’t make it work seamlessly.

Think I’ll invest some cash here as it’s now driving me mad (excuse the pun!).

What is the actual issue? No issues with mine

[David Flatman]

mikewilliams79 said:

What is the actual issue? No issues with mine

It was great on day one. Then I got on the car on day two and it didn’t connect automatically. Seems any gap longer than a few hours and I have to try (15 times today...!) to connect it to the Bluetooth.

Sound so fuzzy that I can’t use it.

Use the ‘intelligent tune’ system to find the best available empty frequency, match that on my car radio...and still awful sound.

Had to just pull over today to take a call.

It’s the kerfuffle to be honest... I just want something that works every time (does anything, ever?!).

I realise there’s a good chance I’m being silly here, but we all find different things frustrating ha!

[mikewilliams79]

David Flatman said:

It was great on day one. Then I got on the car on day two and it didn’t connect automatically. Seems any gap longer than a few hours and I have to try (15 times today...!) to connect it to the Bluetooth.

Sound so fuzzy that I can’t use it.

Use the ‘intelligent tune’ system to find the best available empty frequency, match that on my car radio...and still awful sound.

Had to just pull over today to take a call.

It’s the kerfuffle to be honest... I just want something that works every time (does anything, ever?!).

I realise there’s a good chance I’m being silly here, but we all find different things frustrating ha!

That would do my head in right enough - did you get this one? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SQTXJ18/ref=cm_sw_r...

[David Flatman]

mikewilliams79 said:

That would do my head in right enough - did you get this one? https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SQTXJ18/ref=cm_sw_r...

Scroll down on that link - I got the £18.99 newer model...

[d_a_n1979]

David Flatman said:

...I’m keen to buy the Grom Audio kit but would almost certainly cause my car to explode if I tried to fit it myself.

Anyone close enough to Bath by any chance to give me a hand/fit it? Can sort cash etc obv.

Cheers.

Honestly; it's easy. The instructions are fool-proof and if I can do it (hands like shovels and my favourite tool is a 12lb sledgehammer) then anyone can fit it

Just follow the instructions, it is literally plug n play and if you have any doubts/problems, email Grom as they offer great support

[David Flatman]

d_a_n1979 said:

Honestly; it's easy. The instructions are fool-proof and if I can do it (hands like shovels and my favourite tool is a 12lb sledgehammer) then anyone can fit it

Just follow the instructions, it is literally plug n play and if you have any doubts/problems, email Grom as they offer great support

Thanks for this - I’ll have a go! I have visions of trying to remove head units with panel levers and trying to chase microphone wires underneath other panels...???

[d_a_n1979]

David Flatman said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Honestly; it's easy. The instructions are fool-proof and if I can do it (hands like shovels and my favourite tool is a 12lb sledgehammer) then anyone can fit it

Just follow the instructions, it is literally plug n play and if you have any doubts/problems, email Grom as they offer great support

Thanks for this - I’ll have a go! I have visions of trying to remove head units with panel levers and trying to chase microphone wires underneath other panels...???

Nope; it connects to the CD changer wiring and that's it IIRC. So you shouldn't have to access the head unit at all