BMW E46 Bluetooth -- where is the mic?

[carl_w]

Both of our cars (E46 320 Cd and Z4MC) have factory-fit Bluetooth handsfree. The one in the Z4 works well -- you can see what I assume is the mic on the top of the steering column cowling. However, in the E46 you have to shout a bit to make yourself heard, and the person at the other end has to turn the volume up on their phone.

Anyone know where the mic is? There's something suspiciously mic-like up by the interior lights, but I suspect that's the internal temperature sensor for the climate control. If I can find the mic I'll give it a bit of a clean and make sure it's connected OK.

[john_p]

Nope, that's the mic up there.

What you might want to do is unclip the grille and see what side the mic is mounted on. I suspect it will be on the passenger side. It's easy to swap if you fiddle about with it.

[carl_w]

Thanks, will take a look.

Crap place to mount it when the majority of the time it will be the driver talking. Passengers tend not to need a handsfree...

[Olf]

carl_w said:

Thanks, will take a look.

Crap place to mount it when the majority of the time it will be the driver talking. Passengers tend not to need a handsfree...

It's them krauts driving on the wrong side.

[carl_w]

Yes I gathered that, but why put it in the middle of the car near the roof anyway? I tend to drive looking forwards out the windscreen

[ccfj1]

There is an upgraded mic that has a better sound pic up, it might be worth a look.

Microphone == BMW p/n 84-31-6 938-762 £25.54

P.S. Yes, it's up by the interior lights.

[MattOz]

I've moved my mic to the right hand side of the panel in the roof.

It's a simple modification and helps with voice pick-up etc. The mount for the mic is in two pieces. A small flat bladed screwdriver will remove the plastic cover as one piece. This the splits into 2 separate pieces. Re-attach the outer plastic "ring" back into the headlining with the metal "ring" on the other side. Then take the mix from the left hand side and place it on the right hand side. It simply unclips and then clips back in. Keep the arrow for the mic pointing forward. Then, and this is the tricky bit, you have to replace the cover at a slight angle due to the re=positining of the mic. It will all clip back into place Ok though.

Takes about 2 minutes once you know how!

Matt

[carl_w]

I did this mod today, and it was completely unlike yours Matt, but far simpler!

Undoing the cover I find a square-shaped mic clipped into a square hole in the cover. After removing it I realize I can't position it on the other side, because only one side has the 'holes' to allow the mic to work. So I just turn the whole cover around so the holes are on the driver's side, and clip the cover back into place. The clips at the front and back are different from each other, but there doesn't seem to be any corresponding 'hole' that they clip into -- they just clip over a little ledge that runs all the way round.

Tested it afterwards and all seems OK.

[horseygirl]

Can anyone tell me if the mic is a plug and play electrical item, was having problems with the bluetooth hands fee had a look and the mic was missing? Spoke to BMW who want £20 for the mic but say it will cost £100 to get it coded?

I'm pretty sure it'll be plug and play but just wanted to ask, got the feeling BMW were trying to pull one on me as in female.... Recently bought a new 'eject box' as the pairing button in my was stuck and that just plugged straight it and worked.

Any help would be appreciated!