E60 mobile phone pairing

[GR4]

I would be interested to hear what experiences people have had with phone functionality. I have a 2007 E61, and according to the BMW website bluetooth configurator when I input my chassis number the car is only tested to work properly with 3 handsets, all of which are now obsolete. One is an old Nokia which I am currently using, and it does work perfectly with I Drive, phone book on screen etc. I want to change to a smart phone, and only one on the list is the old Blackberry 8800. I can probably pick one up secondhand if I have to, but before I do, does anyone know if BMW are being a bit safe here, and other phones will also work?

[Jobbo]

My 2004 E46 with Bluetooth paired fine with my iPhone 4; try it and see. Do make sure you delete any old phones stored, because there was a limit to how many phones it could pair with; not sure if that still applies to a 2007 car, but worth being aware of.

[exronin]

I've paired an iPhone 3GS without any problems, as well as HTC something or other (without touchscreen) on a 56 plate E60 (no known iDrive updates).

I *sometimes* (as in, once every 2 or 3 months for a few days) have problems wiht the bluetooth, in that it seems to think that it is in a call and iDrive won't turn off after I switch off the car. Turning off bluetooth for a day usually does the trick for me.

Also, ConnectedDrive never worked for me, which my local dealer insisted was due to lack of approved phone. However, BMW Head Office insisted that phone was irrelevant for ConnectedDrive, so no idea if that's relevant.

[GR4]

Thanks for replies. So with these other phones can you make calls and access your phone book with the I-Drive controller & screen, or do you have working bluetooth but have to use the phone handset?

[Jobbo]

Even in my pre-iDrive E46, the phone book was accessible through the nav system. Didn't need to use the phone for anything.

[Zod]

2006 M5 - pairs with my iphone 4 and Blackberry 9780. All numbers are transferred to idrive.

[exronin]

GR4 said:

Thanks for replies. So with these other phones can you make calls and access your phone book with the I-Drive controller & screen, or do you have working bluetooth but have to use the phone handset?

My phone handset is in my coat pocket on the back seat - all numbers and call functions fully accessible through iDrive controller&screen, though I personally prefer the voice control! 1 button press versus dozens...

[farbbm]

I've paired both my Iphone 3G and varous Eriksson phones to my 2005 E60 without any problem, by this I mean you can use and view the phone within the centre SatNav/Idrive binnacle of the car. The less successfully phones I tried to pair were Nokia and Samsung models which would pair but you wouldn't be able to use them whilst driving except to receive calls.

[bennyboydurham]

E65 here, the phone has paired with everything I've thrown at it, Iphone 1,3G,3GS,4, various Nokias and even my wife's hilariously bad Alcatel loan phone. I think you'll be fine.