cell phone

[gubni]

I'd like to integrate my cell phone and Z4. It looks like about three options. I drive alot and always use the cell, so I want to get this going in some way. I do have a card that has bluetooth info on it. It has a custom printed sticker that has BT: (nothing) PK: (nothing) and ESN: (several numbers) I think that means no bluetooth or passkey, but it does have an ESN type phone.

First there's a button on the left of the steering wheel that I press and get a msg from Verison Wireless that I don't have a subscription. Can I just add this as a second phone to my verison plan?

Second I read that it has bluetooth. The car should be open to setup within 2 minutes of start, but my phone doesn't find it. Is this a optional feature? How can I tell if I have it?

Third I've read about a cell phone kit. Supposedly I can plug my phone into the car and it will charge my phone and boost my antenna. Has anyone done this? Does it allow complete phone control from the steering wheel?

According to one of the manuals I read it's supposed to have some kind of phone service free for the factory warranty. I think that's just the SOS button, right?

If I add bluetooth, then I have to remove the built in cell phone right?

 

[fire-n-ice]

gubni, lots of questions you got there, have you tried using the search feature on the forum? I think a lot of your questions might already be answered here.
Otherwise, someone should be along soon to help you out. Sorry but I'm no help at all. Still using the ancient practice of flipping my Nextel open and saying "Hello"?...

 

[cj10jeeper]

Still using the ancient practice of flipping my Nextel open and saying "Hello"?...

Best not come to England then. After 2 years of increasingly heavier publicity, fines then points on driving licences, new guidelines issued today mean you could actually go to jail just for using a non hands free mobile phone... Of course this is for the more serious offences (even is someone is not injured).

Seems even use of hands free is now shown to increase accidents 4 fold.

 

[fire-n-ice]

yea, plus you also have to take into consideration how many more people are on the road now - traffic is staggering in the larger cities here in the states; horrible. People are in it so much that they use that time to eat, shave, put on their tie or make-up, and conduct business via Blackberry's and cell phones.

I do sometimes use a very stupid ear piece that I hate with a passion, but it does allow me to take calls with the push of a button - somewhat safer. I don't look to see who it is, I just push the button and answer, this way I always keep attention to the road.

 

[Aebous]

I love my bluetooth ear piece. It fits in my ear very nice is fairly comfortable. Crystal clear talking for me transmitting and recieving. I paid around 90 bucks for it.

 

[gubni]

Ok, so now I know laws in England and I also know some reviews on the ear piece. I'd really like to try to get my phone integrated with the car. This option looks like the best to me.

http://kellybmw.oemdealer.com/prod1389_15045.php

 

[cj10jeeper]

gubni

I have just widely researched the bluetooth market for my X5 and ordered a retrofit kit for that from Bimmernav.com It's a system that will alow me to fully bluetooth integrate with the cars steering wheel, on screen display, voice activation, etc. I sourced my own ULF module off ebay and kept the total cost to $300.

This link is for the Z4 version, but you will need to check model specifics based upon age, what you want it to do, etc.

http://www.bimmernav.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=33&products_id=92

I am wating for the kit to arrive so cannot comment on it yet, but they were very helpful in gettin me the right equipment and custoemrs on the X5 boards speak hightly

Trust this helps and unhijacks your thread

 

[ovrkll]

First there's a button on the left of the steering wheel that I press and get a msg from Verison Wireless that I don't have a subscription. Can I just add this as a second phone to my verison plan?

Nope, that is for the BMW Assist which does have a number assigned to the vehicle after you subscribe

Second I read that it has bluetooth. The car should be open to setup within 2 minutes of start, but my phone doesn't find it. Is this a optional feature? How can I tell if I have it?

There should be a small manual for pairing up the bluetooth in the car. It does take about 2 minutes, but I cannot remember the steps off the top of my head (plus you need a code)

Third I've read about a cell phone kit. Supposedly I can plug my phone into the car and it will charge my phone and boost my antenna. Has anyone done this? Does it allow complete phone control from the steering wheel??

Only with phones that have been proven to work with the BMW system,,,,the list that is published is quite out of date,,,my Razor is not even listed

According to one of the manuals I read it's supposed to have some kind of phone service free for the factory warranty. I think that's just the SOS button, right?

Usually the first year is free with a new car purchase (MY '07 and later get 2 years)

If I add bluetooth, then I have to remove the built in cell phone right?

No


Damn,,,,,think I am out of breath after all that Hope that answered most of your questions

 

[20ducks]

Still using the ancient practice of flipping my Nextel open and saying "Hello"?...

Best not come to England then. After 2 years of increasingly heavier publicity, fines then points on driving licences, new guidelines issued today mean you could actually go to jail just for using a non hands free mobile phone... Of course this is for the more serious offences (even is someone is not injured).

Seems even use of hands free is now shown to increase accidents 4 fold.

Yeah, I read about that in the Guardian. Rather serious, as it should be.