Which Grom Unit please

[Monkeydonkeyratmagic]

Hi All,

4 days in to Z4 ownership and I've got back into my feral Fiesta ST today... Reason being I cannot survive it seems without Bluetooth and DAB Radio.

The car has the flip up Sat Nav with CD Changer, Is the Grom BT3 suitable for just playing music / streaming etc and taking calls. Key question being can I use the controls of the car to answer a call? Or does this require the GromUSB3 with additional BT Module? Not really got any interest in using the USB functions given a 128GB phone will take an entire journey to index every time
Radio I just intend to stream and play via BT.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[stupot67]

Hi,

Grom USB 3 and the BT module are the only way your going to be able to stream music (BT) and make and take calls using the cars controls (I Think.........)

I hear what you say about the USB part, but it does give folders to browse which you don't have when streaming via BT unless you use their dashlink app which i never got to work properly.

Either way E-mail their tech support, they return queries very quickly.

Stu.

 

[Obs-Com]

Not sure if this helps but I connected a Grom BT3 to the CD changer connection behind the seats as no CD changer installed. Streams music via head unit and can be controlled via steering wheel buttons. Also able accept and end calls in same way. Use the arrow up button to accept and down to end.

 

[pip_pill]

I not planning on changing the speakers - YET! but here is my take on improving the input to the Stock system (I have Business CD - HIFI with DSP in trunk input! (I posted this in the Zpost forum this week http://www.zpost.com/forums/index.php)

As many of the discussion on the forum are several years old this is my take on installing/upgrading the Business CD radio - I'm not looking for getting a qualification in Radio installs, I just want a quick quality solution to plug in or with minimal install and provides input of ..ipod/USB drive/bluetooth/android/iphone - charges the Ipod - changes Ipod from radio/MFS when attached - works with the installed Radio
Allows song data on the head unit/plays playlists and works with the Multifunction steering wheel -Just installed this to my 2003 write up here viewtopic.php?f=26&t=16422#p239126 -

Here are my list of manufacturers for the DSP Radio OEM option (and none DSP - without the adaptor or with a different unit)...

1 BMW OEM No DSP Not a lot of good other than AUX cable

2 Dice Audiovox DSP Not directly supported - third party support is average and Crutchfield are not knowledgeable about DSP issue
Unclear as to What happened to Dice or product longevity with Audiovox or if its even made anylonger
http://www.voxxelectronics.com/OEI/
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_220CBM...C-BMW-DSP.html
a DICE MBR-1500-BMW NLA $0.00
b DICE DUO-100-BMW Silverline NLA
c Audiovox A-ACC-BMW-DSP $79.99
Sound quality unknown - some reports of interference.

3 Grom Audio - Seems to be well supported and useful Customer support chat https://gromaudio.com/
a BMW Mini 98-06 GROM USB Bluetooth Android iPod adapter - TRUNK $149.99
b BMW DSP CONVERSION KIT $69.99
c GROM In-Car Bluetooth Extension for select GROM kits, 10FT $49.99
d AUX-IN 3.5mm audio and 5V USB Charging cable , 5FT $14.99
Expensive at $300 for all capability
Concerned with long cable runs for possible interferance
Sound quality unknown


4 Interavee
http://www.toysinyourcar.com/acatalog/BMW.html
a Intravee II £109.98
b DSP Adapter £68.99 OUT OF STOCK
http://www.toysinyourcar.com/acatalog/BMW.html
I cant work out what I need from the web site and no customer support to help - other than an email request page on the web site I don't know if they support DSP workaround
Coaxial type connector you will also need a separate analogue to digital converter.
Don't know who makes this product. supplied by third party distribution
Sound quality unknown


5 mObridge - its been mentioned but no information
Web selection no longer covers z4 E85 2003+
Sound quality unknown


6 PAC Audio - its been mentioned but no information
https://pac-audio.com/?fc=module&mod...mp-sbv-submit=
I think this uses the Antenna to input to the radio
Sound quality unknown FM quality


7 Yatour -available from Asia on ebay -seems to have DSP solution but no customer support http://www.yatour.net/shop/?type=detail&id=53
On ebay = DSP KIT FOR YATOUR BMW04 DIGITAL MUSIC CHANGER / IPHONE IPOD ADAPTER US $60.00
Sound quality unknown

8 Parrot
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_333MKI...g&awug=9002273
MKi9200 $239.99
Sound quality unknow

9 USA Spec
https://www.usaspec.com/p-329-pa12-bmw_dsp.aspx
a PA12-BMW_DSP - DSP connection built in - interface adaptor are capable of connecting two audio sources $189.99
Sound quality unknow

At the moment I going with Grom because
1 got some good advice from the company
2 they understood my question and understood the DSP issue
3 don't look as if the company is going to disappear in the near future - can only hope!


Please tell me if i'm wrong or what your experience/advice is

 

[markalp]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N9GODPS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 £5
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00NEKAJCC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 £6.95
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GXXFBC0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 £8.40
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gankarii-C...&keywords=fuse+tap&refinements=p_76:419158031 £3.99

£23.34 Gives you bluetooth audio streaming, via a hudden bluetooth receiver inside the dash.

I could have sourced the parts much cheaper if I shopped around and didnt mind waiting for thigs to arrive.

I did try a more expensive connects2 interface but it kept on dropping the bluetooth connection. so far the bluetooth receiver option has not dropped connection once, and because I have the phone mounted just to the left of the steering wheel skipping tracks is just a swipe away.

 

[NickDE]

I have Grom audio in my Z4C, plugged into the CD changer. It has an iPod permanently plugged into it, which it keeps charged, and the head unit and steering wheel controls it just like a CD changer, including track display. I also included the BT dongle so I can stream music or make hands free calls. Now I can listen to radio, CD in head unit, iPod or iphone depending on my mood. I installed it after pulling out a Parrot as I wanted an invisible install.
I have now had Grom audio's in 4 cars over ten years. The one in my E46 has been installed for 6 years now and still works perfectly.