Hey all,

I recently installed a GROM BT-3 audio streaming kit into my R53. It's a decent option for OEM style Bluetooth integration as the OEM kit doesn't do music streaming and is *nearly impossible* to find nowadays. The only problem is its terrible microphone, that I can't seem to find an elegant place to put in the car. I'm curious if anyone on this forum has found a nice way to get a microphone installed in the original OEM spot next to the sunroof switch. I know the OEM mic has notoriously bad quality and doesn't have an aux cable input, so that's not my first choice, I'd like to find a way to simply stick a decent quality car microphone behind that trim piece.

Any suggestions? Thanks NAM.

 

I've looked at this too, and while my solution might not be exactly what you are looking for, I'll at least share my thinking on it.

I installed the microphone next to the sunroof trim surround. It is just slid into position. I suppose it could be glued to the surround, but there seems to be no reason to do so. There is about eighteen inches extra length above the headliner in case I want to relocate it, but I've been happy enough with this position.







Putting it behind the grill near the sunroof control switch was too far away. I thought about putting it next to the tach, but realized it would probably pick up dashboard squeaks or vibration. The spot next to the sunroof trim surround is closest to my voice. I don't like talking on the phone while I'm driving anyway, so the mic rarely gets used, but it is adequate when needed.

I think the Grom is a nice solution for adding BT and USB, while keeping the basic factory head unit and steering wheel controls. It is not sophisticated in the way a noise-canceling, hands-free system is in a modern car, but- like the R53 itself- if we are mindful of the trade-offs, the result is greater than the sum of its parts.

I hope this helps-

 

Though not in the location you referring to, mine is tucked in right above the A pillar trim cover. You almost don’t even see it.