Have NAV and it works with voice command button on steering wheel. Also have bluetooth button on steering wheel but didn't purchase bluetooth option on car. Can I activate this? When I scroll thru NAV no option of bluetooth shows up though. Do I reset NAV to find it? What can I do?

 

They are just using a universal part that includes all the buttons whether or not the car has the option or not. Every steering wheel with radio buttons and cruise control includes voice command and Bluetooth buttons even if they don't do anything. You won't be able to activate Bluetooth without retrofitting the option for about $1000.

 

Any idea what connector these command buttons are going to? I was thinking of using one of them as an auxilary use... maybe my garage door opener or something...
thanks

 

They are momentary contact buttons that are connected to a computer so they are not capable of carrying any current.

They possibly could be used for a Garage door opener but anything that needs a constant contact or current of more than about 50ma during the momentary contact they will not work for.

Don't remember off the top of my head exactly where they are located or the connector numbers but check here for wiring diagrams: http://www.bmw-planet.com/diagrams/release/en/

 

There are aftermarket BMW boxes that can monitor the CAN bus for the address of those (and any) button presses. Someone else in this forum had done that a way back. But to answer you original question, yes you can have the dealer install the "factory" bluetooth & usb system in your car. Will run $1300 or so depending on your dealer.

 

Asked the service department if I could pay whatever the costs associated with installing the bluetooth option in my car. They stated that unless it came pre-wired, that it was an impossible option ot install after the car is built. Anyone ever hear of that?

2011 Eclipse Grey JCW

 

I got the same story from Classic Mini in Cleveland. They told me they had tried a few ways of jury rigging stuff but had never been able to successfully make it work.

Really, I find that pretty difficult to swallow. Impractical, and an option that 99% of customers will balk at the price of, but not impossible by any means. Replace enough parts, software and wiring, and you can make anything work.

 

In fact, since you both have 2011 LCI models you maybe out of luck. The retrofit kit and the ULF module is only for build dates up to 08/2010. I would image a retrofit kit maybe designed but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

Yes with the change of a "Main Wiring Harness" anything could be possible but I and I am sure I am not alone on this would not want a dealer tech tearing 100% of the interior of my car out, putting in a heaping pile in the next bay to replace a "Main Harness" the car woudl NEVER be the same and probably would have a whole bunch of things that did not work when done.

 

Oh, you can be sure if I was motivated enough to pay the cost of the hours necessary to do something like that, everything would work afterwards. I'm sure I'd have to put up with some rattles, though!

Not something I care much about though... The time it'd take to do that would put the shop labor costs up into the thousands just to add bluetooth. My aux cable lets me talk through my stereo just fine for 8 bucks!

 

Or for around $300 you could go with a Parrot Bluetooth System that works and sounds better than the OEM and CAN use the MFSW controls.

 

Care to point me in that direction? :]

 

Google search comes up with this

http://www.google.com/search?q=parot...ient=firefox-a

and first link in the list is this

http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/b...-free-car-kits

 

You can get a clip-to-the-sun-visor Bluetooth handsfree gadget for as little as $25-30. Try Best Buy or your friendly neighborhood Internet shopping site.

Keith

 

And when i have the music turned up I can't even hear the thing ring, much less actually talk to anyone.