I have searched and searched the threads to find an answer to my problem, but can't seem to get any definitive answers.

I have a Verizon IPhone 4. It pairs right up with the MINI's bluetooth. Incoming calls are crystal clear, but everyone tells me they can't really hear me. Muffled, like in a tunnel...the usual comments I've read on other threads.

I moved the mic from the "British" side to the left side, but that made no difference.

I've read on mac forums that the IPhone 4 bluetooth may be the culprit and that Apple doesn't yet have a fix.

Can anyone shed any light on this. WA state has a no cell phone rule, and I really want to be able to use the MINI's bluetooth. I can voice dial, etc., but NOONE CAN HEAR ME

 

I have an iphone 3GS from ATT and have the same problem. My Mini is a convertible and the bluetooth mic on those is on the steering wheel column so it's not a problem with the mic placement. I think it's just a problem with the bluetooth mic in the car. From the numerous posts I've read, I think it's just a matter of the mic being a piece of crap.

 

Well, I have considered the idea that the mic may be a piece of crap When I switched it over I thought,

However, I've read many threads where people say that others don't even know they are talking on a mic.

Could this be a 2011 "cheapened version?"

 

(I'm not using an Iphone) I have a 09 MCS and the voice quality has gotten worse over ther past year to the point that the caller can't understand what I'm saying.

 

Here is my question then: does MINI have a superior microphone that we can have them pop in the slot? For $500 bucks extra I want something that WORKS

 

Same here!

I made a similar thread asking if there was some kind of aftermarket mic I could put in the stock one's place or if maybe there was some kind of software hack that could be done to raise the gain level on the mic. So far no one has mentioned knowing about anything like that.

It's really annoying having paid 500 bucks extra for something that's mostly unusable. Not to mention the ipod connectivity which is supposed to be part of it also doesn't work all that great. I'm starting to get the feeling that I paid 500 bucks for nothing more than a usb charger in the car.

 

Can you elaborate on the "ipod connectivity.......doesn't work all that great" ?

I'm about to install the Bluetooth/USB OEM, and don't want to waste my money if I don't get much.

Thanks.

 

I should clarify. Instead of "ipod" I should have said "iphone". I have an iphone 3GS, not an actual ipod. That said, the iphone has a built in ipod so it should work the same, shouldn't it?

The issues I have are when I plug in the iphone using the supplied cable, I get a message on my phone's screen that says something like "this accessory..or this cable..is not designed to work with the iphone..." and asks if I want to set the phone in airplane mode.

However, when I get past this message, the ipod controls themselves on the car's radio do work.

Also, when I have the phone plugged in using the cable, the "aux" mode is disabled and I can't use the phone to listen to pandora through the aux jack.

I bought a longer cable off amazon that I saw recommended here and it solved a couple of the problems but it created another one. With the amazon cable, if I plug the phone in before trying to switch to aux mode, aux mode is disabled and is not an option but if I set the mode to "aux" before I plug in the phone, it stays on aux and I can listen to pandora, but, the cable doesn't function with the ipod controls and if I try to switch to ipod mode on the car's radio I get a message on the car's readout that the cable doesn't work.

Since I rarely use the ipod controls themselves though, that is a workaround I'm ok with. I just set it to aux and can use either pandora or use the ipod controls on the phone itself to send the sound through the aux jack.



I hope my explanation makes sense...


btw, after doing a lot of research on google about bluetooth problems with the iphone, I found a lot of complaints from other people about the iphone's bluetooth quality which sound identical to what a lot of us here have complained about. You can hear the other person fine but the other person says you sound horrible. This could be a problem with the iphone's bluetooth software. I'm still not sure but it does seem to be a common complaint.

 

I'm still waiting to get my MINI (hopefully she'll arrive next week)...but I found one tip/trick from my stereo guy that helped make the BT more livable on my last car. You can give it a try and let us know if it helps at all.

Tip/Trick:
When on a call using your BT (headset/MINI/etc.) go to the phone and turn the "in call" volume all the way down. Usually you can just do this by adjusting the volume using the volume buttons on the side of your phone.

I know it isn't a remedy if your BT phone and MINI still sound poor, but this one trick works to make phone calls less echo-y on nearly all BT devices I have used in the past year.

 

sumint, you rock

I turned down the volume control on my iPhone, and I was told I was audible. Still like in a tunnel, but very audible! I think the echo was what was making me inaudible before.

That works for me as blathering on the phone while motoring is.....sacriligious at best.

The bluetooth is great for the quick, "I'm on my way. Call ya later!"

Thank you. And, you will absolutely adore your new baby. Your black and white color scheme on your MCSa reminds me of my little mini dachshund. Quite stunning!

Happy trails.........

 

Hahaha...my first dog ever was a brown dachshund!

PS - remember this little tip/trick and if you end up talking to someone and they are on BT, tell them to turn their handset volume all the way down, and most of the times it makes it easier to hear them....it's not MINI specific at all.

PSS - even though BT has been around a long time it is still far from perfect. I've been in $60k+ brand new luxury cars where the BT was still poor quality.

 

Yep! It's mother nature's way of telling us to get off the phone, shut up and MOTOR ON

 

I have a Verizon Iphone and have no problems with the bluetooth or the mini connect. The carrier has nothing to do with it if anything it would be an apple issue. Bluetooth is a wireless signal that communicates with another listening device. If anything bring it back to Apple and explain to them if its not the phone then my friend you may need to pay 500 for a new mic lol