GROM audio Bluetooth kit
 

Hello all, new to the forum, I just bought a used 03 R50 for my daughter,I was wondering if anyone has tried this bluetooth kit for their car.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121102049320...84.m1438.l2649

and this http://www.ebay.com/itm/380628591984

And if so , if they liked it, thanks

Bump, nobody has this kit?

Hey There,

I had the following on my 2004 R53:
http://www.gromaudio.com/store/usb_a...the_radio.html

The Grom unit worked pretty well with my car & android phone.
I was able to use the controls behind the steering wheel to pickup / hangup phone calls and also to change tracks & volume control.

Overall I was pretty satisfied with the unit. The MIC had a little bit of an Echo going on but it wasn't terrible. The call quality was pretty clear on my end since it uses the car speakers when you're on the phone.

Hope this helps. I def. loved my unit.

Cool, thanks for the reply, I'll give it a try

trunk vs. behind radio
 

hey folks - this is an old thread, but hopefully someone knows the answer. if i have the cd changer cables in the trunk, but am not using it (and not planning on using it), can i just unplug the radio end and use that location for a "behind the radio" option? I just think it would be easier to route the mic from there vs. the trunk. Will this work and are there any downsides to doing it? Also, FYI have the factory NAV unit...

I have this unit
, but it seems to be unavailable from Amazon at this time. Someone on another post said they were available on Ebay. The reason I chose this unit over the Grom, is price, $70 shipped, it installs from your existing radio, no need to go into the boot. Here is a link on NAM with an earlier conversation.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ing-wheel.html

i have the GROM unit. just installed in my 05 R53. i installed in the passenger foot well, running the cable to the trunk cd rom location along the passenger side of the interior. pulled the trim panels to snake the cabling.

the mic is installed on the drivers side of the dash and runs behind some of the cosmetic panels on the dash.

works great, allows for steering wheel control as noted above. no complaints.

hey so per my question - is there a difference between the behind the radio vs trunk option?

The Grom unit needs to be installed from the cabling in the boot. You can do as the OP did and snake the wires to the front. The unit that I have listed in an earlier post does not require you to snake any wires from the boot. I have not used/heard how the Grom sounds, but I am please with the unit I have, and it was less expensive.

...

This comes up a lot searching these forums.

There's GROM units that plug in the boot.

But there's also GROM units that plug directly in to the head unit, like this one I just ordered

It's literally called "BMW Mini 98-06 Bluetooth Hands Free Car Adapter Kit - behind the radio"

Will let you know how the install goes after I get it next week.

grom followup
 

how'd this install go? any updates much appreciated!

It went great so far... but is not done.

I have the unit hanging out under the center console, plugged in and working great.
It connects to bluetooth quicker than any car I've owned except our Tesla.
The steering wheel controls all work as promised.
That includes the Siri activation button!

I haven't patched things up yet because I'm unhappy with the microphone that comes with it and am trying others... I need to find one I like to button up things permanently.

I'm glad it worked out. "Siri activation button"?

The little "person talking" button that is on the MFSW that most US owners have ignored because very few of us got the factory bluetooth kit...

That button activates Siri hands free.

AFAIK that was never promised but certainly delighted me!

I'm confused, if you have the factory BT, why do you need the GROM unit? Going to push my button to see if it does anything....:)

he doesnt have the factory BT - he's saying that the grom unit allows the "talk" button on the steering wheel to activate siri hands free

I have an Android phone, unfortunately when I push the button, nothing happens. "Hey Google" will have to suffice... :)

Bradeeoh, did you find a mic that you liked more? Getting ready to order a grom...

Hi, i am currently looking between the option you said and grom. where did you install it? and in terms of compatibility with wheel controls, plug and play or you needed to do something else? Thanks.

Did you find a mic you liked? I'm thinking of ordering the GROM myself.

What unit is that? The amazon page doesn't exist any longer, so I don't even know what it was called. Looking at BT options now.

I have the following. Works great. Granted I do not have Steering Wheel Controls but works through AUX port on my H/K system and am able to answer calls by just pushing the button. PLUS it's only $15.99. I have One for each Mini I have (3).
MPOW BH408A Bluetooth Receiver w/ Display Screen