Back in 2017, I installed the GROM BT3 Bluetooth hands free unit in my 2006 Mini Cooper S Checkmate. It has been a bit of a challenge, to figure out how to operate it, since the owners manual doesn't provide specifics, for this installation. With the assistance of workarounds, I have figured out how to answer incoming calls and make voice dialing calls, along with being able to stream music from my phone, using the steering wheel phone buttons along with buttons on the HK stock radio.

I installed mine behind the radio because I had previously installed the Sirius factory unit, ans that took up the space and cables in the trunk. I also installed the microphone in the dash.

I checked past post and they are all dated around the seam time I installed mine. The units are still being sold for the Mini's (-R&c[0]=AT3CCDw-hOuAZiQ11OsyUYZn3qWhx9eHyYEsZ-kZmnqvz9ndOVIkZa9oMwsnxgo-8klS5sM8_aIOLjk7-j_HreeILZpNsqd3j9wzbPsqMsY81tGKBYo0TH4x3t1bHSbN3AQ B9f68TulO5fLoABOWxex8KqqJ9Loa4SXj-Bw]https://gromaudio.com/.../mini-cooper-convertible-r52-r53). I was wondering if anyone else has installed the same unit and what there experience has been.

 

I have installed a bunch (hundreds) of aftermarket bluetooth carkits in an earlier part of my career. I have not specifically installed a GROM unit, though I am considering one for my '05 Volvo once my current bluetooth carkit loses compatability with the latest phones (it's slowly starting to happen with the new iPhones and Galaxy phones, as they deprecate support for earlier BT profile versions). I've put in a few USAspec BT adapters that work with the factory radio and SWC similar to the GROM, as well...the functions can be tricky to decipher, for sure.

I'm curious how the uplink audio quality performs with the microphone in your chosen location? That location on the switchbank is discrete, but usually the best location for an aftermarket microphone is off of the center-front of the headliner - typically mounted to a domelight or overhead console in that area and pointed to the driver - this allows for less wind noise from the corner of the windshield or if the driver's window is down (a drawback for microphone installation at the top of the a-pillar trim). These microphones are usually directional, too, so the person in your back seat may be heard clearer than the front seat passenger or driver.

My daughter's R52S came with a Pioneer deck installed that had Bluetooth, so we have used that in her car for now. I did have to straighten out the wiring job of that earlier installation, though. I did find an OEM radio to have on-hand, though, in case we want to revert to the OEM look at a future date, and then your experience with the GROM unit comes into play for when we'll need a BT adapter that preserves the factory radio.

 

I was thinking about removing the parts needed from a salvage car, but I think that would involve changing out the center head unit, just to have full use of the steering wheel controls and I don't think it is worth it at this date. I am not sure how well the original factory units are doing with today's smart phones. It doesn't appear there is any after market units that give you full access through the steering wheel controls.

 

Yeah, the functions of an aftermarket kit used with the OEM controls are limited. But still, as long as you can get good call quality (uplink and downlink) with the kit, that is the most important. And, having a good phone holder setup is key, too (either a good widnshield or dash top mount, or on a number of my cars I like to use a Panavise in-dash (vehicle-specific) mount with a their 767-GR2 ball mount and then a magnetic phone mount on that. Something like this:

 

UPDATE: after firmware update:
I am able to raise and lower the volume of the call, with the steering wheel controls and end the call with the same controls.
If I start streaming music from my phone through the GROM unit, then change the mode over to Sirius, then get a call on my phone, all I have to do is change the mode back over to GROM and it automatically answers the call. Once the call is done I just push the down button, on the steering wheel, and the phone disconnects. Then I push the mode button to go back to Sirius, while the phone is still streaming music to the GROM unit. It doesn't interfere with the Sirius radio.

I am also able to voice dial by pushing the lower button, with the phone symbol on it, on the steering wheel, but only while the phone is streaming music, with the radio on GROM. I can also voice dial, by pushing the button twice, that is to the right of the #6 preset button, as long as it is on GROM.

We also have a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Uconnect (bluetooth), and it is fully automatic as soon as the phone is in the car. So I gotten spoiled, and the goal is to duplicate the same functions with the GROM. Probably can't be done, without the people at GROM adding a few mores of code to their system, but I will get it as close as I can.

That having been said, I guess I have caught the mouse and there is really no need to search for a better mouse trap!

Actually, I have just been using the cup holder for the phone.

 

Sounds like you have a very good solution working with the GROM unit, now.

There looks to be a Telephone Mute (likely a pull-to-GND to activate) and Telephone Audio Inputs (line-level audio inputs) that could be utilized for handsfree call audio. The GROM unit is likely playing everything through the CD-changer input, which is why you have to be on that source when you need to use it/hear it.



When I worked on Bluetooth carkits at Motorola, we started with handsfree audio only kits, and then added Bluetooth stereo support once that became more prevalent. The ideal scenario would be that the call audio was always heard when a call was incoming or initiated - and that was done with either a dedicated speaker, through a telephone mute and phone audio input (if supported by the radio in the car), or via a relay harness to switch the vehicle speakers over to the call audio when in a handsfree call.

For listening to the Bluetooth music, it was brought in through the stereo via an aux input, an aux input adapter (what the GROM unit is doing), or via an FM modulator connected inline with the antenna connection when no other option was possible. As the Bluetooth streaming/music was for entertainment, it was thought OK to have to choose to listen to that source via the radio, rather than needing to have it playing right away like for a handsfree call. Other carkits (Parrot) and some of our later carkits got around this by switching 4 speaker channels with a relay harness and playing the Bluetooth music to the speakers directly, but this was then using the amplifier of the carkit and not of the stereo in the vehicle. I was never a fan of that solution because of the limitations of the carkit's amplifier, but carkit installers and many price-sensitive customers liked it because it got the music playing without the added cost of the aux input adapter.

 

khnitz,

I agree, this appears to to be the best solution available for this unit. Since when a call comes in, all I have to do is hit the MODE button, to get the radio over to GROM, and it will answer the call. Even with the Uconnect system in the Jeep, I have to hit the answer button on the screen to connect the call.

Hopefully, this post has helped others with the seam issue.

Roy