I have a 2013 JCW Coupe and on the steering column to the right of the tach there is a round disc.It looks like some kind of cover plate.Does any one know what this is for?

 

That's where your handsfree bluetooth microphone is.

 

Thank You

 

I've often thought about what that was. Now I know...and knowing is half the battle. (cue G.I. Joe cartoon theme music)

 

On my 2007 R56 the mike was up on the headliner in the map light/toggle switch assembly. Either they moved it in all the cars (sounded weird) or just Coupe because we have different roof. Can't get built in garage door opener in Coupe.

 

If I'm not mistaken, they did actually move it in all the cars. IMO phone call quality is rather awful, I'd rather it be located in the head liner.

 

It's still sound weird and very bad with the drivetrain noise. I have to use this feature everyday and this is a serious issue and i have to pull out every time. This is the worst I have ever had.

There should be 2 microphones in the headliner

 

Yea, it was overhead and then on the R57, R58, and R59 they have it on the column for better sound pick up. I have the older version on my R52 with bluetooth and even though the R52 has a different internal Mic on the R52, it still hard to hear.... the old BMW ULK Visteon made unit.

 

Yeah the mic is rather poor. Before I replaced my speedo with an aftermarket head unit people could barely hear me unless I practically yelled. I think there may be a market for an improved mic (hint hint ECS... )

 

OMG That camper. Amazing!

 

For the Mic, there is no part number for an improved Mic that I know of. On the older MINIs they had a part number for the Hardtop Mic and Convertible Mic, I know the Convertible one was suppose to be better and have a great pickup. For gen 2 : all are the the same part number as the R57 / R58 / R59 84109167397

 

I believe it was relocated to the steering column because the coupe is a shared derivative of the convertible / roadster, where mic placement in the headlining would typically pick up too much noise from wind & buffeting.
BMW applied the same change to their Z4 where the mic is on the steering column, rather than headlining (as per normal 1 to 5 series non-convertible models)

 

Correct.

 

This is not an excuse to Mini Coupe owners to provide garbage. We all bought a Coupe to have better weather protection and insulation, right?

I use my hands free most of the time I have to stop on the roadside to be able to have a conversation because the Mini has already a very noisy engine and drivetrain with furthermore all the rattles getting worse with time from the cheap plastic trim.

The microphone should be in the left side of the headliner.