How many folks have the BMW phone installed in their new M5's? My 2000, did not come with it, but I am considering installing it. I drove a loaner 740iL, and really liked how it was integrated with the Nav system, stereo and steering wheel buttons. List price is around $1400 for everything (phone, install kit, voice recognition kit.) I know they are cheaper at a few online dealers.
I hear that the latest kit includes a Motorola Timeport phone. Does it require the Motorola phone? Can I use a non-BMW, Motorola phone with it?
Thanks,
Paul
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Paul Jones paujones@yahoo.com
2000 M5, KW Coilovers, Tubi Exhaust
I spoke today with my local Cingular representative, who said that the normal Motorola phones won't work with BMW or Mercedes installations.
I suggest you check with your BMW service representative.
I got the correct part nos. from my local dealership for the service type in my area (CDMA vs. TDMA) and sent them up to the IL dealer from whom I am buying the car.
I want the phone and installation on the original invoice to get the full warranty, instead of the shorter parts warranty.
Jim
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Jim 2001 ///M5 Royal Red / Caramel
That was what I was planning for the 2001 I had on order. I talked to my dealer in Pleasanton, Ca. and they said that they charge $1,995 for the whole package installed. I thought it is a nice to have but way over priced for a phone that will be outdated in 2 years.
I read JimC's detailed account of how he installed his himself, and that sounds like my route. I just need to find the aftermarket dealer with the best price below list.
Good luck with the 2001 -- you will really like it!
Paul
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Paul Jones paujones@yahoo.com
2000 M5, KW Coilovers, Tubi Exhaust
I added a phone to my 6/00 production in September 2000 for a cost of $1,247 before state tax. Voice recognition wasn't yet available at that point, but it was definitely worth it to have the integrated functionality. I'm not a car phone freak, but I love having the controls at my finger tips when I do use it.
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Tom
'00 Anthracite/Caramel/Burl Walnut
Not correct . . . I have cingular service. Since no one seemed to understand the cellular system at BMW or any of the BMW dealers, I did my homework and found the solution rather simple. There are really only two phones you can buy from BMW . . . CDMA and TDMA. Unfortunately, BMW has assigned part numbers based on local carriers (leaving the impression that there are hundreds of different phones). Since there is no cingular part number, the perception is that it is not available.
The solution: Buy a TDMA phone . . . e.g. the BMW AT&T part number as an example. Take the phone to a cingular service location and they will program your service to it.
Quote:
Originally posted by JFB Paul
I spoke today with my local Cingular representative, who said that the normal Motorola phones won't work with BMW or Mercedes installations.
I suggest you check with your BMW service representative.
Not correct (in some cases).. Singular (FKA Pac Bell) in California is GSM...
Quote:
Originally posted by Victor Not correct . . . I have cingular service. Since no one seemed to understand the cellular system at BMW or any of the BMW dealers, I did my homework and found the solution rather simple. There are really only two phones you can buy from BMW . . . CDMA and TDMA. Unfortunately, BMW has assigned part numbers based on local carriers (leaving the impression that there are hundreds of different phones). Since there is no cingular part number, the perception is that it is not available.
The solution: Buy a TDMA phone . . . e.g. the BMW AT&T part number as an example. Take the phone to a cingular service location and they will program your service to it.
Maybe I was unclear, because I'm misunderstanding your response. The BMW phone will work with Cingular. Apparently, BMW has different versions for TDMA, CDMA (and I assume GSM).
What I was told by the Cingular representative is that if you went to the "phone store" and bought a Motorola phone that is similar to the BMW phone, it would not properly integrate with the BMW systems in your car. The BMW phone is sufficiently different. That is why I said that
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I spoke today with my local Cingular representative, who said that the normal Motorola phones won't work with BMW or Mercedes installations. [Emphasis added.]
If you or anyone has different information, that would be nice to know. One downside to the BMW phone is that they don't seem to update the units often to keep up with technology developments.
Jim
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Jim 2001 ///M5 Royal Red / Caramel
1) TDMA Tri band 800mhz,1800mhz, and Amps (Analog)
2) CDMA Tri band 800mhz, 1800mhz, and Amps (Analog)
They do not offer GSM.
A
Quote:
Originally posted by JFB Victor
Maybe I was unclear, because I'm misunderstanding your response. The BMW phone will work with Cingular. Apparently, BMW has different versions for TDMA, CDMA (and I assume GSM).
What I was told by the Cingular representative is that if you went to the "phone store" and bought a Motorola phone that is similar to the BMW phone, it would not properly integrate with the BMW systems in your car. The BMW phone is sufficiently different. That is why I said that
If you or anyone has different information, that would be nice to know. One downside to the BMW phone is that they don't seem to update the units often to keep up with technology developments.
I like the integrated phone. It works great and is very convenient to use from the steering wheel controls. I have found that I do not use the voice recognition feature very much. It is a little difficult to use. It is particularly unusable when the sunroof is open, even though the hands free phone works fine. In my opinion, the built-in phone is a definate yes and the voice recognition thing is questionable.
BMW phone upgrade - worth it?
/ Caramel
Cingularly confused
Nice phone, but skip the voice recognition
Linear Mode
