Bluetooth Head Units

Head units and speakers, MP3 and CD changers, GPS and SatNav, plus PDAs, mobile phones, Bluetooth, TalkAbouts...
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77Si
Joined: Thu 13 Jan, 2011 15:02
Posts: 46

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: London

Bluetooth Head Units

Post by 77Si »

Morning All,

Am wanting to replace the head unit in the Zed for a new unit, and I miss the Bluetooth BMW system of my previous E92 and am considering getting a head unit with Bluetooth capability - but wondering whether it's actually worth it given the road/wind noise - does it interfere with phone calls? Has anyone got a unit they would recommend? I have a preference for Alpine.....

Thanks
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Ian_C
Joined: Sun 10 Dec, 2006 20:10
Posts: 2415

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Lytham St Annes

Post by Ian_C »

I've got one of the Sony Xplod units with bluetooth. Works ok with the roof down up to approx 50mph, after that there's too much wind noise
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aceman
Joined: Sun 01 Jun, 2008 11:16
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  M roadster S50
Location: Wakefield

Post by aceman »

I had an Alpine 9882 in my zed (still got it) with the Ipod and Bluetooth modules which just fit behind the radio. I had the microphone mounted on the steering wheel cowling pointing straight at the driver, people did comment about being noisy when the roof was down but could still hear me ok. I guess whichever headunit you go for you are going to suffer a little with wind noise etc with it being a convertable. Lots of people on here have got Alpines so there are lots of advocates but the other system people like are Beckers which give a real OEM look with options for bluetooth and basic satnav so maybe worth giving them a look.
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D-reame
Joined: Thu 29 Jan, 2009 08:53
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  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: Normanby

Post by D-reame »

I have this unit and it is perfect for me.

Alpine CDE-113BTHAL Bluetooth CD Radio with iPod Connection

£179.99 at the time of posting.

It has bluetooth built in. Has a wired microphone which I have just behind the rear view mirror. It comes with the lead to connect to an iPod/iphone 4 or below. I have this in the glove box.

Also plays MP3/WMA/ACC tracks on a disc or USB key fob (plugs in the front).

It is 50W x 4. Matching illumination. All in a good unit with cracking sound over the stock unit.

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GazHyde
Joined: Fri 26 Feb, 2010 21:27
Posts: 1347

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Royal Wootton Bassett

Post by GazHyde »

I tried my Sony MEX BT head unit paired with an iPhone 3GS. Using the hands free was fine on the move dependent on speed.

The main problem I had was music streaming. If the iPhone is doing other things such as running TomTom it struggles to stream music at the same time. This is I think is more down to the iPhone's processor than bluetooth streaming.

I reverted to using my Plantronics Voyager head set, and streaming music via USB cable. As the Voyager is 'in ear' I can use it up to around 70mph with the roof down.

You also don't have the embarasment of your conversation being overheard at traffic lights!
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msassoon
Joined: Fri 23 Apr, 2010 16:31
Posts: 406

  Z3 roadster 2.8
Location: Crowthorne

Post by msassoon »

I have the Parrot RKi8400 and it is better than the Sony Mex I had. It has two mics and seems to link better.
DaveR6z4
Joined: Sat 28 May, 2011 21:22
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Location: Stoke on trent

Re: Bluetooth Head Units

Post by DaveR6z4 »

77Si wrote:Morning All,

Am wanting to replace the head unit in the Zed for a new unit, and I miss the Bluetooth BMW system of my previous E92 and am considering getting a head unit with Bluetooth capability - but wondering whether it's actually worth it given the road/wind noise - does it interfere with phone calls? Has anyone got a unit they would recommend? I have a preference for Alpine.....

Thanks
I have installed the bt125 (alpine), if you search under my name have put piccy on here, works ace, no problems....
Sterling grey 3.0, Alpine Bluetooth, black AEs, M heated seats & 18s.
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Tufarlian
Joined: Sat 14 Mar, 2009 20:21
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  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Cheshire
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Post by Tufarlian »

D-reame wrote:Alpine CDE-113.....
Another vote for the Alpine here. Had one in the Zed for over a year now.
Works great and yes, you can have perfectly good hands free phone conversations, even with the roof down.
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weedram
Joined: Mon 19 Jul, 2010 15:08
Posts: 73

  Z3 roadster 3.0i
Location: Whitwick

Post by weedram »

Interesting topic, but if you are going to replace your cd/radio would it not also be a good idea to get one that is DAB. As I understand it 2015 is the year being looked at to change over.

Anyone any ideas
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77Si
Joined: Thu 13 Jan, 2011 15:02
Posts: 46

  Z3 roadster 2.2i
Location: London

Post by 77Si »

Thanks guys, very useful - I have looked at some DAB's but not spotted a quality one with bluetooth capabilities. Ill look into the Alpine heads.
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Gazza
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 20:58
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  M roadster S54
Location: Romford Essex

Post by Gazza »

I use a Parrot Rhythm 'n' Blue Headunit with Bluetooth, picks up my iPhone 3gs easily, cant really comment on wind noise, no one rings me :( :(
Gazza

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Custard's alter ego
Joined: Wed 22 Dec, 2010 23:24
Posts: 3

  Z3 roadster 1.9i
Location: Swadlincote

Bluetooth stereo

Post by Custard's alter ego »

This is copied in from my post on another stereo replacement thread on the site...
Probably too late to influence your decision on what to go for but I have recently bought a Parrott RKi8400 which is fantastic! It is basically a head unit which is removable and your ipod is connected and put in side the main body. The front panel has a nice screen which displays all the usual Mp3 information AND the album art, so looks great. As well as FM radio there's a bluetooth phone connection so it can play music off your mobile and comes with a discrete double microphone which works really well nested on the steering column just under the instrument binnacle, even with the roof down. You can connect a USB datastick in place of the ipod and there is a hidden SD card slot in the face for even more music. The function and controls are easy and intuitive with a large central jog wheel, the sound is great (auto volume) and it is an attractive unit. All this for £179 from Halfords compared to at least £240 from the net and ebay. I bought a faulty (screen) 16Gb Nano cheap off ebay to leave inside-brilliant. Thank god the novelty has worn off now and I can spend more time looking where I am going! Did I mention the external audio jack connection, graphic equaliser, phone book facility, voice recognition ........?
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