[discostu]

I've looked at it several times in the last couple of weeks since buying my car and I have tried to work out what it is and or how I open it.

I give up - what is it? The picture suggests something Audio related and it looks like it could be for a CD changer cartridge - but that is in the boot?



Cheers

Stu

[ThorsHammer]

It's where the Smart Phone adapter goes if you buy one.

[I335]

US cars don't come with that. Did you get your car used or did it come with that new?

[discostu]

I bought it used a few weeks back - 2006 E90

So essentially it's empty at the moment? Any ideas how the latch/lock releases as I've had no luck so far?

[beemerbird]

Didn't the car come with an owners handbook?

It's where you insert your mobile phone cradle for the bluetooth. Press down on where the white symbol is and the plastic unit will depress then slide it back and lift up at the other end. But don't writhe at it ok. You'll then see the bronze connectors for a phone cradle to connect to.

[ThorsHammer]

Originally Posted by I335

US cars don't come with that. Did you get your car used or did it come with that new?

My brand new 2009 sure did.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by discostu

I've looked at it several times in the last couple of weeks since buying my car and I have tried to work out what it is and or how I open it.

I give up - what is it?

In a nice way, of course ;-)

[lons]

Originally Posted by discostu

I bought it used a few weeks back - 2006 E90

So essentially it's empty at the moment? Any ideas how the latch/lock releases as I've had no luck so far?

Just push the button and it'll pop out. Clip back in when you've looked as it's just a protective cover.

It covers the gubbins where you would fit a a phone holder/charging cradle to suit your mobile. (bloody expensive from BMW and not available for all 'phones).

I assume your motor is bluetooth prepared!

[discostu]

After lots of attempts I finally managed to get the cover off - it is very fiddly and quite difficult to remove! I had kind of hoped there was some dead space under there for keeping CD's but not to worry. I generally buy HTC phones so I guess I could look at whether they do a compatible USB type cradle for charging.

I do have a manual somewhere but the wife has buried it in piles of paperwork so I've not seen it since the first flick through.

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by lons

Just push the button and it'll pop out. Clip back in when you've looked as it's just a protective cover.

It covers the gubbins where you would fit a a phone holder/charging cradle to suit your mobile. (bloody expensive from BMW and not available for all 'phones).

I assume your motor is bluetooth prepared!

I can't really see the point of the phone cradle if you have the bluetooth preparation, mine stays in my pocket all the time when in the car - and there is no need to charge it - as it goes 2-3 days on one charge as it is.

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by discostu

I do have a manual somewhere but the wife has buried it in piles of paperwork so I've not seen it since the first flick through.

LOL! Know the feelin' well! Mine's the same, the exact same!!

[lons]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

I can't really see the point of the phone cradle if you have the bluetooth preparation, mine stays in my pocket all the time when in the car - and there is no need to charge it - as it goes 2-3 days on one charge as it is.

Mine too!

I don't feel inclined to give BMW even more of my hard earned.

I bought a second battery and a mains charger which means my phone is never dead. (Got a car charger but hate plugs stuck in the cig lighter thingy

[discostu]

I remember seeing a paragraph either in the manual or one of the i-drive menus that said BMW recommend using a sync cable rather than bluetooth - seemed a bit daft. Probably BMW's way of covering their arses if it does ever turn out that mobile signals or bluetooth RF damages our brains.

On the subject of battery life - as I said I have an HTC... the battery life is pretty poor now at nearly 18 months old and I use it a lot for web browsing (near 2hrs a day) but I wouldn't pay a heap of cash for a charger come aerial. If there was a plugin that would charge my phone and allow USB driven music at the same time for not a lot of cash then I'd consider it.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

I can't really see the point of the phone cradle if you have the bluetooth preparation, mine stays in my pocket all the time when in the car - and there is no need to charge it - as it goes 2-3 days on one charge as it is.

If you drive a lot for work and need to use the phone when you do so it's invaluable.

My blackberry loses charge within a day if I make a lot of calls and the in car charger is a very neat solution.

For phones with an external aerial socket it also provides a direct connection to the sharks fin aerial.

[R80TER]

NFS has written what i was going too! I have a blackberry pearl that on a heavy day, i can do a battery in 6 hours, also the extra boost for the aerial is good!

[lons]

NFS & R80TER

What model blackberry have you got?

I'm on T-mobile as only this or O2 will give a reception in my area and I'm due to change in a couple of months.

I'm considering a blackberry but not sure which to go for. Any observations would be welcomed.

[xenon]

I've just changed the Pearl 8100 for the Curve 8900. Both very good and work perfectly with the BMW.

Be aware though if you travel to SE Asia as I found to my cost last week - the 8900 does not work in Japan or Korea. I was amazed by that and very pissed off being isolated

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by NFS

If you drive a lot for work and need to use the phone when you do so it's invaluable.

My blackberry loses charge within a day if I make a lot of calls and the in car charger is a very neat solution.

For phones with an external aerial socket it also provides a direct connection to the sharks fin aerial.

The Blackberry Pearl doesn't have an external aerial jack and the cradle doesn't have a plug, only two pins for electrical contact for charging.

[marriedblonde]

Originally Posted by NFS

If you drive a lot for work and need to use the phone when you do so it's invaluable.

My blackberry loses charge within a day if I make a lot of calls and the in car charger is a very neat solution.

For phones with an external aerial socket it also provides a direct connection to the sharks fin aerial.

Couldn't agree more. I use an iPhone and it only lasts a working day if used a lot. I could have bought a car charger but have having crap lieing around the car. The craddle is a neat solution with the added bonus of improving reception. Shame the factory fit bluetooth doesn't work about about 30mph due to clipping.


J.

[Dr Dave]

I have no problems with the factory bluetooth; the audio quality is superb. No clipping whatsoever.

[lons]

Originally Posted by xenon

I've just changed the Pearl 8100 for the Curve 8900. Both very good and work perfectly with the BMW.

Be aware though if you travel to SE Asia as I found to my cost last week - the 8900 does not work in Japan or Korea. I was amazed by that and very pissed off being isolated

thanks for that. I like the look of the curve - need to do some research into the different specs before I choose.

asia isn't a problem as I take an old phone when I travel. Refuse to take work calls and only use for convenience and security

[NFS]

Originally Posted by lons

NFS & R80TER

What model blackberry have you got?

I'm on T-mobile as only this or O2 will give a reception in my area and I'm due to change in a couple of months.

I'm considering a blackberry but not sure which to go for. Any observations would be welcomed.

I've got a Blackberry Curve 8300 through work. Seems to be the new 'standard' business phone.

Works well with the car - fully synchs the address book although it takes a long time initially.

Camera is rubbish, but for phone and email it's pretty damn good, although battery life is short.

Google maps is particularly useful on it.