BMW Bluetooth Operation - Pairing Process

[whiteworkscharlie]

If you have the OEM aftermarket kit, many times the button will be located under the center armrest and it looks like the push to talk icon.

[42OKing69]

where is the pairing butten? i have a 325 that looks just like your car but i dont see any pairing butten anywhere.

please help

[bavsound]

@42OKing69 You will only have the pairing button once the BT kit is installed. It isn't there otherwise.

[rslockhart]

WHAT pairing button? I have a 2006 325 with Bluetooth, but I don't seem to be able to get it to pair. What pairing button is he pushing?

[olaf2046]

I think his kit is an aftermarket kit for the1998-2005 e46 3 series

[rslockhart]

Mine is a 2006 and it came OEM. There are no prompts. You need to have the device you want to pair in pairing mode, then turn on the car, and you should see the radio identify itself on your phone. Then enter the magic PIN and you should be good. Of course, if you buy your car used (like I did) and no one knows the PIN, then you'll have to take it to the dealer who will then be able to read it by hooking up their diagnostic tools to the engine port.

[supadupagmailcom]

@rslockhart I do have an engine code reader, but I doubt I can use it to reset/resync/recover the pin. What a PITA. I want to find the firmware developers and slap them. If the radio can tell me it's in pairing mode, why not generate a pin on demand? >.>

[bavsound]

@rslockhart You will only have the pairing button once the BT kit is installed. It isn't there otherwise.

[rslockhart]

@bavsound the whole BT implementation in BMW is awful. Compare it to Sync from Ford and you'll see what I mean. I have a 2006 325Ci and the only problem I had after the warranty expired was that the BT module had to be replaced. And the cost was astronomical: $425 with labor! And this module only does the phone, it doesn't stream audio from my iPhone.

My BMW may be a dream machine for driving, but it's a disaster as an example of state-of-the-art electronics.

[bavsound]

@rslockhart Yes many vehicles did a better job with BT than BMW. However the new Mediabridge unit that plugs in at the factory CD connection resolves these issues, allows BT music streaming and iPhone support. If you want to read more about it there's additional info on our site bavsound dot com.