Adhal Posted January 1, 2012 Report Share Posted January 1, 2012 I have recently fitted the Connects2 and Parrot kit to my 330Ci, but I am struggling with a microphone location because I don't have the sunroof panel behind the interior lights, which would mean I would need to cut into the headlining to retrofit the panel. I am thinking of opting for the microphone location found in the later convertibles which is on the steering column as seen here: http://www.mwstewart.co.uk/images/cars/BMW/e46btretrofit/Bluetooth_40.jpg After looking on RealOEM, I have found two part numbers for the upper steering trim panel. 32311094678 which I assume is the correct one and 32316765803 which I assume I currently have. Will the 678 trim come with a hole precut and will it come with some sort of cover for the parrot mic, baring in mind I wont be using the OEM mic. Hope what I said makes sense and someone can point me in the right direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian332isport Posted January 1, 2012 Report Share Posted January 1, 2012 When I fitted factory bluetooth, I was in a similar situation. I didn't have the sunroof panel, and didn't want to cut the headliner. I opted for the later convertible solution that you mentioned. The upper steering trim comes with a hole for the microphone to poke through. There is no cover as such, you screw the OEM mic from underneath which pokes through the hole. The visible cover/grill is part of the microphone. This is a closer picture of it fitted: You could just stick the parrot mic on the top of the existing trim. Failing that, you could probably use the BMW mic and splice it into the parrot wiring. If it helps, I've still got my old (standard) trim that you can practice on. It's in good condition as well. Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted January 1, 2012 Report Share Posted January 1, 2012 I know not pretty but why not just have it sticking out of the top of the A-Pillar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob- Posted January 1, 2012 Report Share Posted January 1, 2012 Either of the above places are ok as long as you make sure the wiring doesn't obstruct the airbag in the A pillar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted January 1, 2012 Report Share Posted January 1, 2012 Im sure people have used the bmw mic before, well with the dynavin unit. May have been delmarco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob- Posted January 1, 2012 Report Share Posted January 1, 2012 Think it was Delmarco with the one in te headlining and a parrot kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted January 1, 2012 Report Share Posted January 1, 2012 Think it was Delmarco with the one in te headlining and a parrot kit Ah really, its just i remember his doing everything audio wise ha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adhal Posted January 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 I know not pretty but why not just have it sticking out of the top of the A-Pillar? When I fitted factory bluetooth, I was in a similar situation. I didn't have the sunroof panel, and didn't want to cut the headliner. I opted for the later convertible solution that you mentioned. The upper steering trim comes with a hole for the microphone to poke through. There is no cover as such, you screw the OEM mic from underneath which pokes through the hole. The visible cover/grill is part of the microphone. This is a closer picture of it fitted: You could just stick the parrot mic on the top of the existing trim. Failing that, you could probably use the BMW mic and splice it into the parrot wiring. If it helps, I've still got my old (standard) trim that you can practice on. It's in good condition as well. Ian. So if I opted for this route, I would need 32311094678? Also, where would the mic actually sit/stick onto? I know not pretty but why not just have it sticking out of the top of the A-Pillar? Would there not be wind noise if I had the window down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian332isport Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 So if I opted for this route, I would need 32311094678? Also, where would the mic actually sit/stick onto? Looking at what I ordered, it's the 32 31 6 765 803 that is the later convertible trim with the microphone hole. You already have the 678 fitted. If you wanted to convert to the later convertible system, you need to order the following: 32 31 6 765 803 - Upper trim with microphone hole. 84 31 6 937 391 - Microphone 51 47 7 033 004 - Screws (you need two of these) As I said before, the upper steering trim comes with a hole for the microphone to poke through. There is no cover as such, you screw the OEM mic from underneath which pokes through the hole. The visible cover/grill is part of the microphone. If you don't want to use the BMW microphone, you could always buy one and strip the guts out of it. This would give you the cover/grill and the parrot microphone could be secured underneath it. It would look like a factory install, and you wouldn't have to cut into any of the parrot wiring. If you're not worried about keeping it factory looking, you could simply stick the parrot mic on the top of your existing trim. Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momo Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Would there not be wind noise if I had the window down? Probably but why would you want to talk on the phone with the window down? Even with the OEM kit I always make sure the windows are up.. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adhal Posted January 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Looking at what I ordered, it's the 32 31 6 765 803 that is the later convertible trim with the microphone hole. You already have the 678 fitted. If you wanted to convert to the later convertible system, you need to order the following: 32 31 6 765 803 - Upper trim with microphone hole. 84 31 6 937 391 - Microphone 51 47 7 033 004 - Screws (you need two of these) As I said before, the upper steering trim comes with a hole for the microphone to poke through. There is no cover as such, you screw the OEM mic from underneath which pokes through the hole. The visible cover/grill is part of the microphone. If you don't want to use the BMW microphone, you could always buy one and strip the guts out of it. This would give you the cover/grill and the parrot microphone could be secured underneath it. It would look like a factory install, and you wouldn't have to cut into any of the parrot wiring. If you're not worried about keeping it factory looking, you could simply stick the parrot mic on the top of your existing trim. Ian. How would I use the BMW mic with the parrot then? Is it simply chop the end of the parrot off and join to the end of the BMW mic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian332isport Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Is it simply chop the end of the parrot off and join to the end of the BMW mic? Pretty much. You'll need to solder the wires, but there's only two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adhal Posted January 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Does it matter which wire joins to which, could I not use 'chocolate blocks' to join the wires as I dont have a soldering kit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adhal Posted January 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 (edited) Finished now, I decided to mount the mic on the existing steering trim. If you dont have the sunroof panel, its ideal. Drilled a small hole (just big enough for the 'ball' bit on the mic) where the OEM mic would go on the steering trim. Placed the 'ball' into the hole and then then attached the 'flat bottomed' parrot attachment (has a sticky tab on the bottom) from the underside of the steering trim. Using this method you get a really good mic position but you can see around 4 inches of wire (which I fed behind the wheel trim and along the side). I suppose you could drill another hole for the wire if you wanted but I was happy with mine. Edited January 8, 2012 by Adhal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Pics would be good for future reference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Turko Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I just put mine next to the steering cowel, it actually pushes in a bit further than shown in the pic, so a bit neater, but still not 100% hidden With the car being a vert, I couldnt have it up by the top of the windscreen. However, even with the hood up/hardtop on, theres still too much road noise over 50mph. But no idea if its the location or just the parrot kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 El Turko the above pic location is for a vert, might be worth posting a pic of yours for reference too maybe ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
