Bluetooth Warning & Sony Ericsson K850i

[Vern]

Just a few words of caution, the wife has an MCS (sept 2007) and had no problems until i bought her a new SE K850i for Christmas, it paired fine until 2 weeks later the bluetooth module would not respond, it then went in & out for the dealers a few times(i wont explain the hassle and numerous trips/time wasted etc) for recoding, which the module then failed to accept any code and locked up.

The BT module was then replaced (after being on back order for 3 weeks from Germany) and the car recoded (5 hours!!) all was well again for just 2 weeks ........now it has locked up again, Mini have contacted Germany who say the phone is not supported (niether was her Nokia E65 which worked without fault for 3 months) although all other Sony Ericssons are supported and the phone is too new anyhow!! they can do nothing the Mini/BMW BT modules are out of the ark and are so susceptable to problems, i have never had ANY problems with Ford,Audi's,VW i dont know why i wasted the money!! i should have just purchased an after market kit that will work with anything!!

Disconnected the battery but the BT module is still locked up...................

Any tips or advice other than driving it through the showroom window?

[nicknbecka]

There's been similar problems with Treos reported on NAM.

There's another compatibility thread there that has reported success or failure with the R56 Bluetooth connection.

[Vern]

Quote: Originally Posted by nicknbecka (original)

There's been similar problems with Treos reported on NAM.

There's another compatibility thread there that has reported success or failure with the R56 Bluetooth connection.

Thanks for the link bud............

I have cut and paste this from a NAM post regards what the Treo does to the BT module...

Update: The Treo corrupts the Bluetooth module, and makes it inoperable. According to the electronic wizards at MINI, any phone not on the "approved" list (which no one seems to be able to locate), can in a short time, destroy the BLuetooth module. If a phone such as the Treo is connected, it sends the address book to the MINI every time the car is started. After 1-2 months, the bluetooth ULF can't store any more phone book entries, and locks up, then stops working. Removing power to the module does not reset it....it is toast at this point. So, it seems that any "normal" Bluetooth phone that sends the address book upon pairing, has the potential to smoke the MINI's Bluetooth module.

BMW bluetooth, however, does not use this insane phonebook scheme, so Treos work fine in BMW's.

Why MINI would go to the trouble and expense of developing a totally different Bluetooth deployment than BMW, is beyond comprehension. I suspect that this moronic deployment is going to cause some problems for MINI....

This is the same as i was told by Mini via Germany, it renders the BT module dead!! so be careful with any phone not on the approved list, and from experience the SE K850i

[Mini Moo]

I had MASSIVE problems with my 850i and the Bluetooth on my Range Rover.

It was all fixed, however, when I updated the phone's firmware via this link: Sony Ericsson - Support - Update Service

MM

[Vern]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini Moo (original)

I had MASSIVE problems with my 850i and the Bluetooth on my Range Rover.

It was all fixed, however, when I updated the phone's firmware via this link: Sony Ericsson - Support - Update Service

MM

Thats interesting thanks, i have checked and it has the very latest firmware, the bluetooth is left off for now

[ONED]

Thats a bit **** considering the rip off price MINI charge for BT - I have the factory system in my E90 BM and its brill and about half the price of the MINI system! - thats why i went for the aftermarket Parrot and interface

[airbusA346]

Quote: Originally Posted by ONED (original)

Thats a bit **** considering the rip off price MINI charge for BT - I have the factory system in my E90 BM and its brill and about half the price of the MINI system! - thats why i went for the aftermarket Parrot and interface

Don't forget you aren't just getting Bluetooth in the MINI.

[ONED]

Like what??
I upgraded the 3 spoke with Multifunction but apart from that??

[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vern (original)

Any tips or advice other than driving it through the showroom window?

Wait for the salesmen to come outside and get them in the carpark?

[juansaavedra]

I bought a Sony Ericsson z750i 2 months ago. 3 weeks ago the bluetooth unit no longer was detected by any telephone. I took my car to the dealer where they tried to reinstall the software's unit, but was not possible. The conclusion was that the module was blocked and it needs to be changed. I have a Mini Cooper S 2008 R56. It remains at the dealer waiting a sent new piece from Germany. BMW sent a paper where they describe these problems with the Sony Ericsson W9101 and K850i. They recommend to use these telephones only if they have software version R1EA030 or up. The Z750i software is R1DA038 and it does not have possibility of being updated. I called to Sony Ericsson, they said to me that the update is not possible and they recommend to me buying a Sony Ericsson's bluetooth accessory (incredible). Apparently, they either did not know this problem in the Mini. The document of BMW alerts of the same problem in models of series E: E60, 61, 63, 64, 70, 81, 82, 87, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93 and R55, R56. The conclusion could be: To use another type of telephones that are not Sony Ericsson to avoid this problem, because although already some models are known that have the problem, is impossible to know the telephone's software version before buying it.

[MJK 1980]

I got a SE K850i and also had it paired fine for a little while. Then bit by bit the functionality dissapeared. I could not call out from the phone while connected then a little while later could not answer calls. About a week later the phone would not even connect.

Now the BT can't be found by any other phone, although i know the phone is not affected as i have used it with a headset since.

So the BT is locked and basically dead. Needs replacing by the dealer. Another trip in to the workshop. One question though, have other sufferers of BT locking up had any problems with the clock clearing and boot opening on its own? I have had this problem since the BT locked up, just wondering if the computer system is flipping out.