[E90 Enthusiast]

Just wanting to get some feedback from those of you who started out with no bluetooth cradle, then had the cradle installed. Do you notice a big improvement in reception and clarity? I'm on the fence as to whether I want to pay for the cradle, and if it's worth it for the charging and reception benefits.

Also, on a sidenote: has anyone experienced fried batteries from the cradle's charging mechanism? One or two of the posters had this issue several weeks ago - I'd be interested to know if those were isolated instances or if it's a widespread problem...

[sysop]

I had the car for a month before a cradle was available, and the major disadvantage was the lack of charging especially overnight. However the antennae fin MUST assist in ttransmission in low strength areas. However even with the cradle I find the pickup from the built-in mic very low - my previous E46 was much better.

[tsoc88]

Do not have the cradle, just the phone sitting in the car.
Bluetooth connection seems to actually be better than not using.
I think reception is still a product of your phone provider.

[E90 Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by sysop

I had the car for a month before a cradle was available, and the major disadvantage was the lack of charging especially overnight. However the antennae fin MUST assist in ttransmission in low strength areas. However even with the cradle I find the pickup from the built-in mic very low - my previous E46 was much better.

By pickup from the built-in mic, do you mean the mic in the car? And are you referring to outgoing (people can't hear you) or incoming (can't hear others)?

[sysop]

Yes, I mean the mic in the car - next to the roof lights. I am referring to the volume level that folk in the outside worls hear me, using this built-in mic. The phone in my previous E46, though not bluetooth, was superlative in every way.