A voice command module can be added to the BMW Navigation system. With the module you can control by voice the following Navigation commands.1. Turn on Navigation (Navigation)2. Turn on/off voice instruction (Instruction/Instruction Off)3. Display Map (Route Map)4. Change Map Scale (Scale 1/4 mile etc)5. Get information of current location and destination (Hotels, gas stations, restaurants)It won’t allow you to enter addresses or retrieve entries from the address book via voice.Hopefully, these features can be added later via a software update.————————————————————————————————————The addon voice recognition can be fitted on BMW E39’s (525,528,530,540,M5) that were built during the year 2000 or later. To determine if you can add the VR module to your Navigation, look for the blue connector on the top right wiring harness. (Note: You don’t need the Integrated phone for this. If you do have the phone, then you won’t need the microphone.)Parts Needed (Courtesy of FlyM5 – BMWM5 board)Part # Description Price PacificBMW price84 41 6 913 352 Voice recognition module ($300.00) $271.2084 13 8 384 866 Mounting bracket ($31.13) $ 14.8207 12 9 946 304 Nuts (make sure you order four of these)($.44 each) $ .52 (for four)84 31 8 380 338 Microphone(not req if phone is installed) ($85.00) $ 51.12 Install Instructions 1. Verify that you have the Blue Connector as part of your wiring harness. Blue Connector LocationClose Up2. Order the parts. Here’s what they look like.3. Put the module and the bracket together using two nuts.4. Install bracket into Navigation bracket using two nuts.5. Unfurl blue connector by cutting the wire tie.6. Remove white plastic around blue connector so that the blue connector will fit into module.7. Plug blue connector into module.8. Test the module operation, just turn on the ignition to the first accessory position, and hold down the button on the steering wheel with the “voice speaking” icon until you hear a beep. The dashboard computer will then display a message VOICE RECOGNITION, followed by SYSTEM OFF after a few seconds.9. Wrap remaining wires so that they won’t rattle.Now the hard part.10. Install the microphone in the car interior by prying out the panel in the headliner that contains the sunroof switch, garage door opener switches, and the empty grill that holds the microphone. Use any flat-bladed screwdriver to pry out the panel — don’t worry, you’re not likely to break anything.11. I had a hard time locating the mic wire. It was located on the driver side inside the panel and was tucked right next to a wire tie attached to the roof. I had to pry off the wire tie from the room to unfurl the mic wire.12. Run mic wire through the mic opening in the panel, and attach it into microphone. Snap mike into mic holder and reassemble panel back into roof. YOU’RE DONE.6. To operate the system, again press the voice icon button on the steering wheel until you hear a beep and see VOICE RECOGNITION in the dashboard display, and then say “Help Navigation.” A female voice (different from the navigation voice) will then proceed to recite a long list of voice commands to control the navigation system. You can do the same thing and say “Help Phone” to get the phone system commands, even if you don’t have a phone. Have fun…This should decrease the chances of having an accident while playing with the navigation system. Available Commands(Courtesy of FlyM5 – BMWM5 board)BMWM5 Discussion Message BoardIf you just say “HELP,” the system mentions that there are 3 help commands:HELP NAVIGATONHELP PHONEHELP NOTEPADUnfortunately I can’t seem to find reference to anything that works the stereo or DSP.Below is a list of all the commands mentioned by the HELP commands:Help NAVIGATION:Route mapNavigationScale 400 feetScale 800 feetScale one quarter of a mileScale half a mileScale one mileScale two point five mileScale five mileScale ten mileScale twenty-five milesScale fifty milesHotels as current locationParking lot as current locationRestaurant as current locationGas station as current locationHotels at destinationParking lot at destinationRestaurant at destinationGas station at destinationSave current positionNew routeInstructionInstruction offHelp PHONE:Dial numberDial nameAdd nameDelete namePlay phonebookClear phonebookRedialHelp NOTEPAD:Record notePlay notepadClear notepadThanks to FlyM5 and Kevin Smith….Prepared by arnolds Voice Recognition Updateby arnolds on January 10, 2001 at 21:46:50:Parts came in today and I successfully installed the voice recognition. The only problem I had was the microphone wire inside the headliner. I had to take out one of the wire tie to get to the mic wire.Just a summary of what commands are available.With the module you can control by voice the following Navigation commands.1. Turn on Navigation (Navigation)2. Turn on/off voice instruction (Instruction/Instruction off)3. Display Map (Route Map)4. Change Map Scale (Scale 1/4 mile etc)5. Get information of current location and destination (Hotels, gas stations, restaurants)It won’t allow you to enter addresses or retrieveentries from the address book via voice. :=(Is it worth $350 bucks? Maybe…if you’re like me with the nav who likes to change map scale with regards to your distance, then the current command set are great. I do wish you can enter addresses via voice but I think this feature is turned off. With that feature then $350 is a bargain.Also, if you have the integrated phone, it should be awesome with the voice module. As it stands, BMW phones are 1000 bucks and not compatible with many cell providers. Hopefully the much awaited CPT8000 will be reasonable.As for the tech nerd aspect…well your mileage may vary..Here’s the complete install instructions and voice command set.http://www.eagleglenonline.com/bmw/recognition.htmlVoice Recognition Install