[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

your wrong though mate, I would not even entertain a used E9X without it...

Good, one more for me to consider

[dar2008]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

your wrong though mate, I would not even entertain a used E9X without it...

Agree. Now I've experienced it, I could never imagine having a car without that kind of in-built functionality. Worse, the wife's now insisting that her next car has to have something similar to iDrive and heated seats! Huh, the cheek of it.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

your wrong though mate, I would not even entertain a used E9X without it...

Considering the leasing companies don't see residual value in i-drive / satnav then if they have their stats correct you must be in a minority. If you were buying a new car or leasing a new one would you pay the extra for it? In a used car deal you effectively get the satnav for free or close to free so I can understand why you want it.

If people don't spec new cars with satnav, you won't get one with satnav used.

[dxb335d]

I didnt buy my car new, my father did. He paid the 2k for pro Nav. I bought it off him 9 months old.

If i were to buy another 3 series. I would not even look at ones without it. Im not the only one like that. Alot of people are. But of course not everyone is bothered.

If i were to buy new i would spec it. Whats 2k when your spending 45 on a high end BMW.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by clivem2

Considering the leasing companies don't see residual value in i-drive / satnav then if they have their stats correct you must be in a minority. If you were buying a new car or leasing a new one would you pay the extra for it? In a used car deal you effectively get the satnav for free or close to free so I can understand why you want it.

If people don't spec new cars with satnav, you won't get one with satnav used.

You won't get too many comapny drivers ordering either, as it add's the invoice total and tax liability.

[clivem2]

It's personal choice. To make the maths easier, satnav's about 5% on a £40k car. Some will find going for a 335 over 330 a waste of money and would rather have the satnav. Choice. Just not mine.

[marriedblonde]

Personally I have it but I bought my car as ex demo, I was more internested in the other option. I still use my Tomtom as the BM nav doesn't have half the addresses and whats with enterting half a post code and then having to complete the rest of the address all about...

J.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by marriedblonde

Personally I have it but I bought my car as ex demo, I was more internested in the other option. I still use my Tomtom as the BM nav doesn't have half the addresses and whats with enterting half a post code and then having to complete the rest of the address all about...

J.

I can tell you why the BMW system only uses 4 digit postcodes.....I used to work in the Telematics industry and I know the maps suppliers quite well.

TomTom use TeleAtlas maps, Navteq is the other big supplier. BMW use Navteq. Both have the same pricing policy - maps coded with 4 digit post codes cost less than maps with full post codes.

So...the £2k BMW system uses cheap maps. The £100 TomTom uses better and more expensive maps. Another reason I don't like car maker satnav!

Also you can program a PND in the warm at home, sitting in -4C in the car setting it up isn't good.

[creepy coupe]

^^ Clivem2, interesting stuff, but are you sure the BMW Prof doesn't use 7 digit post codes, I could have sworn mine did, but I might be getting mixed up with TomTom.

[fyonn]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

^^ Clivem2, interesting stuff, but are you sure the BMW Prof doesn't use 7 digit post codes, I could have sworn mine did, but I might be getting mixed up with TomTom.

I have professional nav in my e90, and it doesn't to 7 digit postcodes.

I've heard several stories about adding 7 digit postcodes to the nav DVD as a set of PoI's, but I've not found a nav disc with it done.

dave

[BC4J]

Originally Posted by clivem2

Also you can program a PND in the warm at home, sitting in -4C in the car setting it up isn't good.

You could try turning the car heating on.

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by BC4J

You could try turning the car heating on.

Normally though you program a satnav at the start of your journey, when the engine is cold. It's not much use when you've arrived!

This isn't my biggest gripe although I do believe a more ideal satnav would be where cars have a docking system for a PND such as Garmin or TomTom, it could have a video out function too if the carmaker wanted to install a bigger screen. You'd get the best of both worlds then.

[dar2008]

Originally Posted by clivem2

Normally though you program a satnav at the start of your journey, when the engine is cold. It's not much use when you've arrived!

This isn't my biggest gripe although I do believe a more ideal satnav would be where cars have a docking system for a PND such as Garmin or TomTom, it could have a video out function too if the carmaker wanted to install a bigger screen. You'd get the best of both worlds then.

Of course, you could always use Google Maps from the comfort (and warmth) of your home before getting into the car.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by dar2008

Of course, you could always use Google Maps from the comfort (and warmth) of your home before getting into the car.

How do i do that mate?

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

How do i do that mate?

Sign up to BMW connected idrive

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Sign up to BMW connected idrive

how do i do that. Will it cost me? and do i need to visit the dealer.

[creepy coupe]

Here under BMW owners area, you can subsribe, I don't know about cost in relation to how old your car is, it didn't cost me anything, but I have only had the car a few months.

[dar2008]

It's worth phoning them to enquire. It will depend on the age of your car, but all new BM's come with 3years connected drive included. Mine is 6months old, but I know they've been offering this service for about a year or so now.

When you're set up, you just go to Google Maps, find the address / location you're looking for - you can even use a full UK Postcode in Google And then you click 'send' to send it to your car. Works brilliantly... but I wouldn't pay for it.

[dxb335d]

Im shit with things like this. My car is just over 18months old.

WHt do i need to actually do to get this thing up and running. What other benefits will it give me.

[dar2008]

You can browse RSS feeds (mini-internet), and set up your own favorite sites... mine are BBC News, BBC Sport, Liverpool FC News.

What you have to do first to set this up is telephone BMW Connected Drive to confirm you can have it free. They will then set you up with a user name and send you a text to confirm User Id and Password. From memory, you then have to enter this once in iDrive and that's all there is to it.

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by dar2008

You can browse RSS feeds (mini-internet), and set up your own favorite sites... mine are BBC News, BBC Sport, Liverpool FC News.

What you have to do first to set this up is telephone BMW Connected Drive to confirm you can have it free. They will then set you up with a user name and send you a text to confirm User Id and Password. From memory, you then have to enter this once in iDrive and that's all there is to it.

do you have the tele number mate? thanks for your help.

How many sites can you have? and you can browse them from the car?

[dar2008]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

do you have the tele number mate? thanks for your help.

How many sites can you have? and you can browse them from the car?

Telephone: 0800 561 0555

It comes pre-loaded with global news, sports and weather. You can add as many personal sites as you want, just remember that they need to be sites that support RSS, such as BBC News etc.

You can browse them in the car, but only when the car is stationary.