[lucas.kent]

It's worth it.

[Seminole]

Originally Posted by woodnphilosfr

I am sorry I should've clarified. The only reason that I would use the BMW Assist is for road assistance if needed.

The car comes standard with Roadside Assistance whether you get BMW Assist or not.

BMW Assist is a telematics (?) service that can call an operator who will assist you with things like making dinner reservations, directions, etc if you opt for the concierge package. If not, it enables the car to notify BMW if you are in an accident and BMW can dispatch police and EMS to your scene.

[lsdless]

It's awsome! I used to never use the phone when I drove because my old M3 was a manual but now I can drive stick and talk on the phone. I could even smoke if I wanted to but that's not my thing.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by woodnphilosfr

I am sorry I should've clarified. The only reason that I would use the BMW Assist is for road assistance if needed.

What about if you get locked out or activate ACN? A lot of things people use BMW Assist for are things they really would hope they don´t need.

[iheartsole]

yeah its worth it it is convenient

[ceb]

...I suspect that the lack of BT may dissuade someone from buying the car in the future...

[2kaccordocoupe]

It's probably the one gadget that I use every time I'm in the car. I would not get another car without it.

[srcstc]

Bluetooth works great. Once you get it you can't go back.

[ilia]

Thank you for all the input guys!!! I am keeping the bluetooth, after all, it's only a few bucks extra that I am going to regret not spending later. Thanks again!

[carve]

Originally Posted by BMW>(insert car brand)

+1 to pretty much everyone saying its worth it. I can just use my voice to call anyone in my contacts, never taking my hands off the wheel.

That is nice, but the voice recognition ability is terrible compared to my old Motorola Razor. With the razor, you'd just say "call (name in your phone book)". It'd recognized what name you where talking about based on the phonetics and spelling of that name- no acclimation to your voice needed. With the bimmer, it's a 3-step command process, it often gets it wrong, and you have to have the car record you pronouncing every name you're interested in dialing. It seems like an option that costs this much should have voice recognition technology at least as good as a long obsolete cell phone.

[VTECaddict]

What? My car doesn't need me to record the pronunciation of each name...and my car is older than yours...

[Thunder Dump]

Bluetooth is great and I consider it a must-have with any new vehicle. However, I do wish BMW would work on expanding their approved phones list--it is VERY limited. Phones on the list work 100%, but those that aren't on the list are very hit or miss. I've never had a car be so picky about Bluetooth protocol before.

[kefler]

Originally Posted by carve

That is nice, but the voice recognition ability is terrible compared to my old Motorola Razor. With the razor, you'd just say "call (name in your phone book)". It'd recognized what name you where talking about based on the phonetics and spelling of that name- no acclimation to your voice needed. With the bimmer, it's a 3-step command process, it often gets it wrong, and you have to have the car record you pronouncing every name you're interested in dialing. It seems like an option that costs this much should have voice recognition technology at least as good as a long obsolete cell phone.

I pair my phone, the car grabs the phone book... To call my house I just push the speak button and say "call House" and it looks that up in my phone's phonebook phonetically.. it then asks "Would you like to call... House?" and I say "yes" (no button push needed)...

Is yours an 09 with the new idrive? perhaps they dont work that way any more..

[jocamryn]

BT and Xenons.. 2 options I will NEVER do without

[ptwob311]

I voted yes... cause i use mine almost every time i am in the car.... hands free that is, not BMW Assist.

HOWEVER, I just saw a device on TV (good ol Billy Mays RIP) that allows you to plug it into the headset jack of your phone and broadcast on FM; like the ones for iPODs, to your radio. This in essence allows you to have speakerphone, like a bluetooth equipped car. You wont have the phone book interface on the radio/iDrive, you would still have to do it the old fashioned way... dial the phone.

another possibility.. not sure how good they actually work, but figured i would throw that out there.

[ptwob311]

Bluetooth is great and I consider it a must-have with any new vehicle. However, I do wish BMW would work on expanding their approved phones list--it is VERY limited. Phones on the list work 100%, but those that aren't on the list are very hit or miss. I've never had a car be so picky about Bluetooth protocol before.

I have read many post about this but in my case it is quite the opposite. We have an 07 335i sedan, no nav or iDrive, and we have not had a phone be rejected. Mine, my wife has gone through two, her little sister's was able to pair, as well as my little sister. None of our phones were on the "approved list". They are all modern bluetooth phones and all the adress books loaded too. Perhaps iDrive is the big kink in the connection???

I wonder if my car has something different, or i am just lucky for once??

[Lobaeux]

I wouldn't buy a car now without it.
For resale, especially a 2010, it's going to be asked why you don't have it.
It's like buying a car without A/C, power windows or power locks.
20 years ago, they were luxuries, now they're standard, BT should be standard now too.

[kiwistu]

BT is must
+ is not yet illegal to use a cell when driving?

if its not it will be soon, in 2 months it will be illegal here as it should be!

I don't know how many near misses I have had (both usin gmy phone and neraly being hit by others!)

[carve]

Originally Posted by kefler

I pair my phone, the car grabs the phone book... To call my house I just push the speak button and say "call House" and it looks that up in my phone's phonebook phonetically.. it then asks "Would you like to call... House?" and I say "yes" (no button push needed)...

Is yours an 09 with the new idrive? perhaps they dont work that way any more..

Hmmm...maybe you need idrive for that. I had to program the numbers, paired with a name, in one by one. Maybe it only grabs your phone book with iDrive.

I think I had to say "save name", then I say the name and let it know I'm done, and then say the number (many times because it doesn't recognize numbers very easily). When I make a call, I say "dial name", it prompts me, then I say the name, then it says "would you like to call (name, in my own voice that I recorded earlier)"

[Oulixes]

Originally Posted by woodnphilosfr

Hi guys,
I just placed an order for a 2010 335. It is pretty bare with the M-pack, heated seats and Bluetooth. The only option I am not conviced about is the Bluetooth. The car will be used mostly on weekends and I don't have the need for the BMW Assist, because I have AAA. I know the car's location can be tracked if stolen, but would the tracking be active at all times, when I don't want people to know where I am. I wouldn't be talking on the phone that much in the car anyway to benefit from the hands free feature. Also, would it affect my resale or lower my insurance? Any pros and cons are appreciated. Thank you for your input!

Bluetooth is worth the money. It is a low power short range radio link using its own protocol, compatible with a growing number of electronic devices. It will not help to find a lost car, but will allow a hands-free phone use, and will allow a portable GPS unit to use the car's audio system. Once you will get used to it, you will like it.

[Craig@SupremePower]

yes..

[oilfighter]

Originally Posted by carve

Hmmm...maybe you need idrive for that. I had to program the numbers, paired with a name, in one by one. Maybe it only grabs your phone book with iDrive.

I think I had to say "save name", then I say the name and let it know I'm done, and then say the number (many times because it doesn't recognize numbers very easily). When I make a call, I say "dial name", it prompts me, then I say the name, then it says "would you like to call (name, in my own voice that I recorded earlier)"

I think I know your issue. To "Voice Dial" you have to do the "Save "Name" steps and save each name that you want to voice dial to the phonebook. But if you press Menu, select Phone, then you should be able to access your phonebook on your cellphone under the section "A-Z"

I have an 09 335d, no nav