Connected Drive - Am I getting the most out of it ?

[Powerkiter]

I have a 2013 320d M Sport Touring with the Connected Drive and either the Professional Media or Business Media; I cannot remember which of the two it is but it has the full size screen, SatNav, RTTi, larger iDrive controller which can recognise your hand writing.

I used the SatNav quite a lot. My iPhone is always plugged in for music. I have CD's stored on the hard drive. The iPhone App with remote services is used every now and then; really for showing to friends !

I just have a niggling feeling that I am not making the most of the system.

What do other people commonly use the Connected Drive system for ?

[craig1912]

I was thinking the same thing. I do all of the above and also send postcodes to the car from google maps/ or the remote app to save inputting it when I get in the car. I also have the concierge service (or whatever it is called but have never used it). Also use the Deezer app to stream into car.

[Powerkiter]

Glad I am not the only one.

I did set up the send maps to car thing via the BMW website but it never worked. Not really had the chance to look into it anymore.

I have the SOS button thing plus the concierge thing but never had to use either. I should really use the concierge thing to help me sort out the send maps thing.

I also have the app that monitors your driving when in Eco mode but it only seams to work if you have the app open on your phone at the time.

[craig1912]

My send to car doesn't work from Google Maps (Couldn't communicate with your automaker. Please contact them for assistance) but it works fine from the remote app.

[kazste]

I use the send to car function a lot but as said you need to use the bmw app not google maps. What does the concierge service do?

[Powerkiter]

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/conn...

[kazste]

Sorry i phrased my question wrong. What i mean is is it just a send to nav finction or is it proper concierge where they will book me a restaurant and guide me to it? I suspect just send to nav but to me at least its not that clear on their site

[38911]

Concierge (info plus) is excellent. They can do location context searches for you (e.g. Can you find my nearest McDonalds) and they send the address direct to your car so you just click 'go to' and you're all set. I use it all the time..

They will also book restaurant tables etc and they message your idrive to confirm. I have also used them to reserve hotel rooms etc.

They will also get info for you on things like share prices etc - and if you get stuck without your mobile they will pass messages on etc. Very useful.

[stumpage]

kazste said:

I use the send to car function a lot but as said you need to use the bmw app not google maps. What does the concierge service do?

I do it using Google maps. You need to set up a google login and it works better than the Bmw app.

[kazste]

Yes but will they get me the latest take that tour tickets to save me waiting in an online queue, thats what i really want feom a concierge.

[AB]

38911 said:

They will also get info for you on things like share prices etc - and if you get stuck without your mobile they will pass messages on etc. Very useful.

Why didn't I think of that the other day when I was stuck 200 miles from home without a phone.

[Jpinky]

stumpage said:

I do it using Google maps. You need to set up a google login and it works better than the Bmw app.

Can you do this using the iPhone/iPad app? It works fine for me from a pc but not on phone or iPad - which would be most useful!

[stumpage]

Jpinky said:

Can you do this using the iPhone/iPad app? It works fine for me from a pc but not on phone or iPad - which would be most useful!

Just tried it on the iPad and you're correct, seems to work on PC only via google maps.

[moffat]

Make sure that you keep the system fully updated - download the latest version from the BMW website onto a USB stick and upgrade.

Not sure what else to add...

- Spotify app, I've got this installed which is great
- Send to Sat Nav works everytime for me and I find it useful (do it from my iPhone)
- Check service details e.g. oil and tyre pressures

That's about it really, it's a shame that there aren't more things to install on it.

[craig1912]

moffat said:

Make sure that you keep the system fully updated - download the latest version from the BMW website onto a USB stick and upgrade.

Have you got a link to that? couldn't seem to find it. cheers

[moffat]

http://www.bmw.co.uk/en_GB/topics/support/mobile-d...

[anonymous-user]

I tried but failed to get the google map send thing to work. Didn't bother trying too hard as there's no real benefit to me. Oddly enough, I'm always in the car when I want to go somewhere in it, so it's just as easy to input the destination then.

The internet function is too slow, awkward to use so have let that lapse and won't bother again.

The e mail, message receiving 'function', linked to my iphone seems to require me to enter a password every time I start the car. I.e if I sett off on a drive and do that, then eg stop for fuel, I have to renter the password. Not worth the effort.

In all, the only thing that looks to be of any use is the emergency call thing, which I fortunately haven't had need of yet.

Amazes me what they'll sell us, and what we'll buy, of course!

[george123]

I've just bought a 1 year old 330d (registered Dec '14)...I'm first time BMW owner!

I'm struggling to understand what the option are that I have , looking on the BMW website there seems to be different names for the same features??

The car has:
professional navigation system
on line services
apps interface
enhanced bluetooth prep

Does this mean I have 'BMW ConnectedDrive' or only the features I've listed above within the total ConnectedDrive package that BMW offer?

Also, to access all these features do you have to subscribe via fee each year? Salesman mentioned something about it being free whilst the car is in warranty & then 90 pounds/yr?

Thanks for any clarification

[sooty61]

george123 - Have a look on the thread below. If BMW policy is consistent you will have to pay for the ConnectedDrive services again even though the car is under 3 years old. If you log in to the ConnectedDrive website then it will show you how much you have to pay for your particular car. I am not bothering

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[george123]

sooty61 said:

george123 - Have a look on the thread below. If BMW policy is consistent you will have to pay for the ConnectedDrive services again even though the car is under 3 years old. If you log in to the ConnectedDrive website then it will show you how much you have to pay for your particular car. I am not bothering

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Thanks for that. I dont pick the car up until Friday so will ask the salesman to confirm I get the balance of the 3 yr contract he told me I'll get. I can then get him to log on before I part with balance of the payment for the car and show me......

EDIT...Ive just called BMW customer services & they gave me the car VIN number, I've set up an account with the reg number...seems the account has never been activated . Telling me 'Account: activation expected'. Looks like I'm in luck! I just need to enter a security code which will appear in the Connected messages in the car when I request it .

Edited by george123 on Tuesday 3rd November 18:26