Discussion
Hello there, looking at maybe buying a E46 convertible for some Euro holiday trips in the near future. Question is, would it be worth looking for one with factory Nav for the conveniance factor, I'm assuming it's perfectly fit for purpose ??
Obviously this narrows down the car choice quite a bit, just don't really like wires hanging around and having to remove the portable units every time you leave the car etc.
Or is the factory nav not up to much and it's actually better to go with a modern portable one - and have a bigger choice of cars to choose from anyway ??
Views appreciated.
Obviously this narrows down the car choice quite a bit, just don't really like wires hanging around and having to remove the portable units every time you leave the car etc.
Or is the factory nav not up to much and it's actually better to go with a modern portable one - and have a bigger choice of cars to choose from anyway ??
Views appreciated.
I see people moan about the standard Nav alot and say a TomTom is better. Honestly, these people must be mad. The OEM Nav with a MK4 DVD unit (fitted in late 2003 and onwards) is about the best Nav I have used.
Its actually faster than the Nav in my 2012 Skoda Superb and seems more acurate when it looses signal (going through a tunnel). Having the screen also gives you some extra options like a the OBC on the screen rather than just the dash and gives you a countdown to the turn on the dash too.
Definatly worth going for and try and get a 2004 or later for the rust warranty (it became 12 years), a 2005 for the digital TV (analog no longer works) and go for Bluetooth if you can find it as it often includes voice recognition.
Its actually faster than the Nav in my 2012 Skoda Superb and seems more acurate when it looses signal (going through a tunnel). Having the screen also gives you some extra options like a the OBC on the screen rather than just the dash and gives you a countdown to the turn on the dash too.
Definatly worth going for and try and get a 2004 or later for the rust warranty (it became 12 years), a 2005 for the digital TV (analog no longer works) and go for Bluetooth if you can find it as it often includes voice recognition.
One of my requirements when looking for an E46 was the factory sat nav. It's been absolutely brilliant so far (around the UK), mainly for two reasons: I never have to remember to bring any externals, keep them charged etc. and also it just makes the interior much nicer (IMHO).
I'll be taking my car on a Euro trip in August, so I can't comment on how it would cope with the Euro maps but I'd presume it'd be more than fine. I did get the latest DVD though (2012) because the car had the original 2004 one.
I'll be taking my car on a Euro trip in August, so I can't comment on how it would cope with the Euro maps but I'd presume it'd be more than fine. I did get the latest DVD though (2012) because the car had the original 2004 one.
Cemesis said:
I see people moan about the standard Nav alot and say a TomTom is better. Honestly, these people must be mad. The OEM Nav with a MK4 DVD unit (fitted in late 2003 and onwards) is about the best Nav I have used.
The best sat nav you've used? You must be joking. It doesn't have proper postcode lookup, the maps look like something from a late 90's computer terminal and you have to fiddle with buttons to input anything onto it as the screen isn't touch screen and it doesn't have a proper user controller like the later iDrive cars.If the car has it then it isn't worth ripping out for something more modern and it does fit into with the interior very well. But I wouldn't be using it as a deal breaker when searching for cars.
The postcode and button issues I can handle, if the screen/maps are legible enough I'll be happy, not looking for the latest tech to be honest.
Anyway might now get a chance to see one for myself next week, so can decide then.
Good info on the model years too esp the corrosion warranty, thanks.
Anyway might now get a chance to see one for myself next week, so can decide then.
Good info on the model years too esp the corrosion warranty, thanks.
Fox- said:
the maps look like something from a late 90's computer terminal and you have to fiddle with buttons to input anything onto it as the screen isn't touch screen and it doesn't have a proper user controller like the later iDrive cars.
My wife had the mk 4 navigation system in her MINI (very rare option I should think!), and we upgraded the firmware to the latest version, which gives you quite nice looking 3d perspective maps.Its not the best system (and nor is the iDrive based navigation system we have in our E91), but its great to have something that's properly integrated within the car.
OP, if you find the perfect car without navigation and really want a system which is up-to-date, yet looks OEM, you can buy and have fitted a system like Dynavin, see this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
custardkid said:
Latest discs have perspective view, post code and speed cameras.
They've had perspective view for years. Still no 7 digit postcode lookup though?custardkid said:
But hay, if you'd rather turn your car into a branch of maplins the good for you.
I'm not sure where you got that idea from.I've never failed to find somewhere on my 2008 iDrive E61 Pro-nav with 5 digit look-up, maybe takes 10seconds longer than a tom-tom. Works a treat.
Maps looks perfectly fine, turn by turn arrow things and junction countdown in right hand smaller screen is great too.
Speed cams are POI's so also a bodge but they work - no audible warnings though.
Can't complain at all about mine.
Maps looks perfectly fine, turn by turn arrow things and junction countdown in right hand smaller screen is great too.
Speed cams are POI's so also a bodge but they work - no audible warnings though.
Can't complain at all about mine.
BalhamBadger said:
The other thing that's really good about it is the free traffic monitoring service which advises you of issues ahead and suggests a detour. Don't know how or why it's free on a nine year old car but I'm not complaining.
It's free because it uses TMC, broadcast over FM.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff