ConnectedDrive

[X5Sport]

I believe only the latest models with the newest type iDrive have that capability.  The CIC drive we have is now just another component consigned to history...

[dobbor1]

Tried it over the weekend. Wasn't really floating my boat. Other than text messages pinging through and the ability to send routes in advance. It didn't warrant £120. Just been given a full refund.


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[saucysimon1954]

[quote="dobbor1"]
Had it activated today. Nothing happened when I plugged my iPhone in. The music on USB stick sounds much better than from the phone via Bluetooth and not bothered really off the phone via USB. After a couple of hours flicking around the functions, I am not that impressed on what benefits I am getting for £120. Can see a call to BMW for a refund.


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[/quote]

I think there might be some confusion here, which is certainly not helped by the fact that BMW just tend call all of their technologies "ConnectedDrive" regardless of what it is or how it works.

The connecteddrive services, which were formerly known as BMW Assist a few years back, is the bit which costs you £120. All this does is enable a WAP browser with some basic news, weather, and email reading, along with SOS call, information hotline where you can ask where a nearest e.g. McDonalds is, google send-to-car function, etc - All of this works via the in-built SIM card, and does not require a connection of a phone to the car.

BMW Apps however is something completely separate, and if I am correct, can fully operate without the £120 services. This purely involves you running the "BMW ConnectedDrive" app on your iPhone, and then plugging it into your car via USB. Certain apps like spotify, internet radio, etc. appear on your iDrive screen and you can control it using car controls. All data goes via the data plan on your iPhone, and has nothing to do with the in-built sim card in the car. BMW Apps cannot be "activated" over the air, but will need to go into a dealership to be installed.

[X5Sport]

As long as you have all the pre-requisites, and the car was built from early 2011.

[dobbor1]

Thanks guys. If it was much less than the £120 then I may have kept it. Just seems very expensive. It was mainly the web radio/spotify which interested me but no doubt another expensive add on.


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[stevee]

[quote="dobbor1"]
Thanks guys. If it was much less than the £120 then I may have kept it. Just seems very expensive. It was mainly the web radio/spotify which interested me but no doubt another expensive add on.

[/quote]
I came to the same conclusion, £120 for send to car wasn't worth it. I do miss the google search. If I had a 2012 or newer with RTTI I'd have gone for it, as this is very useful in my other car.

[hmpmarketing]

Hey guys, wanted to give you my input as well.

I paid for the 120 "subscription" as well, other than the Send -to-car function, all else is pretty much useless (traffic info perhaps is a helper but Im not a commuter) as weather stuff and news are so slow over the EDGE connection it is just not worth. So for those that always need directions for places where the built-in NAV can't find and hate to have to play around with the cic wheel to enter a post code, I think it is worth.

People here saying about Spotify or Tune-in web radio for example, Im not sure what to say of it, as I can get Spotify working (even album art shows up on the screen) but for some reason I do not get the "Apps" menu in my screen at all, I only connect my iphone to USB port, select my iphone on the USB device screen and launch Spotify from iphone. I do now see Spotify as an option on the screen (as the Apps menu never shows up)  but without launching the BMW Apps app on iphone I can still use Spotify. Perhaps Im doing something wrong or the way Im doing it is the correct way, still stumped why the App menu never shows up