In Car Media...Compromising ?

[AW8]

Well as some wiil know my 2001 built BMW X5 is poorly..... I have been looking into potential BMW used cars that may be a suitable replacement.

When looking into used X5 & X3 models (E70 & F25) from 2008 onwards I am aware that newer in car media technology often feature in option choices.....sometimes at expense of arguably more useful options.

Perhaps I am a dinosaur, however, I primarily buy a car to drive over and above for infotainment.  I appreciate benefits of acceptable music audio, useable Sat Nav & receiving the odd call when safe,  but that is it. When driving I am not interested in reading or sending text messages, emails, scrolling between apps, checking out dining reviews, speaking to a BMW helper, booking a service or reading the news......No wonder active cruise is so well desired by many in many modern cars  !

Many change mobile phones every 18 months but cannot justify similar frequencies of change with vehicles. BMW appreciate that evolving phone handsets are a factor...hence handsets becoming more involved with idrive.

I  currently use a relatively modern Galaxy Note..... sadly it is work provided & BMW apps are not approved. I may look into asking for car manufacturer related apps to be approved for future use.

Very mindful that BMW are but one of many manufacturers that make cars with evolving media technologies.

Do some feel that in car media options are sometimes given too greater priority over other options ?

Do some feel in car media optioned cars date too quickly due to newer evolving echnologies ?

Any other constructive thoughts appreciated.

[cozycoupe]

Interesting thoughts.  I am with you in that I also desire acceptable music and the ability to hook up my iphone/ipod, decent Sat Nav and ability to make calls.

To be honest, I think (maybe obviously) different people will have different requirements.  Some people will spend a lot of time in their car and for work perhaps different things are required.

Since these days people live more and more in a connected social media world the need for easy access to apps and tools is increased.  Things move very quickly.  Who knows where the next snapchat, twitter, facebook or whatever will come from.

BMW do evolve the technologies it seems but I think other manufacturers tend seem to have more technology in their cars quicker it seems.  I know it takes years to design cars and get them into production and as soon as you specify some technology it will be out of date before the car hits production.  I also suspect (cynically) some manufacturers are deliberately slow getting technology out there but like to show that their cars evolve year to year.

For example, i think the latest build X5 has touch screen iDrive.  This is 2016.  I remember having a large touch screen in my Korg keyboard in the late 90's - admittedly it wasn't colour.  The technology was there so why wait over 20 years?

Phones change a lot for sure.  Maybe a different perspective is required.  If the car software (idrive) was all Cloud based technology then it could be updated much easier - requires internet connection though - but surely 4g/5g could be on all cars in the future.  Or maybe even more radical the infotainment system could actually be your phone OS (there are only 3 major ones i think: iOS, Andriod, Windows) and all the settings and config of your car could be an app you install rather than having the OS as the car manufacturer's own one.  That way all your apps are there are you don't have compatibility to worry about so much.

Also, why not build dashcams into cars and they automatically upload the footage/data to the Cloud so you don't need a memory card or to download it?  Maybe that already exists or is being worked on.  Maybe there is a dragon's den moment there!

[Steamyrotter]

I cant really comment..

My car still has the harness points to fix the horses to....


But think there is too much "reliance" on a connected society.
All you hear is twitter this and tweet that....
Sod the lot.

My disco has as much connectivity that i need to get to and from work.


It has iPod integration (Cassette with headphone lead sticking out of it)
Hands free - Give the phone to the passenger, or if on my own don't answer it.
Instant Web access - courtesy of the family of spiders living in the door panel.
and a second generation iDrive with continual adjusting cruise control - being that "I drive" it...



But seriously though, unusual for me, when i do get my next X5 I do want some creature comforts like an up to date Sat Nav to annoy the wife, DAB, iPod connection/control and or HDD storage and hands free.
More than that would be most probably something i wouldn't use, but then if i had it you never know..

[gavp84]

I find this post quote interesting with everyone's views.

I do wonder though what your parents / grandparents would say about having Sat nav and Phone connectivity or what a family with a horse once said about a car.

Perhaps times change.  :xmaswink:

[X5Sport]

I'm with you AW8.  I buy a new phone when the old one dies, or is so past its support date that nothing works.

We had BMW Apps on the Mini, used it a couple of times and never bothered again.  Same with Apple Car Play (and the Windows & Android variants) on my Škoda.  Some might like it but me....meh!

Bluetooth streaming is useful, but no more so than a USB connection.

If I am driving the car then the least distractions the better IMHO.  Fancy audio is fine, but remember it is in a car and not a sound stage.  There are compromises as a result.  Ultimately it is a car!  The gimmicks are for the passengers, and I carry very few and very infrequently - wife and rugrat apart - and TBH I don't use most of them on any car I have.

[pvr]

The interaction with Waze via BT is useful as it means that any obstruction (including traffic police) is reported via the speakers with the phone tucked away in the charging USB. I would love for Google maps to be able to be transmitted to the screen where the BMW system is not able to locate an address for example.

On the new BMWs, I also like the interaction with the mobile where it shows you all the car statistics on your phone, i.e. amount of fuel left, miles. Including the very useful feature to see where the dealer drives the car during a service …

Spotify for the music is my preferred way for streaming as well.

So yes, technology in the car is very much something I like.

[CondorX5]

I love the admittedly now dated technology in my E70.  The satnav is great and with the BMW Online app I can find parking near my destination very quickly - I use it frequently. The app also lets you find say the closest Costa drivethrough or McDs or any other restaurant or hotel or petrol station etc - I find that really useful as I frequently travel extensive distances to places I am not well acquainted with and it helps to find parking etc quickly and stress free.
I often spend 4-6 hours a day in the car, so the online news, weather, email etc is quite nice for when I stop for a rest somewhere. Could use my mobile I guess.  I also like the DVD and TV setup.
The other connectivity I like is to be able to send addresses directly to the car from a pc or laptop and immediately just put them into the satnav.  You can also make a free call (well you pay a yearly subscription) to BMW Info to send an address directly to the cars satnav. 

I enjoy the tech in the E70, its streets ahead of the E53, which has none really.

[Turks]

I love my 2004 X5, but one of the things that was really starting to annoy me was the Sat Nav, and not being able to play my music off my phone. Yes I know I could have got aftermarket non-OEM discs and cables etc. to connect up my phone (I bought Intravee but never fitted)... but this just isn't how I like things to work.

I got my brother a brand new 320d M-Sport last year, and just loved being able to jump in, my phone immediately connect from my pocket, dial the gates on my house to open, and play music where I left off... it is just convenient and also how things are going. In my house i'm "connected" and so it's frustating when the car doesn't offer the same.

I've now got an F10 M5 which I just found incredible what you could do. Admittedly I probably will never ever use some of the features such as BMW Concierge... but some I might - nice to have the option. Quite often we are out and the missus is researching somewhere to go... she can do this now on her phone and immediately ping the directions to the Car Sat Nav - great.

So, I guess I'm a yes when it comes to Media. I think they need to push the boundaries. I'd like for them to consider their older models though when things advance, and offer upgrades to older vehicles to bring them up-to-date. I'd pay good money to have a new unit that fit in the X5 that allows me to do all I can in the M5 - it would keep my car current and give me continued driving pleasure and life from a vehicle.


Turks.

[Colin]

A yes from me , Turk's look up Alpine INE-W997D  got this fitted to my 2005 X5  a great bit of kit , and if you use IPhone its ALL voice command through  siri , never take your hands off the wheel ,
  ( Driving Mobile Media Innovation )

[Turks]

Thanks Colin, but I don't want to lose the OEM aesthetics. I like the Head Unit as from factory and don't want to make it look like a young pup has popped to Halfords and stuck in an aftermarket with some 6x9's in the boot if you get my meaning.

Ideally BMW would provide an upgrade module or software update that provides up to date connectivity and functionality...


Turks.

[mogsyman]

Modern tech is here to stay and getting better all the time.

Embrace it and use what you feel comfortable with, no one has to use any ICE in the car whilst moving!

The tech in my new 50D is brilliant, makes life a whole lot easier to include everything from auto-zoom when using sat nav to sending text's using nothing more than my voice whilst on the road.

Of course, it could be you're the wrong side of 50 and struggle with anything more complicated than a zimmer frame  )

[X5Sport]

As one who is well passed that date and a technical engineer I have no issues with the on board toys... )

Now as for a Zimmer....are they available in AWD and multi-turbo? 

[mogsyman]

[quote="X5Sport"]
As one who is well passed that date and a technical engineer I have no issues with the on board toys... )

Now as for a Zimmer....are they available in AWD and multi-turbo? 
[/quote]

Pretty sure they're available 4x4 so AW8 should be ok  )

[AW8]

Thanks for some interesting replies.

I would not have any issue having layest technology on a latest model BMW.

As a used buyer I am aware I risk paying a premium used price for a car that has older media which usually accompanies desireable non-media options.

In an ideal world I would spec my own car build from new.

I still cant see a need to mess about with non driving distractions when driving...arguably messing with some media when driving can be more distracting than saty taking a short phone call on a hand held mobile. To me that is potentially dangerous.

I am capable of using apps and can do so on my mobile......when parked !

Like most on here I regularly use computers & smart apps on a daily basis without issues. Whilst far from my youth I am yet to attain the age of 50....not that this age or above should mean me or others of similar age are technophobes.

Mogsy.....As for the zimmer.....I would want mine with heated grips & PDC though happy to take you on a full on bike ride, run or kayaking session without same

[mogsyman]

[quote="AW8"]

I am yet to attain the age of 50....
[/quote]

Christ you've had a hard life then  )