ConnectedDrive - Am I missing something?

[Chrispy]

Hi all,

So, in the iDrive menu I have connected drive.  And after decoding my VIN it includes following:

S6AA BMW TeleServices
S6AB Control, Teleservices
S8SC Telematics access request,country-spec.
S612         BMW Assist
S615         Extended BMW Online Information
S616  BMW Online


Am I right in thinking that i should have some form of "online" services from BMW for my car? 
I've been onto the ConnectedDrive website from BMW and registered and tried adding my vehicle via VIN but it says that "a secure message could not be sent to my car at this time" and I need to call.

Questions are, is there a subscription that needs to be renewed with the options apparently being specified on the car and what sort of functionality can I expect?

Thanks i advance,

Chris.

[snrbrtsn]

Connected drive is subscription service

http://www.bmw.co.uk/en_GB/topics/owner ... ction.html

What can you expect.....
Not a lot to be honest, real-time weather, send to car Sat Nav requests, point of interest,  1 - 2 g network speed

I’ve never found it worthwhile and didn’t notice when the service disappeared, though that’s not to say it has, I don’t use it! 4g services on smart phones work far quicker.

[CondorX5]

As above its a yearly subscription. Internet access has vanished from the list now, but I still subscribe as I find it handy to be able to access email sometimes, the send address to satnav is useful, BMW concierge is handy, especially for sending satnav addresses to car when on the move, and finding parking near to destination is really useful. News and weather as well and a few other bits and pieces. Its not 4g but I have been satisfied with it - mine is a 2012, thought the service was 3g?  Mine also has a digital TV tuner which actually works quite well and whiles away time when waiting for meetings etc. 

[Marrow]

How much is the subscription?

Just downloaded this to give it a try

[CondorX5]

Go to the BMW connected website and it will ask for your VIN details and then give you the available options for your car which you can select to purchase. It depends on the model year and the options fitted as to what is available. You can pay via the website or the idrive screen. 

[Chrispy]

Thanks all for the info on this - apologies I never got round to replying.  After reading the info I've decided not to bother pursuing it as it's subscription based (and I'm a tight git) and would give me no real benefits over the smartphone I have stuck to the dash

[NehalX5]

I have to admit, I am a bit skeptical about ConnectedDrive. Yes, it does have concierge, and google search, send to car etc. But, I read on PistonHeads about someone who had ConnectedDrive on their M4 after BMW insisted it was enough for them in terms of tracking for the car, as the owner requested a Cat 5 alarm. The car was stolen, and BMW could not track it - this is something BMW say is a feature of ConnectedDrive so personally, I am not sold on it yet.