I have bought discs for all my previous BMW's with MKIV from a certain vendor on the net. I have never been disappointed once. Now it is my understanding that these are not copy's per se but use a generic database and mapping from the OEM supplier. What I'm getting at is that clearly BMW do not design and manufacture their own GPS nav system so must source one from an OEM. This OEM uses a particualr database/map which, I'm sure, will be fitted to MANY vehicles..not just BMW's. The datasets will be generic to all systems made by this OEM albeit with MINIMAL bespoke coding for front-end display stuff.
I fail to see how using another dataset provider (and one that provides WAY more functionality than the std BMW dataset) can be seen to be illegal?? If BMW were that anal about demanding customers use BMW-approved software then they should have designed a system that was NOT DVD based and required physical connection to BMW equipment in order to upload any new mapping/firmware.
This does not even address the shocking performance of the std nav system which can be outperformed by a £100 Tom Tom!!!. Now I'm lucky(!) that all my recent BMW's have had original equipment nav but it begs the question.."who in their right mind would spec a car with over £2500-worth of kit thats not all that great!!". I mean std nav has no speed camera warning (not sure if the latest incarnation has it), 7-dig postcode, perspective...the list goes on.
Why the hell would someone NOT buy modified datasets with extra functionality??? At the end of the day, I bought the car, therefore the nav system and everything else on it is mine...ergo, I can put whatever I choose on it.
*rant over*
TT
X5 4.8iS, Black with Aero Kit.....