Holy crappy sat nav

[Hoppy_70]

I've got a copy of the 2013 disc for my (DVD based) sat nav and have to say the system seems crap at first use. It doesn't like postcodes so you have to put the address in (it lets you put all but the last two letters in).

Also, on a trip to Bognor regis, it tried to take me on a route that would have had me 50 miles out of my way and took an hour longer! I set the same route on the iphone nav (which is also shite) and it took me on a shorter and quicker route.

It also tried to avoid the toll road, even though it knows its there AND was set to use them.

Having checked the other settings, the only box ticked is quickest route. Not happy with it at all....

[X Box]

Just out of interest did you get your latest disc from BMW? How much?

Mine is an '08 disc.

BMW used to do a trade in against newer ones, not sure if they still do though.

[X5Sport]

What firmware version has your Mk4 got?  7-digit postcodes need the latest version (V32).

BMW stopped doing trade-ins some years back.  It was £99 a set.

Finally, non-OEM nav discs (should they enter discussion) threads are prohibited by the Mods.

Richard

[X Box]

Mine does 4 digit I think.

Only used it twice 

Thanks for heads up on non-bmw stuff. Wasn't a route I'd go anyway but good to know.

[MJim]

Sadly you have to accept that the SatNav is simply cr*p.  I've got a 2011 LCI X5, and get the latest maps for free (having given customer services an earful over how embarassingly rubbish it is).  It's still cr*p.  The service tech admitted he's been told that a £100 Tom Tom is far better and told be that he couldn't disagree.  The senior customer services manager that now deals with me now tells me about her woes with the SatNav rather than bother to try and justify the system.  It's a real shame that such a brilliant car is let down so badly, and also that nothing seems to be done about it.

In terms of misdirections, I was directed down the wrong motorway on the way back from Switzerland last year.  It was only me (eventually) realising that our route didn't make sense having just followed the directions that enabled me to correct the route. Cost us about an hour retracing our steps.

[Hoppy_70]

[quote="X Box"]
Just out of interest did you get your latest disc from BMW? How much?

Mine is an '08 disc.

BMW used to do a trade in against newer ones, not sure if they still do though.
[/quote]

Got it from eBay

I guess it doesn't matter about the map age, it's the software running it that's crap. Will always double check with iPhone from now on. I think if I was a high mileage user this would really p@ss me off....

[X Box]

I had a TomTom that I gave to my dad when I got the X.

I have a feeling I might regret it!

[Chompers]

[quote="X Box"]
Mine does 4 digit I think.

Only used it twice 

Thanks for heads up on non-bmw stuff. Wasn't a route I'd go anyway but good to know.
[/quote]

Surely at least 5 didgits on an e70 of your vintage?

[X5Sport]

I've got full 7 digit on the X6 and that's a 2011.

[X Box]

Probably is 5.

Maths has never been my strong point  ) 

[Chompers]

[quote="X5Sport"]
I've got full 7 digit on the X6 and that's a 2011.
[/quote]

7 digit post code entry came on all iDrive Multi Button controlled HDD nav systems from 2010 (Sept 09) model year onwards.

And yes, they are very average indeed. Reguarly wants to take me on a 70mile detour when going down through France. Thankfully I now the way and have a good sence of direction. It is helpful for giving estimated arrival times and warning of delays. As said before my e61 is just the Business nav disc based system with small screen. Very much looking forward to the HDD 8.8" Professional sys in Mrs Chompers new car, if I ever get a chance that is.  ::)

[huck]

Just returned from a trip where our satnav continually wanted to take us off the motorway. So annoying. 

Apart from the 7 digit postcode, it's a crap system, way worse than the not very impressive Audi satnav in my A5. It would be so nice to just be able to access Google Maps, via the phone, on the idrive screen.

[snipez999]

You can use Google Maps together with BMW Connected Drive (free for first year I think) and send maps to your car.  You could simply boot up your iPhone, call up the map then 'send to car' and a couple of minutes later have it arrive.  Though ISTR there's then an internal argument as to whether the satnav follows Google Maps' 1st, 2nd, 3rd  - or makes up its own - choice of routes!

[MJim]

[quote="snipez999"]
You can use Google Maps together with BMW Connected Drive (free for first year I think) and send maps to your car.  You could simply boot up your iPhone, call up the map then 'send to car' and a couple of minutes later have it arrive.  Though ISTR there's then an internal argument as to whether the satnav follows Google Maps' 1st, 2nd, 3rd  - or makes up its own - choice of routes!
[/quote]

On mine I can send the precise destination as you say per Google maps.  Problem is that the SatNav then uses its own inferior BMW/Nacteq maps to direct you rather than the google maps.

I hired a roofbox over Christmas and sent the precise destination per Google (actual building was on there along with company name and images of approach roads).  SatNav then got me almost there and told me I had reached my destination.  I then still had to negotiate a couple of further junctions flying solo to get there. It's genuinely crap.

[Chompers]

[quote="MJim"]
[quote="snipez999"]
You can use Google Maps together with BMW Connected Drive (free for first year I think) and send maps to your car.  You could simply boot up your iPhone, call up the map then 'send to car' and a couple of minutes later have it arrive.  Though ISTR there's then an internal argument as to whether the satnav follows Google Maps' 1st, 2nd, 3rd  - or makes up its own - choice of routes!
[/quote]

On mine I can send the precise destination as you say per Google maps.  Problem is that the SatNav then uses its own inferior BMW/Nacteq maps to direct you rather than the google maps.  I hired a toolbox over Christmas and sent the precise destination per Google (actual building was on there along with company name).  SatNav then got me almost there and told me I had reached my destination.  I then still had to negotiate a couple of further junctions flying solo to get there. It's genuinely crap.
[/quote]

You can't beat the good old A-Z and some map reading skills