XSeries-forum

When I've had previous BMWs I've gone onto google maps, found an address, gone to send to car and then it's been there ready and waiting when I've got to the car. Tried to do the same this time, no joy. Deleted my previous car history from google maps, tried to add the new car and there's a bit you need to fill in saying Vehicle ID. Went to the help section and it says in order to get your vehicle ID you need to log on to the manufacturers website and it's on there. Can I heck as like find it anywhere. Tried the BMW website, BMWconnecteddrive website, and the BMW Connect App.

Anyone have any joy being able to send google map locations to their X5?

On a side note, I know from watching youtube it looks as though the iDrive's had an update recently as you get icons that go horizontally for the menus now rather than a vertical list, when did this update happen and can you update older iDrives?

My Account ID (which I think is what Google maps asks for) is the email address I use to log into the BMW Connected Drive website and the BMW Connected app. Suggest you try that - well yours not mine

Although I have used google's send to car in the past, nowadays I use the Connected app on my iphone which seems to have been updated and improved quite a lot. Within it theres a very easy process for looking up a location on the map and sending it to your car.

On your Idrive update query - if you are talking about changing to the new "tiles" approach then I dont believe it is possible.

[quote="kenniff"]
My Account ID (which I think is what Google maps asks for) is the email address I use to log into the BMW Connected Drive website and the BMW Connected app. Suggest you try that - well yours not mine

Although I have used google's send to car in the past, nowadays I use the Connected app on my iphone which seems to have been updated and improved quite a lot. Within it theres a very easy process for looking up a location on the map and sending it to your car.

On your Idrive update query - if you are talking about changing to the new "tiles" approach then I dont believe it is possible.
[/quote]
Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. Coincidentally I did actually try entering my email address last night and it appears to have worked, although I did try some from the app as well and can't be 100% sure. The one that I thought I'd sent from the computer had (google) after it so I'm 99.9% sure it came from the computer

No worries re the tiled iDrive, not a biggie in the slightest, more curious than anything. When did that version first come out in the UK?

I think the Idrive 5.0 made it to the X5 on the 2017 model year cars, which probably means October 16 builds onwards.

From what I can tell, 2016 model year cars can in theory be updated to the new system as the hardware is mostly the same but you lose all your connected drive services and possibly nav in the process. There are service providers who will retrofit by replacing the hardware and sorting the FSC codes (whatever they are), though they seem to be US based and charge $2700!!!

Cars before 2016 would need the full retrofit to work.

I like the new Idrive, but most of the time it just does what I did with it on the old one. The one thing I do use is the ability to move around the map when on Nav by just swiping with my finger - I found that on the old one that was a clunkier process involving selecting an option and then leaning the round controller in the desired direction.

[quote="kenniff"]
I think the Idrive 5.0 made it to the X5 on the 2017 model year cars, which probably means October 16 builds onwards.

From what I can tell, 2016 model year cars can in theory be updated to the new system as the hardware is mostly the same but you lose all your connected drive services and possibly nav in the process. There are service providers who will retrofit by replacing the hardware and sorting the FSC codes (whatever they are), though they seem to be US based and charge $2700!!!

Cars before 2016 would need the full retrofit to work.

I like the new Idrive, but most of the time it just does what I did with it on the old one. The one thing I do use is the ability to move around the map when on Nav by just swiping with my finger - I found that on the old one that was a clunkier process involving selecting an option and then leaning the round controller in the desired direction.
[/quote]
Thanks for the info. I'm more than happy as it is, certainly a big upgrade from the Land Rover I've just come from

Oh, maybe you could help with this too please? Is there a way to display contact names via surname alphabetical order rather than first names?

Yes there is! On my car you go into your contacts then press "option" button next to the big round button . Then there's an option to "sort contacts". The steps might not be identical on your i drive but basically you go into contacts then display the options. Good luck.

[quote="kenniff"]
Yes there is! On my car you go into your contacts then press "option" button next to the big round button . Then there's an option to "sort contacts". The steps might not be identical on your i drive but basically you go into contacts then display the options. Good luck.
[/quote]Cool, thanks very much for all your help I appreciate it.

No problem. Out of interest what car did you get in the end? Your posts are in the x5 f15 forum but I seem to remember you were considering an x3?

[quote="kenniff"]
No problem. Out of interest what car did you get in the end? Your posts are in the x5 f15 forum but I seem to remember you were considering an x3?
[/quote]Yep, was looking at a new X3 but couldn't strike a deal which ended up being very fortunate as I ended up with an 18 month old X5 x30d M Sport which is a much nicer car imo. Didn't even look at X5's in the beginning as thought they'd be out of my price range.