XSeries-forum

Hi guys,

Came unstuck numerous times on trip this week, turns out the nav hasn't been updated since 2013

How would go about getting the latest map and software?

Officially (as it’s all that’s allowed on this Forum) you go to your local stealer and buy an upgrade. You need a licence key (the expensive bit) called the FSC Code and probably a set of maps loaded on a USB stick or three. Some models use a DVD to load the maps. Last time I checked with my Dealer, they were charging over £200 a time for the privilege! The FSC code is generated from your VIN and is a one time only use. That makes updates expensive.

Unofficially, have a look on line for BMW Sat Nav updates. and should you choose this option (unofficially) the cost is significantly less. Some offer a lifetime FSC code too - but I didn’t suggest that as an option either.

If you don’t want the very latest set then the previous release (new sets come out twice a year) can be found on line as surplus stock. They are also about 1/4 of the latest set cost - you still need the FSC though, although some sources will prove that as you give them your full VIN with the order.

You'll find what you want here:

https://www.satnavishop.co.uk/2020-2-bm ... iantid=699

If Im correct the e70 and 71 are discs.

Mine uses USB - three of 8GB into the glovebox access port. I think that you can use discs too, but I never have. This assumes of course that you have a port in the glovebox and also in the centre console?

My 2008 E70 had a CD based system. The last time I updated it was in 2018 when the local dealers offered the latest disk at just over £70. The SATNAV had its own disk player and it was straightforward - pop in the new disk, it updated automatically and stayed in the player to provide the maps etc.

I don't know if your car runs a CD or a hard drive based system. If the latter can it be updated with the software on a flash drive? Your handbook or dealer will tell you.

Best wishes,

Graeme

This is a 2012 F25 X3, thought I posted on that specific board but was being nagged and rushed by the wife.

It definitely has a USB port in the glove box and in the centre under the arm rest.

This is what the menus say I have

https://postimg.cc/qgHmHqzs

https://postimg.cc/MXGnTbMq

2012 F25 uses USB nav updates.

I did mine a couple of years ago. It took nearly an hour of driving around to fully load. You can't just leave it sitting with the ignition on because the car will power-down before the update completes. I should get the latest maps and do it again, really, but I've been putting it off because we're planning a European road trip - once the COVID all-clear sounds.

Thanks folks for the official and unofficial recommendation. I'll let you guess what I went for.

Let's just say I have an M3 that wants that £200 more than the X3 lol

StuBeeDoo wrote: ↑Sun Aug 30, 2020 8:57 am 2012 F25 uses USB nav updates.

I did mine a couple of years ago. It took nearly an hour of driving around to fully load. You can't just leave it sitting with the ignition on because the car will power-down before the update completes. I should get the latest maps and do it again, really, but I've been putting it off because we're planning a European road trip - once the COVID all-clear sounds.

Actually, you can just stick the usb in and leave it and it will suspend when doing the update (if you power off), and then restart when you set off (it will ask to continue), just say yes.

I've just done mine, NEXT 2022-1 and it took around 30 minutes, (2x trips to work and back).

Use a USB2 or USB3 usb stick and it will reduce the time required.

ccfj1 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 30, 2021 3:30 pm

StuBeeDoo wrote: ↑Sun Aug 30, 2020 8:57 am 2012 F25 uses USB nav updates.

I did mine a couple of years ago. It took nearly an hour of driving around to fully load. You can't just leave it sitting with the ignition on because the car will power-down before the update completes. I should get the latest maps and do it again, really, but I've been putting it off because we're planning a European road trip - once the COVID all-clear sounds.

Actually, you can just stick the usb in and leave it and it will suspend when doing the update (if you power off), and then restart when you set off (it will ask to continue), just say yes.

I've just done mine, NEXT 2022-1 and it took around 30 minutes, (2x trips to work and back).

Use a USB2 or USB3 usb stick and it will reduce the time required.

Your username is familiar, I feel like I've had a disc from you for my old 330 years ago

Very probably Matt, I do get about a bit. (i've mostly has 3 series (328,330 and m3, then e92 etc)

I've just bought an x3 so thought it would be a good idea to join a x3 forum and learn as much as i can.

Loving the forum so far, very informative.

Using a faster USB stick doesn’t make much difference, and faster may actually be slower. It’s limited by the interface in the car. The X6 is USB2 (up to 60MB/s) and our F46 is USB3 (up to 625MB/s). However a correctly formatted USB3 stick took significantly longer (more than an hour as others have found) than three USB2 sticks (25 minutes) in the X6. BMW have often been well behind the curve with interfaces. Those of us who had early to mid-2000s cars remember the balls-up they made of Bluetooth and their onboard telematics remained at 2G only for years after 3G was in global use.

I updated mine a couple of years ago, and found it was still well out of date.
For instance there were petrol stations shown which I knew for certain had been closed for years, so who knows how good other info is.