RTTI vs TMC

[MJim]

I was sent a new X5 brochure recently after enquiring about the X5 M50d (sadly out of interest rather than serious intent of buying). I noticed that RTTI is now standard on the X5 sat nav, whereas older ones (including mine) have TMC traffic monitoring. When I enquired as to whether the traffic system on my car could be upgraded to rtti a while back, I was told this would not be possible. Does anyone know of any reason as to why the system can't be upgraded (ie is BMW just being lazy), and is rtti much better? I took delivery of my X5 in April 2011 if that's relevant.

I'm going to give 'customer services' another call on the mapping which is still embarrassingly cr*p despite having the latest update, and wanted to wrap the traffic monitoring into the discussion. Eg Got me lost on way to Goodwood Festival of Speed (followed by equally lost Z4!) as didn't have road changes in system and for eg Westfield White City (4 years old and largest shopping centre in Europe) is not in there, plus numerous others.

[MJim]

I've been looking on the net into this issue, and I get the impression from what I've read that the rtti system isn't particularly reliable either.  It's a shame as I understand that rtti feeds off live data from cars with the system so does sound as if it should be the way forward.

[X5Sport]

RTTI needs a modified 'Connected Drive' system as that's where the data comes from, whereas TMC uses only Classic FM.

It probably is upgradeable, but needs hardware/firmware changes to the Connected Drive equipment. This functionality is provided by the Combox Controller (fitted to the X5/6 from Oct 2010) and needs a 3G type which only started being installed in 09/2011.  Previous Comboxes are EDGE type.  I think you therefore need a new Combox.

BMW have just consistently refused to make such upgrading available, but there are people who will do it for you on the web - such as Bimmertech, though they don't yet list that particular option  Of course part of the anti-upgrade stance could also be that if it went wrong, BMW Dealers could 'brick' the iDrive system (or the car) and have to cough up for very expensive repairs.

RTTI is definitely the way forward but is still maturing, and it relies on other sources which may be unavailable in an area.  TMCs biggest problem is that it needs someone to enter the data into the system, and then remember to turn it off again!!  How many of us have been warned about a problem ahead only to find it's long gone!  It's the same with radio station traffic reports - too often out of date, or just either missing or plain wrong.

Richard

[MJim]

Many thanks for the very informative response - I'm sure you're far more knowledgeable than 99% of BMW service specialists! I don't use the car for work so it's only a matter of convenience and not worth all that hassle and expense especially if rtti isn't working that well yet. Much appreciated. Just need to have a chat with customer services and see if they are ever going to sort the shameful mapping - they really don't seem to be bothering.

[X5Sport]

I wondered the same thing you did when RTTI appeared a few months back, so looked it up.  I was looking for 6NR too, and that can be done for about €400ish.  Not bothered as we have it on the Mini, and don't use it.

The mapping of course depends upon Navteq (or is it Tele Atlas still) as I think they now provide BMWs maps.  Given the excessive price, I agree they should & could be a lot better!  How they can justify the licence key price I don't know.

I'm told you can download the maps from the web now - legitimately - but not found where yet (was told it was from BMW themselves direct but not found where on their site).  Stick em on a USB drive and load into the car.  Then get a new licence key for the latest set and activate them.

Richard

[MJim]

The problem is that when I check on the BMW / Navteq website the addresses are mostly there (but not always) yet never get transferred with the upgrades to the mapping, which I continue to get for free. The website data still has failings mind eg if you input the postcode for Westfield White City it directs you to a back street a few hundred metres from the centre despite the correct location of the system being clearly marked on the map. I really think this is an area where BMW just can't be bothered to sort the issues, so I keep raising it with a senior customer services manager. Sadly she continues to empathise and expresses how frustrated she is with the SatNav in her BMW rather than giving any comfort that something is being done.

[X5Sport]

I think as Google pointed out to Apple, you can't get the product support without serious investment.  Google have 6,000 people on their mapping tool, Apple a few hundred.  IOS6 hasn't even got the town name right!!  Never mind getting the street data correct.

Navteq & BMW really do need to get their act together too.

That being said, RoadAngel still haven't corrected wrong speed limits 2 years after it was reported as they need to 'verify' the data.  It can't take that long!

At least the BMW2012 maps now have 7-digit postcode support.......and yes the others did that years back!

Richard

[MJim]

It's just a shame that so many postcodes aren't available in the system, and particularly that so many that actually are on the BMW / Navteq website still aren't being transferred to the map updates. I can safely say that more postcodes I try to input are still not available than are...