Can 2014 3G be updated to 4g

Grayhair · 04-19-2015, 12:13 PM

Is anybody aware if those of us who have the 2014 M235 can have the SIM cards updated from 3G to 4g? It's a real bummer that we have to pay for map upgrades.

BMWZ4 · 04-19-2015, 12:36 PM

My 2015 is still 3G (Feb build). I`d like to know as well, although I`m guessing probably not upgradable.

moldcad · 04-19-2015, 12:39 PM

How do you know it's 3G - any method to check this by the user?

Kiwi · 04-19-2015, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moldcad

How do you know it's 3G - any method to check this by the user?

Top left of the screen shows 3g when using connected option (internet) I've never seen 4g shown. Their my be a computer update to accept 4g as well.

steve@codemybimmer · 04-22-2015, 09:42 AM

For 2015 models, only the F23 Cabriolet will get LTE. There's also a new head unit being roll out on that particular model called HU_NBT_EVO so I don't think it's as simple as changing out the SIM.

Cyberdemon · 04-22-2015, 10:04 AM

I expect that it's not an issue with the sim card but the actual modem chipset used on the navigation. I would not expect to be able to change it without a hardware change, but I'm not sure why you'd really need to - it's not like the car is chewing through bandwidth?

n0va · 04-22-2015, 04:14 PM

Coming from working for multiple cellular companies growing up, the simple answer to this would generally be no, a SIM card swap to a 4G or LTE sim may make the difference, but ultimately, the antennas inside the vehicle would dictate which connection you would be able to receive. In the case of my M235i, it does not have the required 700mhz, and 2600mhz "bands" needed to connect to LTE networks in Canada.

Ramathorn · 05-11-2015, 05:08 AM

My M235i Coupe (March 2015 build) says 4g in the upper left corner when accessing the internet, so it could be a build date related change.

moldcad · 05-11-2015, 05:14 AM

Mine's build date is March 14 2015, but it says 3G - could it be the capacity of local LTE hardware in Poland?

Peter-K · 05-11-2015, 11:19 AM

I'm no mobile phone expert but some months ago I put the IMEI number off the box in the boot/trunk and put it into a "checker" site and it said it was an Apple 4 (s?).
Is the sim replacable? At the same time as the check above I found a powerpoint by a BMW Germany head of something like "cutting edge things that can be put in cars" and I got the impression that the sim being hard wired was a security essential - but that could be security of profits"

04-19-2015, 12:13 PM	#1
Grayhair Old Guys Rule 20 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 2014 M235I Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	Can 2014 3G be updated to 4g Is anybody aware if those of us who have the 2014 M235 can have the SIM cards updated from 3G to 4g? It's a real bummer that we have to pay for map upgrades. Last edited by Grayhair; 04-19-2015 at 12:14 PM.. Reason: Extra word
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04-19-2015, 12:36 PM	#2
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,103 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	My 2015 is still 3G (Feb build). I`d like to know as well, although I`m guessing probably not upgradable. __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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04-19-2015, 12:39 PM	#3
moldcad Major 262 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	How do you know it's 3G - any method to check this by the user? __________________ previous: 2003 E46 330i SMG just sold: 2013 F10 528i xDrive my AWD beater: 2015 Golf R mk7 DSG my RWD pirate & long-distance cruiser: 2015 M235i AT8, LSD
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04-22-2015, 09:42 AM	#5
steve@codemybimmer Lieutenant Colonel 665 Rep 1,976 Posts Drives: 2020 G20 320i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canada & HK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2020 320i M Sport [0.00]	For 2015 models, only the F23 Cabriolet will get LTE. There's also a new head unit being roll out on that particular model called HU_NBT_EVO so I don't think it's as simple as changing out the SIM. __________________ CMB Solutions Limited \|codemybimmer.ca Vehicle Diagnostics \| CarPlay Solutions \| Retrofit & Repair Consulting/Programming steve.ma@cmbsolutionsltd.com \| www.codemybimmer.ca Online Store \| Remote Coding Package\| ID6 Retrofit for almost all F Chassis BMWs
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04-22-2015, 10:04 AM	#6
Cyberdemon Brigadier General 1538 Rep 3,331 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (3)	I expect that it's not an issue with the sim card but the actual modem chipset used on the navigation. I would not expect to be able to change it without a hardware change, but I'm not sure why you'd really need to - it's not like the car is chewing through bandwidth? __________________ Current: '20 X5, '18 M3 ZCP Previous: '11 E90 335i, '11 E90 M3, '16 VW GTI, '15 M235i, '13 335i, '08 TL-S, '00 Corvette
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04-22-2015, 04:14 PM	#7
n0va Private 31 Rep 60 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M235i Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Toronto Area, Ontario Canada iTrader: (0)	Coming from working for multiple cellular companies growing up, the simple answer to this would generally be no, a SIM card swap to a 4G or LTE sim may make the difference, but ultimately, the antennas inside the vehicle would dictate which connection you would be able to receive. In the case of my M235i, it does not have the required 700mhz, and 2600mhz "bands" needed to connect to LTE networks in Canada.
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05-11-2015, 05:08 AM	#8
Ramathorn Enlisted Member 10 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2015 m235i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	My M235i Coupe (March 2015 build) says 4g in the upper left corner when accessing the internet, so it could be a build date related change.
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05-11-2015, 05:14 AM	#9
moldcad Major 262 Rep 1,091 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (0)	Mine's build date is March 14 2015, but it says 3G - could it be the capacity of local LTE hardware in Poland? __________________ previous: 2003 E46 330i SMG just sold: 2013 F10 528i xDrive my AWD beater: 2015 Golf R mk7 DSG my RWD pirate & long-distance cruiser: 2015 M235i AT8, LSD
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05-11-2015, 11:19 AM	#10
Peter-K Private 10 Rep 54 Posts Drives: 220d M Sport Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: North Yorkshire (UK) iTrader: (0)	I'm no mobile phone expert but some months ago I put the IMEI number off the box in the boot/trunk and put it into a "checker" site and it said it was an Apple 4 (s?). Is the sim replacable? At the same time as the check above I found a powerpoint by a BMW Germany head of something like "cutting edge things that can be put in cars" and I got the impression that the sim being hard wired was a security essential - but that could be security of profits"
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