[raleedy]

Can someone with experience using the navigation system in Europe after European Delivery tell me whether the real-time traffic part of the navigation system works in Europe?

[TBro2002]

No. You need the 3G or 4G cell phone network chip in the car activated for real time traffic. An ED car won't get this activated until it gets to the VPC in the USA.

The European maps in the BMW work great for getting you around. If you want to check traffic, you can still use Google maps on your cell phone.

[raleedy]

Thanks, TBro, that's pretty much what I expected.

[usafmike]

I have a US Spec M235i and live here in Germany. I can confirm that my RTTI does not work. It doesn't bother me though. Like TBro said I check the traffic via Google if I am going to take any long trips.

[BEM-S4]

Use google for GPS not Apple, much better in EU. Hopefully you've got a work phone that they pay for but if not MAKE SURE you at least get an international data plan. Roaming data charges will rape you if you're not careful.

[Thebush121]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Use google for GPS not Apple, much better in EU. Hopefully you've got a work phone that they pay for but if not MAKE SURE you at least get an international data plan. Roaming data charges will rape you if you're not careful.

Or grab one of the many prepaid plans out here and use that while you are here rather than risk those fees.

[raleedy]

US carriers are getting a little more sensible about int'l plans. Still, data access is expensive, and Google traffic info is not integrated into the nav, is dangerous and probably illegal to use while driving and doesn't provide detours. So . . . not optimal. Fortunately, based on my last experience on German highways, there were ample "Stau" warnings.

[TBro2002]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Use google for GPS not Apple, much better in EU. Hopefully you've got a work phone that they pay for but if not MAKE SURE you at least get an international data plan. Roaming data charges will rape you if you're not careful.

I highly recommended T-Moble. There international plan is free in Europe, because T-Moble is a German company. We got great service all over Europe last year with two iPhones and paid nothing extra.

[krhodes1]

Something to watch out for if you are going off the beaten path - I found there was no address data in the temp maps for Hungary, Slovenia, and Slovakia. I could still enter a destination by GPS coordinates or by moving the cursor, but not by address. Little bit of a PITA, but we managed since I had a Euro data plan on my phone and could use Google maps in a pinch to get the GPS coordinates.

Worked great for the rest of my trip - Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France.

[raleedy]

I am told that Michelin still prints and sells maps on paper.