Apple CarPlay = Waste of $300

zomberz · 11-02-2016, 08:42 AM

Picked up my M240ix Convertible today... LOVE the car so far, especially the iDrive system. Coming off an Audi, the iDrive is 100x better than the outdated MMI.

Being a fan of all things Apple, I opted in for the Carplay option without a second thought. IMHO, it's a waste of money. IDrive is cleaner and faster and does everything Carplay can do. On top of it all, by enabling Carplay, I can't use the USB cable to stream audio from my phone, even from the BMW side.

Maybe if I didn't have to pay for the Nav system, Carplay would be a much cheaper alternative. But as it stands now, it makes absolutely no sense to me why anyone would want this redundant system.

Cyberdemon · 11-02-2016, 08:54 AM

It's to satisfy whiny consumers. I have Carplay on my VW and it's a nice alternative if you don't have a car with navigation or the other features built in like the iDrive did, but the iDrive system on it's own was far better.

The new Audi tech package on the new A4 and other models with the digital gauge cluster is seriously impressive though. Heavily considering the new Q5 for the wife once it comes out since the X3 feels pretty dated by todays standards.

42395_skyline · 11-02-2016, 09:08 AM

Well this isn't the best thing to read 5 days before my car is supposed to arrive... I was actually really excited for CarPlay.

BEM-S4 · 11-02-2016, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 42395_skyline

Well this isn't the best thing to read 5 days before my car is supposed to arrive... I was actually really excited for CarPlay.

Worst case you're out $300 and you don't use it, and you can put it in the description as a great feature when you go to sell it someday. Not like you blew $4k on one of those early Nav systems that was total shit.

BEM-S4 · 11-02-2016, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

It's to satisfy whiny consumers. I have Carplay on my VW and it's a nice alternative if you don't have a car with navigation or the other features built in like the iDrive did, but the iDrive system on it's own was far better.

The new Audi tech package on the new A4 and other models with the digital gauge cluster is seriously impressive though. Heavily considering the new Q5 for the wife once it comes out since the X3 feels pretty dated by todays standards.

I had a TTS with the virtual cockpit for a few days and after a short time figuring out - it's slick as hell. The whole cockpit is very driver oriented and I much prefer it to S3, S4 etc but just talking that one system it's amazing.

mwickens · 11-02-2016, 10:20 AM

:-( On the bright side, CarPlay gets updated at least once a year. It may offer some value yet. For me, Waze support would instantly make it awesome, I suspect.

virtguy · 11-02-2016, 11:57 AM

I listen to Spotify exclusively via BMW Apps integration. Does this mean that if you get CarPlay, BMW Apps no longer works, even for applications that support it?

NVHoo · 11-02-2016, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I had a TTS with the virtual cockpit for a few days and after a short time figuring out - it's slick as hell. The whole cockpit is very driver oriented and I much prefer it to S3, S4 etc but just talking that one system it's amazing.

Some other Audi models are now incorporating the virtual dash but the TT version has far more options and capabilities.

Gimmethecash · 11-02-2016, 12:12 PM

The virtual dash in the S6 I'm selling to buy this car is pretty nice. I haven't seen the one in the TT.

I'm really going to miss the digital speedo function; I much prefer it over the analog dial.

BEM-S4 · 11-02-2016, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gimmethecash

The virtual dash in the S6 I'm selling to buy this car is pretty nice. I haven't seen the one in the TT.

I'm really going to miss the digital speedo function; I much prefer it over the analog dial.

The TT is just nice because literally everything you need is all in one place. Everything else (at least that I've driven) still has another screen, controls etc.

42395_skyline · 11-02-2016, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Worst case you're out $300 and you don't use it, and you can put it in the description as a great feature when you go to sell it someday. Not like you blew $4k on one of those early Nav systems that was total shit.

That's true, plus I ordered before the price increase so I saved the $300 on the price of the car.

nike001 · 11-02-2016, 12:51 PM

I turned CarPlay off the first night I had my M4.

I couldn't make a phone call. I had to go to the menu, carplay, then telephone, then find it. As opposed to just going to telephone in iDrive. Apparently it's either bluetooth or carplay and that, to me, is dumb. Disabled.

Plus Nav works fine, as well as Multimedia from my phone.

mwickens · 11-02-2016, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nike001

I turned CarPlay off the first night I had my M4.

I couldn't make a phone call. I had to go to the menu, carplay, then telephone, then find it. As opposed to just going to telephone in iDrive.

Or use Siri? You could also use one of the 8 buttons for CarPlay, presumably.

PackPride85 · 11-02-2016, 02:09 PM

That virtual cockpit is a software nightmare waiting to happen if you search the audi forums for current issues.

mutmat · 11-02-2016, 03:52 PM

My biggest gripe with CarPlay is that it uses Apple Maps exclusively.

Beartato · 11-02-2016, 04:46 PM

I've said it in other related threads: what can Carplay do that iDrive w/nav can't? I wouldn't have bothered in the first place. At least you can shut it off right?

mwickens · 11-02-2016, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beartato

what can Carplay do that iDrive w/nav can't?

Integrate tightly with the phone functions and data we carry with us already, with a familiar UI that we prefer. This is the theory, anyway. If the functionality isn't up to snuff, those benefits are for naught.

nike001 · 11-02-2016, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwickens

Or use Siri? You could also use one of the 8 buttons for CarPlay, presumably.

Then in the same breath I can say I can just use the regular Voice Command button for iDrive (I know you can hold it in for Siri). Works just as well IMO. I'd rather quickly press the COM button on the iDrive controller panel and find the person I want that way (and using touchpad to make it even easier), than pressing MENU, then CarPlay, then telephone & contacts. I can't remember if the touchpad works for CarPlay either.

I don't exactly remember, so don't hold me to this, but I don't think I was able to save someones number from CarPlay as one of my 8 shortcut buttons. I could be wrong though.

Either way, I'd prefer to use one interface at a time. Not always be switching between the two.

HeyMoe53 · 11-02-2016, 09:16 PM

I always wondered when it would be evident that I was out of touch with how people use their cars.

That day is here.

I don't mess with my phone when I am in the car. I just drive. It's why I bought the car, manual and all. I use all of my available faculties to drive my car in an enjoyable manner.

Being an old guy, there are necessary pit stops along the way. Those are also times to check the phone, if I really want to.

Often, I don't want to, and don't ; )

isthar · 11-02-2016, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Worst case you're out $300 and you don't use it, and you can put it in the description as a great feature when you go to sell it someday. Not like you blew $4k on one of those early Nav systems that was total shit.

and sadly that day you go sell it... CarPlay 3s sorry-incompatible-with 1.0 is out. Apple really sucks when it comes to some things... CarPlay when it was announced had a chance to amaze things... by now, I agree with OP, I believe that the car mftrs that pay attention to the software side can do as well, perhaps even a better job.

Consider where Siri is vs Alexa...

och · 11-02-2016, 10:15 PM

Thanks for confirming that this is pretty much a redundant feature.

doccyber · 11-03-2016, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutmat

My biggest gripe with CarPlay is that it uses Apple Maps exclusively.

Are you kidding me? Apple maps is the worst.

11-02-2016, 08:42 AM	#1
zomberz Registered 6 Rep 3 Posts Drives: M Roadster, M3 Cab Join Date: May 2012 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Apple CarPlay = Waste of $300 Picked up my M240ix Convertible today... LOVE the car so far, especially the iDrive system. Coming off an Audi, the iDrive is 100x better than the outdated MMI. Being a fan of all things Apple, I opted in for the Carplay option without a second thought. IMHO, it's a waste of money. IDrive is cleaner and faster and does everything Carplay can do. On top of it all, by enabling Carplay, I can't use the USB cable to stream audio from my phone, even from the BMW side. Maybe if I didn't have to pay for the Nav system, Carplay would be a much cheaper alternative. But as it stands now, it makes absolutely no sense to me why anyone would want this redundant system.
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11-02-2016, 08:54 AM	#2
Cyberdemon Brigadier General 1542 Rep 3,332 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (3)	It's to satisfy whiny consumers. I have Carplay on my VW and it's a nice alternative if you don't have a car with navigation or the other features built in like the iDrive did, but the iDrive system on it's own was far better. The new Audi tech package on the new A4 and other models with the digital gauge cluster is seriously impressive though. Heavily considering the new Q5 for the wife once it comes out since the X3 feels pretty dated by todays standards. __________________ 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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11-02-2016, 09:08 AM	#3
42395_skyline Second Lieutenant 58 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	Well this isn't the best thing to read 5 days before my car is supposed to arrive... I was actually really excited for CarPlay.
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11-02-2016, 10:20 AM	#6
mwickens Private First Class 63 Rep 99 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i Convertible Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	:-( On the bright side, CarPlay gets updated at least once a year. It may offer some value yet. For me, Waze support would instantly make it awesome, I suspect. __________________ 2017 M240i Cabriolet RWD 6MT. Glacier silver/coral red, alu hex/blk trim, moonlight blk top.
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11-02-2016, 11:57 AM	#7
virtguy Private 44 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 2017 M2 LBB DCT Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M2 [0.00] 2011 BMW X3 28i [0.00]	I listen to Spotify exclusively via BMW Apps integration. Does this mean that if you get CarPlay, BMW Apps no longer works, even for applications that support it?
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11-02-2016, 12:12 PM	#9
Gimmethecash Lieutenant 150 Rep 485 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Comp Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pasadena iTrader: (1)	The virtual dash in the S6 I'm selling to buy this car is pretty nice. I haven't seen the one in the TT. I'm really going to miss the digital speedo function; I much prefer it over the analog dial.
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11-02-2016, 12:51 PM	#12
nike001 Captain 312 Rep 818 Posts Drives: 2018 718 Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: US iTrader: (2)	I turned CarPlay off the first night I had my M4. I couldn't make a phone call. I had to go to the menu, carplay, then telephone, then find it. As opposed to just going to telephone in iDrive. Apparently it's either bluetooth or carplay and that, to me, is dumb. Disabled. Plus Nav works fine, as well as Multimedia from my phone.
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11-02-2016, 02:09 PM	#14
PackPride85 Lieutenant Colonel 1120 Rep 1,644 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	That virtual cockpit is a software nightmare waiting to happen if you search the audi forums for current issues.
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11-02-2016, 03:52 PM	#15
mutmat New Member 6 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Mountain View, CA iTrader: (0)	My biggest gripe with CarPlay is that it uses Apple Maps exclusively.
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11-02-2016, 04:46 PM	#16
Beartato Major 882 Rep 1,202 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Utah iTrader: (0)	I've said it in other related threads: what can Carplay do that iDrive w/nav can't? I wouldn't have bothered in the first place. At least you can shut it off right?
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11-02-2016, 09:16 PM	#19
HeyMoe53 Captain 64 Rep 671 Posts Drives: '17 M240 AW/Coral MT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central PA iTrader: (0)	I always wondered when it would be evident that I was out of touch with how people use their cars. That day is here. I don't mess with my phone when I am in the car. I just drive. It's why I bought the car, manual and all. I use all of my available faculties to drive my car in an enjoyable manner. Being an old guy, there are necessary pit stops along the way. Those are also times to check the phone, if I really want to. Often, I don't want to, and don't ; )
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11-02-2016, 10:15 PM	#21
och Banned 196 Rep 557 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 X5 xDrive50i [0.00] 2018 BMW M2 [0.00] 2017 X6M [0.00] 2013 Suzuki Bouleva ... [0.00]	Thanks for confirming that this is pretty much a redundant feature.
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