[ggggbmw]

I got an email from BMW officially announcing the end of support for cars with a 3G cellular modem. End of support is February 2022. This apparently affects any 2014 to mid 2015 car with the NBT head unit.

So, no more ConnectedDrive. I'm going to miss the ability to send addresses to the car from my phone. Won't miss the real-time traffic too much, or the slow/balky remote app locking, although they were occasionally useful. I guess this also means that the emergency call function will no longer work either.

Reading threads in the F30 forums, there apparently is no way to upgrade the cell modem in the car to a 4G system. And a complete upgrade to a later iDrive system seems difficult and expensive, and it's unclear how functional even that would be.

So, anyone have any good options or thoughts on this? What are other people doing? Just living with the functionality loss? Trading the car for something newer?

How hard is a full iDrive and telematics udpate? How do you register the 'donor' system, which no longer matches your car VIN, with ConnectedDrive?

I know, the car still runs fine without this stuff, but once you get used to the tech, it's hard to go without.

[Mogki]

This still seems so strange to me that even my 2017 came with 3G when we had 4G since what 2010?

I've not seen any email about this yet did it come from BMW direct a dealer?

[Vitacura]

I recall reading that all G platform BMWs are running 4G, but what about late model F22/23? Mogki mentions his 2017 is 3G, how can we find out what we have?

[shadowfax]

Originally Posted by Vitacura

....Mogki mentions his 2017 is 3G, how can we find out what we have?

Go to BMW Online and look at the globe in the top left to see if it says 3G.

[ggggbmw]

Originally Posted by Mogki

This still seems so strange to me that even my 2017 came with 3G when we had 4G since what 2010?

I've not seen any email about this yet did it come from BMW direct a dealer?

The email I got was from BMW corporate.

After getting the email I was googling around, and there are a few threads in the F30 forum on it. It's unclear exactly when they switched from 3G to 4G, and there seem to be several variations. iirc, the 4G switch occurred when BMW shifted the Nav from NBT to NBT Evo (iDrive 5?). I would have thought that occurred before 2017.

Also, apparently, the 3G in the display isn't a reliable indicator on whether the cell modem is actually capable of, or is even doing 4G connections.

All I know is that my car (Dec 2013 build date), is old enough that it is definitely 3G only. If you dig in the F30 forums, more people have more details there.

[jzeiler4]

Originally Posted by shadowfax

Go to BMW Online and look at the globe in the top left to see if it says 3G.

I just see a Globe no "Gx".

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by Mogki

This still seems so strange to me that even my 2017 came with 3G when we had 4G since what 2010?

I've not seen any email about this yet did it come from BMW direct a dealer?

Originally Posted by ggggbmw

The email I got was from BMW corporate.

After getting the email I was googling around, and there are a few threads in the F30 forum on it. It's unclear exactly when they switched from 3G to 4G, and there seem to be several variations. iirc, the 4G switch occurred when BMW shifted the Nav from NBT to NBT Evo (iDrive 5?). I would have thought that occurred before 2017.

Also, apparently, the 3G in the display isn't a reliable indicator on whether the cell modem is actually capable of, or is even doing 4G connections.

All I know is that my car (Dec 2013 build date), is old enough that it is definitely 3G only. If you dig in the F30 forums, more people have more details there.

Every single F22/F23 with a build date of 03/2015 and above has a iDrive with a 4G LTE modem, same telemetry technology as the newer "G" model generation.


Anyone here with a 2015 F22 built in March or later? https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1143681

[shadowfax]

Originally Posted by Poochie

Every single F22/F23 with a build date of 03/2015 and above has a iDrive with a 4G LTE modem....

My car was built 17 days too early and has the 3G.

[Mogki]

Poochie is right, Just had a look in my trunk for the tele module; even if connected drive with BMW online is saying "3G" in the top left my tele module in the trunk is a 4G model; TCB4G-01 T2-US-4G

Guess it just goes to show 'ass'uming it was something made and ass out of me

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by Mogki

Poochie is right, Just had a look in my trunk for the tele module; even if connected drive with BMW online is saying "3G" in the top left my tele module in the trunk is a 4G model; TCB4G-01 T2-US-4G

Guess it just goes to show 'ass'uming it was something made and ass out of me

In the interest of sharing accurate information with fellow members, I want to revise my previous statement on this subject, due to new facts I'm now privy to.

So, it is still factual that all US-spec BMW "Professional" iDrive units built after 07/2015 and beyond has a 4G LTE telemetry connection; that was true then as it is now.

However, that might not matter to some because regardless if you have a 4G LTE iDrive connection or not, apparently, some early models of this technology still will not be able to support some future ConnectDrive services and therefore might need upgraded hardware to be able to utilize the services.

So please, gather your VIN and inquire with your dealer on whether or not your hardware requires an upgrade.

https://www.bmwusa.com/content/dam/b...pdf/3G_FAQ.pdf


.

[MrOhnoez]

My 2016 M235i convertible was the first car I saw at our dealership with a 4G signal.
The method I used to use was to go onto BMW online and while it connected it showed a 4G in the top corner as it loaded.
Not sure if it's applicable now as BMW online has been killed.
Might still work with something else like weather or news

[Tfmala]

Just recently purchased a used 2016 m235. Also just recently got the email advising of end of service for 3g. I was advised by email that my car was eligible for a technology upgrade and to contact the dealer. In the FAQ section it stated it was free. I printed that out and would recommend since not all dealers may be up to speed on it. I set up an appointment this past Saturday. The advisor initially indicated that he thought it was just a software upgrade, howeve, the tech came back and indicated that the trunk module needed to be upgraded (there are two, one in the engine compartment and the second in the trunk). Unfortunately, the part was on back order(from Germany) and they have ordered it and will contact me when it’s in. Confirmed it is a warranty issue at no cost to me. Hope this helps everyone who has gotten the email.

My car does show 4g. The email indicated that the SOS and Customer Care contact would be shut off if I didn’t have the upgrade. Everything else (Such as it is) would still work.

[hottscennessey]

Has anyone else received a free 4g upgrade? Was this only for cars under a warranty? Last week I took a trip after not driving the car in almost a year, that's when I figured out the connected services weren't working. I never received any notice from BMW so that was pretty disappointing.

[MLJR235]

Originally Posted by hottscennessey

Has anyone else received a free 4g upgrade? Was this only for cars under a warranty? Last week I took a trip after not driving the car in almost a year, that's when I figured out the connected services weren't working. I never received any notice from BMW so that was pretty disappointing.

The email i got from BMW read as follows;

*** " Dear Mario,

There are important ConnectedDrive service changes affecting your 2015 2 Series, Vehicle Identification Number ending in 9439.

As a result of the sunset of 3G service by wireless carrier partners, by February 2022 your vehicle will no longer be able to receive some or all ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist services, such as BMW Assist eCall, Advanced Real‑Time Traffic Information, Remote Services and BMW Online, depending on your BMW model.

The decision to phase out 3G network technology was made at the discretion of the respective cellular carriers and lies beyond the control of BMW.

Based on your vehicle model, you are eligible for a technology upgrade to maintain functionality of BMW ConnectedDrive services.

For more details, please refer to the 3G Cellular Technology Discontinuation Frequently Asked Questions or contact BMW Customer Relations at 800‑831‑1117.

BMW ConnectedDrive "



Give BMW customer service a call to verify if your vehicle is able to receive the tech upgrade..

[Hagechan]

Originally Posted by Tfmala

Just recently purchased a used 2016 m235. Also just recently got the email advising of end of service for 3g. I was advised by email that my car was eligible for a technology upgrade and to contact the dealer. In the FAQ section it stated it was free. I printed that out and would recommend since not all dealers may be up to speed on it. I set up an appointment this past Saturday. The advisor initially indicated that he thought it was just a software upgrade, howeve, the tech came back and indicated that the trunk module needed to be upgraded (there are two, one in the engine compartment and the second in the trunk). Unfortunately, the part was on back order(from Germany) and they have ordered it and will contact me when it’s in. Confirmed it is a warranty issue at no cost to me. Hope this helps everyone who has gotten the email.

My car does show 4g. The email indicated that the SOS and Customer Care contact would be shut off if I didn’t have the upgrade. Everything else (Such as it is) would still work.

I just did the 3G upgrade yesterday from the dealer. I checked the module in the back trunk, the label on the module is 25/08/15. Is it the old module? How do I know if they did the upgrade?

[nazali]

I did'nt get anything yet, I'm still and w'tee 2020 car

[pbedrosi]

The funny thing is AT&T is sunsetting 4G non-LTE networks starting today.

[Luxury]

That is a non issue because the new combox is LTE right?

[pbedrosi]

you are correct the box is LTE, I misread when all of 4G was being sunset, but looks like well into 2030's.

[Luxury]

It makes 4G LTE look like a desirable retrofit