[jamiey]

I had been so tempted when I saw it as an option on the store when I got my car back in late July... And it attempted and failed to buy it several times.

But then I had that "what am I going to get here for £250..." and couldn't see the value.

The only thing I would use would be to see messages, but then I can just use voice command to Siri and get her to read the text (any text not just iMessages) to me.

The £250 is now going to a PS 4 Pro which I will use more often.

[mutmat]

Originally Posted by doccyber

Are you kidding me? Apple maps is the worst.

I said "gripe".

[EINSER M]

+1 TWOT as we say in in the industry

[yaymitch]

Thanks for this this thread OP. I am saving $300 now.

[Kiwi]

To me it's a total waste of time CarPlay and I can see a ban on using this type of product coming. Hand held cell phones are banned but I don't see the point as it was texting was the killer and now people take their eyes off the road ahead and play with built in screens.

I do hope police send people to jail for murder if this was the course of the accident.

[mwickens]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

To me it's a total waste of time CarPlay and I can see a ban on using this type of product coming. Hand held cell phones are banned but I don't see the point as it was texting was the killer and now people take their eyes off the road ahead and play with built in screens.

Why is CarPlay, as opposed to iDrive or any other OEM system, particularly dangerous? I have yet to use it, but my impression is that it's easier, simpler, and quicker to use. It's not at all like Android mirroring, where you're actually using your usual phone UI, in case that's what you were thinking.

[yaymitch]

Originally Posted by mwickens

I have yet to use it, but my impression is that it's easier, simpler, and quicker to use.

Apple CarPlay is only there for people who are not familiar with iDrive. If you are familiar with iDrive and have previously driven BMWs with iDrive then there is really no advantage to Apple CarPlay. In fact from what I have read and heard, CarPlay is actually slower with less functionality than iDrive. It may improve down the road. This is why I saved my money and didn't tick the box.

[TBro2002]

I upgraded the head unit in our 2014 Subaru Forester to a Pioneer NEX with CarPlay. I've been using it for a couple of months now. To be honest, I'm not at all impressed with CarPlay. I like Apple products, but I think Apple has a lot of work that needs to be done to improve CarPlay.

The iDrive in our 228i is far superior to CarPlay in all functions, especially the GPS maps and directions. CarPlay doesn't even give you album art for iTunes and iDrive does. I think BMW selling CarPlay option is a pure $300 Money grab.

[mwickens]

Originally Posted by TBro2002

CarPlay doesn't even give you album art for iTunes

It does show album art in lists. And in Now Playing, it's displayed (muted) in the background. At least this is the case in iOS 10.

(Jump to 2:27.)

[Sleslie]

I've only had my 230i for a few days but I've had a chance to play with CarPlay on it and I like it. Some of that certainly has to do with familiarity as I work my way up the iDrive learning curve.

I mostly got it to help future proof the infotainment system, I figured Apple is likely to continuously improve CarPlay while IDrive will remain essentially the same for the life of the car.

I like the maps and directions though it doesn't provide as much info as iDrive. I've found a couple of times that the BMW map didn't have an address that Apple map does. I like the very quick and seamless transfer of map search results to the car screen. Siri works better than voice activations in iDrive (still learning what I can do there though).

I can confirm that it does display albums art, at least in the split screen configuration I use. The quality of the audio through the CarPlay wireless connection seems to be better than Bluetooth, it certainly a louder connection (don't have to turn up the iPhone nearly as much).

My expectations were pretty low but I've been quite happy with it.

[ClothSeats]

Carplay is good for brands that have weak infotainment systems. It is a cost-effective and easy to use UI.

However, the idrive system is already very solid (generally regarded as the best in the industry) so there is no real need for it on a BMW in my opinion.

The only way I would option carplay is if they added Waze..

[pcopley]

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.

For what it's worth, I greatly prefer maps through the phone/CarPlay than the BMW navigation. I read reviews prior to ordering and basically resigned that I was paying $300 for the UI to play podcasts more easily and not much else. For $8-10/mo on the lease it's a drop in the bucket.

[drdunkyn]

Well, having had a chance to play with CarPlay on my 240 I can say that I have been slightly disappointed on a couple fronts. There isn't a current way to program a preset for any CarPlay functions. You can't open apps on the phone with Siri (can't without CarPlay either).

BUT, the connection to Siri is much faster WITH CarPlay than without, and being able to send text messages (and have them read) with voice is great. Additionally, though iDrive is super fabulous (especially compared to the version on my 2013 335i), it's nice to have an option to use Apple Maps. Though everyone loves to hate Maps, it's still a more up-to-date resource, and traffic is always provided. I frankly love Apple maps, especially in the Bay Area where we see all pertinent POIs and get constant traffic updates.

My point is, for a piddling $300 this is future-proofing the iDrive in a car I intend to keep for a few more years. But like those bemoaning the auto-off, it's clearly being panned by a few as a horrible feature that spells the demise of the BMW brand. If you haven't even seen it and still decide to complain about it, keep your useless opinions to yourself. For those willing to give it a chance, I believe it will be a feature that will allow for frequent upgrades and new options. Hate it because it doesn't support Waze? Give it 6 months and it might. 12 months and it will, almost definitely. If you can't afford a $300 option on a $45000+ car, then don't get it. But don't bitch about it when you have to justify not getting it. And for the record, I know the OP got it and didn't like it. Ask him in a year and see how he feels.

[yaymitch]

Originally Posted by drdunkyn

and being able to send text messages (and have them read) with voice is great.

You can do this without CarPlay; Using Siri and iDrive.