[rocketretro]

On the same thread, related, but I haven't read anything about this on North America sites, has the latest OTA given you the ability to GPS track the location of your BMW via the Connected drive App on the mobile phone. In the U.K only some vehicles appear to have it for some strange reason even the dealers don't know why. On settings we now have 'activate GPS services' and a location pointer appears on the screen, or is this old hat and you guys have had it for years? Image shows a DAB radio channel/time and the location services indicator.

[German1967]

Sounds too good to be true. I believe the cut-off will be MY 16.

[OpenAir]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

Only 3g sim cards as just checked a 220i convertible today at my dealer.

Edited: I have a 17 Feb 2015 build date and I was told I had lifetime updates over 4G with the new head unit. If I look at the idrive it shows 3G...

[Ramathorn]

Originally Posted by OpenAir

I have a March 2015 build date and I have 4G in my cab.

My March 2015 m235i coupe also has 4G

[moltenfire]

Can I get a picture of where your cars are saying 4G? I don't have an active subscription to BMW online services (in Canada it's not included - only basic roadside SOS is included) so I'm not sure. I think I have the 3G Nav because I didn't get the 2015-2 Nav update automatically and had to update it manually and enter in my own FSC code. Also from talking to a fellow forum member with a 2015 cab and NBT-EVO who says his climate control temp display switches to white in daylight and mine doesn't do that (it stays orange).

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by moltenfire

Can I get a picture of where your cars are saying 4G? I don't have an active subscription to BMW online services (in Canada it's not included - only basic roadside SOS is included) so I'm not sure. I think I have the 3G Nav because I didn't get the 2015-2 Nav update automatically and had to update it manually and enter in my own FSC code. Also from talking to a fellow forum member with a 2015 cab and NBT-EVO who says his climate control temp display switches to white in daylight and mine doesn't do that (it stays orange).

Early Febuary 2015 build here - and I only have 3G. Looks like the switchover happened with early March builds.

This mid-year NBT-EVO HU switchover upsets me greatly - even more so than the single/dual aux-radiator issue for 228i M Sport models I investigated weeks ago. At least that was tied to a model-year equipment change. This one is not, and it effectively makes '2015.0' cars significantly less valuable and functional than '2015.5' cars though there's no price change and no public acknowledgment by BMW that cars other than the 2-series 'verts are getting the new HU now.

Plainly it's one thing to include upgrades for a new model year, when prices are adjusted and consumers are generally made aware of major improvements. To me, small mid-year upgrades like the aluminum trim on the center A/C vent are fine, too - or the HVAC orange-to-white night-to-day shift - since these are minor cosmetic refinements.

But adding the EVO HU unannounced to non-'vert F22s since March is patently unfair to those of us with 2015s built before then. Not only does 4G/LTE greatly improve data speeds for things like Navigation, ConnectedDrive, and RTTI, but Navigation updates are done automatically and for free - meanwhile, those of us with 3G have to pay something like $150 a year for the same updates. Not cool, BMW. Not cool at all.

According to the OP's link, this switchover was announced by BMW in October 2014, and I'm guessing some subsequent announcement indicated that the 2-series 'verts were to get the EVO units first. That BMW decided to start putting them in non-'verts at roughly the same time just doesn't sit well. It would have been fine to wait for MY 16 to do it - and if I were aware this and the other improvements were coming a month after my car was built, I'd have damn well waited a month to order my car.

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by moltenfire

Can I get a picture of where your cars are saying 4G? I don't have an active subscription to BMW online services (in Canada it's not included - only basic roadside SOS is included) so I'm not sure.

Upper left. Unfortunately, this picture does you no good, as you don't have BMW Online. If I see it anywhere else, I'll take another shot.

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

But adding the EVO HU unannounced to non-'vert F22s since March is patently unfair to those of us with 2015s built before then. Not only does 4G/LTE greatly improve data speeds for things like Navigation, ConnectedDrive, and RTTI, but Navigation updates are done automatically and for free - meanwhile, those of us with 3G have to pay something like $150 a year for the same updates. Not cool, BMW. Not cool at all.

Unquestonably.

Originally Posted by Viffermike

According to the OP's link, this switchover was announced by BMW in October 2014, and I'm guessing some subsequent announcement indicated that the 2-series 'verts were to get the EVO units first. That BMW decided to start putting them in non-'verts at roughly the same time just doesn't sit well. It would have been fine to wait for MY 16 to do it - and if I were aware this and the other improvements were coming a month after my car was built, I'd have damn well waited a month to order my car.

Yeah. I had a not dissimilar issue with my 335xi, being unable to add something later because I didn't order something specific at the beginning. I'd have made the change if I'd known, but no one freaking told me.

You have a pretty damn similar situation, and I know the burn you're feeling.

[German1967]

My BMW online is not activated yet... I guess it takes a day or so and cones with BMW Assist activation???
Hence, I cannot verify in mine but as it has the tech package and is built one day after Zooks I assume I have it too

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by German1967

My BMW online is not activated yet... I guess it takes a day or so and cones with BMW Assist activation???

Mine was on when I got it, but my CA made mention that he had filled out and submitted the paperwork the day before. I had to sign some account paperwork when I picked up the car.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by German1967

My BMW online is not activated yet... I guess it takes a day or so and cones with BMW Assist activation???
Hence, I cannot verify in mine but as it has the tech package and is built one day after Zooks I assume I have it too

Usually you need to push the sos button for them to verify your info and activate

[moltenfire]

Dammit my car was ordered Aug 2014 and was delivered Jan 2015. If I had known BMW would give me NBT EVO if I waited a few months I would gladly do so! Not cool BMW! Not getting the free OTA nav updates for life really burns.

[German1967]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

Usually you need to push the sos button for them to verify your info and activate

I will do this tomorrow. Thanks.

[German1967]

Originally Posted by moltenfire

Dammit my car was ordered Aug 2014 and was delivered Jan 2015. If I had known BMW would give me NBT EVO if I waited a few months I would gladly do so! Not cool BMW! Not getting the free OTA nav updates for life really burns.

This is unfortunate, I agree. They may, however, have just done a soft cut-over, ie when they ran out of the old units they started installing the new ones under the radar. That would be not unusual with other CPG industries.

[Pyewacket69]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Early Febuary 2015 build here - and I only have 3G. Looks like the switchover happened with early March builds.

This mid-year NBT-EVO HU switchover upsets me greatly - even more so than the single/dual aux-radiator issue for 228i M Sport models I investigated weeks ago. At least that was tied to a model-year equipment change. This one is not, and it effectively makes '2015.0' cars significantly less valuable and functional than '2015.5' cars though there's no price change and no public acknowledgment by BMW that cars other than the 2-series 'verts are getting the new HU now.

Plainly it's one thing to include upgrades for a new model year, when prices are adjusted and consumers are generally made aware of major improvements. To me, small mid-year upgrades like the aluminum trim on the center A/C vent are fine, too - or the HVAC orange-to-white night-to-day shift - since these are minor cosmetic refinements.

But adding the EVO HU unannounced to non-'vert F22s since March is patently unfair to those of us with 2015s built before then. Not only does 4G/LTE greatly improve data speeds for things like Navigation, ConnectedDrive, and RTTI, but Navigation updates are done automatically and for free - meanwhile, those of us with 3G have to pay something like $150 a year for the same updates. Not cool, BMW. Not cool at all.

According to the OP's link, this switchover was announced by BMW in October 2014, and I'm guessing some subsequent announcement indicated that the 2-series 'verts were to get the EVO units first. That BMW decided to start putting them in non-'verts at roughly the same time just doesn't sit well. It would have been fine to wait for MY 16 to do it - and if I were aware this and the other improvements were coming a month after my car was built, I'd have damn well waited a month to order my car.

While I'm in your camp completely, this isn't really anything new for BMW.

When I ordered my 2007 Z4 coupe, I wasn't aware the radios were changing to include digital FM, relatively new at the time.

I got one of the last vehicles with the non-digital FM reception capability.

Not getting it didn't bother me, because I rarely listened to FM broadcasts at all.... Nor do I today.

What chapped me was the fact that I wasn't offered the opportunity to delay my order a month in order to get what was, basically, another option at no cost to me. The fact it was not anything valuable is besides the point.

While this doesn't apply to me and my year model, Auto NAV map updates ARE something I'd really be upset about not getting, especially if all I had to do was to wait a little longer. Hell, I waited for my M235i for 5 months (ordered in January, delivered May 28, 2014).

If I were you, I'd be chapped, too.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by moltenfire

Dammit my car was ordered Aug 2014 and was delivered Jan 2015. If I had known BMW would give me NBT EVO if I waited a few months I would gladly do so! Not cool BMW! Not getting the free OTA nav updates for life really burns.

You "can" get updates for free technically but not over the air....

Just get the map file online and you can generate your own FSC code with the right tools....

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...16#post9085016

[moltenfire]

Okay it's confirmed, I only have piddy 3G

[OpenAir]

So I had my BMW visit today to learn all the things that I couldn't figure out, and I pointed this out to the guy, and he stated that I still would receive OTA updated free of charge even though my system is showing 3G.

My system shows that I have the North American EVO 2015-2 map installed. Do we believe him?

I also found out that more information "may" be available from BMW Genius. They are open Mon-Fri, 8 to 8 Central Time and the number is 844-443-6487.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by OpenAir

So I had my BMW visit today to learn all the things that I couldn't figure out, and I pointed this out to the guy, and he stated that I still would receive OTA updated free of charge even though my system is showing 3G.

My system shows that I have the North American EVO 2015-2 map installed. Do we believe him?

I also found out that more information "may" be available from BMW Genius. They are open Mon-Fri, 8 to 8 Central Time and the number is 844-443-6487.

So you have a 'vert with a non-4G SIM card? I thought all 2-series 'verts -- even the 'launch edition' ones such as yours -- would have 4G as part of the EVO upgrade ... Something doesn't compute.

I'll be contacting a BMW Genius at that phone number some time early next week about this as well. (I'm not even going to bother with the dealer). It'll be a first step in attempting to get some relief for this. The main difference I see between other posters' experiences with 'shadow' upgrades and this is that this one costs a consumer money for equivalent service (Nav updates), to the tune of $150 or so a year.

[Pyewacket69]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

You "can" get updates for free technically but not over the air....

Just get the map file online and you can generate your own FSC code with the right tools....

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...16#post9085016

While I agree it's possible, I'd say there's a significant difference between basically doing nothing but driving your car around and getting an automatic update .vs. having to download your map data, moving it to a USB jump drive, then generating a FSC code in order to download it.

Most BMW drivers aren't gonna have a clue how to do that, not should they. At a minimum (IMO) the 2015 model year owners that didn't get the auto update feature should get their codes supplied by BMW for free, along with downloadable map files that they can download and move to their own USB drive for updating the NAV systems.... At least, for the first 4 years of ownership.

Few BMW owners buy their car to learn how to do things like this.

[OpenAir]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

So you have a 'vert with a non-4G SIM card? I thought all 2-series 'verts -- even the 'launch edition' ones such as yours -- would have 4G as part of the EVO upgrade ... Something doesn't compute.

I'll be contacting a BMW Genius at that phone number some time early next week about this as well. (I'm not even going to bother with the dealer). It'll be a first step in attempting to get some relief for this. The main difference I see between other posters' experiences with 'shadow' upgrades and this is that this one costs a consumer money for equivalent service (Nav updates), to the tune of $150 or so a year.

I was told I had the new systems, which also includes the new heater control panel which is now the color white during the day. I will be contacting BMW on Monday to try and resolve this issue, just really want to know what is what. I will say that even though my system says 3g, it's pretty snappy.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by Pyewacket69

While I agree it's possible, I'd say there's a significant difference between basically doing nothing but driving your car around and getting an automatic update .vs. having to download your map data, moving it to a USB jump drive, then generating a FSC code in order to download it.

Most BMW drivers aren't gonna have a clue how to do that, not should they. At a minimum (IMO) the 2015 model year owners that didn't get the auto update feature should get their codes supplied by BMW for free, along with downloadable map files that they can download and move to their own USB drive for updating the NAV systems.... At least, for the first 4 years of ownership.

Few BMW owners buy their car to learn how to do things like this.

Agreed.... Just trying to give people some options