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billy2shots
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Yup, I also have integrated nav, the only issue (with the Ford nav) is that if you want the latest updates, you have to buy a new SD card every year, don't know how the BMW system works with updates?

 

BMW rip you off, basically.

 

A few on here know that I recently circumvented what they try to get you to do and it worked a treat.

 

Take the 5 series as a prime example of all BMW's.  The car has a built in SIM and updates various things now and again.  You can do a software update manually too by selecting it from iDrive.  It'll go off and update all manner of things.  The last time I did it a few other options appeared in BMW Online and some of the Office options changed too.  Some of the functions added were quite useful.

 

However - it doesn't update the maps.:roflmao:

 

Instead, you have to pay for the map updates and it is something like £180-250, I can't remember precisely.  They come on a USB stick and you follow a reasonably simple process via iDrive to do the update.

 

I didn't want to do that.  I think it is a scandalous price to update a few bits of software.  I would like to see them offer continuous updates free if you keep having a car serviced at a BMW dealer or keep buying BMW's.  It would be a small price for them to pay for loyalty.

 

I went off to a website and paid £40.  I received a link to a 2gb download which is then put on a USB stick.  Job done.  Exactly the same process.  You need a vehicle code to process the update but you send them your VIN and they email you the code.  I don't know if they have connections within BMW or what, but it worked no problem at all.

I now have all the latest maps on the car, something that I genuinely need.  I know some people run on the maps that come with their cars but I can't.  I was prompted to do it because, in the period of 2 weeks, I twice encountered roads where the layout had changed dramatically.  In one case I could see where I needed to go.  In the other I ended up taking the wrong turn and doing an 8 mile detour to get back.

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Ford used to charge similar for the new DVD or SD card (depending on what system you had), I think they found no one bothered to buy the latest maps, and then TomTom started selling map discs and cards too, so they slashed the price to about £75.

Personally I don't mind paying that, it's still not exactly cheap but it's a genuine card/disc and I know I'm not going to have any issues, if I could be bothered I could also sell my old card and recoup some of the money being as it's only a year old.

There are unofficial routes, you can download the map info (albeit illegally) for free and either burn it to a disc or put it on an SD card, but you can't guarantee you'll get the latest firmware updates that are also included in the data, it's a bit of a lottery and not worth the hassle imo.

Edited by Tipex
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Just looked:

 

"Map updates are available at BMW dealerships for three years without license fees. Within the framework of BMW ConnectedDrive, in selected European countries the system automatically updates the maps for three years up to four times per year."

 

So it is for 3 years.  It is a huge improvement but I would like to see them do it for the time you get the car serviced with them, or if you buy a 5 year service pack you get them for 5 years.

 

Still. mustn't grumble as it would have still saved me money (well, until the car turned 3 years old just 3 weeks ago).

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The new subscription based Tom Tom app is utter balls - they've ruined it.

Funnily enough my TomTom App prompted me to 'upgrade' for free to the new app on Saturday, it was the number 3 in the description that made me look in to it a little deeper and I'm glad I did.

Turns out by 'upgrading' from a fully paid app, I'd have only got three years subscription to the new one, whilst they now seem to have removed the old app from the App Store it will still be supported with the latest maps, so I'll be sticking to the old app.

One question I have though, when I upgrade my phone to the iPhone 7 in Autumn (or whenever it comes out) will I be forced to download the new app, or will I still be able to download the old one I currently have?

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One question I have though, when I upgrade my phone to the iPhone 7 in Autumn (or whenever it comes out) will I be forced to download the new app, or will I still be able to download the old one I currently have?

 

If you restore the iPhone 7 from a back-up taken from the iPhone 6, it'll bring across the version of the app you already have. 

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On 17 June 2016 at 5:41 PM, NewNiceMrMe said:

Which? gave the Garmin Nuvi 58LM their top 'budget buy' award but the Nav you mention came second (so the one you're looking at is clearly good anyway).

 

I just did a quick search on Amazon and the Garmin is circa £120.

 

However, your luck is in, Halfords have a special offer with it down to £80 (and lifetime updates).

 

Garmin Nuvi 58LM

 

 

Thanks for for the input, I picked this up today. £80 was by far the best deal anywhere. 

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