[Fryguy29]

I just got an email from BMW touting the 2013 map update. I have a 2011 X3. It cost $245. Has anyone bought this? Is it worth it? Occasionally, the maps miss things, but I wonder if getting this will fix things. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[philtrick123]

Originally Posted by Fryguy29

I just got an email from BMW touting the 2013 map update. I have a 2011 X3. It cost $245. Has anyone bought this? Is it worth it? Occasionally, the maps miss things, but I wonder if getting this will fix things. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

The pricing of the map updates are a complete rip off, they are still set at a level when Sat-Nav first came out. When you can buy a standalone Tom Tom for that price and it includes free for life updates it puts it even more into perspective.
In this day and age BMW should be pushing maps updates FOC down to the car. Until then I'll continue to use the Send-to-Car function from the free fully updated Google Maps on my smart phone.

[Nahoa]

That's a good solution for missing POIs, but it doesn't solve the impact of missing or incorrect roads on routing to those destinations.

[lfcorrea]

I agree with the total rip off, I would like to upgrade but I refuse to pay what they are asking for. I wonder if this can be done by ourselves using the same technique as the coding in general...

[nospam]

Definitely a rip-off. Use the MyBMW app for Google search POIs with send to car.

[Fryguy29]

I realize it is a rip-off, but using the google maps option, as mentioned before, does not deal with missing or new roads that have come up since this system was made in 2009/2010. Is there another option for this, or does BMW have me over a barrel?
If it does, I imagine I'll buy it and it should be good for another 3-4 years.
I wonder if there is room for negotiation on this, or if it can be found on eBay?

[Razel]

Don't forget, there's sales tax (for those states that have a sales tax) and shipping charges (~$10.00) as well.

I think they know they have you over a barrel.

[rmbs16]

Originally Posted by Fryguy29

I
I imagine I'll buy it and it should be good for another 3-4 years.

Mine is five years old and decided not to update. Instead I carry a $100 portable TomTom for backup any time I go on long trips which can be refreshed free.
Also carry my android tablet for long distance for added safety. Car companies should realize that times have changed and it is not 2006 when portable GPS devices had limited platform. If you are very much depended on the gps for your day top day driving and need to use other navigation features such as traffic info and alternate route then an annual $250 expense is worth it.

[lbjgh]

Hmm, enough members here to pitch in a dollar each and post the file(s) on a file sharing site. Donno if it would work or not.

When I did an update for my car it just required the correct file on a USB stick.

Thoughts?

[scotta2]

Originally Posted by lbjgh

Hmm, enough members here to pitch in a dollar each and post the file(s) on a file sharing site. Donno if it would work or not.

When I did an update for my car it just required the correct file on a USB stick.

Thoughts?

That sounds like a great idea but the legality of such a proposition may be questionable? Why not buy legitimately, copy it then load it on to the system then sell it on eBay. Place a link to the sale on the forum and let members buy it for slightly cheaper ($50 off?) then it will only cost the difference between bought and sold price.

[Fryguy29]

Originally Posted by scotta2

That sounds like a great idea but the legality of such a proposition may be questionable? Why not buy legitimately, copy it then load it on to the system then sell it on eBay. Place a link to the sale on the forum and let members buy it for slightly cheaper ($50 off?) then it will only cost the difference between bought and sold price.

I bet there is some way that BMW prevents the update from being used more than once.

[lbjgh]

Come to think of it I did have to enter the last 7 digits of my VIN before downloading the file.

I really don't think bmw would create a unique file for my car since the file was immediately available for download. I believe the VIN was used only to determine which file was necessary similar to updates for your home computer.

[April1]

Map update requires a car specific code to install.

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by Fryguy29

I just got an email from BMW touting the 2013 map update. I have a 2011 X3. It cost $245. Has anyone bought this? Is it worth it? Occasionally, the maps miss things, but I wonder if getting this will fix things. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Well, I think it's false advertising by BMW. How many ads have you seen from BMW claiming the cost of ownership is $0. Yet, BMW wants all of us to pay a $245 fee to maintain our map database. This is fraud.

[April1]

You can own it at zero cost but you pay for the installation.

[lbjgh]

'someone' sounds like a politician.

Originally Posted by April1

You can own it at zero cost but you pay for the installation.

[April1]

BMW used to distribute SW disks almost free but dealers used to charge hefty for issuing the key and installation.

[MetaX]

The vast majority of the cost is actually in obtaining the FSC code for unlocking the maps. If you buy only the update media from OEM retailers like get bmw parts dot com, it is only about $50. There are some places you can buy the FSC code alone for about 50 EUR (that is what I did).

[Markap]

With all the intelligence and processing power in smartphones and pads, they should take out everything but the radio and just put in a big screen with an interface to the phone/tablet. Why have two gps, music sources etc?

[PAMidge]

Originally Posted by Fryguy29

I just got an email from BMW touting the 2013 map update. I have a 2011 X3. It cost $245. Has anyone bought this? Is it worth it? Occasionally, the maps miss things, but I wonder if getting this will fix things. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I updated my 2010 maps in my e90 with the 2013 version. I've been more than satisfied with them.

I just wish I could have doubled up and upgraded my 2012 maps with the 2013's in the X3, it's only like 2 months old!

[PeteX3MWhite]

I have to say the nav system on the BMW is crap. My smartphone with Google (droid based) is light years ahead of the BMW system. No touch screen? Even the nav I had on my older Honda Ridgeline had a touch screen. Can't give a voice command for a store or hotel - instead you have to have the street address. For example, with Google on my smartphone, I can say "Best Buy" and bingo, it will bring up the closest Best Buy stores to my current location.

It is a mess, plain and simple. Still haven't figured out how to send Google maps to the vehicle, but I think that is because the systems are anti-Droid and only iPhone compatible. If I am wrong, please correct me. (I tried BMW Office thing and there's nothing there).

I drive a lot for work and have resorted to using my phone when I get close to a destination because the voice interface works.

The other pain I have with the system, but this is typical of nav systems, is that they will often seek the shortest route in miles, not the most efficient - leading me through back roads and neighborhoods to shave a tenth of a mile off a journey by not staying on a main road. I feel bad for people that live in these once quiet neighborhoods who now have to deal with random cars driving through because some NAV mapping system deemed their street is a quick shortcut.

I wouldn't pay for a map upgrade.

[02420X3]

Originally Posted by PeteX3MWhite

Still haven't figured out how to send Google maps to the vehicle, but I think that is because the systems are anti-Droid and only iPhone compatible.

BMW has released an Android version of the My BMW Remote app. I don't use Android, so I can't tell you whether it is useful, or just crap. The iPhone version has a useful Google Local Search feature which allows you to type in a search for a destination (such as Best Buy) and send the destination (but not the route) to your X3.