[bimmervam]

For the guys who opted for the wireless charging, do you recommend it?

I know the wireless charging is extremely slow, but just wanted to hear from the guys who are actually using it about the convenience and speed at which it charges the phone.

It is only a $500 option, but would rather leave it out if it doesn't help much.

Thanks!

[azf100]

I like having it. Yes, it's not very quick, but it's convenient. I always keep a cable plugged in, but never end up using it anymore.

However, I would say it really depends on your need for storage. I'm not sure what it looks like without the wireless charging pad, but assume it's just storage space.

I do like the chime to remind me I left my phone on the charging pad. Without it, I think I would forget it every time.

[JustChris]

Free - Plug in cable & charges quickly - time spent 10s more getting in and out
$500 - Wireless charging - slower - connects better to car ariel for reception - car warns you if you leave it in the car

I'm not saying its good or bad but its just a convenience charge for now. I'd love it I'm sureif I had it, doubt I'd add it for £400 here in the UK though.

Then again....a reason I 'need' to update to an iPhone 8 hmmmmm. *





* I know I can get a case but you know.

[InternetsTad]

There will almost certainly be after-market wireless charging options that fit nicely in the car for much much less money. The $30 wireless charging pad I have on my nightstand would probably fit somewhere in the front of the X3 and would work just fine.

The other thing you get for that $500 is 3 months of in-car wifi which is just kind of dumb considering most every smart phone already allows you to treat them as a wifi hotspot.

I'd guess by summer, there will be multiple Chinese charging pads that'll fit perfectly somewhere in the X3 and work great for less than $100. Probably less than $50.

[sor]

It’s great, but I really like wireless charging. I’ve got a charger at my desk, one on my nightstand, and am just in the habit of setting the phone down.

[bwcooper]

Originally Posted by bimmervam

For the guys who opted for the wireless charging, do you recommend it?

I know the wireless charging is extremely slow, but just wanted to hear from the guys who are actually using it about the convenience and speed at which it charges the phone.

It is only a $500 option, but would rather leave it out if it doesn't help much.

Thanks!

The wireless charging part of this option doesn't really seem worth it to me. I have a leather case on my Samsung Note 5 and it only seems to charge it about half the time anyway, so I'd plug it in to make sure if my battery was low. Might be better for long trips, etc. I'm also bad about leaving the phone in the car if I take it out of my pocket, especially on shorter trips.

However, I might still get the option since, despite its name, the $500 "Wireless Charging" also includes Enhanced Bluetooth, an extra USB port, and enables creation of a Wi Fi Hot Spot in the car so other devices can use the car's internet connection (as long as you maintain the BMW Connected subscription). Seems odd to me that BMW doesn't emphasize this more. The Enhanced Bluetooth gives you two speaker/microphones instead of one and enables you to auto-pair two phones instead of just one.

[kozzi]

I'm glad I got this feature and love how it actually works. Frees up cable clutter and the non-sliding rubber surface keeps it seated very well. There may be some after market charging pads but have not seen any that would plug in and fit in the area and not force your phone to go flying in a sharp turn.

[FCBayernFTW]

Two Questions reference "a" and 'B' in the photo.

A) "Is Wireless Charging a must have" if I want that USB plug there?

B) Would the display key work on a US X3?

[BMWX3DRIVER]

Originally Posted by FCBayernFTW

Two Questions reference "a" and 'B' in the photo.

A) "Is Wireless Charging a must have" if I want that USB plug there?

B) Would the display key work on a US X3?

A) That USB port is standard. I think you get another USB port in the centre armrest if you opt for Wireless Charging.

B) Display Key works on a US X3 as far as I can see from US owners postings.

[Yizu]

My understanding was that the Display Key was not available in the US.

[TonySCV]

WC is implemented in the X3 very, very well.

[Slalom]

Originally Posted by Yizu

My understanding was that the Display Key was not available in the US.

I agree.
The photo seems to be from Youtube in Germany, but the console is a right hand drive - so probably GB or AUS

[FCBayernFTW]

Originally Posted by Slalom

I agree.
The photo seems to be from Youtube in Germany, but the console is a right hand drive - so probably GB or AUS

It was Australia. But I live in Germany and am considering getting this at the local dealer as well as the controller that includes the fog lights

[JSY]

I don't think this gets mentioned enough but if you have an Android phone and you want to read/reply (dictate) your text messages, you need Enhanced Bluetooth.

[BMWMilan]

I don't think I've ever really found the need, or desire, to charge my phone in my car.

[FCBayernFTW]

Originally Posted by BMWMilan

I don't think I've ever really found the need, or desire, to charge my phone in my car.

I get "battery anxiety" and always plug in regardless of the state of my charge.

[KAP8]

Originally Posted by FCBayernFTW

I get "battery anxiety" and always plug in regardless of the state of my charge.

Me too. I'm totally OCD. In my prior phone I was always plugging it in. To the point where I wore out the plug hole!!

That won't happen with the new phone as I have a wireless charger at home and at work. Then whenever I drive my wife's M40i.

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by FCBayernFTW

It was Australia. But I live in Germany and am considering getting this at the local dealer as well as the controller that includes the fog lights

I believe the Display Key won't work without the ConnectedDrive features.

I took delivery of my US spec X3 at the Welt yesterday and learned because ConnectedDrive won't work until the vehicle is back in the US, Apple CarPlay won't work either as somehow they tied it to ConnectedDrive instead of it being a standalone function.

[FCBayernFTW]

Originally Posted by ND40oz

I believe the Display Key won't work without the ConnectedDrive features.

I took delivery of my US spec X3 at the Welt yesterday and learned because ConnectedDrive won't work until the vehicle is back in the US, Apple CarPlay won't work either as somehow they tied it to ConnectedDrive instead of it being a standalone function.

I'm aware of connected drive being unusable in Germany. The X3 is my third one. In the past 10 years. I've only operated my BMW in the US for 2 of them.

However that's an interesting point about the display key. Oh well

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by FCBayernFTW

I'm aware of connected drive being unusable in Germany. The X3 is my third one. In the past 10 years. I've only operated my BMW in the US for 2 of them.

However that's an interesting point about the display key. Oh well

Yeah, going into it I knew connected drive features don't work but I didn't realize that they had started tying other features of the vehicle to it. Just something to watch out for.

Volvo has the same issue with On Call but I can still install my own sim or use my phone for a data connection and all of the apps, carplay/android auto and over the air map updates still work.

On another note, they gave me the usb drive with euro maps on it and kept the US installed instead of overwriting them with the euro ones. May be the way to go if you're shipping it back stateside soon instead of having to pay to reinstall the US maps.

[Almaretto]

I would care about hotspot wifi antenna more for use with Miracast.

[Keweenawbee]

I think it’s a must have for that 2nd USB jack in the center armrest console, not just for charging but it’s connection to the iDrive com and media connections. I was actually shocked to see that mine contained only a light in it!

We did pick up a space gray/black faced 128gb iPod Touch for music that will live inside the shallow front console compartment. It is so small and thin I needed only to find a 12” right angled USB-A to lighting cable to keep it plugged in and neatly hidden under the slider/cover.

I wonder if the port for that 2nd cable to the armrest console is live but for the simple hardwire connection to it.