Dealer Installed ConnectedDrive

[mickey finn]

Hi everyone. Thank you so much for all of the information you have all shared on this forum. It helped me a lot late last year when I purchased my 2016 F15 X5.

I did not purchase any ConnectedDrive packages. Now I wish I did. For MY2015, in Canada, you were able to purchase ConnectedDrive for $500 via the dealer. For MY2016, this was removed from the options list and as you are all likely aware, the ConnectedDrive in Canada is bundled into other packages, which I did not get.

Does anyone have first-hand, second-hand or any experience at all regarding adding ConnectedDrive to a MY2016? Rough Costs? Worth it? Is it even possible to have it dealer installed?

Thank you so much.

M.

2016 F15 BMW X5 xDrive35i (SGM, Black/Ivory, #491 black wheels)

[Chapultepec]

Following, same issue, same car, but model year 5/2014, and in Mexico.

[X54TH]

Funny that you posted this today. I took the wife's X5 for a wash. Line up was very long so it was a good time for me to dig into the technology and ConnectedDrive as I don't really drive it much to know what everything does. So, in Canada we don't get much, there is news app, weather app, parking app, online app and I think something else. The online app is only a search for locations like restaurants, hotels, etc. You can't go on the internet and start browsing which I wanted to do ie. Jump on this forum to see what's happening. When I came home I went on the Canadian site to see what the ConnectedDrive was all about and saw a ton of apps that I didn't have. Called BMW just now only to find out that something like the Internet App as an example is a subscription that costs $100 / year and I'm sure all the other Apps I saw where the same deal. I'm not sure but I believe the BMW Remote App on my wife's iPhone (she never uses it) is only applicable if you have ConnectedDrive. I think the same applies to a couple of other Apps I loaded on her iPhone. Keep in mind our iDrive is 3G so it's not very fast. I may not be the best at providing a view on this option because the X5 is not my daily drive so I'm not seeing the benefit behind this option. Not sure if you have the MPPK, if you don't that's where I'd be putting my money. If you are still curious about the option you should hook up with someone who has and see for yourself.

BTW, love the 491's. Great choice!

[mickey finn]

Thanks guys.

I guess the responses are low on this topic because most people were smart enough to get ConnectedDrive installed in the factory.

I wouldn't use the browser much, mainly the traffic info and sending my desktop Navigation Google searches to the X5. Maybe the weather and news too.

The MPPK sounds great from what I've read- thanks for mentioning it. I am going to get that too!

Is there anyone that had ConnectedDrive dealer installed?

[X54TH]

Originally Posted by mickey finn

Thanks guys.

I guess the responses are low on this topic because most people were smart enough to get ConnectedDrive installed in the factory.

I wouldn't use the browser much, mainly the traffic info and sending my desktop Navigation Google searches to the X5. Maybe the weather and news too.

The MPPK sounds great from what I've read- thanks for mentioning it. I am going to get that too!

Is there anyone that had ConnectedDrive dealer installed?

I didn't realize the Traffic Information and Send to Car feature is only available if you get the ConnectedDrive. If that's the case you definitely want that feature. Obviously I don't have the after purchase experience...I use to go but I haven't been to Maranello BMW for a while now that Mike in parts isn't around. They were always good. I now take it to the folks @ Pfaff (Mississauga) who have been great to deal with so far. If you go to Pfaff tell them you are a BMW TrueNorth Member for a discount.

[mickey finn]

I've been speaking to the service department at the dealership regarding this for about a month now and today they let me know that there is no hardware to be installed to get ConnectedDrive Professional Service on the 2016 X5 if it was not ordered from the factory. It is simply an over-the-air upgrade from BMW Canada. They asked me to call BMW Canada to sign up.

BMW Canada requires you to fill out a subscription form, pay $1,200 CDN via Credit Card and wait 24-48 hours. This is for a 10-year subscription. The vehicle without ConnectedDrive Professional Service still has a 3G chip and IMEI, which we tested out via the SOS button. I think the SOS uses the 3G chip, at least that's what I assumed after speaking with BMW Canada.

[apw2607]

Connected drive services got removed from pretty much all markets because you now "sign up" for such services using the Connected drive store - all from within the vehicle.

If Canada don't have this yet - its only a matter of time. Its all delivered as a service via software. Theres no hardware to install if you have nav-pro.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2014/12/29/bm...eddrive-store/

[X54TH]

If I remember correctly this was an $800 option in August 2016. So if this thing is done through BMW Canada I wonder if it's transferable to another vehicle if you decide to get a newer one down the road?

[mickey finn]

Originally Posted by apw2607

Connected drive services got removed from pretty much all markets because you now "sign up" for such services using the Connected drive store - all from within the vehicle.

If Canada don't have this yet - its only a matter of time. Its all delivered as a service via software. Theres no hardware to install if you have nav-pro.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2014/12/29/bm...eddrive-store/

That's very interesting. Thanks for sharing this. I may just hold off until we hopefully get this service. I'd rather just pay $100/year, or whatever it ends up being, then $1,200 in one shot.

[mickey finn]

Originally Posted by X54TH

If I remember correctly this was an $800 option in August 2016. So if this thing is done through BMW Canada I wonder if it's transferable to another vehicle if you decide to get a newer one down the road?

It was $500 for 2015 models and it was a standalone option. Now it's buried in packages for 2016.

[X54TH]

Originally Posted by mickey finn

It was $500 for 2015 models and it was a standalone option. Now it's buried in packages for 2016.

Couldn't remember because at that time they were at the end of 2015 and the start of 2016. So when I was on the site building the car it was based off of a 2015 and you are absolutely correct they removed the Surround View in the Premium Package and added the Connected Drive in it place. I'll tell you that Traffic Information is great to have if you are using the X5 as the daily drive.

[mickey finn]

Originally Posted by X54TH

Couldn't remember because at that time they were at the end of 2015 and the start of 2016. So when I was on the site building the car it was based off of a 2015 and you are absolutely correct they removed the Surround View in the Premium Package and added the Connected Drive in it place. I'll tell you that Traffic Information is great to have if you are using the X5 as the daily drive.

Haha.. you're killing me! The real-time traffic information is the main reason I want (or need) the ConnectedDrive. I am on the road a lot all over the GTA so it's good to hear that the feature comes recommended. I am going to try and get the ConnectedDrive for $120/year ($1,200/10 years).. wish me luck

[X54TH]

Originally Posted by mickey finn

Haha.. you're killing me! The real-time traffic information is the main reason I want (or need) the ConnectedDrive. I am on the road a lot all over the GTA so it's good to hear that the feature comes recommended. I am going to try and get the ConnectedDrive for $120/year ($1,200/10 years).. wish me luck

Makes sense for you to have it. I'm trying to get it on my Jeep GC Overland through Sirius. They were telling me ~$40 / mth for the Jeep. I think BMW's $10 mth or $2.50 a week is a damn good deal!

[F15GorDe]

The $100 a year is for internet only.
You'll end up paying for the 10 year access all at once. There are no other options.

[X54TH]

I figured they'd charge him. Maybe they have a dressed down version. I'd see if it's transferable either to another car or when selling the current one to a new owner. Something to look into.

[mickey finn]

Originally Posted by F15GorDe

The $100 a year is for internet only.
You'll end up paying for the 10 year access all at once. There are no other options.

I just got off the phone with BMW. You're right- it's a one time payment of $1,200 and you're good for 10 years. No payment options. Ah well.. something to think about it..

[mickey finn]

Originally Posted by mickey finn

I just got off the phone with BMW. You're right- it's a one time payment of $1,200 and you're good for 10 years. No payment options. Ah well.. something to think about it..

It's actually $1,200 for 3 years.

Does anyone know the ConnectedDrive subscription fee after the three years have expired? It's likely that the fee would differ in the US, Europe and Canada.

[X54TH]

I bet you after the 3 years they'll tie that into an extended warranty or something like that. I'll have to find my contract on the connected drive. I thought something was 10 years and some other things were 3 years ie. Concierge, Roadside, etc. I'll see if I can dig it up.

[alphaod]

Mine is definitely 10 years. It says expires 2025.

[Stinkyxy]

I have BMW ConnectedDrive Services Package as part of the Premium Package. Does that mean I just saved $1200.

[mickey finn]

Originally Posted by X54TH

I bet you after the 3 years they'll tie that into an extended warranty or something like that. I'll have to find my contract on the connected drive. I thought something was 10 years and some other things were 3 years ie. Concierge, Roadside, etc. I'll see if I can dig it up.

You're right. I know Concierge is 3 years and I used to think everything else was 10 years as well because that's what BMW Assist told me, however BMW Customer Relations (BMW Canada) said it's only 3 years for everything

If it's not too much trouble for you, let's read what the contract says. Thanks.

[mickey finn]

Originally Posted by Stinkyxy

I have BMW ConnectedDrive Services Package as part of the Premium Package. Does that mean I just saved $1200.

In the Premium Package they're throwing in the ZTO package that was $500, along with other items, and calling it 7S9. And you're not saving, you paid for it, however if you didn't get it (like me), the price gets bumped up to $1,200.