AT&T 3G Shutdown

[cfm56d7b]

Finally received the same letter from BMW NA that our 2015 BMW X5 (build date 12/2014) will lose ConnectedDrive services in 02/2022.

I spoke to BMW NA Customer Relations a few minutes ago. The answer was "your vehicle is listed as not eligible for any upgrade. Cannot help".

While the answer was predictable, I asked BMW NA to approve an investigative effort to determine what parts would be required to solve the problem. The answer was also no.

I don't think it's a technical problem, but rather unwillingness on part of BMW to identify and approve a certain set of parts and a confirmation that new parts will connect to ConnectDrive service.

I am now working with ConnectedDrive team. Will keep update this thread later.

Did anyone have a chance contact the dealer service department to determine what parts must be replaced to enable ConnectedServices, including ConnectedServices registration?

[XxBBVTMxX]

My dealership here knows nothing other than what they are being told to tell people 🙄

[cfm56d7b]

My local dealer responded to my request. The shop foreman will begin the research. Will share an update when more information becomes available.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

My local dealer responded to my request. The shop foreman will begin the research. Will share an update when more information becomes available.

Sharing an update.

BMW also provided a canned response to the shop foreman. He was a bit surprised and suggested to contact BMW NA which I did. So the request has escalated at BMW NA.

[RED_Y_]

And BMW NA doesn't give a sh about this problem.

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by RED_Y_

And BMW NA doesn't give a sh about this problem.

I'm sure they give a sht, but looked at the numbers and decided to take a calculated risk of pissing off a few "older" BMW's owners, seeing the new car sales are strong and the cost of upgrading tech in used cars, is higher than a few marketing campaigns to attract new car buyers.

I have been thinking of getting a used Z4 as second car to replace the 330, but small things like this; (3G, seat cracking, rubber seals cracking, noisy tailgate lifter that can't be lubed, etc.) and I'm thinking I should get a used 911 instead...

Will a different brand be any better, who knows, will my decision affect BMW sales, not really. Will it make me feel better about not being a brand whre? Yup, definitely will make me feel better about not blindly supporting a brand that seems to give little consideration for the small troublesome details that affect the cars once they have moved off the dealer lot. Will another brand make me happier, who knows?!?!
Life goes on...

[milkyway]

If our F15s don't have cellular service, then we'll miss many good features of remote/internet services, like locating car, locking/unlocking, etc. My remote service shown on BMW Connected Drive is valid for 10 years from date of sale.

If our F15 remote/internet is simply a module upgrade/replacement from 3G to 4G one in order for it continue to work, BMW really pisses us off. I suggest we do something not let BMW drop the ball.

See post #9 in following thread in another forum:

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/bmw-assist.1411856/

Realoem has the similar (using my MY15 35d, but applies to most F15s)

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=84_1125

From the above 2 links, the 4G module part number is 84106836777

[XxBBVTMxX]

I am just writing a letter to BMW NA. Calling them gets you nowhere. Final attempt 🤷🏽

[RED_Y_]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

I'm sure they give a sht, but looked at the numbers and decided to take a calculated risk of pissing off a few "older" BMW's owners, seeing the new car sales are strong and the cost of upgrading tech in used cars, is higher than a few marketing campaigns to attract new car buyers.

I have been thinking of getting a used Z4 as second car to replace the 330, but small things like this; (3G, seat cracking, rubber seals cracking, noisy tailgate lifter that can't be lubed, etc.) and I'm thinking I should get a used 911 instead...

Will a different brand be any better, who knows, will my decision affect BMW sales, not really. Will it make me feel better about not being a brand whre? Yup, definitely will make me feel better about not blindly supporting a brand that seems to give little consideration for the small troublesome details that affect the cars once they have moved off the dealer lot. Will another brand make me happier, who knows?!?!
Life goes on...

I don't expect them to change their mind on this, I called them again and they guy just told me same thing again "We are sorry, this wasn't our decision our connection provider discontinued the technology, thank you for being BMW owner, good bye!". I love my diesel and plan to drive it for at least another 3-4 years but BMW is not my number one car brand anymore. Yes fun to drive, yes it is luxury and quality materials, yes they are reliable (so far). When I got my X5 I was amazed by technology, if there is no technology there anymore, easier to move along. Just little things here and there.

[XxBBVTMxX]

Originally Posted by RED_Y_

[
I don't expect them to change their mind on this, I called them again and they guy just told me same thing again "We are sorry, this wasn't our decision our connection provider discontinued the technology, thank you for being BMW owner, good bye!". I love my diesel and plan to drive it for at least another 3-4 years but BMW is not my number one car brand anymore. Yes fun to drive, yes it is luxury and quality materials, yes they are reliable (so far). When I got my X5 I was amazed by technology, if there is no technology there anymore, easier to move along. Just little things here and there.

I'm definitely keeping my 35d, until it dies. It's the only BMW that I like, yup.. I said it.

[RED_Y_]

Originally Posted by XxBBVTMxX

I'm definitely keeping my 35d, until it dies. It's the only BMW that I like, yup.. I said it.

Same thing here, going to keep my F15 until the engine falls out but none of the new models look interesting to me. May be BMW will deliver something cool in the future, but at the moment I have no interest in another bimmer.

[cfm56d7b]

Sharing an update.

Summary of my request: considering that F15 parts to enable 4G signal are available, I asked BMW to verify that these parts can be installed despite lack of official guidance. For example, TCU available after 8/2016 supports 4G signal.

- Multiple calls with BMW NA customer relations until the request was finally escalated
- The shop foreman at my local dealer also asked the same question via internal channel and received a canned response
- BMW NA escalation specialist called me back and also provided a canned response

I don't think BMW will respond to any request. Because the decision is carrier-dependent, it's fairly certain that BMW's legal team already rendered their opinion for BMW to take a very strict position that certain vehicles are not eligible for a technology upgrade.

So the options are very limited.

1. Work with a local shop to determine how to retrofit required components and determine the costs. Anyone interested in collaborating? I plan to visit a shop that has the expertise to research all installation nuances. Goals: identify all parts, wiring requirements, installation requirements, labor costs, configuration and activation steps (the bigger unknown because BMW controls ConnectedDrive activation process).

2. Do nothing

[thereef510]

So I had no idea this was going to be an issue until I got the email today. My question is: can I still use the CD app to get the fuel levels and send navigation from the CD app to the onboard computer via the USB-A connector in the center console? or is this vehicle going to get totally cut off from even those types of services?

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by thereef510

So I had no idea this was going to be an issue until I got the email today. My question is: can I still use the CD app to get the fuel levels and send navigation from the CD app to the onboard computer via the USB-A connector in the center console? or is this vehicle going to get totally cut off from even those types of services?

The CD app send a request to BMW ConnectedDrive cloud which attempts to reach the vehicle via cellular connection. So the answer is unfortunately no - not possible if your vehicle is not eligible for a technology upgrade.

[thereef510]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

The CD app send a request to BMW ConnectedDrive cloud which attempts to reach the vehicle via cellular connection. So the answer is unfortunately no - not possible if your vehicle is not eligible for a technology upgrade.

that sucks. i really liked all the weather, traffic and CD features of this vehicle. Oh well I guess it'll go back to being just another dumb car now.

[König]

There are a good number of decent, free email marketing tools out there. It would be a real shame if someone was to create a drip campaign template that allowed all of us to automatically spam email BMW many times about this issue... a real shame.

[Kolianovskyi]

I think in future I will save some money and install nbt evo and tcv or how they call that module with SIM card.

[RakoNYC]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Sharing an update.

Summary of my request: considering that F15 parts to enable 4G signal are available, I asked BMW to verify that these parts can be installed despite lack of official guidance. For example, TCU available after 8/2016 supports 4G signal.

- Multiple calls with BMW NA customer relations until the request was finally escalated
- The shop foreman at my local dealer also asked the same question via internal channel and received a canned response
- BMW NA escalation specialist called me back and also provided a canned response

I don't think BMW will respond to any request. Because the decision is carrier-dependent, it's fairly certain that BMW's legal team already rendered their opinion for BMW to take a very strict position that certain vehicles are not eligible for a technology upgrade.

So the options are very limited.

1. Work with a local shop to determine how to retrofit required components and determine the costs. Anyone interested in collaborating? I plan to visit a shop that has the expertise to research all installation nuances. Goals: identify all parts, wiring requirements, installation requirements, labor costs, configuration and activation steps (the bigger unknown because BMW controls ConnectedDrive activation process).

2. Do nothing

I am interested in exploring a retrofit - even if cost is on me on parts and install - this is ludicrous

[RakoNYC]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

The CD app send a request to BMW ConnectedDrive cloud which attempts to reach the vehicle via cellular connection. So the answer is unfortunately no - not possible if your vehicle is not eligible for a technology upgrade.

Thanks for that - I think this seals the deal - the app works the wrong way for any resolution here:

Possible Solution Framework
CD Car HU Request > CD Phone App > Phone Data > CD Phone App > CD Car HU

I hate to be tiresome but this is just poorly design thinking in retrospect - having a car with a lifespan of at least 10 years act as a phone with a lifespan of at most 5 years is just irresponsible

Cars tech should behave as a terminal and allow for processing at swappable location (either phone and/or cloud)

[Kolianovskyi]

Hey folks, would it be a solution just to plug nbt evo head and screen? Or should it be also a tcb module? Would I be able to register it with my car?

[CatalinP]

TCB only receives 3G signal. That is the reason you need to shift to ATM which is 4G. And you need NBT Evo because NBT cannot work with ATM.

[RakoNYC]

Is the Bimmertech CarPlay kit the way to get out of this entire mess?

Reading another Bimmerpost thread

https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...680&page=5

Seems to be the logical next best thing but I am not sure if I'd lose things like the HUD and there are obvious bumps in transition to things like camera