BMW Connected Drive

M

MarkW

Member
 Solihull, UK
Apologies if this is a bit of a newbie question....

I've verbally agreed a deal on a Z4MC 8) (Silver as per other thread). I've just phoned my insurance co for a quote (Privilege) and they insist on a tracking device to be covered for theft. The car in question has "BMW Connected Drive" and having googled it, that seems to include a tracking facility.

Is this correct? and does this mean I have a tracking device, or is it some subscription service that I need to activate and pay for? I have had Trackstar in the past on a previous car.

I could go to a different insurer, but its easier to keep things the same for now so I need to be able to prove to them I have the appropriate device fitted.

Cheers
 
Your insurance company is asking for a proper tracker though - one that protects against unrecoverable thefts.

BMW ConnectedDrive (http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/connecteddrive) is simply an info service to allow you to send routes and such to your Z4.
You can also use it on the move by going to the 'Assist' menu and it will call the BMW service so you can get directions and recommendations on hotels, restaurants, etc.
The final part of it, is the emergency part, where it will use the system to contact the emergency services if the car is involved in an accident that sets of the airbags.

My car was sold to me with BMW ConnectedDrive, but it looks like it was never activated as when I tried to register they would only give me a 6 month trial. After a month or so, I can't say I'll be rushing to pay for it, as the Z4 gets a cut down version of the full version - i.e. the X3/Z4 doesn't get the online in-car portal or the google connectivity - although the website doesn't mention the Z4, only the downloadble PDF points this out.
 
Thanks for the comments...I was hoping that wasn't the case.

I found this web page which says connected drive has BMW tracking as a part of it, which sounds like a proper tracker.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/connecteddrive/tracking.html

'll give BMW a ring tomorrow and see what they say.
 
MarkW said:
Thanks for the comments...I was hoping that wasn't the case.

I found this web page which says connected drive has BMW tracking as a part of it, which sounds like a proper tracker.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/connecteddrive/tracking.html

'll give BMW a ring tomorrow and see what they say.
Click to expand...

That's on the US system, not the UK one.

The US version (on newer, high-end cars) has things like blind-spot warnings, lane change warnings, parking assistance, etc.
 
mmm-five said:
MarkW said:
Thanks for the comments...I was hoping that wasn't the case.

I found this web page which says connected drive has BMW tracking as a part of it, which sounds like a proper tracker.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/connecteddrive/tracking.html

'll give BMW a ring tomorrow and see what they say.
Click to expand...

That's on the US system, not the UK one.

The US version (on newer, high-end cars) has things like blind-spot warnings, lane change warnings, parking assistance, etc.
Click to expand...


Ah bugger! Think its time for a change of insurer then. I'll give Chris Knott a call tomorrow as they are recommended here.
 
Is the car your buying the one in Birmingham? Hallmark Motors I think it was. Looks a nice one that and very good price too.
 
MarkW said:
Apologies if this is a bit of a newbie question....

I've verbally agreed a deal on a Z4MC 8) (Silver as per other thread). I've just phoned my insurance co for a quote (Privilege) and they insist on a tracking device to be covered for theft. The car in question has "BMW Connected Drive" and having googled it, that seems to include a tracking facility.

Is this correct? and does this mean I have a tracking device, or is it some subscription service that I need to activate and pay for? I have had Trackstar in the past on a previous car.

I could go to a different insurer, but its easier to keep things the same for now so I need to be able to prove to them I have the appropriate device fitted.

Cheers
Click to expand...
I have BMW Assist with an active subscription - In Canada my Insurance qualifies this as tracking.
 
MarkW said:
mmm-five said:
MarkW said:
Thanks for the comments...I was hoping that wasn't the case.

I found this web page which says connected drive has BMW tracking as a part of it, which sounds like a proper tracker.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/connecteddrive/tracking.html

'll give BMW a ring tomorrow and see what they say.
Click to expand...

That's on the US system, not the UK one.

The US version (on newer, high-end cars) has things like blind-spot warnings, lane change warnings, parking assistance, etc.
Click to expand...


Ah bugger! Think its time for a change of insurer then. I'll give Chris Knott a call tomorrow as they are recommended here.
Click to expand...

2 weeks ago I had exactly the same problem. My existing insurer was happy to insure me on a £20K AR Brera, but when I traded it for a Z4M they insisted on a Tracker fitment (£470 first year inc fitting - then £97pa subscription!). I quite simply changed insurers to one that was happy with the standard BMW alarm/immobiliser. It was actually cheaper to insure the Z4M than the Brera! (Try Kwik Fit - don't laugh - they insure through NU) :wink:
 
I'd just run a confused.com and see who's the cheapest. Just did it 30 mins ago for my daily driver Jeep and got my Sainsburys renewal of £339 down to £174 with Admiral. 5 mins of work, sweet saving.

Alternatively you could understand why the insurers want a tracker fitted and go for it. I have one in my car and it gives the piece of mind that at least i have a chance of seeing it again if the unthinkable happens. Quite expensive for what they are though.

Either way, enjoy your new car and welcome to the coupe club!
 
Admiral / Bell don't require tracker - though it might be a good idea to have one anyway....

Saw Road Wars last night and they recovered an E46 M3 Cab reassuringly quickly :thumbsup:
 
i renewed with a different company that didn't require the tracker i had fitted the year before.. but then i renewed the tracker anyway.. great piece of mind :thumbsup:
 
The best quote I've got seems to be from Bell - they don't require a tracker and the excesses are much lower than most others. Price is £130 more than my 350Z.

More than were a lot more expensive. esure were the cheapest bottom line but not as good cover and really high excess.

I might invest in a tracker in the future (had one on a scooby before) but for now i just need to get the insurance sorted. To be honest if its nicked and thrashed, I don't know if I would want it back anyway and would just rather the insurance payout.

Apparently the car might have had a tracker fitted, but it may have been removed. The dealer is going to check for me tomorrow.
 
MarkW said:
The best quote I've got seems to be from Bell - they don't require a tracker and the excesses are much lower than most others. Price is £130 more than my 350Z.
Click to expand...


Sorry, off topic, but do you have a web address? My insurance is due soon :)
 
scotia_steve74 said:
MarkW said:
The best quote I've got seems to be from Bell - they don't require a tracker and the excesses are much lower than most others. Price is £130 more than my 350Z.
Click to expand...


Sorry, off topic, but do you have a web address? My insurance is due soon :)
Click to expand...

Link to Bell quote page below. I just used http://www.confused.com though, as it will check a large number of insurers and you only have to enter your details once.

http://www.bell.co.uk/

On a different note, it turns out my car does have a tracker fitted, so just gotta decide whether it's worthwhile activating it now for piece of mind.
 
If you do have one installed and intend to keep the car for more than two years, then you might as well go for the lifetime subscription (lifetime means for duration of ownership) as it's only about £350 plus a one-off £30 activation fee. Otherwise it's about £100 a year.

MarkW said:
On a different note, it turns out my car does have a tracker fitted, so just gotta decide whether it's worthwhile activating it now for piece of mind.
Click to expand...
 
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