E89 Semi-Integrated BMW Navigation

[PawnSacrifice]

Saw on this on the back of the BMW Car Club magazine, thought it may be of interest to some of you chaps without factory installed nav.

You know exactly where you are with the new semi-integrated BMW Navigation system. Extremely slender and with a high resolution touch screen, it offers perfect integration into your car. Not only that, but it is also available including all fitting costs, VAT and a long list of features:

• High resolution 4.3-inch touchscreen: for unrivalled ease-of-use.
• Lane Assistant capability: makes driving at complex junctions easier and safer.
• Bluetooth capability for hands-free phone calls: keeping you in touch, whatever your destination.
• Free map updates for life: future-proofing your unit.
• Realistic 3D display of buildings and terrain: bringing maps to life.
• Mounting bracket designed for seamless integration: no unsightly fittings on view.
• Totally concealed wiring: permanent power-feed ensures constant charging.
• Voice control interface for data input: allowing you to keep your eyes on the road, and your hands on the wheel.
• Contemporary styling with slender profile: complements your BMW's interior.
• Once you've experienced all the benefits of BMW Navigation, you'll be lost without it. To find out more, please contact your local BMW Dealer.

Some more blurb...

BMW Integrated Portable Navigation
BMW have created two integrated portable navigation devices exclusively for the BMW 1 Series, X1, X3, current 3 Series and current Z4 models.
The tailored mount options integrate the device seamlessly with your car's instrument panel and supplies power to the unit via the BMW on-board network, eliminating any trailing cables inside the cabin.
Both devices have a sleek and slim design with a large, bright touchscreen display, three-dimensional automatic routing and turn-by-turn spoken instructions.
They also include premium features such as Bluetooth® wireless technology for hands-free mobile phone calling and a TMC traffic receiver to carefully navigate you around traffic delays, allowing you to focus on the pleasure of driving.

On the magazine advert BMW quote supply, fitting and VAT for £490.00 (not sure which version) - given the fact it includes free map updates, against the cost of the current BMW update DVDs, that alone makes it quite attractive. Also, it should stay looking fresh, unlike the nav in the E85/E86 which I think now makes the car look dated. The downside is that it's not as neat a solution as the integrated factory BMW option.

BMW.co.uk Demonstration < if you click through to the in-car view it shows the unit in an E89. Also shows how it looks when you remove the nav unit from the cradle.

Downloads for the BMW Portable navigation system.

There seem to be two versions:
BMW Portable Navigation System Plus

Fits in your pocket, and designed for use both in and outside the car. The high-resolution 4.3-inch touch screen display offers 2D and 3D map views. The unit is supplied with European mapping on SD card. The device is packed with features such as a built-in TMC function, a USB connection and an MP3 player. It slots into a special mounting in the dashboard, which also recharges its battery.

BMW Portable Navigation System Pro

Fits in your pocket, and designed for use both in and outside the car. The high-resolution 4.3-inch touch screen display offers 2D and 3D map views. The BMW Portable navigation system Pro is also packed with features such as pre-installed maps covering 33 European countries, audio output via the vehicle's loudspeakers, voice recognition, a built-in TMC function, a USB connection and an MP3 player. It slots into a special mounting in the dashboard, which also recharges its battery.

Oddly, both of the images above differ from the one on the magazine.

 

[ksher]

I don't like them. They require the removal of the existing storage cover.

 

[gannet]

does look somewhat like an afterthought :?

 

[pvr]

unlike the nav in the E85/E86 which I think now makes the car look dated.

You heathen, are you flimpering? :x 8)

 

[Z4 Beemer]

In principal, I think this sounds like a good idea.

Free map updates is a pretty good feature.

 

[PawnSacrifice]

unlike the nav in the E85/E86 which I think now makes the car look dated.

You heathen, are you flimpering? :x 8)

:lol: It would appear so! It's a common problem with technology, dates very quickly, whereas the Z4 itself still looks fresh IMO.

Z4 Beemer, I think that's right, it's a good idea... for someone who doesn't have the factory nav or can't afford the option... but it is an after thought, gannet, nowhere near as neat as the factory kit, but when it does the traffic routing, bluetooth hands free for the phone and works through the car stereo, it's preferable to an aftermarket kit.