Internet connection

[Anonymous]

I have a 2012 MY iDrive Z4, with all the hardware for internet connection, I think...

What do I need to enable internet connectivity?

It's clear as mud in the BMW literature..

 

[Nictrix]

You need to pay a subscription every year to be able to use it.

 

[Maniac]

It's also a specifically paid option at time of order.

TBH use your phone or computer, internet in the car is painful to use and very slow.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the feedback, I assumed a phone would be more cost effective and maybe faster. Has anyone managed to get an iPhone (5SE) to provide internet to the car to allow RTI information feed the iDrive nav system?

 

[jimbo1958]

It's also a specifically paid option at time of order.

TBH use your phone or computer, internet in the car is painful to use and very slow.

Agreed......had it for the first year and barely used it.

 

[MACK]

Thanks for the feedback, I assumed a phone would be more cost effective and maybe faster. Has anyone managed to get an iPhone (5SE) to provide internet to the car to allow RTI information feed the iDrive nav system?

My wife has it in her car. (Previous owner paid for it from new) She never uses it because her phone is far, far better. Its only a 3G connection and as well as being slow its a real pig to use. I think they want £60 a year for it when its up for renewal so that's a no then!

I believe that with certain phones you can connect/interface to the idrive so the phone's screen is cloned onto the idrive screen. I think it only really works with Iphones (as BMW are in bed with them) but I'm no expert so perhaps someone else can give a definitive answer in that respect. What I do know is it doesn't work with either my wife's or my Samsung phones.

 

[wegras]

I suspect you are thinking of Apple CarPlay

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205634

 

[Maniac]

I don't think the e89 supports CarPlay or android auto. BMW apps are supported in later models if you paid for the option and this provides such as spotify support via the phone.

IITC is supplied via the car's own SIM I believe, I don't think you can use it via a tethered phone.