Recurring SatNav issue!! MASSIVE UPDATE

[NewZdriver]

I love my G29 but the satnav is becoming a real issue... whether it’s the car or the dealer mucking about I don’t know yet....

On the day of delivery, the sat nav kept dropping out and stated that it was loading data. It then decided to switch off the entire idrive display for periods of 10 minutes or so before coming back on.

A CAFAS camera was replaced and the software was reprogrammed and all was well for a few days but on a longer journey, the satnav failed again and the entire display kept switching off again so back to square one.

Had the car in at Sytners Coventry all day today and was told it simply needed another software update and all was well. A 100 yards from the dealership it failed again so back I went not in the best mood!!

They are going to contact BMW for advice but I’ve basically told them they can have the car back and give us their demo (which in fairness they gave fine before) until it’s sorted. Bloody annoying and spoiling an otherwise brilliant car!

Has anyone else had any issues like this or am
I alone? Lol

Would love to know what anyone thinks what this is? I’ve read elsewhere it could be a faulty head unit and I’ve told Sytners that they should stop mucking about and just get the car fixed!!

Cheers for any advice or thoughts?

 

[millview22]

How frustrating...can't help as mine has been working perfectly. I hope you get it sorted soon.

 

[dr_john]

I haven't had anything that bad, but the spoken instructions on my nav have disappeared and I can't get them back. I even resorted to reading the manual but although it explains how to turn the voice on and off my car doesn't seem to tie up with the instructions.

I've also had problems with the lane departure warning system, and the folding mirrors don't always fold when I stop the engine, like I set them to.

These seem like software faults, I'll see if any more occur and then spend some time at the dealers going through them all.

 

[NewZdriver]

Yes there do appear to be a few anomalies. My Z is going back to the dealers today and they are keeping it until it’s sorted. They are lending me their demo until they are happy this issue is resolved permanently which is fair enough!

 

[dr_john]

Good luck!

 

[NewZdriver]

Replacement Z4 from the guys at Sytner Coventry until my satnav issue is resolved! 2.0i msport fully loaded and a full tank of petrol! That’s what I call customer service!! Will look forward to getting mine back though!

 

[NewZdriver]

UPDATE: after more trying updates and after BMW connecting remotely to my car, they decided that a new head unit is needed. Wish they’d not spent so much time mucking about when it seemed clear to me this was what was needed from the outset. Unfortunately the head unit is on back order and I don’t have a date for it to be fixed. I’ve had the dealership Z4 for 3 weeks now!!

Overall I’m happy with the way Sytners have dealt with this but if this doesn’t provide a fix, I’ll be looking at them replacing the car. Hope it doesn’t come to that

 

[Jim S]

I have not had any problems with the Satnav system in my car but have experienced several other problems in my Z4 M40i, most of them documented in this forum.

I have been a loyal BMW fan for many years. In fact in the past 14 years I have purchased from my local BMW dealer 7 brand new and expensive high spec BMW cars. Other than my current Z4 G29, all have been extremely reliable.

I can't help feeling that the quality of the currently produced BMW cars are grossly inferior to what they used to be and I doubt very much if I will ever buy another one. :thumbsdown:

Sad, but that is how I feel at the moment.

 

[NewZdriver]

UPDATE 2: my Z has been at sytners now for a month awaiting a sat nav head unit which is on back order. I’m told it will be end August earliest. Whilst I appreciate the loan of their Z demo car, I’ve told them this is unacceptable and that they either refund my finance payments made whilst the car is off the road or they miraculously conjure up the unit.

The Z has had a faulty sat nav since delivery and my main gripe is that so much time was spent mucking about with software updates which were clearly pointless that this could have been sorted earlier imho.

Anyways, if it doesn’t get sorted soon, I’ll be going down the rejection / replacement route. Hoping to hear from them tomorrow!!

 

[Jim S]

UPDATE 2: my Z has been at sytners now for a month awaiting a sat nav head unit which is on back order. I’m told it will be end August earliest. Whilst I appreciate the loan of their Z demo car, I’ve told them this is unacceptable and that they either refund my finance payments made whilst the car is off the road or they miraculously conjure up the unit.

The Z has had a faulty sat nav since delivery and my main gripe is that so much time was spent mucking about with software updates which were clearly pointless that this could have been sorted earlier imho.

Anyways, if it doesn’t get sorted soon, I’ll be going down the rejection / replacement route. Hoping to hear from them tomorrow!!

I really feel sorry for you NewZdriver. A horrible experience that certainly puts my main problem of stones getting stuck in my brakes in the shade. Hope it gets sorted out for you soon. :roll:

 

[NewZdriver]

Cheers Jim! Such an annoyance as the car is fantastic!! But there are limits!! I’m expecting a call tomorrow and I’ll take it from there!

 

[Jim S]

I agree, the car is joy to drive. Just a pity that a few annoying problems spoil the experience. :driving: :roll:

 

[NewZdriver]

Further update! Sytners say the head unit MAY arrive next week. No promises though. Called BMW customer services who were to say the least disinterested and had no idea how to track a part and give me a firmer date. Absolutely useless!! It’s amazing how powerless the customer is under such circumstances. Tried moaning on twitter but got an equally woolly response. My patience is beginning to run out!

 

[NewZdriver]

MASSIVE UPDATE!! Yesterday in desperation I contacted BMW in Germany who seemed genuinely interested in my predicament. Cutting a long story short, a brand new Z4 has been ordered for me in identical colour and specification for September build. In addition BMW are supplying me with a Z4 from their ‘experience’ fleet until my new one arrives. I didn’t ask for this and am therefore delighted. Utterly outstanding response from BMW and Sytner Coventry!! I will update as this progresses!!

 

[millview22]

That IS a result...

 

[dr_john]

Great news, bud seems odd that your problem with the satnav requires a total car replacement.

And what is the ‘experience’ fleet, sounds impressive but does it just mean a loaner?

 

[NewZdriver]

Great news, bud seems odd that your problem with the satnav requires a total car replacement.

And what is the ‘experience’ fleet, sounds impressive but does it just mean a loaner?

Well I’m not complaining!! Lol!! And yes I guess it’s just a posh term for a loaner!!

 

[Nictrix]

Doesn't bode well for others with the same problem in the future.
Can imagine going in to BMW with this problem only to be told "ah, you need a new car to fix the problem"

 

[Jim S]

MASSIVE UPDATE!! Yesterday in desperation I contacted BMW in Germany who seemed genuinely interested in my predicament. Cutting a long story short, a brand new Z4 has been ordered for me in identical colour and specification for September build. In addition BMW are supplying me with a Z4 from their ‘experience’ fleet until my new one arrives. I didn’t ask for this and am therefore delighted. Utterly outstanding response from BMW and Sytner Coventry!! I will update as this progresses!!

Well done, great outcome for you. Nice outcome for your dealer too.

 

[J400uk]

Yea good outcome for sure, and I guess this means your new Z4 will be a 69-plate rather than a 19-plate! Any chance you can try complaining to them about all the niggles I've had with mine and see if I can have a new one too haha

The Experience Fleet cars are all brand new and owned by BMW UK themselves rather than a dealer. I was given an M240i Convertible by them when my Z4 order got delayed. Turned up with just delivery miles on it and it was mine to keep for as long as needed with far less restrictions than a dealer loan vehicle. Almost felt a bit bad after I gave it back and found it for sale with £15k off the list price having only been driven by me, savage depreciation....