SAT NAV in Europe

[chetalien]

Hi guys, doing my first trip to Europe by car. Driving to dover- ferry to calais, then to brugges, brussels and paris for 5 days. Has anyone relied on the BMW sat nav to get u back safely. I have a z4M roadster 2006(06) with inbuilt sat nav. Is that any good or do I need to buy TomTom. Any roads that I should do u guys will recommend in the this area. Cheers. Look forward to your advice.

 

[Adam D]

I would have thought it should be fine, do you have the most recent map DVD covering europe? also worth downloading and installing a newer Navigation Operating System is your not running V29 onwards (this adds features such as better searching and perspective view options).

When I first got the car I plotted a route from my house to switzerland and it seemed to understand and plot a suitable route similar to one I have used previously from via michelin.

 

[chetalien]

Hi adam, How do i find what version its running and where do i download and install newer OS. I have perspective view option already on the system. My system has 2006-1 map on it. I have no problem using it in UK.partly because I can find my way around without one and there is always a very helpful guy at fuel stations who are ready to help.

 

[Adam D]

If you have perspective view then its not an early version.

http://www.x5world.com/articles/all-bmw/navigation/9458-bmw-navigation-system-faq.html

Gives a good guide on how to find what software version its running and links tellings what each new version fixed/added (plus places to download the CD image to make an upgrade disc).

Map discs can be upgraded by parting with £99 at you local dealer on an exchage basis - I'm running a 2008 disc which replaced my original 2002 and got all the missing roads added near my house.

 

[dgm]

The BMW nav on these cars has worked faultlessly for me on several trips to Europe, don't believe the stories about it being inferior to Tom Toms etc, it's every bit as good as long as you have kept the software and nav maps up to date.

 

[chetalien]

Cheers guys, I'm off to my dealer tomorrow for a map and possible OS upgrade. Appreciate ur help

 

[fridaypassion]

if you fancy buying a tomtom they have a brilliant deal on at the moment you get free european breakdown cover. I just bought a tomtom one for our upcoming euro tip so killed two birds with one stone. The cover would have cost upwards of £100 on its own.

 

[mikedav]

Yeah OEM is excellent, got me to the 'Ring and back no worries

 

[JamesF]

Its absolutely fine for getting you anywhere in Europe and the traffic alerts and other functions work ok too. The only inferiority it has to TomTom is that its an A-to-B system - if you want to take in certain roads en-route or plan out multiple legs ahead of time then it just can't do it whereas TT can and from the comfort of your living room too.

 

[AJZ4London]

Agreed, system is v good.

Get the newest maps though.

 

[a11y]

if you fancy buying a tomtom they have a brilliant deal on at the moment you get free european breakdown cover. I just bought a tomtom one for our upcoming euro tip so killed two birds with one stone. The cover would have cost upwards of £100 on its own.

Do you have to buy the TomTom at any particular retailer for that deal, or is it a deal with TomTom itself? Would be very useful - I'm buying a TomTom One anyway...