Sat-Nav upgrade

E

eurgain

Member
 North-East Wales
Hi

I have a 2003/53 car in the UK, and I think that the navigation DVD is the original one that came with the car.

Of course, it is a bit out of date, and I need to update it, either with a new disc from BMW or an after-market system. I'd like to go with the BMW system, but it has a *huge* weakness - it will not navigate to a postcode. [1]

The '03 manual suggests subtly that this might be a feature in future. Does anyone know if it will be available if I get an updated disc from BMW? (I have tried and failed to get a definitive answer from BMW or a dealer.)

Regards
A
[1] For non-UK readers: the UK has postcodes that comprise 6 or 7 alphanumeric characters and can be used to identify geographical locations very accurately. All addresses include a postcode, so they are a ubiquitous identifier of a destination, and any navigation system that cannot use them is missing a major feature in the UK. A letter posted without a postcode is subject to delay, and will never be treated as "First Class" post, so they are widely distributed.
 
I don't know about the UK software, but my 2007 Nav system (build date was 11/2006) can use American Zip codes. Works great.

http://www.x5world.com has info about upgrading the software in BMW Navs.
 
Right: you can trade up the map disc to the 2008-1 edition for £99 at your local dealer. To get the post code search they need to also update the navigation software (im told they want ~40 quid for doing this trivial task hence im leaving it till it goes in for mot/tyres and will try to blag it then as its just a csae of putting in a cd for 10 minutes and letting it upgrade).
 
It recognises only part of the post code, but it is good enough for me though. Think it is 5 positions it can deal with.

Firmware upgrade is downloadable from x5world.com, takes less then a minute to perform. You will also receive 3D if you upgrade the firmware to V27 or later.
 
pvr is spot on with the firmware at X5world: http://www.x5world.com/navigation-system/28629-v29-1-has-been-released-now-available.html

It's a simple free download, burn to a cd and it will self install in the car once you put the disc in. We're on V29.1 at the moment. I must have done it 10 times now on my Bimmers so well worth it so don't pay BMW.

Once done then trade for the latest dealer disc for current maps

If there is no upgrade offer on you may be able to get a genuine one off Ebay, very cheap if you accept a 6 to 12 month old disc and little changes on roads in reality in a year or 2, aside a few traffic islands, new housing estates, etc.
 
I find the £99 just about acceptable from the dealer, especially as I can claim the VAT back from it :D
 
Beware of that download, someone furhter down the thread said it " buggered " thiers,, be warned
 
RustyZ4 said:
Beware of that download, someone furhter down the thread said it " buggered " thiers,, be warned
Click to expand...

I have to disagree with that as a significant concern. It has been performed tens of thousands of times and every so often someone does something stupid then claims that the software was at fault. Such things as turning off the ignition or ejecting the disc part way through would cause problems, just as they would if you were halfway through upgrading software on your pc.

Of course in anything there is risk and so if you accept zero risk then take it to the dealer and give him £50, however I'm sure if the upgrade went wrong in their hands they would simply tell you to buy a new Sat Nav unit if was not under warranty.
 
I bought a v29.1 upgrade disk from EBay and it updated my computer fine. I can see the 3-D display and have got the newer graphics e.g. chequered flag marking destination etc. I will send this disk TOTALLY FREE to the first person in the UK who sends me their address (I assume no responsibility for it failing to work on your car as this is not a sale, it is a totally free gift). All I ask is that you do the same favour to others by passing it on when you have reprogrammed your car ( a very simple task that takes a couple of button presses and a 5 minute wait whilst the computer loads the new software). I did mine nearly a year ago and it works totally fine. Here's a view of mine:
DSCF1966.jpg
 
Very small world - I regularly go to Lichfield on my pushbike. I will have to look out for your car as I cycle through...

Note to stalkers / robbers: I didn't take this picture outside my house, it was about a mile away!
 
edderby said:
Very small world - I regularly go to Lichfield on my pushbike. I will have to look out for your car as I cycle through...

Note to stalkers / robbers: I didn't take this picture outside my house, it was about a mile away!
Click to expand...

Try Shenstone instead and you'll have me.
 
Sorry flanbmw, you were beaten to it. I have posted the DVD to another user of this website, together with a 2006 map DVD and the instructions etc. All for free, as it's good to give.

I suggest that you reply to the thread that I started earlier today and ask for the recipient to forward the update DVD to you when they have updated their car. I can't give EBay address of original seller as they were banned (show up as "no longer an EBay member") for copyright infringement I guess...

See the thread "Sat Nav Upgrade + 3D view etc" - this will also show you how to get 3D perspective view on your screen when you have updated your software.

See: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3795
 
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