Satellite Navigation

Not just navigation of course, the screen contains extra board computer functions, radio integration, phone integration, iPod integration and still the fastest routing navigation system.

Not to mention, it works - the TomTom loses reception around high buildings and you are lost in a city. Not with the BMW nav system. It also never "jumps" routes like the TomTom does, i.e. the TomTom thinks you are on a parallel road and suddenly jumps to a road next to it. I really don't like the external units and only use them in my cars that don't have satnav and on holiday.

It may not add significant value to the resale value of your car, but it might make the difference between being able to sell it at all or not.
 
Having the BMW sat nav on our X5 but not my Zed I must admit I don't miss it at all as I found it clunky and 'germanic' if that make sense.
I'm considering fitting a Tom-Tom or similar in the Zed and am looking at the options.
Tbh I'm inclined to route the wires behind and up through the ashtray and mount a fold away unit down there some how so I can fold/push it out of sight when it's not needed.
Suckering SatNav on the window and trailing the wires across your knees is the devil's incanation... :evil:
 
It was an absolute must for me when buying..............I wouldn't of bought a car however good if it didn't have Nav. Can't stand trailing wires.
It's never let me down.........gets you from A to B.
With Intravee added it makes for the best IPOD integration as others have stated.
 
pvr said:
Not just navigation of course, the screen contains extra board computer functions, radio integration, phone integration, iPod integration and still the fastest routing navigation system.

Not to mention, it works - the TomTom loses reception around high buildings and you are lost in a city. Not with the BMW nav system. It also never "jumps" routes like the TomTom does, i.e. the TomTom thinks you are on a parallel road and suddenly jumps to a road next to it. I really don't like the external units and only use them in my cars that don't have satnav and on holiday.

It may not add significant value to the resale value of your car, but it might make the difference between being able to sell it at all or not.
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OEM bluetooth is useless without nav as you can only scroll through the phonebook from A-Z or Z-A which is crap.
 
With two friends in your phone book, I don't think that matters much to you? :poke:
 
Thanks for all the great responses!

I'm pretty sure it'll have to be a car with Nav, now just to find a good one!
 
I think I've found the perfect car, does anyone know much about the optional ipod connector, that comes with the factory Nav?

Thanks.
 
I've ben trying to find this out for a while, I have the factory Nav screen, bluetooth and aux connector - but I want to use the iPhone 4 snap in adaptor in the centre console door to operate the music on my iPhone instead of the aux cable.

I have seen the media snap in adaptor - but I don't know if it will work how I want?!
 
I like it. Sat nav works fine and it gives you a better interface for the DSP, radio and phone. I really don't like things stuck on the windscreen or wires dangling everywhere.
 
I've installed the spec dock ashtray mount for my iphone 4s, which will provide the navigation. Thought I'd share a few notes on what I installed for this and why.

Phone: My car did not have Bluetooth installed, which was part of the premium package here in Canada. So I purchased the Parrot Evolution BT kit with a Connect2 interface - that gives me full MFSW functionality, and voice control telephony (incoming and outbound) using the contacts and features on my iphone. It also gives full SIRI functionality, which includes sending texts, setting reminders, checking weather, etc. via voice control. A lot of pluses, and the only 'feature' I saw as giving up was the phone number showing on the radio - and as incoming calls show on the much larger and more informative iphone display I don't really see that as a downside. The Parrot controller is used once for pairing and setting volume, etc. and then lives in the glovebox out of sight - looks OEM. I installed the Parrot mic in the steering column OEM spot, so that looks factory as well.

iPhone/ipod connectivity: I originally had the BMW OEM ipod adapter, which I removed and replaced with the Mediabridge unit. That gave me an AUX connection (missing on my 2006), as well as a more refined ipod interface. With the SIRI interface, I can now use voice control to select artists, albums, playlists for my music (in unlocked mode). Or I could use the standard iphone music navigation from the phone's screen - but find the voice control works great, and is a lot safer method when driving.

The Mediabridge also has Sirius sat connectivity available, which I'm not interested in, and Bluetooth for both telphony and music streaming. Not interested in the phone BT as it only receives calls when the radio is set to the Mediabridge input, and the Parrot works great (muting/signalling, etc.) on all inputs. Not interested in BT music streaming as I have the iphone connected via the specdock 30 pin iphone connector, which has great quality sound. I could have spent less to get a Mediabridge without BT and Sat, but it wasn't much more to get this one - and I might find a use for some of the extra features down the road.

Finally, navigation: The iOS6 navigation http://www.apple.com/ca/ios/ios6/ that Apple has now implemented after dumping Google Maps has voice control and turn-by-turn 3D mapping, and expands SIRI capabilities substantially (find the nearest gas, restaurant, etc). SIRI features on iOS5 (including nav) were very limited in Canada (and a lot of other countries outside of the USA), but that's no longer the case. iOS6 is due for general release in the fall, and is available for developers now.

Is it ideal to have your nav screen tucked into your ashtray, especially a relatively small screen? No, but with the new voice controls and navigation prompts coming through the stereo I'm not sure it's much of a big deal.In short, I love the idea of plugging in an up to date iPhone that's got considerably more intelligence than the 2006 OEM BMW bluetooth and navigation systems, and so much more in the way of features. And as new hardware and software is released, it just keeps getting better! :thumbsup:
 
I have the Nav. And I would recommend it. It has never given me any problems at all, to be fair a nav is a nav, even if it`s not as flashy as the tomtom graphics. Then there is the added benefit of a decent on-board computer on the decent sized screen, and bluetooth to mobiles!

I would deffo buy another car with the BMW Sat Nav
 
Now I've got my car, how can I update the nav system? I assume I need the new disc? Also has anyone got an email address for Jamie at Sopers?
 
Chandan said:
Now I've got my car, how can I update the nav system? I assume I need the new disc? Also has anyone got an email address for Jamie at Sopers?
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Two updates needed (probably) - the disc and the firmware:

Firmware is v32.2 - there are plenty of posts on here about it (like this one) but you need to check your firmware version first (details are in the thread)

Discs you can buy from [edit Wondermike] although if you want to go the legit route some dealers will offer a discount for trading in your old discs for an updated version. Cost is northwards of £100+.

For Jamie, just ring Sopers, Lincoln on 01522 690000 and ask for Jamie on the parts desk. Just remember to quote the forum for discounts!
 
i rarely use my satnav but lately it has been great and it is a life saver if you end up places you can't get cell phone data to use google maps.
 
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