Nav update?

[thatguyn8]

1st weekend with "new" 2009 335i... well, the nav system is not impressing me. The graphics are cool, but no option to have perspective view with north up - I'm trying to decide if I prefer perspective or north up (my traditional choice, but somehow perspective seems to make it easier to find my way around. At least I have a compass on the mirror.)

ANYWAY - am thinking I need an update. Of four destinations that I had to visit on Saturday, only two actually worked. (however, the ability to get addresses out of my phone's address book is unbelievably useful.) One of the ones that failed was a fairly new apartment complex, however, the other is my own house which has been in the same place since the 60's! Is this common for others as well? My Garmin works fine for all but the fairly new apartment complex, and I updated it last about 6 mos. ago. (fortunately, I know where both of these are, I was just trying to familiarize myself with the nav system so when I needed it I could use it...)

Is there any way to load a POI database into the BMW nav system? I've been using a 3rd party POI file in my Garmin and would miss that if it went away.

Likewise, is there any speed limit info. for the nav system and if so how would I enable that display? I really miss the speed limit feature from my Garmin... it was often inaccurate, but then again, sometimes it would warn me that a speed limit was unusually low immediately upon turning onto a road, even if there wasn't a sign for a while.

thanks!

[Pyewacket69]

1st weekend with "new" 2009 335i... well, the nav system is not impressing me. The graphics are cool, but no option to have perspective view with north up - I'm trying to decide if I prefer perspective or north up (my traditional choice, but somehow perspective seems to make it easier to find my way around. At least I have a compass on the mirror.)

ANYWAY - am thinking I need an update. Of four destinations that I had to visit on Saturday, only two actually worked. (however, the ability to get addresses out of my phone's address book is unbelievably useful.) One of the ones that failed was a fairly new apartment complex, however, the other is my own house which has been in the same place since the 60's! Is this common for others as well? My Garmin works fine for all but the fairly new apartment complex, and I updated it last about 6 mos. ago. (fortunately, I know where both of these are, I was just trying to familiarize myself with the nav system so when I needed it I could use it...)

Is there any way to load a POI database into the BMW nav system? I've been using a 3rd party POI file in my Garmin and would miss that if it went away.

Likewise, is there any speed limit info. for the nav system and if so how would I enable that display? I really miss the speed limit feature from my Garmin... it was often inaccurate, but then again, sometimes it would warn me that a speed limit was unusually low immediately upon turning onto a road, even if there wasn't a sign for a while.

thanks!

The only source of updates I know of for BMW NAV systems is BMW, although it is possible to buy what I would call illicit copies of NAV DVD powered system updates on the web. Like many in-car systems, BMW's maps often leave a little to be desired, and I've read many stories of how someone with a $200 Garmin has better map detail and accuracy than the in-car system.

To be fair, that isn't just a BMW thing. I've found those remarks on several manufacturer's systems. And, it's entirely possible the latest update may not include the 2 missing addresses you described above.

There's no way I know of to upload a POI into the system, nor any speed limit info availability that I am aware of, either...

[thatguyn8]

The only source of updates I know of for BMW NAV systems is BMW, although it is possible to buy what I would call illicit copies of NAV DVD powered system updates on the web. Like many in-car systems, BMW's maps often leave a little to be desired, and I've read many stories of how someone with a $200 Garmin has better map detail and accuracy than the in-car system.

To be fair, that isn't just a BMW thing. I've found those remarks on several manufacturer's systems. And, it's entirely possible the latest update may not include the 2 missing addresses you described above.

There's no way I know of to upload a POI into the system, nor any speed limit info availability that I am aware of, either...

Thanks for the reply... wasn't really looking for a "cheap" solution, I don't mind paying for a BMW update as long as the price isn't extortionate and it is reasonably up to date. I was just really hoping that I could leave my Garmin in my other vehicle so as not to have multiple screens blinking at me while I'm driving etc. but I have a RLC/Speed Cam POI file (almost a must have for driving in DC and MD, I wouldn't want to be without it) and like I said I like the speed limit display as well.

Overall maybe I was a little harsh on the BMW system as it does read off the road names to me which my Garmin doesn't, but then again, from what I can see a newer Garmin unit than mine (mine is about 4-5 years old) probably includes lifetime map updates free and has many of the features that I like of the BMW system. I'm curious why these factory installed nav systems (not just BMW but others as well) just don't license from the big add-on GPS companies like Garmin, Magellan, or Tom Tom - that would make everything so much more user friendly for the consumer, because then we could use commercially available POI files etc. and also use their map updates - I know that this forum isn't the right place to make that suggestion, I'm just kind of thinking out loud. It almost makes buying a "loaded" used car both a positive and a negative, because you get all these cool features, but when some of them start to become dated there's no easy upgrade path. (I have a friend with a 2001 330xi, and she has serious car envy now that she's seen my 335 - but honestly I think she would be much happier with her car if she could just easily upgrade the ICE and navigation to something more modern, because those are the areas where the 330 really looks/feels dated.)

On the flip side, the car correctly recognizes my thumb drive with all my music on it (which is important when your radio station options are limited!) this is the only factory radio receiver I've personally seen yet that does HD radio (as an NPR junkie, I love it!) whereas my brand new Ford company car required me to retag all my files to make them work. So score one for BMW. Oh, yeah, and power, handling, and comfort, I like those too. And all my friends who have seen it think that it just looks good :) Also I'm trying to find something to bitch about ergonomic-wise and am just coming up dry... the cruise control and the electronic turn signal switch is a little non-intuitive, but I've almost adjusted already. Once I've adapted I'm sure I will love it...

[TrueEddie]

What a coincidence, this was also my first weekend with my "new" 2009 335i. I've had good luck with the nav though, so far it's been accurate about all of the roads and destinations, even for my house which has been around since the 50's (I guess your house is too new :P). I looked at the nav version and it looks like its from 2009 so I'm sure I will run into issues soon. Just not looking forward to paying the 230 they seem to be charging for it.

[thatguyn8]

yeah the real problem for me is I live in an area (northern VA) with lots of development, even the latest Garmin maps aren't always accurate because of new roads having been built. I think that that is the issue with the apartment building that I couldn't find; it likely wasn't built until after 2009, and even my Garmin didn't recognize the street address. Not sure what the issue is with my own residence :) It is kind of amusing though to be driving around and seeing the little "you are here" blip traveling across what appears to be a field though...

I'm torn between updating the nav and spending the money on a newer Garmin. I absolutely love the ability to just get in the car, fiddle with the knob for a second, and have my destination set to a contact that's in my phone's address book without having to do any additional programming, uploading, etc. The BT speaker phone works way better than the one in my 2012 F*rd too, and the interface is much more intuitive. Drawback - it doesn't appear possible to have two phones connected at the same time, is this true? I have a work cell and a personal cell, so having both connected at the same time would be helpful (although I would like to think that I won't be getting work calls while in my personal vehicle, I can never guarantee that that won't happen...)

[bilibug]

I believe that you could "inject" custom POI files into the older CCC DVD Nav system updates, but that is no longer possible with the CIC hard drive based systems incorporated MY 2009.

I installed the Spring 2012 map update in my 2009 E93, after not being able to locate some of my common destinations, both old and new constructions. Unfortunately, even the new update did not have these locations (i.e., my condo in Florida, which has been there at least 4 years). YMMV, but it is a costly update (~$300) to not be guaranteed the desired results.

Please also be aware that the updates are just that - updated map data. No new features will be added to the Nav system itself - ie. different views, etc.