Navigation map update process ?

[Jeffj]

Long topic in the Facebook group about doing this. Here is a link if you have a Facebook account

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BMWi3/permalink/764726103601253/

Also see this post on Bimmerfest
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=777905

I haven't done this as mine came with the 2015 maps already installed.

 

[Tomasz]

I'll be doing mine as soon as it gets back from service (on Wednesday). I plan to use usb stick.

 

[Lincsat]

I'm told there is an update out today that extends the electrical range and also updates the navigation, it's being done for me before I collect the new car. Maybe that will be done as part of your service.

 

[Tomasz]

I'm told there is an update out today that extends the electrical range and also updates the navigation, it's being done for me before I collect the new car. Maybe that will be done as part of your service.

The navigation is usually a paid upgrade, you're getting it with your new car, because new car should come with the latest version available at the time of sale, but I doubt it will be given away for older ones. I guess I'll find out tomorrow when I get mine back from service (KLE replacement, and latest software update).

 

[jadnashuanh]

The dealer can install new maps from their computers, but assuming the i3 is like other BMW's (and I think it is in this respect), you as a consumer can update them via the USB port. Typically, at least in the USA, that requires an activation code for it to start. Note, I've been told, but haven't tested it yet, that that code is good for that year's data, and BMW usually has at least one update during the year...so, you can download the appropriate files, and try to update from say 2015-1 to 2015-2 when it becomes available, and do that for just the time it takes you to find the files and configure that USB memory stick, then about 45-minutes to upload it to the car.

 

[Sparky]

BMW just announced that nav maps will be updated automatically over the air for the pro nav system. No more pain in the rear paid updates.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/01/06/bmw-offer-air-updates-bmw-navigation-maps/

 

[RJSATLBA]

Those of us who opted not to cough up the extra for the Pro Media might still be in luck given that all i3s have a SIM card. But I'm not holding my breath!

 

[pastyboy]

BMW just announced that nav maps will be updated automatically over the air for the pro nav system. No more pain in the rear paid updates.

http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/01/06/bmw-offer-air-updates-bmw-navigation-maps/

But will that include cars delivered in September 2014, i.e. like mine?

 

[Sparky]

I'm guessing, yes!

 

[jadnashuanh]

I dropped mine off for the KLE update scheduled for tomorrow...I asked the service rep about it, and hope to get an answer. If I hear anything, I'll pass it along when I pick it up.

 

[spinball]

Has this been confirmed to work in 2014 i3s?

 

[jadnashuanh]

Has this been confirmed to work in 2014 i3s?

I updated my maps from 2014-2a to 2015-2 via the USB port...it's fairly quick. There are other paths to get the FSC code and the maps other than directly from BMW...works fine. Mine cost me $50 and a long time downloading the files. You need a 32G USB drive.

 

[spinball]

I was refereeing to the automatic and free OTA updates referenced here: http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/01/06/bmw-offer-air-updates-bmw-navigation-maps/

 

[jadnashuanh]

I was refereeing to the automatic and free OTA updates referenced here: http://www.bmwblog.com/2015/01/06/bmw-offer-air-updates-bmw-navigation-maps/

Unless they have a change of heart, OTA updates will only be on vehicles with LTE connections, and the i3 doesn't have it (yet). They talked about being able to do it yourself with the downloaded files, but as far as I've found out, that has not happened to older vehicles, including the i3.

 

[Lincsat]

I was told that in Europe, the updates will NOT be automatic or free. Which sucks as the Salesman told me that they would be before I bought the car.

 

[i34me]

Here is a BMW explanation on Automatic Map Updates, for Pro Navigation systems, direct from BMW i3 information pages.

http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/connected_drive_services/how_to_use/index.html#bmwi_connecteddrive_services

Use the link above and scroll down to "BMW ConnectedDrive Driver Assistance”, select “Navigation System Professional”, and then “Watch explanatory Film on Map Updates”.

Or, here is a shortcut link directly to the explanatory video.

http://www.bmw.com/_common/shared/insig ... ate-en.mp4

This BMW video explains that all Pro Nav map updates are automatic, over the air, and are free. This is direct from the source, BMW, and still promoted as free OTA map updates… part of the “Connected Drive experience”.

There are no exceptions mentioned, such as location, model year, etc. Also, I could not find anything from BMW.com retracting or changing the way they said this works in the video.

 

[jadnashuanh]

FWIW, the BMWUSA website does not say anything about automatic map updates that I was able to find...yes, the bmw corporate site does talk about it. Individual markets do not always have the same functionality as other markets.

 

[spinball]

Does anyone have any impressions or noted differences between 2015-1 and 2015-2. My car with 33 miles had 2015-1 from the show room floor. I asked them about this, but have a feeling there would be a charge unless I make a stink about it. In practice I don't think this will really matter to me at all, just bothers me a little on principle.

Even BMW dealers don't quite "get" how fast this software revolution in cars is going to/is occuring. Delivering a product with out of date software? Unheard of in the tech industry--something that Tesla understands quite well!

 

[jadnashuanh]

I don't really consider the map database a software issue. I went from 2014-2a to 2015-2, and did not really notice any differences, but then, I haven't driven it into areas that have changes. I suppose I could check some of the POI's, but those always seem to be behind, regardless of the map.

Now, the firmware in the car, that's a different issue. It seems that BMW's policy is unless it is a safety or critical performance issue thing, they don't just update the car's firmware each time it is in the shop...it has to reach some critical mass, or it needs work for something else, and that triggers an update. To do this, they hook the i3 up to their machine, and contact BMW in Germany, and they, not the dealer, determine what needs to be done with software. It can take most of a day to reflash the full car, and that ties up their machine, and corporate won't pay for it.

 

[spinball]

Hmm very interesting on the car software. I may be finding this out soon as they may need to attempt updating the software to fix my non-working touchpad since the software doesn't seem to recognize it.