[Charlie (Wessex)]

Coming up to that time, when the 3 years subscription is up. So I go onto Connected Drive to see what's what, and the three that I can update will be....

Amazon Alexa Car Integration. Never used it. Never seemed to be able to set it up properly and never worried about iut

Maps. TBH not sure I am going to bother as roads really don't change that much, and when they do, I can read a signpost. Also, Waze/Gmaps is there. Is there any other functionality that comes with Maps? it says I can extend 2 weeks before expiring.

Connected Package Professional. "The digital service will run until 24/09/2023 and cannot be extended. You can book one of our packages to continue using the digital service." and then has 2 options - "manage digital services" which brings up a blank, or "discovre more digital services" which returns me back to the Connected Drive screen showing all the packages (Safety Camera, Service Included, Alexa etc etc)

There used to be details of what other packages were available, as I'd like to renew that Connected Package. Quite like the Remote Services, Real Time Traffic and Spotify (though of course the last 2 can do via Android Auto). Does anyone know the details of what packages are offered these days and where to find them? Will they appear within 2 weeks of expiring

[041f0000]

When the Connected Services was due to expire on my previous two BMWs I got an email offering me the renewal options a few weeks before expiry. Didn’t renew on the first car and regretted it as I lost real-time traffic info in navigation. On the second car I paid for traffic and map updates but not concierge as I never used it.

[boristhebold]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

Coming up to that time, when the 3 years subscription is up. So I go onto Connected Drive to see what's what, and the three that I can update will be....

Amazon Alexa Car Integration. Never used it. Never seemed to be able to set it up properly and never worried about iut

Maps. TBH not sure I am going to bother as roads really don't change that much, and when they do, I can read a signpost. Also, Waze/Gmaps is there. Is there any other functionality that comes with Maps? it says I can extend 2 weeks before expiring.

Connected Package Professional. "The digital service will run until 24/09/2023 and cannot be extended. You can book one of our packages to continue using the digital service." and then has 2 options - "manage digital services" which brings up a blank, or "discovre more digital services" which returns me back to the Connected Drive screen showing all the packages (Safety Camera, Service Included, Alexa etc etc)

There used to be details of what other packages were available, as I'd like to renew that Connected Package. Quite like the Remote Services, Real Time Traffic and Spotify (though of course the last 2 can do via Android Auto). Does anyone know the details of what packages are offered these days and where to find them? Will they appear within 2 weeks of expiring

Renewed mine in June to Connected Drive Booster XL which is the one they offered which gives Remote Services and Real Time Traffic not sure about Spotify as I don't use it. Also added the Speed Camera Package.

[Froggie401]

Originally Posted by boristhebold

Renewed mine in June to Connected Drive Booster XL which is the one they offered which gives Remote Services and Real Time Traffic not sure about Spotify as I don't use it. Also added the Speed Camera Package.

I renewed to Connected Drive Booster XL also and stream Spotify through Apple CarPlay.

My DAB radio has stopped working though, it was never that good here in Ireland but I don't know why it's completely disappeared?

[Taylor66]

Mine has expired and struggling to see why I would want to extend it. I have Waze / GMaps for up to date information including mobile speed cameras, never got Alexa to work even though it tries to every now and again, never used concierge etc The only thing I might miss is the remote locking (For when I have forgot) remote vehicle status. everything else just seams like fluff and not worth £89

[Charlie (Wessex)]

Originally Posted by Taylor66

Mine has expired and struggling to see why I would want to extend it. I have Waze / GMaps for up to date information including mobile speed cameras, never got Alexa to work even though it tries to every now and again, never used concierge etc The only thing I might miss is the remote locking (For when I have forgot) remote vehicle status. everything else just seams like fluff and not worth £89

Sort of thinking along these lines, but......

I am presuming that if you don't take it up when it all expires, you can take it up at a later date?? The one reason why I might carry on though, is mobile signal is crap around here, and the car's SIM is much better than my mobile's.

One question though....when sending ventilation to the car via your mobile, can it heat the car up in winter? I'm guessing not, but....

[Froggie401]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

Sort of thinking along these lines, but......

I am presuming that if you don't take it up when it all expires, you can take it up at a later date?? The one reason why I might carry on though, is mobile signal is crap around here, and the car's SIM is much better than my mobile's.

One question though....when sending ventilation to the car via your mobile, can it heat the car up in winter? I'm guessing not, but....

I think I read that you need the subscription for pre-heating from the app.

[paulockenden]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

One question though....when sending ventilation to the car via your mobile, can it heat the car up in winter? I'm guessing not, but....

Yes, but only on the 330e which can heat (or cool) the car without the engine running. Can’t do it with ICE models.

[Tam the Bam]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

I am presuming that if you don't take it up when it all expires, you can take it up at a later date??

You can take it up at a later date if you wish

[LimavadyG21]

If you can take it up at a later date , then maybe hold off until the Black friday deals become active in November. By then you will genuinely know what you miss/don't miss ..

[Charlie (Wessex)]

One other thing I use quite often is the petrol station map and prices. Guess that's tied in with maps?? Or is it connected package? Not sure Waze shows fuel stations and prices.

[Taylor66]

Waze should show fuel station prices and in theory the diamond thing on your key fob should be able to start pre heat/cool if your in range. Rarely got that to actually work for me though. I dont have a regualr set off time when I need to drive so the timed pre-heat has never been used but I do like the idea and in the past when I left the house at the same time each day it would have been really nice. Lets see what November brings as I have this car until next May anyway.

[Charlie (Wessex)]

Maybe it is my imagination, but Spotify via the car sounded quite a bit better than via Android Auto. I think I recall someone saying that AA throttles the bitrate a bit, and BMW doesn't. Bearing that in mind, maybe it is placebo. Have to say I also far prefer the BMW layout. Spotify has become quite important given the abject reception of DAB!! The one area that AA Spotify bests BMW is on the search. Just hold the voice button on the steering wheel down for a second or two, unlike the BMW version where you have to go in to Spoitfy > Search and then can use the achingly slow BMW voice command.

But one thing really annoys me about AA. It seems to hijack both navigation and sound. Plug in a route and then cancel it, and you can't get back to BMW maps without disengaging AA. Always used to be able to until the last but one update. Same with music. Doesn't really like you leaving AA to radio or other inputs, and often returns you to AA when you haven't asked.

If I need to do something to escape the clutches of AA (without having to disconnect), would be grateful if someone can explain!! I used to flip between BMW nav and Waze as they didn't always have the same route, and I actually quite like BMW nav. Haven't tried, but used to be able to use BMW nav, with Waze running in the background (so long as no route plugged in) which would still warn of potholes, cameras, police etc.

[sjb993]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

The one area that AA Spotify bests BMW is on the search. Just hold the voice button on the steering wheel down for a second or two, unlike the BMW version where you have to go in to Spoitfy > Search and then can use the achingly slow BMW voice command.

For the BMW version of Spotify, no need to press voice button, etc. just say "Hey BMW play album/track name by artist name".

[paulockenden]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

Maybe it is my imagination, but Spotify via the car sounded quite a bit better than via Android Auto.

It isn’t your imagination. Definitely better sound quality using the built in client.

[Charlie (Wessex)]

Originally Posted by sjb993

For the BMW version of Spotify, no need to press voice button, etc. just say "Hey BMW play album/track name by artist name".

Funnily enough I did try. Chose "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis (no idea why, 1st thing that came to mind). BMW said they couldn't find it, though when I went via the voice search function of BMW Spotify it did. Will try again.

AA voice search asked me whether I wanted to play the song or the album of the same name!

Originally Posted by paulockenden

It isn’t your imagination. Definitely better sound quality using the built in client.

Good. Placebo is a powerful thing, and glad it wasn't fooling me.

[sjb993]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

Funnily enough I did try. Chose "Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis (no idea why, 1st thing that came to mind). BMW said they couldn't find it, though when I went via the voice search function of BMW Spotify it did.

Goodness gracious (to quote the song ), I just tried and it worked for me.

[Charlie (Wessex)]

Originally Posted by sjb993

Goodness gracious (to quote the song ), I just tried and it worked for me.

Great balls of fire!!! I tried it again, though while still glacially slow, BMW voice worked.

But then of course, as if by magic, was listening to a song in my playlist, Spotify threw a hissy, said bad login and kicked me out. Of course the QR code didn't work, so manual login it was. Must get a shorter password!!

[parthasd]

Originally Posted by Charlie (Wessex)

Coming up to that time, when the 3 years subscription is up. So I go onto Connected Drive to see what's what, and the three that I can update will be....

Amazon Alexa Car Integration. Never used it. Never seemed to be able to set it up properly and never worried about iut

Maps. TBH not sure I am going to bother as roads really don't change that much, and when they do, I can read a signpost. Also, Waze/Gmaps is there. Is there any other functionality that comes with Maps? it says I can extend 2 weeks before expiring.

Connected Package Professional. "The digital service will run until 24/09/2023 and cannot be extended. You can book one of our packages to continue using the digital service." and then has 2 options - "manage digital services" which brings up a blank, or "discovre more digital services" which returns me back to the Connected Drive screen showing all the packages (Safety Camera, Service Included, Alexa etc etc)

There used to be details of what other packages were available, as I'd like to renew that Connected Package. Quite like the Remote Services, Real Time Traffic and Spotify (though of course the last 2 can do via Android Auto). Does anyone know the details of what packages are offered these days and where to find them? Will they appear within 2 weeks of expiring

I have a G30 LCI 2021 from new for just over 3 years (based in the UK). A few days ago the subscription service had ended. Did not use the car for a few days until today and found that android auto no longer works (I don't have apple phones, hence cannot comment on carplay). Neither did Spotify. Renewed the "Connected Booster XL" subscription for £89 for a year. Took just a few minutes to restart all service again.

[xDrive320D]

One thing I will say.. DO NOT RENEW UNTIL THE DAY IT EXPIRES

I am arguing the toss with the idiots at BMW... Maps and speed camera renewal run from the expiry date so you get a full 12 months

Connect drive packages run from the date you renew so you loose out!

[paulockenden]

When I renewed mine (I lost four days) I noticed that concierge services is now unbundled, and charged extra.

Just wondering, has anyone here EVER used it? I had it available for three years and not once did it ever cross my mind to use it.

[xenon]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

When I renewed mine (I lost four days) I noticed that concierge services is now unbundled, and charged extra.

Just wondering, has anyone here EVER used it? I had it available for three years and not once did it ever cross my mind to use it.

I used once and they were very helpful - on the way to stay in York the hotel we had booked phoned and said they had to cancel the room because of a heating fault and no, they could not recommend anywhere else or book me anywhere else. I was driving and so Googling wasn't an option so I phoned the concierge - they got me a hotel, booked me in and sent the destination to my navigation.

Very useful but I'll admit the opportunities are few and far between - I've used just once in more than 25 years of BMW ownership.

I didn't renew anything when my car reached its third birthday last week - Apple Carplay still works, send destination to car works and remote locking / status works. I don't need anything else.