[MattEcho]

Besides being able to charge a phone, am I missing anything by not including the wireless charger in my build? I don't really use wireless charging in my vehicles.

Getting ready to pull the trigger on a build and don't want to leave anything out.

[wtwo3]

That, and just a place to put your phone. Otherwise there's no other use for it. If you don't wireless charge then it won't be of much benefit to you.

[MattEcho]

Thanks. Yeah, I wasn't sure if I was going to screw up some other cool functionality if I left that off.

[TiMSport]

Actually I think it's useful even if you don't have the charging option. The space is there regardless of having the option or not. I can lay my phone on its side with room to spare.

I didn't think the wireless charging option was worth that much money. Hell, the power tailgate has much more value to me and it's a lot cheaper!

[RigaTony1982]

The wireless charger is terrible. It is EXTREMELY slow at charging the phone and has caused my iPhone to overheat, especially when using CarPlay. If you do a quick search on the forum others have complained about it as well. Definitely not worth $500.

It’s about the only thing on the car I have complaints on.

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

The wireless charger is terrible. It is EXTREMELY slow at charging the phone and has caused my iPhone to overheat, especially when using CarPlay. If you do a quick search on the forum others have complained about it as well. Definitely not worth $500.

It’s about the only thing on the car I have complaints on.

Noticed that too and wasn't sure WTF. Phone got superhot while streaming music and charging and being used as the key, to the point where I felt like I almost burned myself picking it up afterwards. And it didn't even charge the phone after ~45 min driving, I got out and the phone was just at the same battery level it had been when I got in (~50%) so at best it just kept it from draining. Contrast that with using a cable and I get back to full charge in < 30 min without the phone becoming ridiculously hot.

Unless they upgrade the hardware / software for the charging, I'd say for now it's not worth it. I got it both to try out and because I figured it should be easy enough to swap out at some point if I really do want to use it in the future, plus it's a convenient spot to put a passenger's phone to charge if need be.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

The wireless charger is terrible. It is EXTREMELY slow at charging the phone and has caused my iPhone to overheat, especially when using CarPlay. If you do a quick search on the forum others have complained about it as well. Definitely not worth $500.

It’s about the only thing on the car I have complaints on.

That's why I think it's a ripoff. Better off using a USB C connector and tapping into one of the many USB C ports in the car for quick charging.

[RigaTony1982]

I’ve started just using a USB-C cable like you both mention. Since my car was on the lot it had the pad. I’m had I ordered I would have passed.

[RigaTony1982]

I’ve started just using a USB-C cable like you both mention. Since my car was on the lot it had the pad. I’m had I ordered I would have passed.

[TiMSport]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

Noticed that too and wasn't sure WTF. Phone got superhot while streaming music and charging and being used as the key, to the point where I felt like I almost burned myself picking it up afterwards. And it didn't even charge the phone after ~45 min driving, I got out and the phone was just at the same battery level it had been when I got in (~50%) so at best it just kept it from draining. Contrast that with using a cable and I get back to full charge in < 30 min without the phone becoming ridiculously hot.

Unless they upgrade the hardware / software for the charging, I'd say for now it's not worth it. I got it both to try out and because I figured it should be easy enough to swap out at some point if I really do want to use it in the future, plus it's a convenient spot to put a passenger's phone to charge if need be.

You should've gotten the power tailgate for two fiddy. LOL.

[Patgilm]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

That's why I think it's a ripoff. Better off using a USB C connector and tapping into one of the many USB C ports in the car for quick charging.

I’ll also pile on here and say it’s pretty much worthless because it charges so slow so I also started using the USB C charger in the center console.

[TruthOne]

I didn't get that but I use it to hold my phone so it's useful in that sense

[Talisman77]

I'm confirming the same as the others. Using a P4XL (admittedly with a somewhat rugged case), charging just tends to generate heat and a very slow charge more akin to preventing draining. I keep a powerbank in the car just in case but I do find it convenient to be able to just slide my phone into the slot and then any calls I get will go to hands free.

[wrickem]

You'll also get a useless WiFi hotspot that you'll have to subscribe to a monthly AT&T data plan to use it after the trial is over. I had so much trouble with it, my last car stayed in the shop for a week while AT&T & BMW figured out a whole host of problems with it.

They can keep that option, I'll use a wire.

[wtwo3]

I personally find the wireless charging to be fine. I don't use a case on my phone, and haven't noticed my phone overheating. I have noticed it works better if I push my phone to the corner of the pad closest to me. It's not a fast charger by any means, but over a half hour drive it'll give your phone a decent charge (or prevent the battery from draining if you're using carplay/android auto). This all may also depend on your phone. I have a Galaxy S21 ultra and it charges well on that without any overheating.

One thing I can agree on is that BMW overcharges for it. It should be a standard option, or at least part of one of the packages.

[mux3dup]

The overheating is a real pain but I think for wireless CarPlay it's fine to maintain a charge. My big concern is with my phone battery getting to hot since that's not good for the life of the battery.
You do also get "enhanced Bluetooth" which I think comes with an additional microphone for the passenger seat and like album cover art when playing music over Bluetooth?
There's also a cell signal booster but no idea how it works and you have to register it somehow. So you do get stuff for your $500 but I don't think it's really worth.

[stevej2001]

Mine doesn't have it but, like all G20's, it has the charging symbol in the little shelf. I've wondered if all G20's actually have the charger installed but unless you pay the $500, it's turned off in software.

A slow charging element couldn't cost more than a few dollars or euros and that'd probably be cheaper than having two designs.

[RigaTony1982]

Originally Posted by stevej2001

Mine doesn't have it but, like all G20's, it has the charging symbol in the little shelf. I've wondered if all G20's actually have the charger installed but unless you pay the $500, it's turned off in software.

A slow charging element couldn't cost more than a few dollars or euros and that'd probably be cheaper than having two designs.

The symbol I assume you're seeing is probably the logo for NFC. It is were you can use the credit card key that came with the car. All vehicles have this, regardless if they have the wireless charger or not.

[zazzau]

Originally Posted by RigaTony1982

The wireless charger is terrible. It is EXTREMELY slow at charging the phone and has caused my iPhone to overheat, especially when using CarPlay. If you do a quick search on the forum others have complained about it as well. Definitely not worth $500.

It’s about the only thing on the car I have complaints on.

^ this. Thanks for confirming — read multiple reports about this and because of that I didn't opt for the option.

[TiMSport]

By the sounds of it, I wouldn't even want that option if it were included for free!

[madpistol]

Had a wireless charger in my Tacoma. It was nice, but I didn't find myself using it very often.

I just keep my iPhone charger plugged in, and charge it if needed. I really don't miss it.

[pneumodoc]

Don’t get it. I didn’t, then added the part myself (cost about 150) and was an easy install. Rarely use it. Best for long trips where you are trying to maintain charge. 1/4 times it turns orange and doesn’t charge.