SatNav

[razbox]

Does anyone know if the SatNav in the 2007 models is any better? It's terrible in the current AMV8 - clunky, slow and the TMC function is switched off for some bizzare reason.

Even the basic £180 TomTom One is better...

[v8tvr]

Odd...mines superb, much better than the one i have on the merc and X5?

[Pugsey]

Odd indeed. Thought mine was one of the best I've had - including current X5 and Porsche units. I believe the AM system is Volvo? Found the controls a bit awkward, particularly at night however.

[GetCarter]

Found the AM unit fine... better tha BM, Audi and Porsche... but still not as good as Tom Tom

[razbox]

v8tvr said:

Odd...mines superb, much better than the one i have on the merc and X5?

I guess you chaps haven't seen what satnavs like TomTom have been able to do for a few years now.

Same with the missing iPod connection - it's irritating to have such a great looking car with technology that is behind even Volvo's (eg all Volvos have had iPod connections and TMC SatNav since 2005).

[sxo]

Even the Volvo's have iPod connection... if only. Bought an XC90 Exec 1 year ago and still had to stump up cash for one of those Belkin broadcast things. Hopeless quality due to plethora of pirate radio stations and signal clashes. Apparently not possible to provide simple iPod connection due to "digital witing" on the XC90.

SatNav on my AMV8 the same as XC90 albeit more user friendly with simple to operate dash buttons rather than unreliable remote fob on Volvo.

That said, damn electrics went again this weekend on the AMv8 so no SatNav. Indeed no dashboard lights at all when driving into town this morning aside from every warning alert possible. Had to rely on fellow early commuters to "guide" me through the various 50mph speed cameras on the A3! Another re-boot to follow and hopefully a longer term fix from my local dealer.

[akers]

I have been very underwhelmed by the SatNav. Some of the routes it has suggested have been 'interesting' to say the least. What annoys me most is you can't even type in a full Postcode, which is most frustrating. Eg. I had an invite to Millbrook, got the postcode but couldn't enter it all as it only allows you to input the first 5 characters, before asking you to select from a list of street names. Alas Millbrook doesn't have a street name, rendering the SatNav usless. I'd love to know who designed then signed that off

[razbox]

sxo said:

damn electrics went again this weekend on the AMv8 so no SatNav. Indeed no dashboard lights at all when driving into town this morning aside from every warning alert possible.

I had that last week too - is this a known fault?

[Pugsey]

razbox said:

sxo said:

damn electrics went again this weekend on the AMv8 so no SatNav. Indeed no dashboard lights at all when driving into town this morning aside from every warning alert possible.

I had that last week too - is this a known fault?

One of the most common causes of this is a low battery - even if your car starts the battery may still be weak. Dealers don't all seem to be aware of this and insist on merely 're-booting' the elecs. which is only a short term fix if the battery is the cause. These cars will only go for about five days or so before the battery starts to struggle - that's why AM offer a trickle charger which you really do need to use if the car is going to stand for a while, even if you haven't detected any probs. With a low battery all that happens is that the car reads it as an electrical drain somewhere and is tricked into closing down systems. I was told that even a healthy battery is close to struggling to keep up with demands. If you've got a decent dealer they should know about this and have warned you when you bought the car. I may be wrong but I think the battery fitted to the V8 is a light weight and this could be the reason for the problem.

Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 7th November 08:21

[razbox]

Pugsey said:

razbox said:

sxo said:

damn electrics went again this weekend on the AMv8 so no SatNav. Indeed no dashboard lights at all when driving into town this morning aside from every warning alert possible.

I had that last week too - is this a known fault?

One of the most common causes of this is a low battery - even if your car starts the battery may still be weak. Dealers don't all seem to be aware of this and insist on merely 're-booting' the elecs. which is only a short term fix if the battery is the cause. These cars will only go for about five days or so before the battery starts to struggle - that's why AM offer a trickle charger which you really do need to use if the car is going to stand for a while, even if you haven't detected any probs. With a low battery all that happens is that the car reads it as an electrical drain somewhere and is tricked into closing down systems. I was told that even a healthy battery is close to struggling to keep up with demands. If you've got a decent dealer they should know about this and have warned you when you bought the car. I may be wrong but I think the battery fitted to the V8 is a light weight and this could be the reason for the problem.

Edited by Pugsey on Tuesday 7th November 08:21

Very useful to know, thanks