BMW sunsetting 3G connectivity

[theboss]

I've continued to subscribe to ConnectedDrive and RTTI services from BMW since my 2015 F10's initial 3 years ran out.

I have read about 3G being dropped by the network operators with BMW at least in some territories informing customers that at some point the services will be unavailable and that its out of their hands (no 3G network so the car's built-in modem can't operate, with no replacement / retro option for 4G or above)

So the interesting thing is that whilst UK 3G services appear to continue for another few years, when I took the car to the continent recently, it completely switched off all the connectedDrive options and RTTI has fallen back to TMC.

This happened the first time I restarted the car in Belgium about 3 weeks ago. Back in the UK now and it's still all disabled. It's as if its been remotely re-coded to disable the functions.

Anyone else had anything like this? my services are still in subscription so it's not that.

[theboss]

To answer my own question, BMW UK have helped me re-initiate the services from within the car.

Its location has now updated in the map and RTTI has come back to life.

They couldn't comment definitively on the shutdown however reading this and being fairly sure they use Vodafone via the built-in SIM, it looks like we have one more year at most
https://www.vodafone.co.uk/help-and-information/3g...

[surveyor]

Vodafone has now begun switching off 3G. I think I'm going to add a google maps box...

[QuartzDad]

Interesting. I noticed that they have split out map updates from the RTTI service in the Connected Store, guess that makes sense if RTTI is going to stop working soon.

[theboss]

Yeah I’ve been without it for a while which is a pain as the F10 otherwise still feels fresh and gets used on some long journeys where native RTTI would be very useful

I suppose the best solution might be something that provides carplay but really not sure how feasible that is in an older car

[surveyor]

theboss said:

Yeah I’ve been without it for a while which is a pain as the F10 otherwise still feels fresh and gets used on some long journeys where native RTTI would be very useful

I suppose the best solution might be something that provides carplay but really not sure how feasible that is in an older car

There are a few options out there, for around £200 - £300

[pmorg4]

theboss said:

Yeah I’ve been without it for a while which is a pain as the F10 otherwise still feels fresh and gets used on some long journeys where native RTTI would be very useful

I suppose the best solution might be something that provides carplay but really not sure how feasible that is in an older car

I have retrofitted CarPlay to my current E91 335i (which has the factory CIC Pro Nav), and I did similar with my previous E91 330i. Although the F10 is newer and thus your factory nav will be better than mine, CarPlay is far superior to either in my view. My dad has an F32 with Pro Nav so probably similar to the F10, and it's not a patch on Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze etc. Add in the ability to seamlessly move from your phone to the car (e.g. plan your route in the house, get into the car and just start driving and the phone will wirelessly connect and display the map on the screen), plus you have access to your other apps like Spotify, Audible, Apple Music, Podcasts, etc.

It's incredibly good value for money considering how much more up to date and usable it makes the infotainment system. I very rarely switch back to the factory system now, mainly just to check the service status menu etc. I doubt I'll ever want to use the factory nav again.

[QuartzDad]

theboss said:

Yeah I’ve been without it for a while which is a pain as the F10 otherwise still feels fresh and gets used on some long journeys where native RTTI would be very useful

I suppose the best solution might be something that provides carplay but really not sure how feasible that is in an older car

I've had this in my bookmarks for yonks waiting for a round tuit to turn up....

https://droiduk.com/product/mmi-box/

[surveyor]

I did some digging last week. Our 3G cars should fall back to 2G edge. I have RTI back and while the data is obviously slow, it is quick enough...

Car required an over the air update initiated as below.

Please can you follow these steps to carry out a Service Update within your BMW 5 Series:

• In the main menu press “ConnectedDrive”.
• Press the “Option” button on your centre console.
• Please then select “Update BMW Services” on the screen.
• Please wait until “Data Transferred Successfully/Completed” is shown on screen before clicking “OK”.
• Please then allow up to 24 hours for changes to take place.

Please then try a hard reset by switching the vehicle engine on completely, and then holding the main volume button in until the iDrive screen switches off (You may need to press this in for up to 30 seconds).

[si-19]

I live in Hull and Vodafone has recently switched off 3g here. I have noticed recently when I am not in a 3g area I cannot get updated information on my BMW i3 through the My BMW app. My car is connecting to 2g Edge however RTTI has become intermittent and when I start my car I get either RTTI or TMC.