NAV or NO NAV ?

[taiheung]

Originally Posted by amk2912

Getting back on the nav thread.....

Admittedly I don't use mine that often for directions. I use it mainly for calculating my ETA at a particular destination.

For example...school is 20 to 25 minutes away and we need to get in the gate by 8:45 or else its a tailback out the school and to the main road. So if I can see what my ETA is I know whether I have to boot it or not. The ETA is ALWAYS accurate to within a minute.

One thing I have learned in life is don't skimp on the nice things in life - if you can afford it.

Once you've done the drive to school a handful of times you will know intuitively whether or not you need to kick it. I think in Australia where it's not too difficult to get around, and is quite well charted that Nav is a large luxury rather than a necessity. Personally, while I'd love the Nav I just couldn't justify the cost over a $40 UBD. Even if I bought one for every state of Australia. haha.

I know older model BMWs (eg E38) allowed you to stipulate how many kms you thought the trip would be, and then it would tell you how long the trip would take based on average speed. I found it to be highly accurate, even over long distance trips. Why they haven't included this as a simple option outside of Nav I have NFI.

[d3syd]

I find my Garmin one of the most useful things. Saves so much time when I have to go to a particular place. Just punch in the address and off you go. Never have to worry about getting lost, don't look at paper maps anymore.

Particularly useful for navigating through cities when I am interstate. And ETA feature is great, use it all the time to regulate how fast I drive.

[amk2912]

Us boys never grow up - our toys just get more expensive He who dies with the most toys,wins!

You know what would have been a useful option for those of us that live in hotter climates? Seat aircondtioning! Don't they do that on the SAABs? Just a fan and perforated leather would be nice.

Not to mention the ability to direct cold air into the boot. I hate going to the bottle shop and my carton of beer has warmed up by the time I get home! Could be useful for fridge items after you (or whoever) has been to the supermarket.

[DTNJNQ]

How many of you Australians are ordering the full navigation option.
The list price is $4200 which after stampduty will add about $4400 on the cost of the car. Just worked out that with my novated lease this would cost me about an extra $1500 per year after tax. I can buy about 3 aftermarket navigation units per year for this. Does the BMW system have enough additional features over an aftermarket system to justify the additional money?

[d3syd]

I'm getting it. Gadgets.... I like....

[aus_buster]

DTNJNQ, why don't you go for the business NAV instead?. Its cheaper and you only miss out on a few features like voice control and map and arrow simultaneous display (the business NAV displays either the map or the arrow direction at any given time)...

[professor]

i think the point is not only "nav or not nav" for the bmw because idrive is a lot more than just a vanilla flavored nav. i was in russia for a few months and had to use my e90 for navigation; made me realize how much i love my idrive.

that said, the idrive is very divisive, you'll either love it or hate it. a word of warning though - no matter how you feel about it the washing machine dial it has will burn your fingers if you park your car out in the open in summer. not figuratively either.

[Zuzu]

Got the Business Nav purely cause I am a gadget head and dont like any add ons hanging off the windscreen..Plus it also adds for resale value..Been down that path before with second hand car buyers wanting their ride "Fully Optioned" to get their moneys worth.

[DTNJNQ]

Does the business Nav system have Maps or just arrows. What is the difference between the two.

[imported_Dodgy]

Another gadget freak who likes his toys, so Prof Nav for me.

Haven't used the iDrive before, but i think the consensus is most complain about it out of habit, rather than it being truly bad. Jumped into a mates X5, and managed to fly around the menus / nav screens without too much difficulty. Don't really understand what the fuss is about.

On balance, it's challenging to get a single interface device to control as much as the knob does. Think of a mouse and your computer. That's what it's trying to do with a much more limited interface. Not ideal, but not that bad either.

[TwoTriBeZ]

I just got the business Nav. BMW Nav is no where near as good as the Lexus, I just got it because of the other functions it provides. 2700 is totally ridiculous, but there isn;t much choice as the stereo cannot be changed easily with an aftermarket one. I was thinking of changing to the NAV PRO but saving the dosh for Tii rims.

I think thats a better option or get the comfort access system instead and business NAV, not having to take out the key to start the car is great.

I think the options for BMW is quite hmmm extreme. You can really make the car overpriced with options. And I have noticed that euro cars electronics tend to fail alot when the car gets older. My dad has had 5 BMWs, all have had electronic failures of some sort so less tech would be better I say.

[smarm]

I'm guessing the answer to this is no, but I'll ask it anyway

Can you put your own POI's on the BMW nav system>? (ie. speed cameras)

[TwoTriBeZ]

silly question but can you play music through the usb device while navigating using the business nav? The business nav only has one drive so, can;t navigate and use the CD at the same time. Anyone know for sure?

[imported_Dodgy]

Dude. Do you need the maps? Yes or No? Yes. Get Nav!

No! Do you want the convenience (or complexity) of a single interface to control all (most) of the car's functions? Yes. get Nav.

No. Don't.

You want a new toy? Yes. get Nav.

Like any computer game, you eventually will get bored, but after all, it is just a game!

[smarm]

Originally Posted by Dodgy

Like any computer game, you eventually will get bored, but after all, it is just a game!

Is the end guy hard? :biggrin:

[WAY]

Originally Posted by Dodgy

Like any computer game, you eventually will get bored, but after all, it is just a game!

This point is exactly right. I've had "quite a few" cars with satnav. Once you get to the third one, it is just meh, and it just becomes a useful tool after that (of which of course a $287 JB hi-fi special will do the same job).

[Sydneysider]

No Navs or idrive for me - just an extra cup holder!

And the $800 Navman.

[WAY]

$800 Navman? I hope you bought that awhile back as they are much less expensive these days!

[Kris]

I'm with Sydneysider - no nav for me, I feel its grossly overpriced. I don't think it helps resale.

If you see a used car with and without nav. Both 100% identical, yet they differ in price by $1500-$2000 would you pay the extra $2k for NAV? I wouldnt but thats me.

[Zuzu]

I agree with you Kris that it is grossly overpriced,but if you have had Bmw's in the past and taken them to a dealer for a trade I can guarantee you the dealer will ask about the nav straight up. You obviously pay for them through the nose when purchasing a new Bma but at the end you will still get your $ back in trade in negotiations. A used car with nav will always sell before a car without nav. Like I said earlier, used car buyers like to get their moneys worth and try and buy with all the options fitted.
It doesnt mean they will pay the extra dollars for the car with nav but they will swing towards that car and negotiate.

[spdrcr]

The dealer will use any excuse they can to low ball you on the trade - they are in business to make money, not to help you out!

[Zuzu]

Thats exactly my point!!