Thoughts on BMW Assist?

[///BYU]

What are your thoughts on BMW Assist as a standalone option? In other words, without also getting either the entire Premium Package (which includes BMW Assist) or the Convenience Package (which includes iDrive/Nav)? The description on the online configurator reads:

"The BMW Assist and Bluetooth System comes with four years of the BMW Assist Safety Plan which provides Automatic Collision Notification, Emergency Request (SOS), Enhanced Roadside Assistance, MyInfo, TeleService, Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery services. For details visit: www.bmwassist.com."

Is the functionality limited if you don't also have iDrive/Nav? Is it that people figure for an extra $1,650 you can get the rest of the Premium Package? Is it too "big brother"? Is it not worth the cost?

I haven't heard of anyone wanting BMW Assist w/ Bluetooth as a standalone option and I'm wondering why not. To me, BMW Assist seems valuable in the rare event I lock my keys in my 1M, I wouldn't want a locksmith damaging my car to unlock it.

I'm mostly interested in BMW Assist as "lockout insurance," though other features (esp. Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Recovery) seem good, too. I can't remember the last time I locked my keys in my car, but the thought of a locksmith using prying tools and a slim jim on my 1M makes me cringe.

If I do lock my keys in the 1M, is there another way of remotely unlocking the doors? Or is there something about the 1M that makes it almost impossible to accidentally lock your keys in the car?

I'm wondering what I'm missing here and would appreciate your collective input. Thanks!!

[mPlasticDesign]

I got the Assist with Bluetooth. No choice. I only wanted the BT. Yes the Assist is a little too big brotherish for me but not any worse than my damn iPhone.

[Papethova]

Anything that allows my car to be tracked is not a good thing to me. I skipped BT just because it was bundled with assist.

[Sy546]

Originally Posted by Papethova

Anything that allows my car to be tracked is not a good thing to me. I skipped BT just because it was bundled with assist.

Do you have a smart phone? do you carry it in your car?

Yes? than well your alrdy being tracked.

[Papethova]

Originally Posted by S.hasan546

Do you have a smart phone? do you carry it in your car?

Yes? than well your alrdy being tracked.

No im not being tracked with my smart phone, lets leave it at that. Besides triangulation with cell towers is different anyways, but I dont have that issue.

Also, I said my car not me.

[Sy546]

Originally Posted by Papethova

No im not being tracked with my smart phone, lets leave it at that. Besides triangulation with cell towers is different anyways, but I dont have that issue.

Also, I said my car not me.

True. That whole applegate supposedly stopped their tracking of us since they got sued.

I only got it b.c i needed bluetooth

[discoboy1]

Just for sending direction to the car using Google maps for me is worth it.

I will renew Assist before renewing Sirius...

[Slats]

I got a letter from BMW asking me to activate the assist function. I was a little taken aback that they referred to my 1M as an M1.

[dcb]

I just used my SOS button to find an "Open" drug store...That was an annoying conversation. haha

It won't be a subscription I pay for after the first year.

I got the Nav for the control and the apps. (Hoping to see cool stuff in the future)

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Papethova

Anything that allows my car to be tracked is not a good thing to me. I skipped BT just because it was bundled with assist.

I love the Bluetooth for the phone.... sucks that I had to pay for BMW assist to get it. Haven't used the assist. I do wish the Bluetooth streamed from the phone without idrive/Nav... if the car were a daily driver that would REALLY annoy me. I may just get an old ipod for music that is always connected... it just ocurred to me I actually have an old iphone that would probably be just fine... hmm

[bvez3ro]

Originally Posted by dcb

I just used my SOS button to find an "Open" drug store...That was an annoying conversation. haha

It won't be a subscription I pay for after the first year.

I got the Nav for the control and the apps. (Hoping to see cool stuff in the future)

Hey, congratulations. You found the so called Pizza-Button. Ask the US-Boys and Girls...they often use the button to get a pizza.

[ESC OFF]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

I love the Bluetooth for the phone.... sucks that I had to pay for BMW assist to get it. Haven't used the assist. I do wish the Bluetooth streamed from the phone without idrive/Nav... if the car were a daily driver that would REALLY annoy me. I may just get an old ipod for music that is always connected... it just ocurred to me I actually have an old iphone that would probably be just fine... hmm

Im my opinion a thumb drive is the easiest way to always have your music, no need to keep an ipod or iphone connected and drives are super cheap.

[mrow]

Have only had my 1M for two weeks so I have never used it yet. However I had my 128i for a year and a half and only used it one time: I was waiting in line for the iPad 2 and couldn't remember if I locked my car. I didn't want to lose my place in line so I called BMW assist and asked them to send a lock signal to my car haha lol:

[1SerieStud]

Freaking awesome. Luckily never had the need to use it, but I saw my friend's car turn into r2d2 mode when he got rear-ended right in front of my eyes about a month ago.

[Juiced1M]

I got assist with BT...having had an accident the Assist feature was a real nice thing to have... so I would get it IMO.

[b33g33]

Anyone else notice a delay in Google Maps sending data to the car?

I had a route mapped and sent the info the the car around 9 a.m.

We got into the car around 9:45 and there was no 'envelope' icon indicating a message. I went into the messages option to double check. Nada.

Entered the address the 'old-fashioned' way via iDrive.

On our way back around 11:30, I suddenly noticed the message icon pop up!

I guess I have to send the maps overnight.

BMW apparently uses FedEx.

[Sabre89]

Originally Posted by b33g33

Anyone else notice a delay Google Maps sending data to the car?

I had a route mapped and sent the info the the car around 9 a.m.

We got into the car around 9:45 and there was no 'envelope' icon indicating a message. I went into the messages option to double check. Nada.

Entered the address the 'old-fashioned' way via iDrive.

On our way back around 11:30, I suddenly noticed the message icon pop up!

I guess I have to send the maps overnight.

BMW apparently uses FedEx.

I haven't noticed any delay in sending addresses. Maybe host server congestion? BTW, can you send trip routes, or just individual addresses?

[b33g33]

Originally Posted by Sabre89

I haven't noticed any delay in sending addresses. Maybe host server congestion? BTW, can you send trip routes, or just individual addresses?

So, I asked my delivery person about this at PCD and she said that you can send individual destinations and two-point routes. It will not accept multi-point routes with additional way-points between the start and end. (though I have not tried).

[Ayrton91]

Actually given assist can help track your car if stolen it can lower your insurance premium (it happened with my wife's X5). The unlock feature can also be useful. Still I got it for the BT?

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by b33g33

Anyone else notice a delay in Google Maps sending data to the car?

I had a route mapped and sent the info the the car around 9 a.m.

We got into the car around 9:45 and there was no 'envelope' icon indicating a message. I went into the messages option to double check. Nada.

Entered the address the 'old-fashioned' way via iDrive.

On our way back around 11:30, I suddenly noticed the message icon pop up!

I guess I have to send the maps overnight.

BMW apparently uses FedEx.

What? Please elaborate on this...I've been too busy driving and have neglected the techie part of my car. Where are you sending routes from?

[Sabre89]

Originally Posted by b33g33

So, I asked my delivery person about this at PCD and she said that you can send individual destinations and two-point routes. It will not accept multi-point routes with additional way-points between the start and end. (though I have not tried).

I just tried to send a mapped route between 2 points and I don't see an option on Google Maps.

[discoboy1]

If you don't want to lock your key in the car, just order Confort access, the doors will not lock if the fob is left in the car, plus you won't have to pay the 200$ fee each year for the BMW Assist.

I still think it's a great feature for the Google map function but I have also experienced some long delays before receiving the message.