Thoughts on BMW Assist?

[CarJunkie]

Originally Posted by discoboy1

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

I will renew Assist before renewing Sirius...

+1
That feature is awesome.

[Aussie_in_London]

The only issue I am finding with assist is that when I send the car a message i.e like an address, there is no option to transfer it to sat nav, and when I mess about with google maps and set up a route, it only comes up with a USB upload and no other options, I haven't a clue what the score is there lol

[flzrider]

Where can I get or set-up a BMW assist username/password so that I can start sending myself maps?

[CarJunkie]

I believe the username is your email address that BMW has on file, no password needed. This works perfectly for me.

[b33g33]

Originally Posted by 1SerieStud

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?

Make sure you have your BMW Assist email setup. Easiest way to do this is by pressing the SOS button in your car.

Once that is setup, when you select the "send to" feature in Google maps, you should have a "send to car" option.

Send, cross fingers and hope it gets there before you start driving.

[Redadair]

I actually like BMW Assist! I like the fact that if my car gets stolen it can be tracked. If I get in an accident it will auto alert emergency services.

I am not Paranoid and do not have an issue with BMW knowing my cars position. With all the BMW's out there why would they care about tracking me?

The Nav feature allowing Google maps destinations to be e-mailed my car is a great feature as well.

[Redadair]

Originally Posted by b33g33

Make sure you have your BMW Assist email setup. Easiest way to do this is by pressing the SOS button in your car.

Once that is setup, when you select the "send to" feature in Google maps, you should have a "send to car" option.

Send, cross fingers and hope it gets there before you start driving.

Note: The E-Mail Address must be entered All Uppercase in Google Maps, and the Address must be down to the Street Number and or Name to send the destination to the car.

[b33g33]

Originally Posted by Redadair

Note: The E-Mail Address must be entered All Uppercase in Google Maps, and the Address must be down to the Street Number and or Name to send the destination to the car.

Did you provide BMW with an email that is all uppercase? Otherwise, this is not necessary.

I, too, have realized that you can only send a single destination. No routes are possible. Hopefully, there will be a software update soon to allow more flexibility.

Even so, this is still a pretty nice feature.

Now, if they would only update BMW Apps to work with Google Maps on your smart phone.

[CarJunkie]

Originally Posted by b33g33

Now, if they would only update BMW Apps to work with Google Maps on your smart phone.

Agreed. The google maps on the mobile browsers do not give the option of sending the address to a car.

[ZCP M3]

Is this included for a while or is it a paid feature from the get go?

[Slats]

It is included if you got either the convenience or the premium package. It expires with the warranty. When you activate it they will try to sell you some other stuff.

When I hadn't activated it after having the car for a couple of months, BMW sent me a letter encouraging me to do so. Oddly, the letter referred to my new 2011 "M1" Coupe. I couldn't help but give them a bit of good-natured guff about their little faux pas when I called in to activate the assist feature.