[sushkr]

Originally Posted by DJHakim

That "release" was by Tim Jones. Is that BMWNA?

That was an official release, not sure why it was hard to figure it out. Here is a more "official looking" release:

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/usa/p...=T0216443EN_US

[TePee]

Despite of no LCI also the F34 has the same new navigation version NBT Evo since 7/2015. Thus OTA is available as well (but not in all countries).

Anyway the F34 already got a lot of updates from 7/2015 on.

[DJHakim]

Originally Posted by sushkr

The posters, if any, are lying out of ignorance. Technically pushing incremental map updates is a possibility over 3G, but BMW does not do it. Neither is it going to do it retroactively to its vehicles with 3G chips (it won't make financial sense because software will have to be re-written). Cars with 3G do allow an OTA "software update" and I can bet the posters are thinking their map is being updated as well. Which. is. not. true.

The updates are REGIONAL, not incremental. You must select in iDrive Services options what map region you desire. Then, it is that region that gets updated quarterly. Why don't you get into an MY16 F34 and try it out? USA MY16 F34 do get NBT2 EVO.

[sushkr]

Originally Posted by DJHakim

Why don't you get into an MY16 F34 and try it out? USA MY16 F34 do get NBT2 EVO.

That is what I've been saying all along. In US, F34 does not get NBT2 (read the press release again). Only the sedan and sports wagon do. I will have to go to UK to get into an F34 with NBT2. Sponsoring my ticket?

[TePee]

I´m not from the US. But just checked US BMW parts catalog (realoem.com) for a September 2015 F34 335iX and it states Head Unit High2 = new NBT2 Evo.

It is normal that they mention in their press releases mainly the details of the LCI models. But at the same also other models might get some technical updates.
In Europe for example the F34 received at the same time "silently" also the new Nav Prof/NBT2, new B47 diesel engines, new AC control panel, new cup holder and so on - everything which was introduced in the F30/31 LCI.

[DJHakim]

Originally Posted by sushkr

That is what I've been saying all along. In US, F34 does not get NBT2 (read the press release again). Only the sedan and sports wagon do. I will have to go to UK to get into an F34 with NBT2. Sponsoring my ticket?

No need to go to the UK. Go to your nearest dealer in USA and check out an MY16 F34 with nav. The Navigation System Version will read "NBTevo".

[DJHakim]

Originally Posted by TePee

In Europe for example the F34 received at the same time "silently" also the new Nav Prof/NBT2, new B47 diesel engines, new AC control panel, new cup holder and so on - everything which was introduced in the F30/31 LCI.

Interesting you mention this. I've noticed that the AC panel on USA MY16 F34s has white digits (in photos), instead of orange. That was a change with the LCI treatment noted in the LCI press release, which made no mention of the F34.

[sushkr]

Originally Posted by DJHakim

No need to go to the UK. Go to your nearest dealer in USA and check out an MY16 F34 with nav. The Navigation System Version will read "NBTevo".

Have you yourself sat inside a 2016 F34? If yes, and if you did find the navigation system as NBTevo, I am surprised why you even started this thread? Are you arguing just for the sake of arguing? If it was indeed NBTevo (which comes with a 4G SIM), you would find an option to 'update maps' in the iDrive.

And if you haven't yet sat in a 2016 F34, perhaps you should do that yourself first rather than taking comments from here and there.

[sushkr]

Originally Posted by TePee

I´m not from the US. But just checked US BMW parts catalog (realoem.com) for a September 2015 F34 335iX and it states Head Unit High2 = new NBT2 Evo.

I am not sure if Headunit High 2 = NBT2. Can you please elaborate why? A quick google search yielded:

http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...126809245.html

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...&q=65126819421

suggesting it fits cars made as far back as in 2013.

[TePee]

It is not easy to persuade you...

If you have a little bit to do with navigation or retrofits it is just known that HU High 2 is the new NBT2 or NBT Evo, which is the new navigation Professional.
You can also recognize it on the pictures in parts catalogs at its smaller 1,5 DIN size (NBT1 is bigger 2 DIN): http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/F3...h_2/#6809245_1

You can also see that it is used for F30 models from 7/2015 and is not exchangeable with older part number headunits, just use proper parts catalog like here: http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/65126809245/

[sushkr]

Originally Posted by TePee

You can also see that it is used for F30 models from 7/2015 and is not exchangeable with older part number headunits, just use proper parts catalog like here: http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/65126809245/

Well I am not expert on identifying minute details about parts. But from the same website that you linked, I also found that 'Headunit High' (and not 'Headunit High 2') was being used for models from 7/2015 onwards:

http://bmwfans.info/parts-catalog/65129389859

In any case, granted Headunit High 2 is with NBT2, I just don't think these parts websites will have it all correct always when it comes to minute differences between production of European vs. US vehicles.

[TePee]

And if you now click on your linked site under "usage" at F30 then you will see on the following site that this part number is not used for 7/2015 F30!

If you do the same for X5 F15, then you will see that at this car it is used. Reason: X5 still uses the old NBT as it haven't yet received an update to new NBT Evo.

Maybe you should believe real arguments and not just try always to find the opposite

[sushkr]

Originally Posted by TePee

It is not easy to persuade you...

If you have a little bit to do with navigation or retrofits it is just known that HU High 2 is the new NBT2 or NBT Evo, which is the new navigation Professional.

Ok, thanks for all the information. I could verify what you said myself now. See the document below:

http://s3.bimmerfile.com.s3.amazonaw...Series_LCI.pdf

It explains clearly what Headunit High 2 is, and says explicitly that automatic map update is enabled through the updated telematics unit (Telematic Communication Box 2 TCB2). That was good reading!

Now the question remains if US F34 has this new head unit. And again, I don't trust the parts websites. Some say one thing, and some say else. See for example, the following, which excludes F34. Note sure where these dealer websites populate their databases from..

http://parts.bmwofsouthatlanta.com/p...126809245.html

[DJHakim]

Originally Posted by sushkr

Have you yourself sat inside a 2016 F34? If yes, and if you did find the navigation system as NBTevo, I am surprised why you even started this thread? Are you arguing just for the sake of arguing? If it was indeed NBTevo (which comes with a 4G SIM), you would find an option to 'update maps' in the iDrive.

And if you haven't yet sat in a 2016 F34, perhaps you should do that yourself first rather than taking comments from here and there.

The simple thread was for those who have an MY16 F34 with navigation (or know about it 1st hand). My question to them was whether they had OTA updates. Though there were no such responses here, I have since PM'd such owners and they have informed me of the version they have, which indicates NBT2. I had already done thorough research on it, but I needed direct confirmation, as most posts are opinion, professional or not. Still, even with NBT2, I don't know 100% that OTA is provided on USA F34. BMW can be crazy! It is necessary for me to keep replying to posts of those w/o 1st-hand knowledge so that those that do can see/respond to a still-open question.

I don't think NBT2 headunit comes with 4G automatically. I *think* you only get 4G when you add the enhanced btooth option. Only based on others' posts! ("think" not "know")

Per the press note, BMW is notorious for being incomplete. They never stated that the F34 did NOT get any of those features. In fact, there was a debacle the last time they updated navigation to NBT announced in early 2012. BMW was never clear as to what F30 models got it and when. It ended up that non-US models got it mid-year (11/2012) and they waited until 07/2013 to get it on US models. Many actually had to wait thru 12/2012 to see if US F30s would get it in MY13. So, I never take BMW announcements as settled law.

Just keepin' it real, yo!

[sushkr]

Originally Posted by DJHakim

I don't think NBT2 headunit comes with 4G automatically. I *think* you only get 4G when you add the enhanced btooth option. Only based on others' posts! ("think" not "know")

I thought that was the case (NBT2 has 4G) but I don't know for sure. If what you say is right, it definitely is confusing as hell, because I don't think you need to order EBT to get OTA updates in 2016 models. If EBT (enhanced bluetooth) was needed for OTA updates, the description would have clearly said so.

(See for example bmwusa configuration site for 2 series convertible, it clearly says navigation system has map updates, and then EBT is an extra among options.)

[dmleong]

I received a navigation update today. It said I had to reset the navigation system or wait till next time I started the car. I have a 2016 328 gt west coast USA. Is that the ota update you are talking about?

[DJHakim]

Originally Posted by dmleong

I received a navigation update today. It said I had to reset the navigation system or wait till next time I started the car. I have a 2016 328 gt west coast USA. Is that the ota update you are talking about?

Why yes it is.

[sushkr]

Well I guess this settles it. It means OTA map updates can indeed happen over a 3G connection, which I earlier thought was absolutely not possible. There is no official BMW documentation that I could find which suggests about this possibility. So it is indeed very vague communication by BMW. All press releases seem to suggest that it the the 4G LTE connection that is enabling the OTA map updates.

[DJHakim]

Originally Posted by sushkr

Well I guess this settles it. It means OTA map updates can indeed happen over a 3G connection, which I earlier thought was absolutely not possible. There is no official BMW documentation that I could find which suggests about this possibility. So it is indeed very vague communication by BMW. All press releases seem to suggest that it the the 4G LTE connection that is enabling the OTA map updates.

It is even possible MY16 F34 got 4G, or that OTA happens over 3G. Maybe not is all settled until someone cracks open a factory-installed head unit!

BMW is known to be a precise manufacturer, but not a precise communicator IMO. We cannot get the navigation/iDrive manual electronically. It's only in hardcopy with the BMW. The regular users' manual has sparse details about nav. Sometimes I think they are playing games with us; maybe it's a marketing scheme to keep us invested.

[sushkr]

Originally Posted by DJHakim

It is even possible MY16 F34 got 4G, or that OTA happens over 3G. Maybe not is all settled until someone cracks open a factory-installed head unit!

BMW is known to be a precise manufacturer, but not a precise communicator IMO. We cannot get the navigation/iDrive manual electronically. It's only in hardcopy with the BMW. The regular users' manual has sparse details about nav. Sometimes I think they are playing games with us; maybe it's a marketing scheme to keep us invested.

The following document has some more technical information:

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/att...9&d=1441950445

On p-34, it says that 3 series LCI (which has NBT2) has 3G connectivity as standard. It has 4G LTE reception only when you add 'Enhanced Bluetooth option' (code 6NS).

I am assuming the same applies to 2016 F34.

[wunderbar]

Originally Posted by sushkr

To me, updating maps every year is overrated. A map update every 3-4 years should be good enough.

We are not building new roads that fast are we? I will be glad if we keep our current roads in shape..

hahaha