F31 retrofit nav system

RensterUK · 02-08-2019, 02:52 PM

Hi all,

I just got my car back from the EGR recall - and while it was there I got them to install the retrofit nav (the glovebox "thing").

So I knew it was never going to match the Pro system. I knew I wouldn't have a Nav option in the main menu. But I *was* led to believe that beyond that, it was basically the same as the business nav. Seemingly, it really, really isn't.

2 days after getting the car back it's gone back in for some bodywork, so I've not had long to play with the nav. However...

From what I can make out, switching between day/night mode is a manual thing only. That is ridiculous! Any modern nav can switch either by a trigger on the headlights, or based on date/time. So I either leave it on day mode (and get dazzled at night) leave it on night mode (which is naff), or faff around with the controls as I drive - arguably dangerous. My wife's mondeo is 12 years old nearly - the nav on that switches automatically!

Not once did it pick up any TMC information. I even set a route up to Glasgow - it found nothing.

Audio alerts are barely comprehensible.

Even just visually it's disappointing - the UI isn't "like for like" with the rest of the iDrive system, and it lacks the... "finesse" of the factory fit business nav

It came with 2017 maps. I assume if nothing else I should be able to get at least 1 free update?!? What about firmware?

Does anyone else have experience of these retrofit units? Any hints on how I could make things more bearable?

If (as I suspect I will) I decide I really have wasted my money - what are my rights as a consumer, given that it's a fully installed purchase? Given that it's BMW, and the cost - surely it should be on a par with most modern navs - even the cheapest Tom Tom?

Cheers!

Billfitz · 02-08-2019, 04:27 PM

The really bad news is that it probably is Tom Tom. I believe they are the current supplier of BMW nav.

RensterUK · 02-10-2019, 03:58 AM

I'm sure the maps are reasonably accurate... it's the functionality of the box itself I'm annoyed by.... hoping someone here can advise me of my rights with such a hardwired / installed solution.... I mean obviously a "Halfords bought cigarette lighter" nav unit can just be returned.... but this?

Billfitz · 02-10-2019, 08:51 AM

They may take the unit back, but they're not likely to remove it without a hefty charge.

RensterUK · 02-12-2019, 04:36 PM

Yeah... their definition of hefty might be interesting!

02-08-2019, 02:52 PM	#1
RensterUK New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW F31 330d Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Swindon iTrader: (0)	F31 retrofit nav system - disappointment Hi all, I just got my car back from the EGR recall - and while it was there I got them to install the retrofit nav (the glovebox "thing"). So I knew it was never going to match the Pro system. I knew I wouldn't have a Nav option in the main menu. But I was led to believe that beyond that, it was basically the same as the business nav. Seemingly, it really, really isn't. 2 days after getting the car back it's gone back in for some bodywork, so I've not had long to play with the nav. However... From what I can make out, switching between day/night mode is a manual thing only. That is ridiculous! Any modern nav can switch either by a trigger on the headlights, or based on date/time. So I either leave it on day mode (and get dazzled at night) leave it on night mode (which is naff), or faff around with the controls as I drive - arguably dangerous. My wife's mondeo is 12 years old nearly - the nav on that switches automatically! Not once did it pick up any TMC information. I even set a route up to Glasgow - it found nothing. Audio alerts are barely comprehensible. Even just visually it's disappointing - the UI isn't "like for like" with the rest of the iDrive system, and it lacks the... "finesse" of the factory fit business nav It came with 2017 maps. I assume if nothing else I should be able to get at least 1 free update?!? What about firmware? Does anyone else have experience of these retrofit units? Any hints on how I could make things more bearable? If (as I suspect I will) I decide I really have wasted my money - what are my rights as a consumer, given that it's a fully installed purchase? Given that it's BMW, and the cost - surely it should be on a par with most modern navs - even the cheapest Tom Tom? Cheers!
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02-08-2019, 04:27 PM	#2
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8233 Rep 16,069 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	The really bad news is that it probably is Tom Tom. I believe they are the current supplier of BMW nav.
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02-10-2019, 03:58 AM	#3
RensterUK New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW F31 330d Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Swindon iTrader: (0)	I'm sure the maps are reasonably accurate... it's the functionality of the box itself I'm annoyed by.... hoping someone here can advise me of my rights with such a hardwired / installed solution.... I mean obviously a "Halfords bought cigarette lighter" nav unit can just be returned.... but this?
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02-10-2019, 08:51 AM	#4
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8233 Rep 16,069 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	They may take the unit back, but they're not likely to remove it without a hefty charge.
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02-12-2019, 04:36 PM	#5
RensterUK New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW F31 330d Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Swindon iTrader: (0)	Yeah... their definition of hefty might be interesting!
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