[CrimDoc]

So, I've been driving my new 430i Convertible for 2 months now ... and have used the navigation system in Georgia, Michigan, North and South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia and Ohio.

Sorry to say, but I am not impressed.

On 3 separate occasions, once in Virginia, and twice in Michigan (once in Metro Detroit and once in Grand Rapids) the system advised me to take a route that included a closed road! And I don't mean an "emergency" closure (i.e. for an unexpected traffic accident, sinkhole, burst water main etc.) ... no, no ... closed by long term construction projects that have been ongoing for many weeks or months. The Virginia incident was particularly annoying because the car advised me to avoid a construction slow down (where the road was congested, but open) by taking a detour on a road that was completely shut down for construction!

I know that no system is perfect, but free phone apps like Waze and Google Maps seem to do a much better job with live traffic than whatever system BMW is relying on.

I think I get the free service for a year with my car ... definitely WON'T be re-upping at the end of the "trial" period.

[Jhnblckwood]

I agree it's not very impressive but do u have the latest maps installed? I kno u said it's a new car but idk if just new to u or what. Try updating maps n we if that helps.

[Mashman]

BMW uses TPEG data, which is derived from car telematics, Waze uses crowd sourced location data.

There are a LOT more cars with smartphones sending location data to Google, than there are cars using TPEG data with telematics, so Google has much better traffic information.

The Google traffic data contains only location information. But the TPEG cars are able to send back data from the car, for example, the windshield wipers were turned on, or the ABS system encountered slippage, indicating black ice, or sudden hard braking. This data can be used to inform following cars of future danger. This type of information is particularly important for autonomous driving.

So, right now, crowd based traffic information is much more accurate, but it's future usefulness is limited. Whereas, TPEG data, because of its limited implementation, is less useful, but that is going to change. How long will it take? Probably another 2 years, until IMHO, we reach a level of parity.

[Bongoxxx]

Originally Posted by Mashman

So, right now, crowd based traffic information is much more accurate, but it's future usefulness is limited. Whereas, TPEG data, because of its limited implementation, is less useful, but that is going to change. How long will it take? Probably another 2 years, until IMHO, we reach a level of parity.

Seriously you think TPEG will catch up? Really? More people are going to stop using free apps on their phones than paying for terrible services in their cars?

I just wish manufacturers like BMW would wake up and sign a deal with Google, Waze or someone else to get accurate navigation information.

[Mashman]

Originally Posted by Bongoxxx

Seriously you think TPEG will catch up? Really? More people are going to stop using free apps on their phones than paying for terrible services in their cars?

I just wish manufacturers like BMW would wake up and sign a deal with Google, Waze or someone else to get accurate navigation information.

Telematics will be in the cars regardless if someone is paying for it or not, it's simply part of a new car. It's no different than Google collecting location information, wherever you go, even if you are not using a navigation app, unless you explicitly deny it, your location data goes to Google, and they use it to create their traffic data. Newer higher end cars, and all new cars in the near future, will do the same, they will send information back to the manufacturer, and that data will be used or sold (think insurance companies would want that data?), for a number of reasons, not just navigation. Why? Because the data has value.

The amount of information that a phone can send back to google, is limited to location, speed, direction. But, a modern car has a huge amount of sensors, and can send back an almost unlimited amount of information.

[lemonchicken]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but all car based nav is inferior to google or any phone based app. It’s just a cash cow now for car manufacturers. Well, it’s always been a cash cow but really bad now.

[Tribalpinoy911]

So how does the current traffic maps work? How real-time is it? And how does it pull its info? I've only gotten one warning and it was construction on road and I wasn't even using the nav system which impressed mde.

[x-m4n]

Originally Posted by Tribalpinoy911

So how does the current traffic maps work? How real-time is it? And how does it pull its info? I've only gotten one warning and it was construction on road and I wasn't even using the nav system which impressed mde.

RTTI is not that bad, my issue is having to rely on "bi annual" map updates and the car's software itself are not being improved in terms of optimising fast/short routes... in 2018 the system is flawed.

We all carry 4G connected smartphones, and CarPlay really is the way forward = no more map updates, no more traffic subscriptions! Free apps like Apple maps or Google/Waze have more up to date road intel like speed camera alerts!.

As a minimum yes, keep RTTI running and make sure you run the latest maps available - I use Carplay+apps now that I can

[Tribalpinoy911]

Originally Posted by x-m4n

RTTI is not that bad, my issue is having to rely on "bi annual" map updates and the car's software itself are not being improved in terms of optimising fast/short routes... in 2018 the system is flawed.

We all carry 4G connected smartphones, and CarPlay really is the way forward = no more map updates, no more traffic subscriptions! Free apps like Apple maps or Google/Waze have more up to date road intel like speed camera alerts!.

As a minimum yes, keep RTTI running and make sure you run the latest maps available - I use Carplay+apps now that I can

How does one keep RTTI running?

[x-m4n]

Originally Posted by Tribalpinoy911

How does one keep RTTI running?

I meant keep it running as an active subscription - RTTI is free for the first 3 years.

If you have the "receive traffic info" and "traffic flow" settings ticked, you should be able to see "RTTI" there at the bottom of the map screen when navigating plus the roads in green/red.

[Tribalpinoy911]

Originally Posted by x-m4n

I meant keep it running as an active subscription - RTTI is free for the first 3 years.

If you have the "receive traffic info" and "traffic flow" settings ticked, you should be able to see "RTTI" there at the bottom of the map screen when navigating plus the roads in green/red.

Ah gotcha. I'll have to take a look at mine. I have a 2015 so chances are its out of subscription. Any idea of how much it costs?

Is this only active when using the Nav? I believe i got a road hazard warning while driving and I wasnt using the nav

[x-m4n]

Originally Posted by Tribalpinoy911

Ah gotcha. I'll have to take a look at mine. I have a 2015 so chances are its out of subscription. Any idea of how much it costs?

Go to your local ConnectedDrive portal (https://www.bmw-connecteddrive.com/c...selection.html) and you will see the status of your RTTI subscription. You will see there that RTTI is £40ish per year. Map updates are £70ish for 24 months worth of updates (they release maybe 2 map updates per year).

[El Wray]

Just got notice that it expired a couple months ago on one of my other cars.

Originally Posted by customer service

The Safety Plan is $199/ per year. Safety Plan includes:
Automatic Collision Notification
Emergency Request(SOS)
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
Customer Relations
Door unlock

Teleservice
MyInfo
Real Time Traffic Information



The Convenience Plan (Optional) is $199/ per year. Convenience Plan includes:
Directions
Traffic
Weather
Concierge
Critical Calling
BMW Online
Message Dictation

The only thing I ever really used it for was traffic. Don't think I'll be re-upping.