dfalcon wrote

My guess is there is a geo restriction for the ConnectedDrive services. BUT, there is some connectivity because my vehicle reports mileage and location, etc, and presumably that goes through the built-in SIM service. Does anyone know how to show the SIM status (not personal esim)?

I will report back when next I go to France as to whether the rest of CD comes back on. Interestingly, I've never been able to get beyond "Limited" status for my BMW ID, even though everything was working.

dfalcon wrote

Following up on my own post where I didn't have carplay (got Bluetooth error every time).

Germany dealer installed EU maps and it works, but Data Privacy and some remote ability is broke (can't do the remote view), and several apps are now greyed out.

My guess is there is a geo restriction for the ConnectedDrive services. BUT, there is some connectivity because my vehicle reports mileage and location, etc, and presumably that goes through the built-in SIM service. Does anyone know how to show the SIM status (not personal esim)?

I will report back when next I go to France as to whether the rest of CD comes back on. Interestingly, I've never been able to get beyond "Limited" status for my BMW ID, even though everything was working.

blackhawk_pilot2000 wrote

I was concerned about the non-functioning connected drive and apps for a US Spec car here in Italy too... However, I can confirm that it works flawlessly, no issues. I just received a new custom ordered 2025 X5 Drive 40i and all I did was send the email to BMW NA with a copy of the title and registration for validation (dealer said to do this for the warranty to start even though Im in Italy and there is a warranty while in Europe too). Anyhow, not sure if it was the validation over email, but all I know is that I have Connected Drive and have the My BMW App and can access all features with no issues for the apps and remote start, remote viewing, everything, etc.

Mjbmw1 wrote

Alrlight guys, I finally got all features working on a US SPEC X5 M50I. I sent emails to BMW CEO for NA, and DE. I complained about the process how it makes no sense with the Technology in the car that this would not be possible. I found schematics that showed all the LTE bands that it supports and called them out saying there was no differences between the modules and I told them i was will to buy new hardware just to get this to work in Europe. Well all the hard work paid off and I was able to get it activated in Europe. I have upload the video of the features working.

The current TCU/TCB that came with the Car is US Version. No hardware changes made. I made calls to the BMW connected Drive Team in Europe and in the US. I think it was BMW DE that got the US team involved to finally figure out the issue. I thought I was out of luck when they told me I needed to replace the TCU/TCB unit. I called around and guess what they would not sell it to me because my car VIN didnt match the German system. Serveral calls to BMW DE informing them that I could not replace the part because its not possible to order the EU version. They came back and said well we will see what we can do. Well 2 months later all features are working

I am currently trying to figure out how to code or trick the car to register to Germany Connected Drive. I was able to get logged into my Connected Drive US. I am not sure if it was by having my phone share its Internet connection or some how Telematics works overseas. I have asked BMW service for this information
Example from someone else's car.

No Coverage As Of: 11/14/2012
Expiration Mileage: 50,000
DAVIS #: 0
Assist Safety Plan expires: 11/14/2012
Assist Conv. Plan expires: 00/00/0000
TCU ESN / TCU IMEI: 10215544996 ACTIVE
TCU MIN: XXX-XXX-XXXX
MDN / MSISDN: XXX-XXX-XXXX
Vehicle Production Date: 2008/01
Motor Type: S65
Platform/Engineering Series: E90
Wholesale Center ID/Loc: 20416 - 01
Wholesale Date: 03/10/2008
Retail Center ID/Loc: 24618 - 01
Retail Date: 11/14/2008
In-Service Date: 11/14/2008

But they were not able to give to me. I have the latest BMW ISTA-D Rheingold 4.21.12 with Enet cable and bimmercode with wifi OBD

I was able to get the dealership to add Europe Maps.
Now I want to figure out Connected Drive.

I was thinking if I am able to get TCU ESN / TCU IMEI I can take this to any provider and get it activated.
I have an connected drive for US and Europe. When I add the vin on US it says
The vehicle cannot be added to your account.
No data was found for this Vehicle Identification Number.

But when I try from Connecteddrive.de
CONFIRM SECURITY CODE.
Note: For security reasons, you need to enter a security code. This code has been sent to your vehicle. You will find it in the vehicle in the ConnectedDrive menu under "Messages". The security code is valid for 4 hours only. If you cannot enter the code within 4 hours, please request a new security code after that period has expired.

Security code:

So I know it will work just gotta figure out how to get the Vehicle esim activated in Europe.
Since in the US At&t is used all the Telematics are GSM LTE. No change to vehicle should be made just maybe on the Connected Drive system it has to be charged.

Anyone have any information on this I would appreciate it.

kubax86 wrote

yes, it works in Romania

Serg0777 wrote

After studying this forum, I came to the conclusion that the issue is related to the mobile network frequencies and possibly roaming compatibility. The required frequency should be similar to the one used in the USA: LTE Band 28 (APT 700 MHz).

mrgicm wrote

Most likely nothing, I have the same issue on a G15, all was fine untill July 2025, then no more internet in the car, before the Sim Card ststus was shown roaming then after July 2025 just Emergency calls only which implies the Sim card provider no longer supports roaming.

But interesting fact, today I drove to Austria and suddenly the app started to work again and car had connectivity and the option "Update apps and Services" were no longer greyed out.

To me it seems like BMW is cutting roaming for US sim cards in roaming.

TheNine90 wrote

The G05 only came with ATM2.

sokovic wrote

My G07 X7 is currently on its way from the US to Europe. MyBMW is already connected. Does anyone know if CD will work in Serbia? Thanks

kosio86 wrote

No it wouldn’t. I live in Bulgaria and my US Connected drive stopped working after working fine for a year at exactly the same date as it stopped for others 23.07.2025. I have traveled since to: Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Italy and from these countries it reconnected only in Italy. I passed through Austria as well but forgot to specifically check, so I can’t say for it, but in the rest of listed countries-no connection.

I am really looking for someone that could deal with this and I am willing to pay. I am in communication with BMW NA ever since and they are not willing to help and are using some generic replies.

Ofc ConnectedDrive services are transferred to me legally and are pre paid for years ahead, but BMW just don’t care as “it is in the policy that services might not work everywhere”

sokovic wrote

Thanks for the answer, man. That’s really unfortunate. I planned on going to Romania or Croatia (since they’re on the roaming list) when my car arrives, in case ConnectedDrive didn’t work in Serbia, to set everything up there. At least now I know it doesn’t work there either.

One more question: once you set up a driver profile while connected, does it still work while the car is offline in Serbia, Bulgaria, etc.?

Thanks again for your help.

edit: I guess carplay will work normally since it's not part of CD?

sokovic wrote

Thanks for the answer, man. That’s really unfortunate. I planned on going to Romania or Croatia (since they’re on the roaming list) when my car arrives, in case ConnectedDrive didn’t work in Serbia, to set everything up there. At least now I know it doesn’t work there either.

One more question: once you set up a driver profile while connected, does it still work while the car is offline in Serbia, Bulgaria, etc.?

Thanks again for your help.

edit: I guess carplay will work normally since it's not part of CD?

kosio86 wrote

Once you have your BMW profile loaded to the car (in a region with connection), then all CD features work with no internet connectivity. I think wireless CarPlay is also one of the CD apps aka “Smartphone Integration”, video recorder, Digital Key plus etc are also pard of the CD apps list. So they do work while offline but until you logout. I accidentally removed digital Key from my phone and couldn’t re-add it for months until I went to Italy. This summer I am planning to check what’s the deal with Greece as it’s quite nearby, but I kind of doubt. I think it was A1 the only IOT roaming provider BMW had a roaming contract with on the Balkans, and once they “fixed it” eSIM profile just can’t connect to another one. Eventually if there is another they can push a new sim profile, but they wouldn’t bother. I doubt it will work in Turkey, and a guy from Azerbaijan also had his car disconnected at the same date- 2025.07.23 So I tend to believe BMW just decided to cut their roaming costs the “screw your customers” way in just some countries or for some service providers. Probably they could have blocked it only for some high traffic apps like Spotify, or enabled external SIM dongle, but why bother when they can own the software of the hardware we bought from them.

Attaching pics that showed where and when I was able to get connection and that CarPlay shows as part of the CD apps

augyse@gmail.com wrote

Hey guys, has anyone tried Poland and know of specific locations that cd would connect? Getting my car this week in Lithuania and want to set up profile,digital key, etc - it’d be too much of a drive to get to Italy 😀