I've gone through the thread and while it renewed my hope that i can get my US Imported 2017 430i Connected Drive to work in Europe, i couldn't quite find a definitive solution
as of now, i have an account, and the vehicle added by VIN to
https://mygarage.bmwusa.com/activate...cteddrive.html
in there, i have an option to "Activate Connected Drive" and it would send a code to the vehicle ("A code has been sent to your vehicle. You will find it in the ConnectedDrive menu under “Messages”. The security code is valid for three hours.")
not surprisingly, i didn't get anything.. after all the vehicle is in Bulgaria.
p.s the local dealer gave me the exact canned response when i asked to activate connected drive.. that the "Sim card in my US vehicle can't be replaced with a local sim card", etc...