[x5mad]

I think as of April Australia design rules allowed for some changes which meant BMW Australia can now offer BMW apps.

For cars prior to this is one able to code 6NR (I'm assuming FSC code also needed)?

Also does one need an active connected drive/Bmw assist account and how does one go about doing this.

I would really love to have the my BMW remote app working. I recently was able to download this from the App Store whereas it was unavailable about a month ago.

I tried registering my car once logged on through the BMW connected drive portal but got an error saying my car not equipped or something similar.

[P8tor]

I've seen some cool features from the USA that rely on the remote APP. Can we get this in Australia yet and do you know how to go about getting it?

[knightsabers]

The BMW Connected Apps has some nifty features but not really that significant. Here's some pics of it in action.

[Aapparition90]

so if the car says CONNECT DRIVE and has pro nav do you just need to update the software or something ?

[sam.s]

The term ConnectedDrive itself is actually a whole range of things that BMW refers to its hardware/software - "products" and "services" that assist the drivers. It pretty much means assisting the people inside the vehicle to be connected with the outside world. It includes things such as lane assist, PDC, Navigation, etc.

Some cars will have Connected Drive written on the back of their rearview mirror on the windscreen because they may have such things as lane assist or the adaptive cruise control etc.

As you mentioned recently BMW Australia has equipped its new cars (As of around Marc/April build date on most and on some as of next year) with the ability to display the "services" to allow for things as shown in the photos above to be utilised in the cars.

If your cars are not March/April build there is a big chance it won't have the appropriate Connected Drive hardwares that are needed for those "services" to run. This is why you are getting an error when you try to register it online.

Only cars with the appropriate hardwares can be registered as the website will automatically recognise the chassis number that you use to register.

So this means that most or all of the services (don't quote me on this) won't be able to be utilised, which means you won't be able to use My BMW remote app.

Someone might be able to retrofit? But Not too sure.

The newer cars have their own sim card built into the car itself.

- Please take this information as a guide only -

[Aapparition90]

Actually that makes a lot of sense thanks.
KnightSabers how did you manage to get apps etc.. you only retrofitted the pronav right ?

[knightsabers]

I retrofitted mine with the NBT Navigation upgrade, no extra hardware was required.

[x5mad]

Originally Posted by knightsabers

I retrofitted mine with the NBT Navigation upgrade, no extra hardware was required.

This makes me believe that it can be retrofitted with just software and fsc code.

However, the next step is then getting a valid account so that the remote app can be used.

An account is not required for most of the apps or features though.

[sam.s]

Yep that's right

The only difference is having two separate sims assigned to the car and to the phone as opposed to knightsaber's one where it uses data usage of the iphone. As shown on the pic where it has "iphone" on the top right corner.

The "hardware" I was referring to was that. The professional nav. But obviously you won't have intelligent e-call and all that.

But I believe all those services can be coded on etc and work through your phone services so just make sure you keep a tab on your data usage especially if you have RTTI available through coding and such.

[sam.s]

In regards to the remote app. I believe you won't be able to use this because how the app works is that when you want say for example for your headlight to flash or your car to be remotely unlocked/locked - the app communicates with your car's inbuilt sim and then there is a slight lag (few seconds) as the app aends the data through to Germany and then it communicates with your car where it flashes it on etc.

I hope that makes sense.

Again please read this as a guide only as I'm not 100% sure as it is a whole new system

[SimonB]

BMW Oz really shits me how they shaft the most recent generation owners when they do things like this.

[x5mad]

Originally Posted by SimonB

BMW Oz really shits me how they shaft the most recent generation owners when they do things like this.

BMWs hands were tied on this one, they had to abide by ADR.

[SimonB]

Yeah, I understand that, but none of us who bought vehicles prior to this can retrofit, as I understand it.

Maybe I need to chat to nightsabres?

[Aapparition90]

you can get those apps simon but you cant get remote app working unless march + build due to reasons highlighted by sams.s where you can start your car and set temp with phone etc. I highly doubt Knightsabres has access to the remoteapp but if he does then that gives me hope.

[Hongkie-Ken]

I was able to send an activation message to my car from the ConnectedDrive website, but i couldn't install any other apps on the website apart from a "battery saver".

I downloaded both BMW apps (ConnectedDrive and My BMW Remote). ConnectedDrive seems to need the iPhone to be plugged into the car via USB? Is that all it needs?

Also, I couldn't log in with the My BMW Remote, the login credentials from the website did not log me into that app on my phone. I don't think I can use this app either. I'm assuming this means my car doesn't have the required option

[knightsabers]

I'll have to keep an eye on the data use as the data source is from my phone & not an individual sim.

I don't have the BMW Remote app but mine was done through a FSC Activation code when I ordered the NBT Navigation from the reseller.

Most new models starting from mid 2014 - Early 2015 are rolling out inbuilt 4G Sims with some other car makers such as 'Audi' providing 6 months free data.

I think the new ones will enable the vehicle to communicate remotely through the inbuilt sim. Enabling remote concierge services, Emergency Dispatch, Hot spot, remote engine start, remote horn, remote lights & Locational services to locate the vehicle in parking lots. Just rumors, I've read about.

I noticed some have slightly different hardware as well.

I've just connected mine via USB, Haven't tried with a iPhone 5 Connected Dock. The app must be open when using it, can't minimize it.

[pauricmcb]

I ordered a new 328i this weekend past with the Connected Drive Lifestyle, does this have the in-built LTE chip? Do you have to buy a sim card yourself then or does it actually come with it?

[silencer2008]

Originally Posted by pauricmcb

I ordered a new 328i this weekend past with the Connected Drive Lifestyle, does this have the in-built LTE chip? Do you have to buy a sim card yourself then or does it actually come with it?

I believe the sim card is built in as part of the remote services/bmw assist function. To actually use data, you would need to choose the other option specific to that (internet via vehicle sim card option, which is a yearly subscription)

[Bris64]

Originally Posted by pauricmcb

I ordered a new 328i this weekend past with the Connected Drive Lifestyle, does this have the in-built LTE chip? Do you have to buy a sim card yourself then or does it actually come with it?

Comes with everything in place - nothing extra needed.

[pauricmcb]

Originally Posted by silencer2008

I believe the sim card is built in as part of the remote services/bmw assist function. To actually use data, you would need to choose the other option specific to that (internet via vehicle sim card option, which is a yearly subscription)

Originally Posted by Bris64

Comes with everything in place - nothing extra needed.

I've 2 different replies here I think, I didn't choose the internet option so hope the latter is correct!!

I was told that it was just an internet browser and figured I will never use that seeing as I would just use the phone.

I'm having the case of thinking over the options I got after I've ordered the car!! Arrrghhh

[Aapparition90]

328i march build onwards comes with sim card.

[silencer2008]

Originally Posted by pauricmcb

I've 2 different replies here I think, I didn't choose the internet option so hope the latter is correct!!

I was told that it was just an internet browser and figured I will never use that seeing as I would just use the phone.

I'm having the case of thinking over the options I got after I've ordered the car!! Arrrghhh

The sim card comes with the car as standard, when you choose connected drive lifestyle/freedom you get the BMW Apps as well, which would allow internet to be tethered from the phone. There is also a standalone internet function (internet via sim, Option 6AR) which allows data to be used from the pre-fitted sim.