BMW's First CarPlay Vehicles Now Available

[Jmausmuc]

It's not a Tesla so you're not wrong, but as far as dinosaur mobiles go, it's not that bad.

You guys need to get real. A tesla is a big super heavy car, this is a small lightweight car that's fun to drive.

Also, tesla is admired for its technology and not its looks. The current tesla, alright it was improved with the facelift, does look nothing like its price tag. Just look at the rear lights and the cheap interior.
I know firsthand it's an amazing car but being electric drive doesn't automatically make it look better.

 

[beanbaguk]

Being a BMW F31 owner, I have zero desire for CarPlay since using it on two hire cars over the past few weeks.

I was actually very excited to have it in my rental cars, but very quickly became disillusioned. You're forced to use Apple Maps which is terrible where I live, and I found the touch system, positive dangerous to use having to take my eyes off the road to use it.

I also found it jammed frequently and required disconnect and re-connection of the USB cable.

Ultimately, it's a dreadful system.

I agree the original iDrive system was dreadful but the latest incarnations are superb and leagues ahead of CarPlay. Anyone who says otherwise has never used one before. They are safe to use and very versatile with excellent features.

I had a play with a 2016 iDrive version with a 10" display and I was blown away. I don't even think it was the latest version. (eNBT). I have a CIC Business with just a 6.6" display and I would rather that any day over CarPlay.
[doublepost=1470126745][/doublepost]

CarPlay is neat and obviously car manufacturers won't be too willing to retrofit into older vehicles. I wish my Honda would at least activate Siri from the steering wheel. I would be fine with that.

Of course they're not willing. It's merely a gimmick and won't have any impact on sales of a car if they don't include it which is why BMW haven't cared one iota until now to get it done.

 

[gixxerfool]

Being a BMW F31 owner, I have zero desire for CarPlay since using it on two hire cars over the past few weeks.

I was actually very excited to have it in my rental cars, but very quickly became disillusioned. You're forced to use Apple Maps which is terrible where I live, and I found the touch system, positive dangerous to use having to take my eyes off the road to use it.

I also found it jammed frequently and required disconnect and re-connection of the USB cable.

Ultimately, it's a dreadful system.

I agree the original iDrive system was dreadful but the latest incarnations are superb and leagues ahead of CarPlay. Anyone who says otherwise has never used one before. They are safe to use and very versatile with excellent features.

I had a play with a 2016 iDrive version with a 10" display and I was blown away. I don't even think it was the latest version. (eNBT). I have a CIC Business with just a 6.6" display and I would rather that any day over CarPlay.
[doublepost=1470126745][/doublepost]

Of course they're not willing. It's merely a gimmick and won't have any impact on sales of a car if they don't include it which is why BMW haven't cared one iota until now to get it done.

I agree. Since I recently was shopping for a car, for the first time in 17 years, I was pretty open to make and model. While it was on my list of "Nice to have" it wasn't a deal breaker. What I did get has Bluetooth and I find that infinitely more useful. Maybe integrating CarPlay into systems with displays that use knobs and buttons would be a better choice. I don't care for touch displays in cars. That's another thread.

 

[nebo1ss]

Being a BMW F31 owner, I have zero desire for CarPlay since using it on two hire cars over the past few weeks.

I was actually very excited to have it in my rental cars, but very quickly became disillusioned. You're forced to use Apple Maps which is terrible where I live, and I found the touch system, positive dangerous to use having to take my eyes off the road to use it.

I also found it jammed frequently and required disconnect and re-connection of the USB cable.

Ultimately, it's a dreadful system.

I agree the original iDrive system was dreadful but the latest incarnations are superb and leagues ahead of CarPlay. Anyone who says otherwise has never used one before. They are safe to use and very versatile with excellent features.

I had a play with a 2016 iDrive version with a 10" display and I was blown away. I don't even think it was the latest version. (eNBT). I have a CIC Business with just a 6.6" display and I would rather that any day over CarPlay.
[doublepost=1470126745][/doublepost]

Of course they're not willing. It's merely a gimmick and won't have any impact on sales of a car if they don't include it which is why BMW haven't cared one iota until now to get it done.

Totally agree, i drive a 2016 x3 which is my third IDRIVE system and totally sold on its look and feel. The idea of putting your hands on the screen while driving seems dangerous. Can not think of any functionality i need that I do not already have with Drive.
[doublepost=1470134675][/doublepost]

The 2-series shown there is definitely not front wheel drive. Most of the 2-series, the 228i, M235i, 230i, M240i are all rear-wheel drive. I believe you're thinking of the 2-series Active Tourer, which is FWD if I'm not mistaken.

Well I demo'ed a 2 series last summer in London which was front wheel drive. It was certainly not a seven seater so there is obviously more with the 2 series than what is sold in the US.

 

[tfigs]

I added an Alpine iLX-007 stereo with CarPlay to my 2013 Mazda CX-5. Best thing I did. I plug my phone in and it just works. No more phone blocking my view on my window or dashboard. CarPlay is simple, intuitive and most importantly, SAFE. Everything is handsfree and Siri integration is great. It's an expensive upgrade with purchase and install, but I feel it was worth it.

 

[Jmausmuc]

Totally agree, i drive a 2016 x3 which is my third IDRIVE system and totally sold on its look and feel. The idea of putting your hands on the screen while driving seems dangerous. Can not think of any functionality i need that I do not already have with Drive.
[doublepost=1470134675][/doublepost]
Well I demo'ed a 2 series last summer in London which was front wheel drive. It was certainly not a seven seater so there is obviously more with the 2 series than what is sold in the US.

Please stop spreading misinformation.
The 2 Series Coupè shown in the pictures and sold worldwide is rear wheel drive.
There are however the 2 series Grand Tourer and Active Tourer which have 7 and 5 seats reapectively and look like a van. Those are front wheel drive but they are not sold in the U.S.


Again: the car shown in the picture is RWD.
[doublepost=1470138612][/doublepost]

Being a BMW F31 owner, I have zero desire for CarPlay since using it on two hire cars over the past few weeks.

I was actually very excited to have it in my rental cars, but very quickly became disillusioned. You're forced to use Apple Maps which is terrible where I live, and I found the touch system, positive dangerous to use having to take my eyes off the road to use it.

I also found it jammed frequently and required disconnect and re-connection of the USB cable.

Ultimately, it's a dreadful system.

I agree the original iDrive system was dreadful but the latest incarnations are superb and leagues ahead of CarPlay. Anyone who says otherwise has never used one before. They are safe to use and very versatile with excellent features.

I had a play with a 2016 iDrive version with a 10" display and I was blown away. I don't even think it was the latest version. (eNBT). I have a CIC Business with just a 6.6" display and I would rather that any day over CarPlay.
[doublepost=1470126745][/doublepost]

Of course they're not willing. It's merely a gimmick and won't have any impact on sales of a car if they don't include it which is why BMW haven't cared one iota until now to get it done.

100% agree. I have used CarPlay once and it was horrible. The current iDrive system is year ahead in usability, safety and speed.
Touch screens in cars are inherently dangerous. Even Teslas version sucks compared to iDrive. I know the screen is much bigger and all but the UI looks outdated and the usability is not up to par.

 

[Weaselboy]

Thanks, but I'm not seeing CarPlay as an option. What am I missing?

If you download the ordering guide PDF from that page you will see Carplay as option 6CP.

 

[rdlink]

If you download the ordering guide PDF from that page you will see Carplay as option 6CP.

View attachment 643105

Okay, I see that now. Thanks. But like you I am not at all interested in ordering it if I am required to order the navigation system, also. One of the reasons I want CarPlay in the first place is to get away from car manufacturers' expensive, idiotic and ham handed attempts at implementing navigation.

 

[Jmausmuc]

Okay, I see that now. Thanks. But like you I am not at all interested in ordering it if I am required to order the navigation system, also. One of the reasons I want CarPlay in the first place is to get away from car manufacturers' expensive, idiotic and ham handed attempts at implementing navigation.

If BMWs current iDrive system is "idiotic and ham handed" than what is Apple maps?
Have you even tried iDrive?

 

[beanbaguk]

If BMWs current iDrive system is "idiotic and ham handed" than what is Apple maps?
Have you even tried iDrive?

Clearly not.

We're just about to purchase a 218d Active Tourer with the Navigation Pro and head-up display and it's leagues ahead of CarPlay.

BMW can keep their €300 or whatever it costs. I'll stick to a "terrible" iDrive experience

 

[Dissecta]

It's not quite available yet.

I picked up my new 2017 model M240i on Friday and can see that CarPlay is listed in the ConnectedDrive store, but the purchase always fails with an error (though I am having some issues linking the car to my existing ConnectedDrive account).

For me it means I can read messages and e-mails while driving on the iDrive which previously hasn't been possible for iOS devices.

 

[beanbaguk]

It's not quite available yet.

I picked up my new 2017 model M240i on Friday and can see that CarPlay is listed in the ConnectedDrive store, but the purchase always fails with an error (though I am having some issues linking the car to my existing ConnectedDrive account).

For me it means I can read messages and e-mails while driving on the iDrive which previously hasn't been possible for iOS devices.

Seriously!!! When do you really need to read messages and emails when you're driving!?! (Apart from the fact that you cannot read emails even with CarPlay and messages are limited only to iMessage, and it's text only. Images are not shown.

Thank your lucky stars it failed and you saved yourself £235.

 

[Weaselboy]

Seriously!!! When do you really need to read messages and emails when you're driving!?! (Apart from the fact that you cannot read emails even with CarPlay and messages are limited only to iMessage, and it's text only. Images are not shown.

Thank your lucky stars it failed and you saved yourself £235.

The iDrive system actually does not allow those messages to be read unless you are parked, so you can relax.

 

[rdlink]

If BMWs current iDrive system is "idiotic and ham handed" than what is Apple maps?
Have you even tried iDrive?

Yes. Hate it. Specifically looked for a (used) car that didn't have it.

I do use Apple Maps on CarPlay. Every day. It works great. Have you even tried it?

 

[dcbogdan]

The smartest thing – but which will probably never happen – would be if BMW would allow its existing iDrive navigation to integrate with a phone app, like Waze, for realtime traffic data and POIs to enable better routing and alerts. Otherwise, the phone and music integrations work very well with the iPhone on the iDrive and I don't see the Car Play offering anything else now.

 

[Kabeyun]

you don't need a touchscreen for carplay all you need is Idrive 5.0. as right now, the only BMW with a touchscreen is the 7 series.

You're right. Just checked it out. Having said that, anyone know if the new CarPlay-equipped models have a touch screen? The only Bimmer with a touch screen now is the 7 series.

 

[rdlink]

Seriously!!! When do you really need to read messages and emails when you're driving!?! (Apart from the fact that you cannot read emails even with CarPlay and messages are limited only to iMessage, and it's text only. Images are not shown.

Thank your lucky stars it failed and you saved yourself £235.

Pretty myopic view. Far more of my communications these days are done through text than emails (or phone calls). But CarPlay allows more than texting. Siri based Apple Music control, Maps, phone calls, reminders, etc. All done safely, and with the interface and familiarity of your iPhone.

Not sure what you mean by "messages are limited only to iMessage." If you mean the native Apple Messages app, so what? Virtually everyone I know who uses an iPhone uses the native messages app exclusively, and in fact it's been cited as a major selling point for people even buying the iPhone to start with. If you mean that you can't communicate via SMS on the Messages app through CarPlay you're wrong.

 

[Kabeyun]

Yes. Hate it. Specifically looked for a (used) car that didn't have it.

I do use Apple Maps on CarPlay. Every day. It works great. Have you even tried it?

Agreed. iDrive is a hierarchical, counterintuitive mess. (My first taste: I can only adjust the volume of phone calls while I'm on a phone call? Srsly??). I preferred the MMI system on my 8-year-old Audi, and that was with hacked BT audio. Praying for a retrofit!

 

[mwickens]

…you still have to connect the iPhone over USB. No thanks.

I think this remains to be seen. There are indications that BMW will support wireless CarPlay. The new models that support CarPlay all have a new Wi-Fi hotspot feature (and Bluetooth support), too. And an early M240i owner reports that the manual says that "WiFi on the vehicle must be on" in order to use CarPlay.
[doublepost=1470175390][/doublepost]

Of course CarPlay requires a touch screen.

Nope, it doesn't.
[doublepost=1470175575][/doublepost]

anyone know if the new CarPlay-equipped models have a touch screen? The only Bimmer with a touch screen now is the 7 series.

The 2-series models do not have a touchscreen. You'll use the iDrive controller to control the UI.

 

[nebo1ss]

The smartest thing – but which will probably never happen – would be if BMW would allow its existing iDrive navigation to integrate with a phone app, like Waze, for realtime traffic data and POIs to enable better routing and alerts. Otherwise, the phone and music integrations work very well with the iPhone on the iDrive and I don't see the Car Play offering anything else now.

My X3 has real time traffic data included with the navigation system, it provides a route around feature as well. The car comes equipped with a SIM card for data. Now the fact that it does not have traffic cameras is a different issue.

 

[rdlink]

You guys need to get real. A tesla is a big super heavy car, this is a small lightweight car that's fun to drive.

Also, tesla is admired for its technology and not its looks. The current tesla, alright it was improved with the facelift, does look nothing like its price tag. Just look at the rear lights and the cheap interior.
I know firsthand it's an amazing car but being electric drive doesn't automatically make it look better.

Agreed. I just drove my first Tesla last week. As much as I had been excited to drive one, and as cool as it is to experience I was cured of wanting one in a half hour drive. Power and speed? Check. Cool looks? Check. Neat tech? Check.

But I'd much rather drive my 3 Series Bimmer

 

[beanbaguk]

Agreed. I just drove my first Tesla last week. As much as I had been excited to drive one, and as cool as it is to experience I was cured of wanting one in a half hour drive. Power and speed? Check. Cool looks? Check. Neat tech? Check.

But I'd much rather drive my 3 Series Bimmer

One moment you say you have CarPlay and the next you say you have a 3 series but you specifically looked for a car without iDrive.

All this tells me is you have an old BMW and the model and retrofitted it with an aftermarket ICE system. The CCC system that was part of your car was a terrible option I agree and I already mentioned this earlier in the thread.

How about you try both technologies properly (i.e. the new NBT / eNBT and latest generation iDrive systems; even the CIC system was not a bad option), before slating something you've clearly not tried.

I don't think my views are miopic at all, since I've used each system extensively and suggest you have nescience views. (My wife has an eNBT system with her Navigation Pro system on her 2 series Active Tourer).

I also do not condone reading messages while driving. Even if they are read to you. There is conclusive evidence to show it reduces concentration when driving and iMessages can be read back to you while driving through CarPlay. I choose not to use the office functions on my iDrive for safety and when I do read my messages (parked up or out of the car), I just use my phone....why would I want to fiddle with my car HU to do so? Completely pointless.

On top of this, not one person I know uses iMessage and every one of my friends is on the whatsapp platform.

I suggest you try the newer iDrive systems before banging on about how terrible they are as you clearly haven't a clue.

 

[Weaselboy]

I think this remains to be seen. There are indications that BMW will support wireless CarPlay. The new models that support CarPlay all have a new Wi-Fi hotspot feature (and Bluetooth support), too. And an early M240i owner reports that the manual says that "WiFi on the vehicle must be on" in order to use CarPlay.

Oh good... that is encouraging. Carplay is designed to work over wifi, but nobody has it enabled yet that I have seen.

 

[Weaselboy]

I think this remains to be seen. There are indications that BMW will support wireless CarPlay. The new models that support CarPlay all have a new Wi-Fi hotspot feature (and Bluetooth support), too. And an early M240i owner reports that the manual says that "WiFi on the vehicle must be on" in order to use CarPlay.

Some 2017 BMWs have now been delivered and you don't need wifi to use Carplay. Here is a video showing how to pair Carplay over Bluetooth.

Nice setup, but still with BMW you need to order navigation to get Carplay, so it partly defeats the purpose IMO.

 

[Nautilus007]

I have a 2016 4 series GC and I can't even upgrade....wow what a joke.