[NorCalAthlete]

I'm really not sure I even need it. I know I don't need the tech package, but nav I kinda wanted. My brother brought up a good point though - we both have iPhones, and typically just use Google maps for everything. I'd like to hear from you guys on phones vs tech/nav package - do you find yourself using the navigation much? Or still just defaulting to your phone and streaming the turn by turn through bluetooth? I mean, that's a $3k difference in price...I bought the nav on my truck and honestly don't use it all that much except on long trips where I'll be using my phone's maps to find food or something and have the main route still plugged in on the truck's GPS.

[Dan_335i]

For food delivery i use my phone. For long road trips i use nav

[tturedraider]

I used to care nothing for the nav. I still don't really, but now there are so many useful features packaged with it that I'm inclined to spring for it. HUD is one of those things that really grows on you.

Many guys who use nav a lot really like the ability to use Google Maps on the computer and then just send the info straight to the car. So, with HUD and nav the car verbally gives the directions and displays them right on the windshield. That's something your phone can't do.

[FC4]

I know the entire SF Peninsula like the back of my hand and the remainder of the Bay Area very well...on my 3 other cars where no-nav wasn't an option, I can't remember the last time I had to use the nav to actually navigate me anywhere.

In hindsight, I should have got the nav in the BMW purely for aesthetics. The display and iDrive controller look a lot nicer when fitted with nav, unbeknownst to me when I ordered the car since it already has some sort of display. The ancillary benefits are purely a novelty.

[RoundelM3]

I don't need the tech package - I don't have a "smartphone" (because I don't want one or need one), so no point turning my car into one. The BMW built-in navigation system has great graphics but is difficult to use, and is 10 times the price of the higher-end Garmin units, which are easier to operate and keep updated with the latest maps and software. They include a lifetime license for both maps and traffic. If what BMW offered could match the ease of use and updating and included it in the price of the car (like Toyota and other lower-end brands), I'd definitely go for it.

Meantime, they should also make their bluetooth options (standard and "advanced") one option such that you don't have to order the second option to get voice command, which comes standard even with the cheapest flip-phone.

[Alan_NJ]

For me a stand alone or phone GPS is a pain in the ass.
Integrated systems are so much more convenient.
And like mentioned earlier, being able to push a location to the car with your phone or computer makes it that much more convenient.

Then once you realize how good the integrated system is you want to take it one step further with the tech package and have all the directions on the HUD instead.
A feature that is much better than I ever thought it would be and now its a must have on all future cars.

[DocB]

When you order Navigation you get everything in the Tech Package except the HUD. This includes the following:

• Remote Services
• Advanced Real-Time Traffic Information
• Navigation system
• BMW Online and BMW Apps
• Instrument cluster with extended contents

I went with Navigation without Tech as I can live without the HUD.

[TheCamboRambo]

Originally Posted by Alan_NJ

For me a stand alone or phone GPS is a pain in the ass.
Integrated systems are so much more convenient.
And like mentioned earlier, being able to push a location to the car with your phone or computer makes it that much more convenient.

Then once you realize how good the integrated system is you want to take it one step further with the tech package and have all the directions on the HUD instead.
A feature that is much better than I ever thought it would be and now its a must have on all future cars.

I completely agree. Having it all in one package on the car is very convenient for me. I don't have to glance back and forth at my phone and keep in the cup holder or passenger seat when I'm by myself. On top of this, having it as a part of the HUD made it a no brainer for me. I enjoy having everything integrated, but that's just me. Some people are fine with having their phone in the hand, or having a car mount.

[bmwauug]

I agree with the convenience factor. A couple of other points to consider in favor of tech.

1. The HUD (which I originally thought was a gimmick) I now consider a must have. I had a loaner without out an missed it right away.

2. The non-nav display just doesn't look right. It would've been better to remove the nav screen than cheap out.

[rickinaz]

WAZE integrates right into the BMW via bluetooth and gives you eyes-on-the-road navigation for free.

[exclusivo]

are there any guides on how to push directions from google maps to idrive for android? the nav is cool but using the knob to input an address is a pain in the ass. Its 2014, when is a touch screen coming to BMW?

[crono06]

I don't think the Germans like touch screen very much. Having used a touch screen nav in my uncle's Odyssey, I greatly prefer the turn wheel approach.

[NorCalAthlete]

I like the wheel/hat, but I don't like the touchpad on top of it.

As for displays - anyone have some links/pics of the nav/non nav displays side by side? I wasn't aware there was a difference?

[chiefneil]

I've always passed on nav in all my BMW's, because the reputation and price of BMW nav hasn't inspired much interest. Plus I keep my cars fairly long (8-10 years) and I always figure they'll be obsolete and broken long before I'm ready to sell.

But... I might consider Nav for the main family roadtrip car. It can be handy for those out of town roadtrips where you're looking for particular addresses, restaurants, hotels, etc. But in my daily driver in my own hometown, I almost never need nav. The few times I do, I just to take a quick look at Google maps on my laptop before heading out to double-check that I know where I'm going.

[newoldbeemer]

I didn't get either tech package or nav. But I wish I'd got the nav. Its SOOO much more convenient than having to plug in your phones charger and finding a place to put the phone. I usually use the cup holder but that becomes a problem as soon as I get a drink. I realized all this with a loaner car that had nav .

Oh and the nav screen looks better too.

[Crispykickz]

I think its less about whether the actual navigation sucks or not. Google Maps or Waze will win the "get you to where you want to go" battle.

At the end of the day, getting the Nav package gets you a much better screen. The base-screen is cheap and looks out of place, especially in a car such as this. Think old school ThinkPad with the massive grey plastic borders around the screen and you get an idea of the effect the base screen gives you.

2k is alot, but I would spring for the standalone Nav option at least as it isn't just Nav you're getting.
If you want HUD, then go tech pkg.

[Brenzo]

Originally Posted by exclusivo

are there any guides on how to push directions from google maps to idrive for android? the nav is cool but using the knob to input an address is a pain in the ass. Its 2014, when is a touch screen coming to BMW?

The 2014 and beyond models have a touchscreen iDrive knob so you can use your finger to draw letters for inputting addresses.

Plus if you have BMW Assist there is a feature where you can send destinations from Google Maps (desktop or phone) to your car.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...MyInfoFAQ.aspx

[n55x3]

I skipped tech package but added Nav for a couple reasons. I thought the screen size fit better in the overall interior look of the car and I think the extended display was critical. I've been in other nonNav BMW cars with the simple dash display, not the extended version, and they just don't feel as nice as the extended display clusters and the associated graphics you get.

[crono06]

In Canada, this debate no longer exists since nav comes standard on all 328's and 335's.

[rjpeaks]

if you can afford it and you don't mind paying for it, get it.

if not, not.

[Alan_NJ]

Originally Posted by exclusivo

are there any guides on how to push directions from google maps to idrive for android? the nav is cool but using the knob to input an address is a pain in the ass. Its 2014, when is a touch screen coming to BMW?

The genius at my dealership said touchscreen wont happen due to safety concerns.
He claims BMW thinks your eyes should be on the road and not looking at a screen as you touch it.
But take that for what its worth, who knows if its true.

In regards to pushing directions form Android, get either the MyBMW or Send to Car app first.
(dont pay attention to the negative comments for Send to Car, it works fine now, I used it this morning)

Then make sure Google maps is up to date.
(previous versions didnt work)

With all that done simply find a location in Google Maps, then slide up from the bottom and click the share button.
You can then choose which app to share through.
Either app will work, I found the Send to Car app sends it a bit faster.

Youll then find the address in the Messages section of iDrive and can start guidance from there.

[n55x3]

x2 on Send to Car. We use that for both our BMWs and it works great. I can safely say I have never once manually typed in a destination. Even when I am in the car I'll pull up the location on my phone then email to the car via Send to Car.