All BMW MY09 to receive built in navigation maps

In a surprising move, BMW has decided to get rid of the navigation disks in their iDrive system in all the 2009 models. The maps will be preloaded into the navigation systems and for the people picking up their car in Europe through the European Delivery program, they will have both European and U.S maps loaded.

Basically, when you pick up your car at the BMW Welt, you will have access to the European maps and as soon as your car gets to the VPC in the U.S, the BMW techs will switch it back to the U.S navigation map. So no need to carry a DVD around or borrowing it from someone else.

If for any reason you would like to receive any future map updates, you will have to take your car in at a BMW authorized dealer and for an extra charge, the maps will be updated.

We're not sure what was the reason behind this decision, but as soon as we hear more information, we will let you know.
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charlik05 - 6/21/2008 4:25:53 PM

+3 Boost

GREAT INNOVATION?

are you kidding me? Hard drive based navigations systems were around before DVD based systems. Lexus and Acura had them and if i am not mistaken, the 1998-2001 740il had a hard drive based system or a CD based system, i don't remember.

My 1999 LS400 had a hard drive based navigation system.

most companies are changing back to hard drive based systems. my 2008 m35x has a hard drive based system. all infinit's are getting hard drive based systems as well as nissans.

on the of the best reasons to use hard drives is the seek and response time is faster for when you are searching for something and the calculation is much faster than DVD based systems.

theoptimisticpessimist - 6/21/2008 5:55:27 PM

+2 Boost

You are mistaken BMW 1998-2001 used CD-ROM the 99 LS used a hard disk rather than a hard drive.

This is not an article on innovation, just a article on a product change an how they are dealing with in for European deliver.

mitchatlexusofmarin - 6/21/2008 7:52:00 PM

+6 Boost

The 1999 LS did not have a hard drive based system. This only became available in 2007.

ghosthunter - 6/21/2008 8:55:03 PM

-1 Boost

oh jesus christ. even Honda accord had hard drive based navigation AGES ago (just not in U.S.) the Accord sold in china also converts your CD/DVD music disk into mp3 and store in the 10GB hard drive automatically when you play them.

mitchatlexusofmarin - 6/21/2008 8:56:28 PM

+4 Boost

Nice.

charlik05 - 6/21/2008 9:58:34 PM

+1 Boost

just to clarify a hard disk is found inside a hard drive. i am apologizing because...? i really don't know why i need to apologize.

ghosthunter - 6/22/2008 4:40:00 PM

0 Boost

what the hell is that "hard disk rather than a hard drive" stuff, either you have a horrible typo (floppy disk? Compact disk?) or you have no idea what you are talking about.

Rupert - 6/22/2008 5:59:49 PM

0 Boost

A hard disk IS a hard drive.

theoptimisticpessimist - 6/23/2008 1:03:29 PM

+2 Boost

Okay, the difference with the 99 Lexus "Hard disk" vs. Hard drive. a hard drive can be reprogrammed were as the disk are replaced in the Lexus "hard disk" system for updates.

LexSucks - 6/21/2008 5:42:41 PM

0 Boost

I kinda like purchasing my own DVDs. I can hear it now? $400 to have your nav maps updated.

theoptimisticpessimist - 6/21/2008 6:24:51 PM

0 Boost

Have you priced a NAV CD?

nsmatt - 6/21/2008 9:21:23 PM

+5 Boost

Because Tomtoms/Garmins don't exactly look tidy, do they?

sector - 6/21/2008 6:25:55 PM

-3 Boost

Looks like BMW is finally getting with the program and moving to hard drive based navi. I guess all those complains of dreadfully slow performance of iDrive took its message right to top dog of the Quandt's

DaHarder - 6/21/2008 6:41:44 PM

+7 Boost

One would hope that these systems would be entirely 'flash based' given the exorbitant prices they're asking for them.

Hard drive/HD based systems are seriously old tech now, and solid state is a much more reliable means of storing/retrieving data of this nature.

Dodgeyaussie - 6/21/2008 9:27:58 PM

+1 Boost

You can include A LOT more information with a Harddrive based system. And I for one can't wait, it'll elliminate the black market for Nav Discs.

AdmiralT20 - 6/21/2008 10:08:52 PM

+2 Boost

I wonder why they are not using google maps.
You have internet connectivity that will constantly upload the map and the GPS superimposed on the maps eliminating the need to maintain the map update themselves.

Dodgeyaussie - 6/22/2008 3:41:16 AM

0 Boost

Now how is BMW supposed to make money with that kind of setup?

/sarcasm

AdmiralT20 - 6/22/2008 7:37:58 AM

+1 Boost

Aussie,
I know what you mean, and that was the point as well. Why chase scrap- they are not a software company and should minimize the exposure to such factors.

TheAndrew - 6/23/2008 2:40:00 AM

+2 Boost

DaHarder is absolutely right

lewishamiltonpimp - 6/23/2008 11:31:35 AM

+3 Boost

Yup. No more downloading torrents of the revised map data.