[540d]

2018 G30 540d (US)

So, before I start, I want to state that I just today signed up for a one year subscription to ConnectedDrive ($120) for my '18 540d. The main reason I wanted it was to be able to get an updated map for the navi, but also to be able to use the traffic. Anyway, I signed up, performed both a ConnectedDrive update and a hard reset on the idrive and no luck with map update. I then called BMW and got bounced around to 4 different groups (ConnectedDrive, Genius, Customer Service, and one other I can't remember). Nobody had any clue how to help me, so I am now reaching out to the forum for help. My map software is stuck on 2017 and any update options are greyed out. Pic attached for reference. Does anybody here know how I can update my map via the "automatic map update" function, given that I just now signed up for a new ConnectedDrive subscription?

[CnSky]

Don't think the 2017 G30 were equipped with over the air updater( not on my 2017 anyway)

It's straightforward but you need a large USB formatted properly

You also need to install software on your desktop that connects to BMW and downloads the update.

You login with your connected drive details

Will try get you the links later when I'm in front of my computer.

[LogicalApex]

Be sure you’ve selected your region in the ConnectedDrive Portal. The updated region specific map will be delivered at some point…

They are usually done up to 4x per year.

That won’t update the “base map” though. That requires a USB drive and isn’t covered in the subscription for us US users.

Originally Posted by CnSky

Don't think the 2017 G30 were equipped with over the air updater( not on my 2017 anyway)

It's straightforward but you need a large USB formatted properly

You also need to install software on your desktop that connects to BMW and downloads the update.

You login with your connected drive details

Will try get you the links later when I'm in front of my computer.

Sadly, in the US you can’t just download the updated base map from BMW even with a subscription. Not sure why the US can’t have this when the UK and other markets can. Not like BMW sells the updates on their website nor does Here…

[CnSky]

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1740586

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by 540d

2018 G30 540d (US)

So, before I start, I want to state that I just today signed up for a one year subscription to ConnectedDrive ($120) for my '18 540d. The main reason I wanted it was to be able to get an updated map for the navi, but also to be able to use the traffic. Anyway, I signed up, performed both a ConnectedDrive update and a hard reset on the idrive and no luck with map update. I then called BMW and got bounced around to 4 different groups (ConnectedDrive, Genius, Customer Service, and one other I can't remember). Nobody had any clue how to help me, so I am now reaching out to the forum for help. My map software is stuck on 2017 and any update options are greyed out. Pic attached for reference. Does anybody here know how I can update my map via the "automatic map update" function, given that I just now signed up for a new ConnectedDrive subscription?

Just an FYI…your picture indicates that you may have the 2017 national road maps…but you have 2021-3 regional nav maps (your region is TEXAS according to the pic you posted). The nav maps & POI data for your “region” are basically updated to the latest maps & data for your regional area.

As others have stated…if you want to get updated maps for North America & areas outside of your region (Texas)…you will have to purchase that upgrade.

Here’s another example below…the nav map version is 2015…but the nav system has updated 2018 REGIONAL maps for where the BMW resides:




The example below…the car has 2017 road maps…but the south west regional maps have been updated to 2019 at the time this pic was taken:

[540d]

Thanks for the feedback. What really sucks is I live in a border state, and each of the 3 states I travel to regularly each have a different regional map. What a stupid system.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by 540d

Thanks for the feedback. What really sucks is I live in a border state, and each of the 3 states I travel to regularly each have a different regional map. What a stupid system.

It is very annoying and stupid honestly.

You can update your region anytime and the car can have multiple region map updates installed. So you can swap to another one of the 3 regions after an update to get the others.

A better system would be regional priority where we prioritize a region as the one we want first then the rest download automatically, but potentially slower. So we get a full map update. But here we are.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by 540d

Thanks for the feedback. What really sucks is I live in a border state, and each of the 3 states I travel to regularly each have a different regional map. What a stupid system.

Check your PM

[paquet]

SA told me it'll cost $300 to get the base maps updated...

and unfortunately, that's the only proper way - else there's all sorts of patch your headunit stuff - where you're basically applying a bandaid fix that will come apart on any kind of update

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by paquet

SA told me it'll cost $300 to get the base maps updated...

and unfortunately, that's the only proper way - else there's all sorts of patch your headunit stuff - where you're basically applying a bandaid fix that will come apart on any kind of update

Not quite sure what “proper way” is (to you)…but there are other ways that cost less than $300 that will give you updated maps…that work and aren’t “bandaid fix”…but actually updates your maps.


Two that come to mind are Bimmer-Tech (approx $120) and they give you an FSC code and a thumb drive…or Bimmernavupdate which will give you a lifetime FSC code and a thumb drive for approx $70. And for the tech savvy….you can find 1-time or lifetime FSC codes and download the updated nav maps to your own thumb drive for less than the previous amounts listed from various vendors and if you search the various BMW forums…you can find ways to download the nav map updates for free.

Some examples of vendors that offer map updates for less than $300 and aren’t “bandaid fixes”.

• https://bimmernaviupdates.com/store/ (Ive used this vendor for my 2013/2014/2015 BMWs to update the nav maps)
• https://bmnavigationupdate.co/
• https://www.bimmer-tech.net/category...date-mapupdate

[paquet]

Thank you for this detail.

Any idea why there's such a price difference between the 2 places?

And how are they providing such data? Are they resellers like in the software industry? (does that even exist in the auto world?)

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by paquet

Thank you for this detail.

Any idea why there's such a price difference between the 2 places?

And how are they providing such data? Are they resellers like in the software industry? (does that even exist in the auto world?)

The reason why I purchased the lifetime FSC codes and order the thumbdrive is that I'm not that Tech savvy.

I can only point to capitalism in regards to the different pricing. I don't have any good explanation as to why BMW charges $300 vs other vendors providing the same data for less. Then if you are a tech savvy person...you can find ways to generate the proper FSC code...and find the updated nav maps to download to a thumbdrive that you've properly configured and upload that data to your BMW.

It's all "magic" to me. I just order my thumb drive , enter the FSC code they sent me and insert the thumbdrive into the car's USB drive...VOILA!...I've got updated maps! MAGIC!

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

Not quite sure what “proper way” is (to you)…but there are other ways that cost less than $300 that will give you updated maps…that work and aren’t “bandaid fix”…but actually updates your maps.


Two that come to mind are Bimmer-Tech (approx $120) and they give you an FSC code and a thumb drive…or Bimmernavupdate which will give you a lifetime FSC code and a thumb drive for approx $70. And for the tech savvy….you can find 1-time or lifetime FSC codes and download the updated nav maps to your own thumb drive for less than the previous amounts listed from various vendors and if you search the various BMW forums…you can find ways to download the nav map updates for free.

Some examples of vendors that offer map updates for less than $300 and aren’t “bandaid fixes”.

• https://bimmernaviupdates.com/store/ (Ive used this vendor for my 2013/2014/2015 BMWs to update the nav maps)
• https://bmnavigationupdate.co/
• https://www.bimmer-tech.net/category...date-mapupdate

I've used Bimmer America a couple of times and have been satisfied. Very good customer service too. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again or any of the others that you've mentioned. Last time I checked they were in the <$70 too.

[paquet]

I looked at the options to generate an FSC code - but basically, that's piracy-adjacent - using a key generator.
And then there's the question of actually sourcing the map data.
Even if we put all those ethics aside, the bigger issue is the lack of support...

I've had a bad experience that has soured me on it all. So without naming names, I'll just stick to the base maps with the updates