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      05-04-2011, 08:20 AM   #1
Patrys@BimmerTech
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Arrow -= First US Combox Telematics Retrofit with BMW Assist =-

I am very pleased to announce that BimmerTech is once again the first vendor bringing you this exciting news:

The Combox Telematics retrofit with full BMW Assist activation in North America is now a fact!!!

We have been working very hard to accomplish this project, but this great day has finally come.
I would like to thank our customers and partners, who have given us a lot of help and support over these days.

We are currently working on a commercial offer and will be posting it shortly in the Sponsors area,
but I couldn't resist to share this fantastic news with all of you just now!



What is Combox?
I think this is also a good opportunity to tell you more about the Combox and its versions.

The Combox is a Bluetooth and multimedia module installed in the US spec BMW from September 2010 for the E-series and from October 2010 for the X-series.
In the US there is only one version of the Combox called Combox Telematics.
In Europe and other parts of the world there are usually two versions:Telematics and Media.
There is only one difference between the two - the Combox Telematics supports BMW Assist and the Media version does not.

A US spec BMW can be retrofitted with either of them.
So far the main issue has been to retrofit the Combox Telematics without losing BMW Assist. The fact that the Telematics version supports Assist does not mean the Assist features will work after retrofitting.
This was the biggest challenge we had to face.

Our customers can choose between these two versions.
The Media version is cheaper and the installation is easier, so it's still a good choice for those of you, who do not really care about Assist.

Here is a list of features you can get if you retrofit the Combox:
- Album Art Covers (with the 6FL option)
- Bluetooth Audio
- Internet (web browser)
- BMW Assist (only Combox Telematics)
- 6NR Connected Drive (BMW Apps, BMW Plugin, Video playback)
- overall much better performance of your iDrive system

If you have any questions about the Combox feel free to ask.












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      05-04-2011, 08:25 AM   #2
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Congrats Patryk!!

This is huge. Google "Send to Car" is one of my favorite features.
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      05-04-2011, 12:13 PM   #3
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WOW! I'm thrilled! So basically everything for BMW assist works with your retrofit? And just to clarify, I will need to purchase a new subscription yes? Or is there a chance I could simply "transfer" the old subscription to the new Combox/Telematics box?
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      05-05-2011, 10:34 PM   #4
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will assist work in e60/e61 as well?
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      05-06-2011, 05:01 AM   #5
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Finally...
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      05-06-2011, 12:28 PM   #6
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Party time!

Are all the activation hurdles cleared and do you have a solid method now for all pre-6NF cars getting the combox telematics? Are the vehicle changes, including the telematics IMEI, recorded back at BMW central?

I'm trying to define any future challenges for users who may let their BMW Assist subscriptions lapse or buy a preowned car and attempt to activate on their own.
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      05-14-2011, 11:10 AM   #7
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Hey Patrys! Just dropping in, hoping all is well with your ventures. Any progress updates?
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      06-01-2011, 12:40 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rollinstone157 View Post
WOW! I'm thrilled! So basically everything for BMW assist works with your retrofit? And just to clarify, I will need to purchase a new subscription yes? Or is there a chance I could simply "transfer" the old subscription to the new Combox/Telematics box?
x2

Would love to have clarificatioon as the poster noted above - will an existing subscription work? Will all everything associated with Assist work?
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      06-01-2011, 12:42 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselDiner View Post
x2

Would love to have clarificatioon as the poster noted above - will an existing subscription work? Will all everything associated with Assist work?
Yes and yes...
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      06-01-2011, 12:56 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrys@BimmerTech View Post
Yes and yes...
Just sent you an email.
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      07-06-2011, 10:31 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrys@BimmerTech View Post
The Combox Telematics retrofit with full BMW Assist activation in North America is now a fact!!!


We are currently working on a commercial offer and will be posting it shortly in the Sponsors area
Thought I'd revive this thread - are you any closer to an Assist solution, especially for current subscribers?
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      07-07-2011, 05:52 PM   #12
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Where is the combox located in E90's? Can someone put up a how-to article with pictures on installing the combox?
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      07-07-2011, 06:16 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric335xi View Post
Where is the combox located in E90's? Can someone put up a how-to article with pictures on installing the combox?
The OEM document on installing a Combox is posted.
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      11-11-2012, 10:55 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrys@BimmerTech View Post
I am very pleased to announce that BimmerTech is once again the first vendor bringing you this exciting news:

The Combox Telematics retrofit with full BMW Assist activation in North America is now a fact!!!

We have been working very hard to accomplish this project, but this great day has finally come.
I would like to thank our customers and partners, who have given us a lot of help and support over these days.

We are currently working on a commercial offer and will be posting it shortly in the Sponsors area,
but I couldn't resist to share this fantastic news with all of you just now!



What is Combox?
I think this is also a good opportunity to tell you more about the Combox and its versions.

The Combox is a Bluetooth and multimedia module installed in the US spec BMW from September 2010 for the E-series and from October 2010 for the X-series.
In the US there is only one version of the Combox called Combox Telematics.
In Europe and other parts of the world there are usually two versions:Telematics and Media.
There is only one difference between the two - the Combox Telematics supports BMW Assist and the Media version does not.

A US spec BMW can be retrofitted with either of them.
So far the main issue has been to retrofit the Combox Telematics without losing BMW Assist. The fact that the Telematics version supports Assist does not mean the Assist features will work after retrofitting.
This was the biggest challenge we had to face.

Our customers can choose between these two versions.
The Media version is cheaper and the installation is easier, so it's still a good choice for those of you, who do not really care about Assist.

Here is a list of features you can get if you retrofit the Combox:
- Album Art Covers (with the 6FL option)
- Bluetooth Audio
- Internet (web browser)
- BMW Assist (only Combox Telematics)
- 6NR Connected Drive (BMW Apps, BMW Plugin, Video playback)
- overall much better performance of your iDrive system

If you have any questions about the Combox feel free to ask.












Do you need to have assist transferred to the new Telematics unit or your coding does it automatically? BMW refuses to transfer assist accounts to combox not fitted originally
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      11-11-2012, 06:47 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BayerischeNJ View Post
Do you need to have assist transferred to the new Telematics unit or your coding does it automatically? BMW refuses to transfer assist accounts to combox not fitted originally
You answered your own question.
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      12-02-2012, 03:50 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
You answered your own question.
So how did you guys do it? Is this done at the dealer and they call it in?
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      12-02-2012, 10:02 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinGTP View Post
So how did you guys do it? Is this done at the dealer and they call it in?
Yes, but then see the post above yours. If BMW now is refusing to do the transfer then it cannot be transferred in any other way.
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      12-02-2012, 07:18 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Technic View Post
Yes, but then see the post above yours. If BMW now is refusing to do the transfer then it cannot be transferred in any other way.
I see. Depends if you have dealer connections.
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      08-16-2013, 08:55 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustinGTP View Post
I see. Depends if you have dealer connections.
Do you know of any dealer willing to do this?
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      11-05-2013, 03:04 AM   #20
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anyone know of a dealer/ dealers who will get the imei swapped?
really would love to get this done
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      11-11-2013, 09:28 AM   #21
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Question...what if I bought my car second hand and the Assist is expired (don't know exactly, but anyway I have no idea what is the login for it)?
Can I retrofit the Telematics Combox and pay the service to have the new one activated?
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      11-13-2013, 01:17 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jorjel View Post
Question...what if I bought my car second hand and the Assist is expired (don't know exactly, but anyway I have no idea what is the login for it)?
Can I retrofit the Telematics Combox and pay the service to have the new one activated?
press the sos button and you can subscribe!
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