[martieg]

I contacted Navteq to learn when is the new update to the navigation DVD, as the latest version available dates from 2008 (version 2009.1).

This is what I received as response:

Thank you for contacting NAVTEQ. Unfortunately at this time no new release dates have been planned for your 2006 330I. We do apologize for the inconvenience.

If you need additional assistance, please send us your feedback by replying to this email or by speaking with one of our agents at the number provided below, Monday through Friday.

Kind regards,

NAVTEQ Customer Service
P.O. Box 1588
Orem, UT 84059
888.628.6277
nabc_english@navteq.com

I suspect Navteq is not the provider for the new BMW navigation system and possible because of that they have discontinued any further updates. That sucks ....

[ct335i]

i hope not...

[DJHakim]

I hope not, too, but I suspect they did themselves in with their pricing + release strategy. Charge $200 for a single update that in many cases may not be an update at all? They should have had a subscription service and a website that lists *specific* POI/road updates per ZIP code.

Looks like the new TeleAtlas maps are heading down that disasterous road, too.

[martieg]

That is a major set back for the users - maps in the US become obsolete every three years because of the new construction, highway upgrades, and especially the poins of interest database (restaurants, gas stations, etc) change very often.

Hope BMW provides an option for us.

[Technic]

Either Teleatlas is taking over from Navteq or BMW is cracking down on Torrent map downloads and now they are going to establish the enabling codes system for map updates for all iDrive systems, not only for HDD iDrive, before issuing new map updates

Or perhaps is both reasons.

[martieg]

Apologies to the pirates in this forum, but it's plain wrong to just go and grab a copy of the Navi DVD - we must pay for it! If everybody would pay it would be cheaper and available more often ...

[Thunder Dump]

At least they finally have a web site up for it (navi updates):

http://store.bmwgpsmaps.com/

For the longest time the link was dead. Now at least it's a proper page with an 'Under Construction' message. And note this site is run by TeleAtlas and not BMW.

[Frosty]

...any suggestions on buying a real copy of BMW - North America Map DVD Professional Version 2009.1 where it is not $200?

~Frost

[martieg]

Originally Posted by Thunder Dump

At least they finally have a web site up for it (navi updates):

http://store.bmwgpsmaps.com/

For the longest time the link was dead. Now at least it's a proper page with an 'Under Construction' message. And note this site is run by TeleAtlas and not BMW.

Is this related to the new navi or to the previous versions as well?

[DJHakim]

Originally Posted by lecatrache

If everybody would pay it would be cheaper and available more often...

No, if they would sell a quality product at a reasonable price, then "everybody would pay it would be cheaper and available more often."

Simply, their product was never worth $200. A $200 one-time service was extremely impractical. Their product provided absolutely no buyer's confidence and it guaranteed buyer's remorse. If a consumer has little faith in your product, you'd better make it cheap to get them to buy!

(1)
POIs and roads change en masse and often enough that it is a poor investment for that price.

(2)
In this industry, a database release can be 2-5 years outdated w.r.t POIs. Even if you tell them about an error, the correction won’t appear for at least 2 releases.

(3)
Quality of data is heavily dependent on region, though they sell the same disc to all NA. Moreover, they do not update all regions with every release. Mr. Louisiana may have extremely poor coverage and no updates, but Mrs. NY was well covered and updated. Mr. LA will not buy an update because NY was updated.

(4)
They do not tell you what you get with the purchase. You have to buy a new database to see what you get. Often, you'd find out that nothing has changed in areas that matter to you. (They would only advertise major updates in certain regions or just say “many POIs were added.”)

(5)
No satisfaction guarantee. If you find out the new maps were not updated at all or sufficiently, the consumer is stuck with a $200 coaster.

(6)
Anyone and their uncle's dog can get free online maps with more accurate data, making it more difficult for the consumer to see the value in NavTeq's product. NavTeq should be at least as accurate as their free competition.

All along they should have had a different setup. Maybe a SUBSCRIPTION service where your $$$ bought you free updates for a period of time would attract buyers. Or drop the price to be in line with the risk of the purchase. Also, updates should be provided at least every 6 months. That would address much of the uneasiness of the purchase. Unfortunately, it seems that TeleAtlas will be making the same mistakes.

[MBrown1003]

Originally Posted by DJHakim

I hope not, too, but I suspect they did themselves in with their pricing + release strategy. Charge $200 for a single update that in many cases may not be an update at all? They should have had a subscription service and a website that lists *specific* POI/road updates per ZIP code.

Looks like the new TeleAtlas maps are heading down that disasterous road, too.

I told NavTeq and BMW the same thing when I purchased my first update, which was thirteen years ago. I had one of the first nav systems in North America, in a 1997 E39 528i which I leased in November of 1996. At that time, they provided CDs for two regions (there were six or seven CDs to cover the US), and one free update after your initial set.

Since then, I've only paid for updates once -- I was going to Canada; the Canada CD was about $120 and a full update of the entire US was $150...seemed like it was worth the extra $30. Other than that, any updates I've gotten were housed in a new car.

[alyu729]

I've been in the market for a used e90 with Nav, now im not so sure if I want Nav if the maps are never going to be updated!

[MBrown1003]

Originally Posted by alyu729

I've been in the market for a used e90 with Nav, now im not so sure if I want Nav if the maps are never going to be updated!

Even with the two- to three-year-old maps, I wouldn't want a car without it ever again. The roads don't change THAT much, and the ones that do are usually big highways where it's well known and there's good signs.

[martieg]

Originally Posted by MBrown1003

Even with the two- to three-year-old maps, I wouldn't want a car without it ever again. The roads don't change THAT much, and the ones that do are usually big highways where it's well known and there's good signs.

You're correct - the roads don't change that much for most of the cities - you definitively want an update if you live or visit newer areas (new developments).

Another good reason for needing an update is that the POIs (points of interest, like gas stations, restaurants, etc) change more often than roads. If you have a very old version of the NavDVD then you'll get a lot of restaurants that are not there any more and will miss many new options.

[Kilgore Trout]

I think that I'll avoid spending money on updates (because the roads in LA don't change much) and just spend the money on access to BMWsearch through BMWassist. That way, I will always have access to updated POIs.

[MBrown1003]

Originally Posted by lecatrache

You're correct - the roads don't change that much for most of the cities - you definitively want an update if you live or visit newer areas (new developments).

Another good reason for needing an update is that the POIs (points of interest, like gas stations, restaurants, etc) change more often than roads. If you have a very old version of the NavDVD then you'll get a lot of restaurants that are not there any more and will miss many new options.

True, mostly. But I can tell you from experience that even having the latest disc doesn't always help. There was one restaurant in particular that I tried to find in my nav system (actually, several of my nav systems) and it didn't show up until a few years ago. Except the restaurant has been there for about 15 years.

From my early days of nav use (I'm the guy who got a nav system in 1996) when there was very limited coverage, I usually try to check in advance for whether or not my destination is in the system. If not, I use the street address.

I think NavTeq's updates were lousy in general. I'm guessing that's why BMW went to a different supplier. In addition to their sluggish updates, they also were careless (and SLOW) about fixing their maps. One intersection in particular where you have to take a cloverleaf to the right was correct in the database for about eight or nine years. Then they screwed it up, so that the nav system would instruct you to make a left turn, which was illegal. I reported it on their website, and it took about three or four years for it to make its way to an update.

I'm not sorry to see NavTeq go, and a better database will be one thing I'll look forward to in my next car.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

I think that I'll avoid spending money on updates (because the roads in LA don't change much) and just spend the money on access to BMWsearch through BMWassist. That way, I will always have access to updated POIs.

... and that's the whole money point of BMW Search. Why paying $200 to Navteq/TeleAtlas when you can pay $199 to BMW itself every year as well for the absolute latest POI updates in real time?

[martieg]

Originally Posted by Technic

... and that's the whole money point of BMW Search. Why paying $200 to Navteq/TeleAtlas when you can pay $199 to BMW itself every year as well for the absolute latest POI updates in real time?

I guess that option not available on 2006/2007 models?

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by Technic

... and that's the whole money point of BMW Search. Why paying $200 to Navteq/TeleAtlas when you can pay $199 to BMW itself every year as well for the absolute latest POI updates in real time?

Yeah, and that $200 all buys you other goodies: weather, stocks, gas prices, and the BMWAssist people uploading addresses.

[MBrown1003]

Originally Posted by lecatrache

I guess that option not available on 2006/2007 models?

My understanding is that it became available on 2009 models, so those of us with earlier cars (2008 and before) are out of luck. (No biggie to me, but that's just one opinion.)

[MB330]

Simply, their product was never worth $200. A $200 one-time service was extremely impractical. Their product provided absolutely no buyer's confidence and it guaranteed buyer's remorse. If a consumer has little faith in your product, you'd better make it cheap to get them to buy!

totally agree with DJHakim post !!!
Their updates is should be cost less then $100.
For $200 I can buy every year a latest TomTumb with latest software, and after one year sold on e-Bay for $100

[my07_335i]

200$ is rediculous to pay when companies such as tomtom offer updates for 90 something dollars, and contain just as much if not more information. I still own a tom tom, and will end up using that if no new updates come out. Tomtom publishes quarterly now, not yearly.