How to import from Garmin Nuvi to iDrive - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

quantum · 04-07-2009, 06:59 PM

As a prospective 335i owner awaiting ED, I am spending my idle time researching how to migrate to the 335i.

I currently have a Garmin Nuvi GPS with a number of stored addresses. How do I migrate these to the BMW's idrive navigation system?

I am aware about the Gmail import but that doesn't suit a mass import. The USB key seems the appropriate method but I haven't found anything specific on the internet about this.

Has anyone already done this migration and, if so, how?

SteveMD · 04-08-2009, 09:29 AM

I can't think of any easy way to do it other than send each one via Google Maps to the iDrive.

I'd also be interested in a solution.

quantum · 04-10-2009, 07:18 PM

Just pondering this further... you can "export" from the Garmin Nuvi by copying the current.gpx file from your unit to your PC/Mac. You can also use Garmin's Roadtrip to read and export a cleaned up version of this file.

So, the real question should be, how does one import GPX files into iDrive?

Kilgore Trout · 04-10-2009, 08:14 PM

Can you somehow import those files into a blackberry or other smartphone? If so, then you could bluetooth those addresses into your car.

quantum · 04-11-2009, 12:11 PM

Another possible direction...

You can directly import the GPX files into Google Earth (File > Open File).

I haven't figured out how to tie that into the iDrive but, given the Google/BMW relationship, I thought that might be a step closer...

kurtdaniel · 10-28-2009, 05:01 AM

interesting topic, though challenging..this may be very helpful if resolved..im planning to import some bmw floor mats,,and hope I can learn it here..

x5mack1 · 09-07-2010, 08:21 PM

Last post here was in 2009. Has anyone figured this out? I have X5 2010 Nav system.

quantum · 09-08-2010, 03:49 PM

I never solved the problem. The best workarounds were either:
* send a waypoint from GMap to the car wirelessly or
* reenter the waypoint as an address, sync via BlueTooth, and then select from the mobile phone's addressbook.

It's a shame because I would like to keep my destinations in sync between my 335ixc's iDrive and my K1200S's Zumo.

I go back to my earlier observation--there should be an import facility for the iDrive nav... if not gpx, then another published format that someone could write a waypoint conversion utility.

Mike

04-07-2009, 06:59 PM	#1
quantum New Member Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: US Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	How to import from Garmin Nuvi to iDrive As a prospective 335i owner awaiting ED, I am spending my idle time researching how to migrate to the 335i. I currently have a Garmin Nuvi GPS with a number of stored addresses. How do I migrate these to the BMW's idrive navigation system? I am aware about the Gmail import but that doesn't suit a mass import. The USB key seems the appropriate method but I haven't found anything specific on the internet about this. Has anyone already done this migration and, if so, how?
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04-08-2009, 09:29 AM	#2
SteveMD Colonel Drives: '09 335i, '11 GTI DSG Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Raventown! Posts: 2,252 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	I can't think of any easy way to do it other than send each one via Google Maps to the iDrive. I'd also be interested in a solution. __________________ 2009 E90 335i One mod: JB4 - Best 1/4: 12.782@108.54mph 2011 VW GTI/DSG See me for Industrial Electronic Repair.

04-10-2009, 07:18 PM	#3
quantum New Member Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: US Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	Importing GPX files into iDrive Just pondering this further... you can "export" from the Garmin Nuvi by copying the current.gpx file from your unit to your PC/Mac. You can also use Garmin's Roadtrip to read and export a cleaned up version of this file. So, the real question should be, how does one import GPX files into iDrive?

04-10-2009, 08:14 PM	#4
Kilgore Trout Chicks dig wagons! Drives: 2009 E91 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Where you can see through the people, but not the air (i.e., Los Angeles!) Posts: 1,375 iTrader: (0)	Can you somehow import those files into a blackberry or other smartphone? If so, then you could bluetooth those addresses into your car. __________________ E91 Montego Blue gray leather burl walnut , Idrive, PDC, Logic7, CA, Sirius, xenons, 6FL, ZPP, heated seats, 17" tires. 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42

04-11-2009, 12:11 PM	#5
quantum New Member Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: US Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	Export from Google Earth to iDrive Another possible direction... You can directly import the GPX files into Google Earth (File > Open File). I haven't figured out how to tie that into the iDrive but, given the Google/BMW relationship, I thought that might be a step closer...

10-28-2009, 05:01 AM	#6
kurtdaniel Banned Drives: bmw Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New York, USA Posts: 65 iTrader: (0)	interesting topic, though challenging..this may be very helpful if resolved..im planning to import some bmw floor mats,,and hope I can learn it here.. Last edited by kurtdaniel; 11-03-2009 at 08:37 PM.

09-07-2010, 08:21 PM	#7
x5mack1 Registered Drives: 2010 bmw x5 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: East Troy, WI Posts: 1 iTrader: (0)	How to import from Garmin Nuvi to idrive Last post here was in 2009. Has anyone figured this out? I have X5 2010 Nav system.

09-08-2010, 03:49 PM	#8
quantum New Member Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: US Posts: 10 iTrader: (0)	I never solved the problem. The best workarounds were either: * send a waypoint from GMap to the car wirelessly or * reenter the waypoint as an address, sync via BlueTooth, and then select from the mobile phone's addressbook. It's a shame because I would like to keep my destinations in sync between my 335ixc's iDrive and my K1200S's Zumo. I go back to my earlier observation--there should be an import facility for the iDrive nav... if not gpx, then another published format that someone could write a waypoint conversion utility. Mike

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