[NPinUK]

Originally Posted by bakdraft

This was my understanding too.

I have just got off the phone to BMW UK Customers services and they described the functions as follows:

The E90 has an inbuilt sim card to allow communication:

This is a two part system:

1. The SOS button in the roof - Pressing this will make a direct call to 999 ( US 911) emergency services - you can then communicate with them directly
2. In a crash where airbags are triggered - The system will call BMW emergency services, and they will attempt to speak to you - if the cannot, they will call 999 (US 911) and report your co-ordinates

.
They clearly stated it is not possible to track the vehicle unless the car has had a crash as NpinUK described.

bakdraft, you explained it better than me but just to add to that, like I mentioned in my previous post, it will also make a call when you connect manually using the i-drive knob (cars with nav) i.e. for information such as: requesting where the nearest fuel station is to your vehicles exact co-ordinates at that current time.

In one on the books we got with our manual it did mention something regarding vehicle recovery after theft. I asked BMW UK about this and they told me this meant if my vehicle is found say by the police after its been stolen then if you have BMW assist, BMW will arrange to have the vehicle picked up from the abandoned location and transport it to where you want it moved to.

Any one in the U.S. know any different?

Edit: (edspilot) Dean you posted your post as I was posting. So I take it in the U.S. it is the same.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by bakdraft

This was my understanding too.

I have just got off the phone to BMW UK Customers services and they described the functions as follows:

The E90 has an inbuilt sim card to allow communication:

This is a two part system:

1. The SOS button in the roof - Pressing this will make a direct call to 999 ( US 911) emergency services - you can then communicate with them directly
2. In a crash where airbags are triggered - The system will call BMW emergency services, and they will attempt to speak to you - if the cannot, they will call 999 (US 911) and report your co-ordinates

.
They clearly stated it is not possible to track the vehicle unless the car has had a crash as NpinUK described.

It will be interesting to see how this differs in the US and other countries...

U.S. market:
1.) In the U.S., no built-in SIM since it does not use GSM
2.) Stolen Vehicle Recovery is something BMW activitates if the vehicle is stolen and it remotely turns on BMW Assist so the vehicle can be located.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by edspilot

As I understand and as it was explained to me in July, here in the U.S. it is like bakdraft stated. Only when Assist receives a call (you push the button or the auto activate/crash sensor) can your position be captured.

Not correct - see my earlier post.

[bakdraft]

Originally Posted by JSpira

U.S. market:
1.) In the U.S., no built-in SIM since it does not use GSM
2.) Stolen Vehicle Recovery is something BMW activitates if the vehicle is stolen and it remotely turns on BMW Assist so the vehicle can be located.

Hmmm... interesting... thanks for that JSpira.....

If it is not using GSM in the US, ... then how is it communicating for voice...??

Dave

[joebaggg]

Originally Posted by JSpira

U.S. market:
1.) In the U.S., no built-in SIM since it does not use GSM
2.) Stolen Vehicle Recovery is something BMW activitates if the vehicle is stolen and it remotely turns on BMW Assist so the vehicle can be located.

can they do this even without the assist package?

[edspilot]

JSpira: Thanks for the clarification for me.

My thought is with Lojack & Early Warning Notification I have somebody else looking after my vehicle all of the time when I'm not around.

The earlier we know the sooner we can track.

Thanks,

Dean