[Nezil]

I haven't yet seen a link for the LCI Owner's manual. Is this not available yet? On the MyBMW site there is a link for owners manual, but my car doesn't yet have a VIN so I can't look it up. Anyone mind sharing an LCI VIN or grabbing a copy to post on here? I think you only need the last 7 digits to get access.

Specifically, I'm interested in understanding more about the ConnectedDrive and the WiFi.

I assume you need to have a data SIM to use both of these features, but I can't find any information about which carriers can be used. I have a Verizon SIM that my work pays for in case I'm out of the office doing business, and I might be able to use that.

The other thing that interests me is the pre-heat and pre-cool feature described in the 2017 owners manual. How does this work? Both cool and heat require the engine to be running, so does this perform a remote start to achieve the heating and cooling?

[Tag]

Here you go... VA12460

I spoke to BMW NA little while back, they will no longer be publishing User Manual's in pdf. It's all online now so they can update them dynamically. Really sucks, but at least we got the User Manual for MY16.

[Spa2k]

I contacted the BMW Genius last week and was told that a PDF of the '18 manual was not yet available. He did, however, send me the latest version of the '17 manual a few minutes ago. I've submitted it to be part of the BMW M2 Manual | Catalogue | Presskit | Pricelist | Technical Docs Sticky in this thread, so anyone can go to http://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1201088I to download it. If it's not posted yet, go to Message #46.

Hey, TAG: You've been around here a long time. Do you think any two of us will ever get the same story on any topic from the "official" BMW sources?

[Tag]

Originally Posted by Spa2k

Hey, TAG: You've been around here a long time. Do you think any two of us will ever get the same story on any topic from the "official" BMW sources?

I'm amazed how much inconsistency there is depending on who you talk to. I spoke to a rep who said they were no longer publishing pdf's and said the MY16 manual was the last of its kind. And then there's also this email that for the most part seems to indicate the same. SMH

[Spa2k]

Oh, I guess the '17 PDF I posted here and downloaded to my tablet doesn't exist then.

BTW, your Genius then was different than mine today - or last week.

[Nezil]

Thanks for the links and the downloads everyone, but to my surprise, there isn't any information in those about the two things I was asking...

• Has anyone used the WiFi hotspot feature and can comment on how it works? Would I be able to use my own SIM from Verizon?
• Does the remote lock and unlock functionality require a data connection?
• How does the scheduled / remote climate control work?
• Is there a remote start function?

[Tag]

Originally Posted by Nezil

Thanks for the links and the downloads everyone, but to my surprise, there isn't any information in those about the two things I was asking...

• Has anyone used the WiFi hotspot feature and can comment on how it works? Would I be able to use my own SIM from Verizon?
• Does the remote lock and unlock functionality require a data connection?
• How does the scheduled / remote climate control work?
• Is there a remote start function?

• Has anyone used the WiFi hotspot feature and can comment on how it works? Would I be able to use my own SIM from Verizon?

You get a 3GB/3-month trial. Looks like they are partnered up with AT&T as the service provider. I'm guessing you can continue to use this feature by paying for it via the iDrive menu. That said, I don't get why anyone would want this. If anything add the hotspot feature to your phone via your provider and use that as a hotspot instead. Also let's you use it anywhere, not just in the car. My 2¢.

• Does the remote lock and unlock functionality require a data connection?

It's an included service and does not require any additional data plans. You need to setup a ConnectedDrive account and use the BMW app to send the lock/unlock signal. You can also call the concierge service and have them initiate it for you. Car needs to be able to receive the signal, i.e. not in an underground garage.
See more here: https://www.bmw.com/en/topics/fascin...-services.html

• How does the scheduled / remote climate control work?

See page 132 in the MY16 User Guide.

• Is there a remote start function?

No.

[Dirtboy]

Originally Posted by Tag

• Has anyone used the WiFi hotspot feature and can comment on how it works? Would I be able to use my own SIM from Verizon?

You get a 3GB/3-month trial. Looks like they are partnered up with AT&T as the service provider. I'm guessing you can continue to use this feature by paying for it via the iDrive menu. That said, I don't get why anyone would want this. If anything add the hotspot feature to your phone via your provider and use that as a hotspot instead. Also let's you use it anywhere, not just in the car. My 2¢.

I can see using the in-car hotspot for a dash cam cloud service...

[Nezil]

Originally Posted by Tag

You get a 3GB/3-month trial. Looks like they are partnered up with AT&T as the service provider. I'm guessing you can continue to use this feature by paying for it via the iDrive menu. That said, I don't get why anyone would want this. If anything add the hotspot feature to your phone via your provider and use that as a hotspot instead. Also let's you use it anywhere, not just in the car. My 2¢.\

Actually I was hoping I'd be able to put my company paid data SIM into the car, but that doesn't look like it's going to be possible.

I checked the AT&T pricing, and it's $20 / month. If it was $10, I might consider it, but at $20, I'd have to have a pretty compelling reason to do it, and I don't have that...

What's interesting is that the data connection is always active whether you pay or not. I assume that BMW made a deal with AT&T where they get free data for some of the features like the remote unlocking, navigation updates and traffic data, and AT&T gets all the money from the WiFi hotspot feature. In other words, you still get most of the benefits of the cellular connection, without having to pay a penny!

[ZPrime]

Originally Posted by Nezil

Actually I was hoping I'd be able to put my company paid data SIM into the car, but that doesn't look like it's going to be possible.

I checked the AT&T pricing, and it's $20 / month. If it was $10, I might consider it, but at $20, I'd have to have a pretty compelling reason to do it, and I don't have that...

What's interesting is that the data connection is always active whether you pay or not. I assume that BMW made a deal with AT&T where they get free data for some of the features like the remote unlocking, navigation updates and traffic data, and AT&T gets all the money from the WiFi hotspot feature. In other words, you still get most of the benefits of the cellular connection, without having to pay a penny!

Is it though? I thought you had to maintain some level of subscription in order to keep using the remote unlock features / etc.

[zenmaster]

Originally Posted by Nezil

remote unlocking, navigation updates and traffic data

Traffic data (RTTI) used to be TMC over RDS and more recently HD Radio. Where did you learn anything related to traffic uses the cellular service?

[termigni]

I don't think traffic data comes from cell service. My LCI has speed limit indicator on the road I am on. I wonder where that comes from...

[DoggieHowser]

Originally Posted by termigni

I don't think traffic data comes from cell service. My LCI has speed limit indicator on the road I am on. I wonder where that comes from...

I believe from the camera in front

[termigni]

Originally Posted by DoggieHowser

I believe from the camera in front

I definitely don't think it's the camera that scans for the speed limit signs.
I heard my salesman saying it's coming from GPS. I hope it is because I kinda like it and I won't be purchasing cellular service monthly.

[DoggieHowser]

Originally Posted by termigni

I definitely don't think it's the camera that scans for the speed limit signs.
I heard my salesman saying it's coming from GPS. I hope it is because I kinda like it and I won't be purchasing cellular service monthly.

In Australia the service is free for the first couple of years I believe. There is a GPS component to the speed control but there is also a camera based option which tracks even temporary road signs like road work speed limits

[DoggieHowser]

Straight from the horses mouth

[termigni]

Originally Posted by DoggieHowser

Straight from the horses mouth

holy smokes thanks for that!

[boostm3]

The videos contained it the online manual wont play for me; they just buffer

[Spa2k]

Try a different browser; Firefox worked best for me.