[lloyd99]

Short version of my question: What subscription do I need for remote start? And how do I renew/but it?

Background and longer question: I am very confused. I received a message in the BMW App stating "BMW Connected Drive Services will expire soon". It listed BMW Connected Package Professional, Navigation Map Updates, BMW Connected Drive Services and Intelligent Personal Assistant and showed 01/23/2025 as the date for all of them.

I have never renewed BMW services before, but I figured I'm a smart guy and can easily do this. (Guess I was wrong!) So I logged into mygarage.bmwusa.com last night. I fumbled my way through clicking on my vehicle and then clicking View Vehicle Profile. On the righthand side it listed a bunch of items under My Digital Services, all with Subscribed until 01/23/2025, except for Concierge Services which listed 06/29/2025. At the bottom of the screen, I clicked the button for Shop BMW Connected Drive. I ended up renewing BMW ConnectedDrive service(s) - as I thought that was everything. But today when I log back in, only the line item for BMW ConnectedDrive service(s) shows a 2026 date. Everything else still shows the original 01/23/2025 date. When I click on the Shop BMW Connected Drive button, there is a bunch of stuff listed under Digital Services and Products, but all but Traffic and Camera Information have a checkmark and don't seem to allow me to add to my cart. Only the Traffic Camera Information item has a + sign and allows me to add to my cart.

I tried calling the 1-888-333-6118 phone number listed on one of the screens, but the recording says they don't open until 9am, and I'll be working with a client all day and wont be able to call until this evening. So I thought I would post here.

I am mainly looking to have the functionality for remote start, and using the app to access vehicle information. I *thought* that was BMW Connected Services, but looking further today, the details for that product says "Please note that Remote Engine Start is not included with this package and, if available for your vehicle, requires a separate purchase." But it doesn't say WHAT to purchase.

This feels way more confusing than it should be. What subscription do I need for remote start? And how do I renew/buy it? Thanks in advance.

[MystroX5]

Remote start will still work through the app and key fob when the Connect services have expired. There is quite a bit of remote app function when connect services have expired.

You do lose your in car Spotify app and the ability to take 360 pics via app when car is parked. Those are the only two features I miss and not sure it’s worth $150 a year???

[lloyd99]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Remote start will still work through the app and key fob when the Connect services have expired. There is quite a bit of remote app function when connect services have expired.

You do lose your on car Spotify app and the ability to take 360 pics via app when car is parked. Those are the only two features I miss and not sure it’s worth $150 a year???

Thank you for the quick reply. I do not need Spotify. Taking 360 pics via the app is cool, but I mainly just want the ability to remote start, and unlock & lock. I was thinking I needed to renew something to keep the remote start function working.

[MystroX5]

Originally Posted by lloyd99

Thank you for the quick reply. I do not need Spotify. Taking 360 pics via the app is cool, but I mainly just want the ability to remote start, and unlock & lock. I was thinking I needed to renew something to keep the remote start function working.

You’re good then. Let it expire. I did just to see how much I would lose and not sure it’s even worth renewing.

The remote start, unlock, lock, flashlights, tire pressures, fuel amount, where car is parked on map, windows, doors open or unlocked, service reminders, sending a location to navigation, etc…. is all still active without paid Connect services.

[jrmMD]

I inadvertently (no messages to warn me that I remember) let the Connected Drive Services expire on my wife's '19 X5 (not this forum, I know), and in addition to losing Spotify, she lost the traffic info, and the Personal Assistant seemed to develop a dementing illness.

Re-subscribing, and the traffic flow came back, and the Personal Assistant is smarter again.

BTW, the SA at my local dealership suggested just using CarPlay/Android Auto to overcome these issues. I guess that might work, mostly, but less conveniently for those who are tech impaired...


FYI

[sharp]

How about automatic map updates? I think they require an active subscription.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by sharp

How about map automatic map updates? I think they require an active subscription.

That is correct, it is one of the features.

[lloyd99]

I think I am good for now, but if I were being critical, I think BMW makes this way more confusing than it needs to be. The website refers to words like ConnectedDrive Services, BMW Connected Services, My Digital Services, Connected Package Professional. Descriptions for BMW Connected Services and BMW Remote Services both say "Please note that Remote Engine Start is not included with this service and , if available for your vehicle, requires a separate purchase". Yet there are no items that seems to describe what exactly you need to purchase to get Remote Engine Start.

My remote start seems to be working. Not sure if that's because of my renewal? Or because it just works without any services?

[sharp]

Originally Posted by lloyd99

I think I am good for now, but if I were being critical, I think BMW makes this way more confusing than it needs to be. The website refers to words like ConnectedDrive Services, BMW Connected Services, My Digital Services, Connected Package Professional. Descriptions for BMW Connected Services and BMW Remote Services both say "Please note that Remote Engine Start is not included with this service and , if available for your vehicle, requires a separate purchase". Yet there are no items that seems to describe what exactly you need to purchase to get Remote Engine Start.

My remote start seems to be working. Not sure if that's because of my renewal? Or because it just works without any services?

My guess is the Remote Engine Start isn't included into the BMW Connected Drive, but is a part of a different subscription. And that another subscription comes standard with all X7s.

[xlover]

The best place I found to get a summary of the services is mygarage.bmwusa

You can navigate to see a summary of each component and its individual subscription life

Some of OP ask falls under “bmw remote services” which is lifetime as long as technically capable

From the way I can tell how bmw digital program logic works if you have remote start on your order sheet then you are essentially subscribed for life. But they don’t list it as a seperate digital service unless you bought the vehicle without remote start then subscribed after the fact. So all our vehicles with remote start standard or as a $$ option essentially are tied to availability of the remote services capability

[Dexter1110]

A bit of additional information since I couldn't find on the website. I took the plunge for the Remote Services subscription for my 2021 X7 m50i and this immediately gave back access to Remote Camera 3D View. This is very valuable to me to check surroundings of my parked BMW from time to time when parked in public spaces. Gives me peace of mind.

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by MystroX5

Remote start will still work through the app and key fob when the Connect services have expired. There is quite a bit of remote app function when connect services have expired.

You do lose your in car Spotify app and the ability to take 360 pics via app when car is parked. Those are the only two features I miss and not sure it’s worth $150 a year???

Yeah I've noticed that in one of my BMWs when the service expired and I was too late renewing it. It looks like engine start and door lock/unlock is actually a lifetime type of service "or as long as technically possible" (at least for the cars up until this point).

Note that without subscription you will lose things like 360 app view/camera scenes, and most notable, the seats auto-temp setpoints functionality --> Even though you can remote start, the seats will not auto-heat or cool based on temp threshold, which is not a feature i want to lose. That alone is worth the annual subscription to me in winter and hot summer, lol.

[ledphut]

Shame on the scumbag bean counters who convinced corporate that this was a good idea.