[LuvMyE92]

I have a 535 on order. I ordered the ipod and USB adapter option ($400) but I wonder what I'm getting for my money. From what I've read, it seems that there is a way to store music in the car itself. Do you have to the USB adapter to load in the songs, or can it load them via the CD player?

I also specified Comfort Access, but since you don't have to put the key in the dash anymore, and that's half of what it did, so I'm thinking of dropping that.

Thoughts, opinions, suggestions?

Thanks,
Michael

(looks like I'll have to change my "handle" soon)

[dpwr]

it's way easier just to buy 16gb+ usb stick, put all mp3's on it and play from it (that's what I do right now), you can store another 12gb or so into the car itself, way better then dealing with itunes bs.... about comfort access, you're right, I would drop it as well

[LuvMyE92]

Thanks dpwr. I just got off the phone with my SA and we dropped the CA but I left the ipod/USB, mostly for resale concerns. He said that storing the music in the car requires navigation, which I'm not getting.

[CRG]

Good decision to drop CA. What a waste of $1700.

[dpwr]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

Thanks dpwr. I just got off the phone with my SA and we dropped the CA but I left the ipod/USB, mostly for resale concerns. He said that storing the music in the car requires navigation, which I'm not getting.

In my opinion navi is a must in this car, I really suggest you go to the dealership and see it for yourself before making this decision (if you haven't done this, otherwise ignore my reply)... they did an amazing job with this navi and it makes the car

[czechm8]

Originally Posted by dpwr

In my opinion navi is a must in this car, I really suggest you go to the dealership and see it for yourself before making this decision (if you haven't done this, otherwise ignore my reply)... they did an amazing job with this navi and it makes the car

I agree. The NAV/Infotainment system is a must.

[MarkyMarc]

I have comfort access, and it's a minor nicety to have the door unlock by itself, but I'd live if I had to push the button. The trunk closer on the other hand is awsome, and everytime I use it, I really appreciate the luxury of having it. And I don't miss all those fingerprints on the trunk. Considering you're close to $60k already... Like I always say, when you're drowning, what's another drink of water?

The ipod/usb as I have it works fine and you navigate the menu and your playlists exactly as they appear on your ipod. It's intuitive. I read on another thread here that if you have a car later than a September build, you'll have album art displayed... Here's another thread about some people having pre spetember builds and have album art http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=414685 I don't.

Lastly, I haven't found a way to transfer music to the car's hard drive from my ipod, only CD's. That doesn't make any sense to me.

[lindros2]

Originally Posted by MarkyMarc

Lastly, I haven't found a way to transfer music to the car's hard drive from my ipod, only CD's. That doesn't make any sense to me.

Argue to the RIAA and Apple.

Actually, just argue to Apple. Their format (AAC) is foreign to everything other than their software.

[akhter]

If I had to get one option it would be Nav. the interior was designed around the 10" screen and almost all the electronics are enhanced with nav.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by CRG

Good decision to drop CA. What a waste of $1700.

It's $1000 for CA. $1700 for the "convenience package" which includes CA, soft-close doors and automatic open/close trunk. Neat, but not worth that much money IMHO.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by MarkyMarc

Considering you're close to $60k already... Like I alway say, when you're drowning, what's another drink of water?

Well, I hate to argue with anyone when you guys are all trying to help me, but really, come on, $2000 for a freakin' navigation system? I've already got it in my phone! Of course I can't see it, but that's because I'm old and blind.

I had nav in my E39 M5 and it was very cool; I like the integration with the car and the new one with the bigger screen is even nicer, but for me, really, I just can't justify the cost, not for the amount of traveling that I do, and since my fiance already has a Garmin and of course, I can use my phone, if it hasn't crashed.

Plus I'm not leasing, I'm buying, and the lower I can get the payment the more I'm going to enjoy the car. When I sell the car, I'll just get some double-sided tape and slap a Garmin on the dash for the next buyer.

[Mr. Magic]

I too just use a USB chip with MP3's, not i-pod/i-phone. No reason to go get an ipod or iphone just for the car. Haven't used onboard storage for music yet.

I have NAV on a phone too, but this is way different. Big 10-inch screen, elegant and consistent with the overall design concept, and Integrated with BMW Assist (they find you ). The hard drive makes it work pretty fast too. Yesterday, driving to work, got caught up in bumper-to-bumper traffic after an accident ahead of me. The car found the accident and suggested an alternate route and in a nice pleasing voice. Now, I'm sure there are 3rd party gadgets that have some of the capabilities , but it won't have the style and elegance let alone the performance.

I also think of it as not a machine or gadget, but a trusted and skilled companion.

Granted, it's from BMW and costs too much money, but it's luxury.

[Bandman]

Live in a big city or drive alot in your job? Get nav.

Live in a small town and spend most time there? No nav.

[LuvMyE92]

Originally Posted by Mr. Magic

and Integrated with BMW Assist (they find you ).

My E92 has BMW Assist but no nav, and they can find me just fine. So the cars have GPS units regardless, apparently.

How does BMW update their nav system with new information? In the older system that I had on my E39 you had to buy new (expensive) DVD's every year. Is the new system still DVD-based, or is it some other kind of satellite magic?

[tadtaggert]

Originally Posted by LuvMyE92

Is the new system still DVD-based, or is it some other kind of satellite magic?

Hard Disk.

[Whistler]

One feature of the nav system that appears to have had a major upgrade from my old 2007 328i is the live traffic system. The new version has color coded lines along your route. Pale yellow for some congestion, yellow for stop & go, orange for major congestion, and red for the type of traffic that one can only usually experience at Manhattan bridge crossings on a Friday afternoon.

I have found these traffic warnings to be very accurate and they seem to update frequently. Even better, the nav system will happily suggest other routes around the traffic when the "dynamic" route is selected.

[akhter]

Sigh--I wish I could pay 2000 for nav. Its 7000 in hong kong :'(

[Soon ExAudi Guy]

And you NEED nav in HK. Your roads are confusing!

[RC3]

Originally Posted by akhter

Sigh--I wish I could pay 2000 for nav. Its 7000 in hong kong :'(

Ya, it is crazy here in Hong Kong to charge 85% tax for options. I have a 528 on order but no navi. Love to have the navi but Hong Kong is a small city and I've been driving here for 10+ years so I know most of the roads, have no choice but to skip this option so to save my wallet.

[JeffinVa]

Originally Posted by lindros2

Argue to the RIAA and Apple.

Actually, just argue to Apple. Their format (AAC) is foreign to everything other than their software.

AAC is an industry standard, not an Apple-specific format, and is used in a lot of devices other than iPods. Current BMW audio systems store and play in MP3 and AAC formats.

[ibimmer954]

Originally Posted by JeffinVa

AAC is an industry standard, not an Apple-specific format, and is used in a lot of devices other than iPods. Current BMW audio systems store and play in MP3 and AAC formats.

I agree. And now that iTunes sells only DRM-free music, there's no reason to fear buying music since the files will play on other players. I literally copy my iTunes Music collection folder straight from my Mac to a USB stick then plug the USB stick in the car. An iPod isn't needed; the car can play the files directly. Probably in better quality since the iPod connection uses the analog audio input (at least until September). The iPod D/A converter is not known for being the finest.

[uktivo]

Originally Posted by RC3

Ya, it is crazy here in Hong Kong to charge 85% tax for options. I have a 528 on order but no navi. Love to have the navi but Hong Kong is a small city and I've been driving here for 10+ years so I know most of the roads, have no choice but to skip this option so to save my wallet.

It may be 85% for options.. but HK salaries are high, your personal tax and corporation tax is considerably lower than the UK.. so in principle you are way better off than us lot in the UK trying to scratch a living..lol.
Just take a look at how much tax is on our fuel.. thats something we use and pay for everyday we use the car.. not just once when you buy it..
==========================================
Tax Rates in 2010 HK.

Individual: The standard rate of Salaries Tax is 15%.

Corporate: The normal rate of Profits Tax is 16.5% for corporations and 15% for unincorporated businesses.

Capital gains: Hong Kong does not levy capital gains tax.

Indirect Taxes: Hong Kong does not levy value-added tax (VAT), goods and services tax (GST) or sales tax.

Other Taxes: Estate Tax was abolished in 2005.

Stamp duty on immovable property is charged at rates up to 4.25%, depending on the sale or transfer price of the property.

Withholding Taxes: There are no domestic withholding taxes on dividends, interest or royalties
==========================================

Anyway.. do you really need sat/nav in HK? It's such a tiny place and the locals are all friendly and would point you in the right direction..