Site for maps
http://www.bmw-maps.co.uk/
As for the software, yes it's free to obtain at service but if you go outside of service then you have to pay labour even if the mechanic is standing there looking at the screen move from left to right the dealer can't use him for anything else as your basically deleting and reloading the software that controls all the cars functions and if something or someone touches the diagnostic kit and it stops/freezes then you have to start again.
In a Mini Cooper software updates take about 3 hours. (1 hour to check system and 2 for uploading and testing).