[NvrNuff_ForMe]

I got my letter/card in the mail a week ago. I'm debating whether or not to continue the service.

What I'd like to know is if it is needed for my Navigation? I read that I could lose the real time traffic data, but I'm fine with that. So long as I can still use my Navigation.

Does anyone know exactly what we lose out on if we don't continue service?
Thanks!

[dbs600]

Recently read this article: http://www.wsj.com/articles/tech-in-...ess-1481976000, which states “BMW and other auto makers already have been forced to offer to retrofit hardware or provide gift cards to those owners who don’t want the hassle of getting an upgrade. BMW owners can accept a $300 voucher for BMW accessories, a $200 Visa gift card or a retrofit of updated cellular technology, the company said.”

Anyone know if the gift card option applies to all owners? I just called corporate and they state they’re not aware of the option, but that retrofit is available free on vehicles within 4 years of their in-service date and that additional retrofit options may become available this spring for purchase for those outside of 4 years of their in-service date.

Doesn’t sound right that retrofit is being covered for some, but not all, as those one day out of 4 years would need to pay and those one day same would not.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by dbs600

Recently read this article: http://www.wsj.com/articles/tech-in-...ess-1481976000, which states “BMW and other auto makers already have been forced to offer to retrofit hardware or provide gift cards to those owners who don’t want the hassle of getting an upgrade. BMW owners can accept a $300 voucher for BMW accessories, a $200 Visa gift card or a retrofit of updated cellular technology, the company said.”

Anyone know if the gift card option applies to all owners? I just called corporate and they state they’re not aware of the option, but that retrofit is available free on vehicles within 4 years of their in-service date and that additional retrofit options may become available this spring for purchase for those outside of 4 years of their in-service date.

Doesn’t sound right that retrofit is being covered for some, but not all, as those one day out of 4 years would need to pay and those one day same would not.

I believe there must be an active BMW Assist account. I had the retrofit done last month; 5 years after the in-service date. I do have an active BMW Assist account... I chose the upgrade a I'm seriously considering getting the Convenience Plan.

[ezmaass]

Originally Posted by dbs600

Recently read this article: http://www.wsj.com/articles/tech-in-...ess-1481976000, which states “BMW and other auto makers already have been forced to offer to retrofit hardware or provide gift cards to those owners who don’t want the hassle of getting an upgrade. BMW owners can accept a $300 voucher for BMW accessories, a $200 Visa gift card or a retrofit of updated cellular technology, the company said.”

Anyone know if the gift card option applies to all owners? I just called corporate and they state they’re not aware of the option, but that retrofit is available free on vehicles within 4 years of their in-service date and that additional retrofit options may become available this spring for purchase for those outside of 4 years of their in-service date.

Doesn’t sound right that retrofit is being covered for some, but not all, as those one day out of 4 years would need to pay and those one day same would not.

I'd probably look at this similar to navigation maps. The only thing inevitable about technology is that it'll grow old and obsolete. So, it's probably unreasonable to assume that BMW will have a "lifetime upgrade" offer where connected technologies are concerned. However, I fully expect we'll start to see policies emerge that govern customer expectations on upgrades like this. I think it's reasonable that BMW provides upgrades during the car's warranty period (for free), for example, but anything beyond that really needs to fall on the customer.

In the product management world, we typically have a concept of "End of Life," as well, where products no longer receive upgrades of ANY kind (regardless of whether it's free or customer paid) - simply because it's impossible to continue developing for every previous product you've ever created. Now, at least in the software world, we typically publish a policy on "End of Life" - so the customer knows, when they're buying, what to expect down the road. For example, we may say that we support "N - 2" meaning current version (N) and back two major versions. If you assume a new major version of the product comes out every 18 months, you might assume that you have up to around 4.5 years before you'd be out of support.

I expect BMW will start to adopt many of the product management concepts and policies of software manufacturers as their cars essentially start to become rolling computers.

[dbs600]

Thanks for the info and insight gentlemen!

Agreed "lifetime upgrade" doesn't make sense, but also learned an active account is needed if past the 4 year in service date.

Thanks again.