Option 6NR requirements - what a mess

They are going to come up with additional packages in March. So hopefully next month more detail will come out.

I think the UK there was some pricing of 122 or something. Whatever that works out to in dollars.

There was some initial software through 6NR and then after updates would come through USB/Bluetooth.

ksoze wrote

It is still unclear if there is even a charge in the U.S. for the mysterious 6NR option. Have yet to find a confirmed listing of its existence on a U.S. order sheet, much less a price. The fact there is a fee in the UK market may not mean much as they price things different.

I believe the main thrust currently behind the bmw.com/bluetooth download site was to allow customers to download updated bluetooth profiles to the Combox through USB for the ever evolving phone market. If it is also to allow for software updates related to apps, etc. then even better. This capability is referenced in Section 4.7 of the Combox technical docs but does not specifically mention updating more than bluetooth profiles..

Also as you noted, according to the boys over at the retrofitters threads, 6NR will also require an update to the CIC software which may require a trip to a dealer.

KevinJ wrote

The feature integration of searching on my phone and sending map coordinates to my car seems nice but isn't yet available. Remote unlock "not really available" and remote climate control and timer is not available. Just bad timing for it all to be worked out with the new feature set that may or may not be available for retrofit. Maybe I'll regret it later but who knows by 2013 when the new one comes out.

Actually sending coordinates to the car is fully supported.

The way it works is as follows:

• Go to maps.google.com and do a search for your destination
• click on the destination on the map
• click "more"
• click "send"
• click "car"
• Select the Make as BMW
• Enter your BMW Assist account name (this will be the E-mail address you registered with BMW Assist)
• click "send"

When you go to your car you can retrieve the address from the BMW Assist menu or Nav. Works great! If you are driving somewhere and forgot an address you can call someone that is near a PC and have them find the address and send it to your car.

Interesting info on 6NR evidently from BMW UK in response to a question from an X3 buyer - more hope that this is a software issue:

Thank you for your online enquiry dated January 21, 2011.

I understand you would like confirmation on what hardware and software will be needed for the introduction of 6NR, mobile application preparation. I can confirm that this will be installed into your vehicle via a software update priced at £130.00 including VAT, with the BMW 1 Series Coupe and Convertibles being first on the release list. In order to have 6NR installed, your vehicle will need to also have the BMW Professional Multimedia Navigation system (option 609), Bluetooth telephone preparation (option 633), USB audio interface (option 6FL) and Telephone USB audio interface (option 6NF).

The new option further enable iPhone integration into the vehicle, available for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4. The iPhone is connected to the vehicle via a new snap-in adaptor, which will be available from the beginning of next month from the parts department at your local BMW Approved Dealership. Features of the option are enabled via a new iPhone application 'BMW Connected' that will be available to download from iTunes for free. Some confirmed supported features of the application are:

-Access to social networks Facebook and Twitter in the vehicle
-Stream web radio stations into the vehicle
-Operation of music playback with the Apple iPhone user interface on the vehicle control display

I trust this information answers your query satisfactorily. Should you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me again.

Tech package with "6NR" BMW Apps

ksoze wrote

Interesting info on 6NR evidently from BMW UK in response to a question from an X3 buyer - more hope that this is a software issue:



Tech package with "6NR" BMW Apps

Thanks but between this and the statement from the other thread that another wire needs to be run, i have no idea what to believe.

I've just decide that if I can add 6nr prior to my car going 150 then I will. If not, not a huge loss and I'll worry about a retrofit once it's been hashed out.

joelk wrote

Thanks but between this and the statement from the other thread that another wire needs to be run, i have no idea what to believe.

I've just decide that if I can add 6nr prior to my car going 150 then I will. If not, not a huge loss and I'll worry about a retrofit once it's been hashed out.

I hear you. I am staying on track with my week 6, not going to give up the December incentives for an option that no one officially knows about or when it actually begins production on these cars.

Chasing this down has become kind of minor obsession, because it does irk me that BMW can tout a feature I am interested in and then can lay low for months knowing buyers may hold off. Releasing that iPhone app in early December for cars not being built for 4 months or so was an interesting call from the marketing people.

Anyway, tracking this data down also helps bide the time as I wait for my car

joelk wrote

Thanks but between this and the statement from the other thread that another wire needs to be run, i have no idea what to believe.

I've just decide that if I can add 6nr prior to my car going 150 then I will. If not, not a huge loss and I'll worry about a retrofit once it's been hashed out.

Remember, you are comparing a custom Combox retrofit with an OEM Combox install and with a 6NR option that BMW has not released yet. The member that posted that some wiring from the CIC was required -the CAN wires- was referring to his inability of coding that Combox thru the MOST ring. So he used the CAN wires from the CIC to code the Combox -or so he stated.

The most probable reason that he could not code the Combox thru the MOST -like the dealer does- was a matter of the OBDII cable that he was using. He needs a special OBDII cable that can communicate with MOST devices.

So take that comment with a grain of salt. One thing is retrofitting the Combox, then coding it, then retrofitting even 6NF, much less 6NR and then the other is coding again those features into the Combox.

This 6NR retrofit will be done and posted in detail in a couple of months at the most. Either one of the vendors will post it or I will.

It makes sense that this is all software related for the 6NR. I added 6NF to my order just before hitting 150 status so I could hopefully take advantage of this feature.

What's 150 status?

AlBoston wrote

It makes sense that this is all software related for the 6NR. I added 6NF to my order just before hitting 150 status so I could hopefully take advantage of this feature.

330iTiAg wrote

What's 150 status?

Car production has started.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107567

The future option would allow you to do this from your iPhone with Google maps and the BMW Connect software over the BMW Assist network. If you have an iPhone you can download the BMW Connect software now. It actually says you need 6NR and a phone snap-in.

From all that I'm seeing is that most of what is being talked about is already available. What I perceive is going on is that they will just open the door to use BMW Assist to interact with the car though iPhone apps. And the reverse, use your Phone's internet access to provide app functionality to interact with the car. Also based on BMW Link, the possibility for the iPhone app to take over as the main Nav software/user interface and interact through iDrive.

Seems like the future is a dumb terminal screen and they give you a phone loaded with apps instead of a fully integrated Nav system.

Now one thing that caught my attention is a clip from I think the Paris auto show I saw a while back that showed Video running on two iPads on the back seats that were in sync with video running on the Nav screen. So the possibility of what BMW calls "BMW Out" and using the iPod Out feature seems interesting. Seems like album covers is just a start.

See this video:

BimmerM wrote

Actually sending coordinates to the car is fully supported.

The way it works is as follows:

• Go to maps.google.com and do a search for your destination
• click on the destination on the map
• click "more"
• click "send"
• click "car"
• Select the Make as BMW
• Enter your BMW Assist account name (this will be the E-mail address you registered with BMW Assist)
• click "send"

When you go to your car you can retrieve the address from the BMW Assist menu or Nav. Works great! If you are driving somewhere and forgot an address you can call someone that is near a PC and have them find the address and send it to your car.

Glop wrote

My car is getting ED March 31st and I'm getting the holiday cash. Car ordered on 12/31. I hope I get that 6NR.

You're west coast... west coast gets a 90-day lock on financing since it takes much longer for cars to be delivered there. Everyone else in the country is stuck with 60-day lock, although if you're willing to start paying early then things are possible...

Option 6NR will be available on most March production cars, except some X models. It will require and include 6NF (Smartphone Integration) which will no longer be available as a standalone option. If you order 6NR, you get 6NF now. No word on upgradeability for combox cars.

The saga continues...

ksoze wrote

Option 6NR will be available on most March production cars, except some X models. It will require and include 6NF (Smartphone Integration) which will no longer be available as a standalone option. If you order 6NR, you get 6NF now. No word on upgradeability for combox cars.

The saga continues...

Hey ksoze, what have you decided to do regarding your build? You don't have much time left if you are going to push it back to march.

I added 6NF yesterday. If I push my build back I will lose the $500 price protection, Holiday cash and 0.9% financing. 6NR would be an expensive option for me.

ksoze wrote

Option 6NR will be available on most March production cars, except some X models. It will require and include 6NF (Smartphone Integration) which will no longer be available as a standalone option. If you order 6NR, you get 6NF now. No word on upgradeability for combox cars.

The saga continues...

I just got this email from my dealer. Apparently, this bulletin came out from BMW this morning to dealers:

BMW ConnectedDrive: BMW Apps (6NR)
In keeping with BMW’s leadership in technological advancement, BMW is proud to announce the availability of “BMW Apps” as a single option (6NR). Coming as the next advancement in BMW’s ConnectedDrive strategy, BMW Apps will provide a new, unique way of connecting the driver, vehicle and iPhone. For the first time owners will be able to experience the latest app technology via iDrive. Please be advised that adding option 6NR to any vehicle will automatically add Smartphone Integration (6NF) without an additional charge. 6NF will no longer be available as a standalone option.
At the time of launch, BMW Apps will offer three functional areas (Apps, PlugIn, and Video Playback).
Apps will consist of the BMW Connected App and BMW Certified 3rd Party Apps. The BMW Connected App is a free package available for download at Apple’s App Store and currently includes Web Radio, Facebook and Twitter. Announcements for BMW Certified 3rd Party Apps will be forthcoming.
PlugIn allows the user to take advantage of Apple iTunes features (such as Genius, album art, compiling playlists, etc) that were previously unavailable. In essence, this function brings the look and feel of Apple’s iPod interface to the iDrive display (requires snap in adapter).
Video Playback enables the user to view any video playback from their iPhone via the iDrive display when the vehicle is stationary (requires snap in adapter).

BMW Apps will be available on all BMW vehicles as of March except for X3, X5, and X6 models, where availability will begin as of April. iPhone models supported include 3G, 3GS or 4 enabled with the “BMW Connected” app available free of charge at Apple’s App Store.
More details will be provided in the upcoming bulletin “B-1-0111-12-All-02 BMW Apps (6NR).”

Thanks! We are getting so close to being able to add it. Can't wait for the first report that it's available!

Appears it is available for order now for 3 series March allocations, all except the M3 Hope this is just a temporary glitch.

I'm trying to envision how a 6nr retrofit would work assuming bmw doesn't offer an option.

Assume 6nr requires this new docking contraption for the phone that includes a fan and then an update to software (in the CIC I assume?). We can certainly purchase the docking equipment from bmw inventory, but how would we get our hands on the updated software without BMW's blessing?

I could see a 3rd party selling used newer hardware with the newer software naturally coming with the part. This would obviously be expensive and labor intensive.

Another option I could see would be making friends w/ your service advisor and getting them to "accidentally" load the wrong software on the car.

I guess my question is whether there is precedent for doing a pure software retrofit cleanly? Am I missing a viable retrofit option? Sure it would be nice to speculate about a USB flash drive type upgrade but just drawing on what has been done in the past I'm wondering if a simple solution is realistic.

I don't get what the reason for the combox is if we can't do an easy OEM upgrade.

Who freakin cares about 6NR!?!? It's a car... DRIVE it!!!

Looks to me as a must have if u have an iphone.

Ok the car is made to drive but if u can use ur smartphone's functions in your car it's a bonus.

Grtz,

H

Why do they keep adding features like this if they still haven't made the iPhone compatible with BMW Office?