Option 6NR requirements - what a mess

[tlp]

Originally Posted by joelk

On Sunday, I contacted one of the resident dealers on this forum. His reply was that it wasn't visible yet but he would let us know when it was.

Correct, it doesn't show yet in the system. The idea was to create enough of a buffer to make the last minute change when it shows up before it gets locked into production.

[ksoze]

This whole 6NR thing has been a real debacle.

BMW's first mistake was to announce and release a wide spread, free software application in early December which required a March 2011 car to actually use. It's release and associated PR created the hype that was intended, but they somehow forgot how they would handle the desire for this set of loose features which seemed to lay the groundwork for much more phone to car integration.

As March now approaches and build weeks near, there still is no official word on this option and most dealers have never even heard of it. BMW USA customer reps have never heard of it. Seems a bit strange to pre-sell a feature which has the potential to stall sales and then act as though it never existed. They should pull out a history book and read about the Osborne computer, which show show managing future products can kill current sales.

Although I have an order in from December currently without a firm build date, I am sure it will be before March 1. At this point, it is hard to justify delaying the production for an as yet unconfirmed feature which may or may not add cost or be upgradeable, notwithstanding the loss of December financial incentives.

[Technic]

You are preaching to the choir, my friend.

The reality is that you may be .0001% of the BMW customers that really gives a damn about options, ordering process, delays and such minutiae. The vast USA BMW customer base did not even notice when BMW swapped an OEM amp and 10 speakers for no OEM amp and 6 speakers, they just kept buying $40,000 BMW with Yugo stereos for a full year without complaining. The same $40,000 BMW customers that get their cars from the dealer without asking first if it has Bluetooth or not, although their own states may have laws that require hands-free devices while driving. They just sign the papers and there they go.

The bottom line is that BMW knows pretty well their core customer base. We are not part of that core, thus you will get the 6NR whenever. And because BMW is also cutting down on OEM retrofits -the OEM Sirius retrofit after MY2010, requiring that the customer replaces the whole radio and that the car be equipped with at least one MOST device or no retrofit, is not just a mess, it is a disgrace- do not expect too much of a 6NR retrofit from them any time soon.

And even if there will be an OEM 6NR retrofit eventually I bet that it will be as absurd as the Sirius retrofit, requiring hardware changes and hundreds of dollars in parts and labor.

[ksoze]

Originally Posted by Technic

You are preaching to the choir, my friend.

Thanks for talking me down, Technic ;-)

[joelk]

Check this out:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472987

Looks as though it will only be a matter of time before pandora shows up on a bmw as well.

[Technic]

I'm with you here, bro...

Originally Posted by ksoze

Thanks for talking me down, Technic ;-)

[ksoze]

Found this PR on the BMW MiniConnected Pandora release. In it, Stephan Durach, head of the BMW Group Technology in Palo Alto seems to squash any hopes for an upgrade path for 6NR:

"Mini Connected works now on 2011 Mini cars and BMW Connected works on new BMWs as of early spring 2011 production. Durach said the Mini / BMW Connected technologies can't be retrofitted to older cars..."

Not looking good for pre-March cars

http://www.gearlog.com/2011/01/mini_..._first_min.php

[joelk]

Originally Posted by ksoze

Found this PR on the BMW MiniConnected Pandora release. In it, Stephan Durach, head of the BMW Group Technology in Palo Alto seems to squash any hopes for an upgrade path for 6NR:

"Mini Connected works now on 2011 Mini cars and BMW Connected works on new BMWs as of early spring 2011 production. Durach said the Mini / BMW Connected technologies can't be retrofitted to older cars..."

Not looking good for pre-March cars

http://www.gearlog.com/2011/01/mini_..._first_min.php

Well, there you go. That's about as definitive as we are going to get on this for the foreseeable future.

I'm going to have to figure out a way to add this option before my build goes 150. A few weeks in the grand scheme of things is nothing. Ideally I'd like to contact my CA and just say "add 6nr" but I have a feeling they won't know what I'm talking about if it isn't in their system yet.

[joelk]

From the slides that were posted earlier:



Now this appears to be from the UK market, but it specifically says 6nr is initially available on the 1s with other models to be announced subsequently.

Is there any indication that the e9Xs will have option 6nr beginning March 2011 in the US?

edit: okay so the F10 and F11 5 Series Saloon and Touring in the UK get 6nr in March as well. Haven't seen something definitive about the 3ers.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by joelk

From the slides that were posted earlier:



Now this appears to be from the UK market, but it specifically says 6nr is initially available on the 1s with other models to be announced subsequently.

Is there any indication that the e9Xs will have option 6nr beginning March 2011 in the US?

A friend added 6NF/6NR to his USA E90 M3 ED for March build/late May delivery last week -confirmed but no new pricing yet. His will be an Individual M3 so the ordering process is slightly different and much more "open" than "regular" production BMW, however the fact is that 6NR was added to an USA E90 so it must be coming in March as in the rest of the lineup.

[joelk]

Originally Posted by Technic

A friend added 6NF/6NR to his USA E90 M3 ED for March build/late May delivery last week -confirmed but no new pricing yet. His will be an Individual M3 so the ordering process is slightly different and much more "open" than "regular" production BMW, however the fact is that 6NR was added to an USA E90 so it must be coming in March as in the rest of the lineup.

Oh right. I forgot you had mentioned that earlier. Thanks!

[AlBoston]

That is such crap, Looks like my week 5 F10 is not getting it!

[ksoze]

Hey, maybe "not retrofitted to older cars" meant pre-combox cars. You never know...

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by ksoze

Has your CA actually seen the 6NR option as available by Week 11? Is there an additional cost as in UK 5 series cars?

it should be certainly available by week 11:

[ksoze]

Thanks ssabripo, what was the price quoted for that the 6NR option or was it just included as part of some other package?

[ssabripo]

Originally Posted by ksoze

Thanks ssabripo, what was the price quoted for that the 6NR option or was it just included as part of some other package?

I dont remember right on top of my head so I dont wanna give you an erroneous number, but I'll see if I can dig it up.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by ksoze

Hey, maybe "not retrofitted to older cars" meant pre-combox cars. You never know...

IMO, every mention of "no retrofit possible" is referring to pre-combox BMW.

[BimmerM]

Originally Posted by joelk

Check this out:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472987

Looks as though it will only be a matter of time before pandora shows up on a bmw as well.

Pandora works on my car, I posted a new thread on that here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8743564

[ksoze]

BimmerM, good to know, thanks.

[joelk]

yeah that procedure also works on my 2008 135i. i almost killed myself twice trying to control pandora from the phone. thus my desire to have it integrated into the idrive.

[KevinJ]

I have to lock in my order for a 335is today.


I don't know what a combox is number one that everyone is talking about. BUT..

In order to get BMW Remote, do I need to add 609 and only 6NR. I ordered the iPod/USB already. From what I see is that 6NF is not necessary if you have the iPod/USB?

If I add 6NR, will this kill my holiday cash and option rebate for DCT tranny and put the car in a March build????

What about the iPhone cradle that is coming without iDrive? Will it allow the BMW remote app?

[ksoze]

Originally Posted by KevinJ

I have to lock in my order for a 335is today.
I don't know what a combox is number one that everyone is talking about. BUT..

Have you actually been given the capability to add option 6NR from your dealer? If so, what was the charge?

The Combox (6VC) was added as a standard feature in September 2010, so it will just show up a as a line item on your order. The specifics around 6NR and reuired options are still very murky - unless you have some info from your dealer.