New owner 2012 X5 35d (E70). Question, subscription optional services?

[Doug Huffman]

It's not even in my garage yet, we pick it up on Friday.

It's Sparkling Bronze Metallic with Tobacco Nevada Leather interior with Dark Bamboo wood trim. Premium Package, Premium Sound Package, Technology Package, Running Boards. CPO expiration 02/23/2016 100K miles

On our trip home from bicycling in Florida, Milady Wife decided that our 50+ mpg 12 y.o. 185K mile VW TDI (ALH) Jetta was just too old, too small, and too uncomfortable to put up with. By the time we neared home, she had picked this out after we rejected MB and new X3 BMW. Zimbrick BMW Madison, Wisconsin was happy with a no strain sale.

The VW, my second TDI, never again saw the dealership after its first service. For example, the mechanics paper prophylactic against grease smudges was OVER the smudges, hiding them! Never again. Depending on the dealership after fifteen years of trusting independent guru's will be a challenge.

So, I will be depending on y'alls' expertise and experience and recommendations. Once the financial shock of a car payment has eased then I'll probably buy a premium membership.

On that topic, after re-reading the Owner's Manual I am overwhelmed by the extra subscriptions and fees for the multitudinous services from BMW, for Navigation, Communication and Entertainment. Recommendations please.

[BMWOO7]

Welcome, and please post some pics of your new car, sounds like a nice color combination.

In regards to subscriptions, I think the only subscriptions you would need (if you wanted it) would be for the Sirius radio.

If your seeing something different, please post what your asking about that you've come across in the owners manual.

[Doug Huffman]

Since my OP we have the car in hand - in the garage. As it turns out, all the subscriptions that I can find are in force for about a year, except perhaps Sirius that I have not looked into yet.

Stuff like BMW Assist. I did converse with BMW SOS.

I have what I think is a quality battery charger. I understand that running the electronics without the engine for hours while I study and fiddle can significantly deplete the battery (I think there is a caution in the owners manual). Is it OK to hook-up the charger under the hood while I study?

[gregg3gs]

I don't know about other subscriptions other then Sirius/XM, so:
if the SAV never had the satelite radio on, you will get a year for free (in most cases).
Outside of that there are diferent packages and, one I have, music only is about $13.00

Good Luck to you.

PS: I have Sirius in two of my cars and would not know what to do without it anymore. (unless you get a USB drive or iPod, iPhone type device)

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by Doug Huffman

...I have what I think is a quality battery charger. I understand that running the electronics without the engine for hours while I study and fiddle can significantly deplete the battery (I think there is a caution in the owners manual). Is it OK to hook-up the charger under the hood while I study?

Our '01 3.0 is not in the same league/era as your new X, computers/electronics wise, but I run a Battery Tender frequently via the under hood lugs, and often 'do stuff' in the car, doors open, etc., electrical draw, with my BT connected.

Never a problem, though I wasn't in the front doing a term paper.
GL, mD

[ard]

I let all the services lapse after the free periods expired. Waste of $$ IMO.

Sirius sucks, same old tired crap. iPhone, data, stream.

If you want updated navigation maps, lots of online sources for FAR less than BMW dealers charge. Like $50 versus $450.

[Doug Huffman]

LOL My Sirius free trial notification came yesterday, to a computer that will not display much active content. Tired old crap of crayon-block font blinky-blinky zoom here zoom there.

I don't even know what to search for for NAV updates. I learned to hate Garmin's security-thru-obscurity.