So it is out on 2007 vehicles, and one of the listed is the X5 which is coming with I-Drive in 2007 right? So do I have to have the new car with I-Drive to have TMC (Traffic Message Channel)? In Europe they have had this technology available for a while now... Does anyone here know if it works with a non I-Drive setup?

As far as I have researched it looked like I would need a new radio module to make this happen, i didn't even think about I-Drive. Your source says the upgrade will be free, makes me wonder what all is involved and what cars it will pertain to.

Alas, I'm afraid that I don't know anything more about it than what's stated in the link I pointed you to. I found it to be quite interesting and so I decided to pass it along to everyone here.

Perhaps one of the other forum members can help with your questions.

Sorry...

BMW releases first dynamic traffic system in US

Posted Sep 7th 2006 5:59PM by Cyrus Farivar
Filed under: GPS
At the rate that these newfangled car technologies trickle down, we'll finally be able to afford one of these traffic thingamajiggies on our measly salaries perhaps around the next World Cup. Today, BMW announced that it would be including Real Time Traffic Information on select 2007 models, including the 3-, 5-, and 6-series models, and on the X5, M5 and M6. That means that for the first time in the US (or so the company claims), drivers will be able to dynamically reroute their way home based on traffic data provided by Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network to 44 major American cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, and Orlando. If you already have BMW's navigation system in your ride, this additional service will be free to you for the next four years.

Its only for MOST based cars, not the I-BUS which your car is based on. Although the BM54 radio, used in Europe does indeed receive the TMC signal ... I very much doubt that the USA system will be identical in terms of signal, encryption, decoding, etc.

Another aspect of all of this is that the MAP DVD has to be TMC enabled as well. Something again I doubt NAVTEQ would do unless BMW officially offerred this service for I-BUS vehicles.

New links:

BMW releases first dynamic traffic system in US

http://www.clearchannel.com/Radio/Pr...ReleaseID=1744