I called my local dealer about the V32 upgrade. I gave him this number, and he told me that it is not currently available. Then he told me it was not available for my car (an X3). Then he told me that it was a map disc, not an OS disc (although he didn't know what an OS disc is). Then he told me it costs £220.

Is this the right part number? Is there something else to tell the BMW parts guys?

another example of BMW not knowing what they are talking about. He's basically quoted you for a new Map disc. Tell you you need the firmware updating on the Sat Nav unit and see if he figures it out from there.

I went into see another dealer today. He found the part on his system, and showed me the listing. It says V32 disc, so seems like the right one. But it was listed at £220. Where does the $8.72 come from? Is it really 200 quid? Explains why it is so widely downloaded, I suppose....

Also, it is on hold because (they think) there might be another update coming soon.

Its $8 at USA dealers... Who knows what UK dealers are charging...

220 pounds is $350! Surely even the UK dealers couldn't put that much of a markup on?

Maybe they are charging labour to upgrade the firmware too? Perhaps ask for parts only?

And interesting about the new release - try and find out some more information

no - this was the price for the part only. I looked on his computer to try to see if was also including a map update, but it looked like it was just the firmware.

They had no clue what the firmware update was, though. Had never heard of it, or seen it, or been asked for it.

All they knew - it costs £220, and they can't order it even if I wanted to pay that, because BMW have put it on hold, which they said usually means there is an update to whatever is on hold...

Has anyone bought the update in UK and paid £200?

Yep. He's a moron. Just order from a BMW parts place like getbmwparts.com