Guess people want to keep believing that ONLY BMW can buy the factory diag tools as my other post got deleted???

Of course not. All auto manufacturers have to make their software available. The older BMW 2G software like the GT1 and PROGMAN setups are all over the place online as it can easily be set up on a windows based computer. The new 3G setup (ISTA) is a much more complex and expensive system based on a centralized server and satellite computers to access everything. I have yet to see an aftermarket option for this, so it is too expensive for most independent shops to justify having. And to top it off, once an integration level vehicle is programmed with ISTA it can't be touched with 2G anymore.

Ahh but you can buy an Icom and use the Online ISTA BMW provides. it is what our workshop uses along with an Autologic. I programed a F01 for a body shop today..... No need for the dealers

Don't grumble too much.
In New Zealand, the map update is $800 NZD, equivalent to $610 USD, and that covers only tiny little New Zealand!!

So $465 USD for the entire USA is much cheaper...

Just bought an E53 in Christchurch, New Zealand. The guy who had it before me hadn't bothered with the GPS, so no disc was in the Mark IV navigator.

About $700, said the BMW dealer. Yeah right, said I.

Downloaded the maps from some forum, burnt them to a blank CD, cost $NZ1.50.

Nav now working. I think the map might be old, but it covers everywhere I've been so far.

The only folk who get used are those who let themselves get used.