Google maps question
 

Sorry guys to rehash a question that has shown up before, but need you help. I've had sporadic luck with Google maps. Today, and many other days, all I see is an option to send to "email." The "car" option has disappeared again.

I have heard this may be a Google issue, but just want to confirm before I stop tinkering with it. Thanks.

Must be an intermittent problem, as it's working for me at this time.

Thanks for the confirmation. I'll keep playing around with the google site.
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It still does not work for me... Apparently something broke on the BMW Assist side. I called it in, they said it is a known issue and they are working on it with google...

I just picked up my new X5 on Friday, so this prompted me to try it..

Seems to be working fine so far.

Why I need this feature I don't know, but it's good to show other people "look what my slick, sexy car can do that your idiotmobile can't!"

Just tried again and it worked for the few addresses I tried. Bizarre. Hope it stays functional.

Few features are actually needed. I find it handy as I frequently use the internet at home to find places to eat, or destinations for a daytrip. I can then just send it to the vehicle for the GPS to navigate.

And the google database is far superior to the Teleatlas database that BMW uses for their GPS system.

Yes, very true. I'm already discovering that the Teleatlas POI database is not as good as NAVTEQ's. It's a bit disappointing.

I don't rely solely on POIs - I still like to know EXACTLY where I'm going - but it is very convenient. The Voice Command feature does not seem to like me very much either, so entering addresses is a bit tedious (well, it takes a lot longer than it did in the Lexus).

Yeah, as a GPS a $100 Garmin is better than the BMW system in every way except display quality and speed of computation. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't order the Nav system.

But, like many things BMW screws-up, give them 4-5 years and they'll address it and get it fixed. Maybe the next BMW I buy will have a good Nav system.

I have to say, I thought the Toyota/Lexus system was the best, but it wasn't pretty and it was slow to recalculate - VERY slow.

So far I'm really enjoying this system and I don't regret it - it's "smarter" than the Toyota/Lexus system as well (and in some respects smarter than the Garmin). But "good data" and frequent (free) updates are nothing to sneeze at.

I have to see a "perfect" system, which is really sad given the state of technology even outside of the restrictions of the automotive industry. <sigh>

Oh well. Maybe the Mr. Fusion-powered BMW will have everything just right.