[houston06]

Hey guys, I am thinking of purchasing this when my car comes in... Decided not to get navigation, but this seems like a cheaper(less cool lookin) option because you can get directions and more at the push of a button. please give experiences, thanks in advance!

[e90fanatic]

interesting....i take that you are those that rather use post-it than pda?

but think about it from the cost perspective...one has on-going costs....the other doesnt...only new dvd every few years (if your area doesn't have a lot of constructions)

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by houston06

Hey guys, I am thinking of purchasing this when my car comes in... Decided not to get navigation, but this seems like a cheaper(less cool lookin) option because you can get directions and more at the push of a button. please give experiences, thanks in advance!

Getting directions from a person will ultimately prove to be far less satisfactory than getting directions from a machine. The satnav almost never makes a mistake (unless the map data is wrong). It also knows exactly where you are, meter by meter. The person giving you the directions won't see your progress so they can only guess where to tell you to turn. I would find this a very frustrating way of getting directions.

If you think you need directions more than once a month, you really need to order a car with satnav.

[houston06]

No I understand it would be more convenient to get a navi...have on in my other car but when I discussed it over ,I hardly use it...thats why I figure I can save 2 grand... and this one si abotu 120 a year(10 bucks a month) and so its relitively cheaper to try for the first year for that every now and then I need directions they can just tell me go here and there type of deal, plus its a concierge srvice and more...thats why, but i realize nav is nicer and also looks better....but i was just wondering if anyone has had experience with this assists service, thanks

[nmulax]

I went with the convenience package for a year, figured I'd give it a shot and see if it's worth it. Sure I've used it for things like finding a Shell station in an area I'm unfamilar with, but the big interest on my part was the concierge service.
Was going out for Thai food last night with some friends; had the concierge call 2 places and check to see which had a liquor license (obviously the one we went to). Saved me the hassel of calling information for the number (plus that cost) and asking the same question twice.

[houston06]

so they can find numbers of places for you too? what kind of speed, how are their directions say you want to go somewher cross town how would they lay it down for you and what not, what overall do you think of this service? thanks

[Russellnyc]

I've been enjoying concierge service a lot, and I love that it's unlimited so I don't have to worry about overusing it. They have made dinner reservations for me 3 times so far, the first time was on Christmas Eve when everything was booked. The restaurant was in my own area and I'd never heard of it -- the place was quite expensive (they warned me in advance) but was one of the best meals I've ever had. I had them make me hotel and dinner reservations for tonight, New Year's Eve, at 5pm and they found great places and got me in. Because it required calling around, they let me go and went to work on it, then called me later with the info and sent an SMS. The hotel required a credit card so he took it and did the confirmation for me. On Christmas, I couldn't find a supermarket, so I asked them find me an open one, and they did. At really odd times, you have to be on hold for a bit for concierge (i.e. 3-5 minutes), but someone always picks up the regular bmw assist call pretty much immediately.

The one time I tried they told me that they weren't able to send coordinates to my GPS because "that service isn't available on your car." Huh? A brand new 335i? Okay, whatever, anyone else been able to do this yet?

[aspiring335]

Anyone know if this option is available in Canada?

[GregL]

Originally Posted by aspiring335

Anyone know if this option is available in Canada?

I was about to ask the same thing.

[jtf5128]

hmm, your own unlimited personal concierge huh? Can you use this when you're not in the car?

[edgarj]

Originally Posted by Russellnyc

I've been enjoying concierge service a lot, and I love that it's unlimited so I don't have to worry about overusing it. They have made dinner reservations for me 3 times so far, the first time was on Christmas Eve when everything was booked. The restaurant was in my own area and I'd never heard of it -- the place was quite expensive (they warned me in advance) but was one of the best meals I've ever had. I had them make me hotel and dinner reservations for tonight, New Year's Eve, at 5pm and they found great places and got me in. Because it required calling around, they let me go and went to work on it, then called me later with the info and sent an SMS. The hotel required a credit card so he took it and did the confirmation for me. On Christmas, I couldn't find a supermarket, so I asked them find me an open one, and they did. At really odd times, you have to be on hold for a bit for concierge (i.e. 3-5 minutes), but someone always picks up the regular bmw assist call pretty much immediately.

The one time I tried they told me that they weren't able to send coordinates to my GPS because "that service isn't available on your car." Huh? A brand new 335i? Okay, whatever, anyone else been able to do this yet?

That's a great endorsement of the service. I had no idea that it was so usefull and had a hard time envisioning its appication in my day to day life. I actually thought it only worked if you told them where you wanted to be and they acted as a proxy in the reservation process. I.E. a call center in Indai with access to the Navteq database. I know they can give you locations of services, but its redundant w/ nav. It sounds lkie a great deal for what it provides. I may give it a try, but I'm a creature of habit most of the time in terms of where my GF and I dine locally. Do they get preference at restaurants & hotels? That would be priceless. I can think of several friends that this would be golden for. BMW should really promote this with endorsement-style explanations of the service, as the brief explanation on the website gave me a lackluster impression. Thanks for the info.

[scm6079]

FWIW, w/ my Audi Telematics (same as the BMW service as far as I can tell) -- I used to have them do all sorts of helpful things for me, like googling things on the web to find what I was looking for, get a phone #, etc. The service in my Audi was $35/month, so BMW's $200/year seemed pretty inexpensive. I recently signed up for the service, and so far am happy with it as well (I *loved* the service in my Audi).

I also have a nav. unit in my car, but that really doesn't matter. The person is much more helpful than cumbersome electronics. And electronics can't help figure out destinations you don't know yet!

_Scott

[hunt55]

Originally Posted by jtf5128

hmm, your own unlimited personal concierge huh? Can you use this when you're not in the car?

The concierge is available outside the car by calling a 800 number. I also use the 800 number in the car sometimes for faster service. Good service. I had the same with AMEX for years and this is as good. I use assist and concierge regularly especially on long trips. I signed up for year 2 in October.

I do not have the nav so the assist has been excellent for directions. They can check multiple databases for traffic.

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by houston06

No I understand it would be more convenient to get a navi...have on in my other car but when I discussed it over ,I hardly use it...thats why I figure I can save 2 grand... and this one si abotu 120 a year(10 bucks a month) and so its relitively cheaper to try for the first year for that every now and then I need directions they can just tell me go here and there type of deal, plus its a concierge srvice and more...thats why, but i realize nav is nicer and also looks better....but i was just wondering if anyone has had experience with this assists service, thanks

The basic service won't give you direction like the concierge service, it'e more like $240 per year.

[Russellnyc]

I think it's $199, not $240.

As for whether or not they get preference for reservations, I don't know, but as I said they booked me two last-minute (i.e. 2-3 hours before the meal) reservations at super exclusive restaurants in Manhattan where there wasn't a single table left. Last night's meal (Scalini Fideli) was stellar, and last weekend's (Del Posto) was equally superb. In both places there were people waiting and being turned away for tables, but we went right in with our reservation. We talked to the manager at S.F. a bit last night and he said he was very surprised to hear that we booked last minute, he said to get dinner on non-holiday weekend nights you usually need a month in advance. Next I have to try to get them to recommend some cheap ethnic place, like best Korean BBQ in Queens or something ... if they can do that, I will be absolutely convinced.

Oh, last thing, I am guessing concierge service is the reason why you can't search for restaurants or business by name in iDrive, only by location. This is the #1 stupidest shortcoming of nav, although honestly, now that I have concierge, I guess I don't really care. Best part is that you can call it from any phone, so it can be a personal service completely separate from your car. If you lead a life too busy to make your own travel and meal reservations, this service is great. My assistant at work will be very happy not to have to do any of these things for me anymore.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by Russellnyc

Oh, last thing, I am guessing concierge service is the reason why you can't search for restaurants or business by name in iDrive, only by location.

It's not.

[edgarj]

Well, I'm going to give it a try this week since my GF thinks it sounds great. I wish it had a monthly option so that I could test the service here in Portland. I truly view any service like this with skepticism if they dont offer an initial month trial price. Makes me think most people would cancel, but your anecdotes make it seem woth the cash. I have a feeling that they might have a better database for NYC. In the PDX, reservations aren't as important as good recomendations... an ever changing variable. Do they have music listings for local venues? Not tickets, just times and events for smaller rooms?

[tbonecopper]

I have the convenience plan and have put the concierge to the test...They are back-ended by www.vipdesk.com, the same service Mercedes Benz uses, Lexus, Acura, Land Rover, Probably Audi, and a bunch of others..

As a American Express Platinum and Centurion (black card) (centurion is thru work, platinum is mine) card holder, AMEX provides a very powerful concierge for it's cardholders.

I have found BMW's to be more reliable and accurate than even AMEX's, considering BMW will get back to me with answers to requests within 4 hours standard. With american express, I have to wait days and days for them to research these items..even if I tell them on a Tuesday, I need an answer by Wednesday afternoon. They'll say, we'll do our best Mr Thomas...they never get back to me until the following week

Here are some of the things I've had BMW's Concierge do for me:

My 21st is coming up, and I'm going all out...I needed to know if in Duval County (Jacksonville FL) you need a permit for outdoor music, and where I can get one. They are researching this, delay due the holiday weekend, city offices aren't open :-)

I needed a watch, which had the numerals, date, and day of week, in Arabic Sanskrit. They got this.

For New Years, I made 500 Jello Shots, I needed 500 50cc (or so) syringes, sans the needle of course, I advised them, they had 4 hours to find it. 2 and a half later they called me.

My Grandma and Pawpaw have a hard time remembering their doctors appointments. So when they get them, either My grandma or my Aunt will call me with the dates, and I will notify BMW. The day of, and the day Before, at a decent time, BMW will call my grandparents to remind them of the time, who it's with, and the address of the location...They will even fax directions if my grandparents ask them to

I once asked them, What was the name of the talking ATM from the 90s tv show, Eerie Indiana. IN about 20 minutes they came back with the answer, Mr Wilson

---

So In conclusion, I get my money's worth, I find it very valuable, and I've used it many a time for simple things, like hotel reservations, and dinner reservations...

[Russellnyc]

Wow, and I thought I was being a pain asking for supermarkets!

[tbonecopper]

I love the service... it's amazing and very useful

You can specify additional users on your account, like if you had a personal assistant or two

The concierge website is very handy if you don't want to call to put in a request. I always just use that to email them.

[antidentite]

So, I'm taking it this isnt free for the first year as part of the BMW Assist package?

It seems like a very useful option, considering I'm in a new town and could use a lot of these features.

Is this something my dealership will propose to me when I pickup my new 335?

[tbonecopper]

The dealership staff have been trained on the feature...and are aware of it, so they may inquire about it when you activate the regular service

The convenience package is an additional fee per year, but if you use it as much as I do, it pays for itself in no time.

I forget the cost, I want to say it's around 120 but don't quote me on that.