So I'm new to the BMW scene. I'm meeting with the dealer this weekend to finalize the options on my 330xi. Can't make up my mind on the nav system though. I've used Garmin for the past couple years, and love it. I just don't think I want the clutter on the dash anymore. Am I going to be giving up a lot of functionality going with the nav system? My biggest concerns is POIs. Does the nav system have the restaraunts, gas stations, and other POIs pretty well covered or will I be disappointed.  I'm looking for some feedback and some experience with the nav from you folks that have been using it. I'd appreciate the help!!! |
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I have E90 with NAV and think it works great. Most of my travel has been around Southern California and the POI info has been pretty thorough. I would not have another car without it.
That said... the key for me would be how often do you travel into areas you are unfamiliar with? If all your driving is around the town you live or areas you already know, it may not be worth it for that little use.
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I am in the middle of ordering a 325xiT and wonder will having NAV help on the resale value? And is it really worth it?
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Quote: | I am in the middle of ordering a 325xiT and wonder will having NAV help on the resale value? And is it really worth it? | Navigation can be a really terrific addition and yes it does help resale - check a site like Edmunds and you'll see what they add to the value of a used car with it. Having said that, don't visit any of the Lexus or Acura dealers and play with their Nav before ordering your BMW. The user interface from BMW is in the stone age in comparsion. It will still get you to your destination but inputing the address by comparison is a royal pain.
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| Reply » To Nav or Not to Nav |
Quote: I have E90 with NAV and think it works great. Most of my travel has been around Southern California and the POI info has been pretty thorough. I would not have another car without it.
That said... the key for me would be how often do you travel into areas you are unfamiliar with? If all your driving is around the town you live or areas you already know, it may not be worth it for that little use. | Nobody has said that nav is not worthwhile, it is more whether BMW nav is worth anything CLOSE to the price they charge, for what yo uget, compared to something like a Garmin unit.
I find it hard to pay $1800 for a less capable, harder to use, less versatile unit, versus $700 for a nice Garmin.
ANd with the Garmin, in a few years, I can upgrade the hardware, and still have spent less, MUCH less if I sell the older unit on eBay. 
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Here's another consideration when choosing an off-the-shelf GPS or the BMW NAV. After test-driving my BMW NAV for a month and a half now, I realized it has seamless dead reckoning. This means if the GPS signal is obscured for any reason, navigation guidance will continue to be given. This is particularly useful if driving in a dense metro environment (like downtown SF) where skyscrapers block the satellite signal, or on a country road covered by dense foilage.
Off-the-shelf GPS units with dead reckoning are also available, like the Garmin 2650. However, the retail price for this unit is $1400, and the installer needs to tap into the spedometer and backup lights.
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To Nav or Not to Nav