[Tengocity]

So this app is quite cool for amusing folk with the ability to flash your lights, lock and unlock your car remotely and find it on a map, but has anyone had any real need to use these features?

Especially the flash your lights function!

[Rfc1970]

Yes I think it's cool especially if you need to get something from the car but keys are in the house and you have your phone on you.

[djcowlin]

Airport car park...

[rocketretro]

It's a novelty with the current limitations but a programmed warm up/defrost function in this current weather would make it a must have gadget!

[magic77]

If they removed or gave you ability to opt out from the stupid 1.5km limit on location and added things like heatup warm up option as well it would make it a good app. Right now only thing I can see useful is the cooling option for the summer. Rest a bit of a gimmick

[JustChris]

On a few hot days I've put the blower on 10 minutes before I leave the office. Not much though.

I wish we could:-

1) Start the engine, set cabin temp, start rear screen heater, heating up seats and car remotely (I know its best to drive off immediately after starting but on cold days I'd like to arrive to a warm car
2) Enter a sat nav destination and have the App tell you off any RTTI delays (suppose Google maps best already).
3) Electrocute cats on your bonnet or that hide underneath getting warm waiting to crap on your grass.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by ChesterM2

On a few hot days I've put the blower on 10 minutes before I leave the office. Not much though.

I wish we could:-

1) Start the engine, set cabin temp, start rear screen heater, heating up seats and car remotely (I know its best to drive off immediately after starting but on cold days I'd like to arrive to a warm car
2) Enter a sat nav destination and have the App tell you off any RTTI delays (suppose Google maps best already).
3) Electrocute cats on your bonnet or that hide underneath getting warm waiting to crap on your grass.

Bloody cats crapping on my front lawn makes me mad!

[Edinburra]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

So this app is quite cool for amusing folk with the ability to flash your lights, lock and unlock your car remotely and find it on a map, but has anyone had any real need to use these features?

Especially the flash your lights function!

These features you mention are novelty value only, but the send to Navigation feature is worthy and one that I use.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Edinburra

These features you mention are novelty value only, but the send to Navigation feature is worthy and one that I use.

I've used that on google maps for years now- very handy indeed!

[Trialskings]

Originally Posted by teaston

Bloody cats crapping on my front lawn makes me mad!

Our German Shepherd seems to do a pretty good job of keeping those away. Mind you, I wouldn't mind a remote for her when she's being lairy.

[PurpleTT]

In a nutshell, no.

Used "fans" once or twice on really hot days in the summer hoping they would help but made precious little difference.

Better strategy is 1) open door, 2) lean in and fire her up, 3) stand by car for 1 min, 4) get in.

Both the "flash" & "dude where's my car" functions get a 1/10 novelty factor rating.

Chester's suggestions make a lot more sense. Inc the cat one!

[Bee Pee]

Originally Posted by Edinburra

These features you mention are novelty value only, but the send to Navigation feature is worthy and one that I use.

+1 google send to car feature. V handy.

[magic77]

The send to car is great but then its available direct from google website so kind a makes the app pointless. It could be such a powerful tool yet typically has become marketing gimmic

[AP_75]

Agree that sending addresses to the sat nav is the only useful feature and much easier than entering via iDrive.

I tested out the flashing headlight feature while looking out the window of my house -took about 2 mins to work so would prob have found the car in a car park by then.

Hopefully they will add new features in the future - Jaguar Land Rover app seems to replace the need for a tracker system and offers a lot more functionality e.g. journey history, fuel level etc.

[magic77]

The location bit would be most usefull but crazy thing is BMW are hiding behind privacy laws saying they cant allow it. It should be up to car owner IMO if they want it on or off . I feel another forum campaign coming

[teaston]

Originally Posted by magic77

The location bit would be most usefull but crazy thing is BMW are hiding behind privacy laws saying they cant allow it. It should be up to car owner IMO if they want it on or off . I feel another forum campaign coming

You could just buy a cheap used iphone, activate find my iphone on it, then hide it behind the interior connected to a power source!

[russelldav]

How do you get the app to sync with the car? I registered my VIN at bmw.co.uk weeks ago and no response

[magic77]

I know there are also some good gps locators you could buy on amazon that run 3 months without recharge. My point is you drop nearly 45k on a car you expect to be allowed to know where it is if you are the owner etc.

Its typical probably as they want you to buy the tracker on top thats why and then use privacy as a get out clause. In a simpler fairer world there would be an option for onwer to simply turn on full tracking and then just pop a disclaimer on the i drive that car is fully tracked.

Certainly would stop worry and any techs / mechanics / valets taking car for a "test drive".

[simon.]

Originally Posted by russelldav

How do you get the app to sync with the car? I registered my VIN at bmw.co.uk weeks ago and no response

I'd chase your dealer as it shouldn't take that long. My old 135 took around a week max iirc.

Like the send destination to the car, rest a bit of a waste of time & as said, a larger range on find my car would be very helpful.

[matt_320d]

I find it SO frustrating. They have done the hard work of putting the technology in the car, but then wasted it by not including any useful features.

Heating the screens and seats would be a game changer. Honk Horn as well as lights...

Being able to allow other people to send messages to the car if they have the phone number of the cars sim would be useful. Whsts the point in sending messages to yourself?

Sending a notification to your phone if the car alarm is going off, or is unlocked without your key present...

So many features could be easily added. Wake up bmw!

[magic77]

That is a good point, reverse notifications would be great about alarm, even being able to check car status, service etc.

[E60MKF]

A lot of these features are not allowed due to EU Law such remotely starting the engine and due to that heated seats are not able to be started remotely due to potentially draining the battery. Some models have Aux Heating which allow for this like the X6 but I have a feeling they have added extra tech to these model to combat these issues.