[S111SYA]

I have recently ordered myself a 320d shadow edition which comes in March I've spec'd it with both the wifi hotspot and the digital dash and I have queries on both if anyone would be so kind as to help me.

Firstly, digital cockpit, sounds stupid but what does it actually display? Ive seen the dials obviously which change with the driving mode and I've seen it shows the directions for the sat nav in the central section if you have a destination set but what else, if anything, does it show in that central bit? Radio Stations info? Media information? Does it just remain blank if the sat nav is not active?

Secondly, Wifi Hotspot, what do I have to do when I get the car? Have I got to agree with BMW a data contract or does it come as part of the fee when you spec it? Do I have to arrange my own contract and put a sim card in it?

Apologies if this has all been covered before but its nothing I can find which directly relates to these questions.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice

[ZeroFx]

Im not sure the benefit of the hot spot as i cant see that it comes with a data plan. Its expensive for what it is since they have been around as 12v modules for years.

Im guessing people might use to keep kids on ipads in the back of the car but other than that its four hundred quid id rather spend on adaptive suspension personally.

[aquazi]

Originally Posted by S111SYA

I have recently ordered myself a 320d shadow edition which comes in March I've spec'd it with both the wifi hotspot and the digital dash and I have queries on both if anyone would be so kind as to help me.

Firstly, digital cockpit, sounds stupid but what does it actually display? Ive seen the dials obviously which change with the driving mode and I've seen it shows the directions for the sat nav in the central section if you have a destination set but what else, if anything, does it show in that central bit? Radio Stations info? Media information? Does it just remain blank if the sat nav is not active?

Secondly, Wifi Hotspot, what do I have to do when I get the car? Have I got to agree with BMW a data contract or does it come as part of the fee when you spec it? Do I have to arrange my own contract and put a sim card in it?

Apologies if this has all been covered before but its nothing I can find which directly relates to these questions.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice

Digital cockpit in the centre is next direction/ nav. When you first start the car is shows a pretty picture of the car and the next service info. Apart from that i think it doeasnt show anything. In eco shows some blocks which light up based on how economic/ miles it saved.

Media selection is the right hand section.... when you press the mode option..

Only advantage i could think of for the sim would be dashcam and auto notification... but i use a mobile ap connected to my 12v for that.

[GEP77]

The additional information shown on the digital cockpit are Sat Nav directions, Media Info / Phone Info comes up in place of the Rev counter when changing track/station, making or receiving a call.

I've never used the WiFi hotspot, I get near enough unlimited data on my phone so it serves no immediate benefit to me. I've only got it as part of a package which included enhanced Bluetooth and wireless charging - both of which are useful and are used every day.

[S111SYA]

Originally Posted by ZeroFx

Im not sure the benefit of the hot spot as i cant see that it comes with a data plan. Its expensive for what it is since they have been around as 12v modules for years.

Im guessing people might use to keep kids on ipads in the back of the car but other than that its four hundred quid id rather spend on adaptive suspension personally.

I fancied the hotspot as I spend lots of time in my car not going anywhere so need something to pass the time, plus I have two kids that live on there phones and iPads during car journeys so it made sense.

I got the adaptive suspension as well

[Abzynthe]

You get a free 1 month or 1gb, then its about £11 per month for 1gb of data.

Also, for digital cockpit, if you have HUD, then all the extra displays show up in the hud and not the cluster.

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by S111SYA

I spend lots of time in my car not going anywhere:

Dogging?

[goodbyalfa]

I've a suggestion.
Delete the shadow edition, delete dig cockpit and get yourself into a 330d/335d for the same money...
Don't get me wrong, I quite like like some of the design aspects of the shadow, but not at the expense of removing the 4-pot tractor engine up front..

[psp888]

isn't it a cheaper to get one of the portable 3G hotsports for when going on long journeys? data plans will be cheaper too. if you wanted to make it permanent, then just plug it into the cig lighter for power

HUD is a much better option than digital cockpit, make driving a lot safer and you don't even need to look at the dash.

[RustyBitz]

Originally Posted by S111SYA

I have recently ordered myself a 320d shadow edition which comes in March I've spec'd it with both the wifi hotspot and the digital dash and I have queries on both if anyone would be so kind as to help me.

Firstly, digital cockpit, sounds stupid but what does it actually display? Ive seen the dials obviously which change with the driving mode and I've seen it shows the directions for the sat nav in the central section if you have a destination set but what else, if anything, does it show in that central bit? Radio Stations info? Media information? Does it just remain blank if the sat nav is not active?

Secondly, Wifi Hotspot, what do I have to do when I get the car? Have I got to agree with BMW a data contract or does it come as part of the fee when you spec it? Do I have to arrange my own contract and put a sim card in it?

Apologies if this has all been covered before but its nothing I can find which directly relates to these questions.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice

Hey! I have attached some images of my digital dashboard. Hope this helps!

[creepy coupe]

I like the choices you get with the digital dash. But that short needle on the fuel gauge would bug me.

[S111SYA]

Originally Posted by Abzynthe

You get a free 1 month or 1gb, then its about £11 per month for 1gb of data.

Is that something I sign up with BMW for at or prior to collection of the car? My company will pay I just need to know the process...

[S111SYA]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

Dogging?

Not quite, I'm an acoustic consultant so I spend a lot of time on sites watching monitoring equipment do the work for me, dogging would pass the time though...

[S111SYA]

Originally Posted by goodbyalfa

I've a suggestion.
Delete the shadow edition, delete dig cockpit and get yourself into a 330d/335d for the same money...
Don't get me wrong, I quite like like some of the design aspects of the shadow, but not at the expense of removing the 4-pot tractor engine up front..

Anything bigger than the 320d would have kicked my arse on company car tax, the 20d is capable enough for now and I'm keen on all the toy I get instead of the quicker engine

[GEP77]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

I like the choices you get with the digital dash. But that short needle on the fuel gauge would bug me.

But from my experience it is very accurate. Coupled with the permanent range to empty under the speedo it works well.

[S111SYA]

Originally Posted by RustyBitz

Hey! I have attached some images of my digital dashboard. Hope this helps!

Thats awesome thank you.

I was worried that it was literally just be dials and arrows and end up somewhat underwhelming but if it does more bits then I'm happy. Can't argue for £295

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by GEP77

But from my experience it is very accurate. Coupled with the permanent range to empty under the speedo it works well.

I'm sure it's accurate. it just looks broken to me.

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

I'm sure it's accurate. it just looks broken to me.

It also shows the range in actual miles as a number so even more accurate

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

It also shows the range in actual miles as a number so even more accurate

They have always show the miles.

[aquazi]

Imo... if i had to choose between my HUD or my digital cockpit i’d pick the digital cockpit.

Especially at a third of the price!

Athough whenever i get in the wifes car takes a while to adjust with no HUD!

What is annoying is how the digital cockpit and hud display the same thing... would be great if the idrive allowed you to configure what gets displayed where....

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by S111SYA

Not quite, I'm an acoustic consultant so I spend a lot of time on sites watching monitoring equipment do the work for me, dogging would pass the time though...

Oh you poor sod, I used to do that and it bored me to tears!

[Vasumir]

Originally Posted by S111SYA

Thats awesome thank you.

I was worried that it was literally just be dials and arrows and end up somewhat underwhelming but if it does more bits then I'm happy. Can't argue for £295

This was why I didn't spec it on mine. Having seen the Audi equivalent, BMW's is a bit basic in comparison.