Sat nav or not

[Cannondale]

I am currently looking to buy a 2004/5/6 X5 and would rather have the factory sat nav, but a good few cars dont have it, would I be missing out big time if I get a car without?

What else to you get with the sat head unit that you dont get with the normall unit?

Also I looked at one car that had what looked to be afactory fited sub in the RHS of the boot, did they do a factory sub? are they any good?

Thanks

Rich...

[Denis O]

I wouldn't buy a car without the factory nav. A lot of people never have a good thing to say about it but I have navigated across Europe with the factory nav and a Tom Tom both on and they are in sync 99.9% of the time.

As you're looking at a facelift it will definitely have the DVD based nav which matched with updated firmware and maps will be fine.

I'm not syre what else comes with it as standard but if it's got the Comms pack you also get Bluetooth, control of your CD interchanger, OBC control and if fitted, control of the aux heater.

They did do a factory sub with the upgraded sound system, DSP it's called. Not sure what else it had apart from the sub but it gets pretty good reviews.

[X5Sport]

You might also get one with a TV system installed too. If it's a late October 2004 build (not registered, built - see the build plate on the offside inner wing in the engine bay) then it should be an Analogue/Freeview receiver rather than Analogue only.

Other than those added toys, the only real difference is the cost of updating your Nav. OEM Discs are £180 a time. We don't discuss non-OEM options as they are not legit. Tom Tom upgrades are likely cheaper. Nav discs do not need updating that often as the base data is often years behind. Probably only needs doing every three years or so. So call it £60 a year.

Our 2012 Mini has the same map database as the mainstream BMW cars and yet still does not hold the A421 dual carriageway that runs from the west of Bedford to the M1 at Jcn 13, and that road has been open for some time - and it really should be added by now. The OEM map database suppliers like Tele-Atlas really should be capable of updating their underlying databases used by car and standalone manufacturers far faster.

I have to assume that other Nav suppliers are just as likely to be as out of date. This is one of the reasons behind the UK Government calling the map database manufacturers to a summit in March 2012.

I've had 4 BMWs now, all new, and with every one the OEM Satnav has been specced because of the added functions that are only available with that option added.

[B5tew]

Hi Rich
I must admit when I bought my X sat nav and TV was on my must have list but now looking at the headunits you can get to go in place of the factory unit I would say it is not that important.
The Dynavin head units look pretty good and you have all the toys on it
Have a look at this thread
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3508
And here
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3739
The cars without the nav option go cheaper than the ones with it seems and it is a way to knock down the seller saying "I really wanted the sat nav but am willing to do without it if the price is right"
Stewart

[Cannondale]

Thanks

If you look on the BMW used site there are a good few 5,s without the satnav, they seem to be a lot cheaper than the cars with, there is a nice Lemans blue 2006 X5, for £14,6 ish but no nav same garage has a simular car with satnav for over £16k.

I guess the biggest loss would be th OBC?

Rich..

[Denis O]

I probably led you astray there Rich. You will get OBC without Nav but it's via the pixels on the dash. Nav gives it to you from the Nav screen.