[incognito_007]

Hello everyone. I'm relatively new to this website and thought this would be the best forum to get a great response. I recently ordered a 2012 328i/Imperial Blue. My original specs were premium package, xenon lights, heated seats, park distance control. I decided later to add the luxury line because it is much more my taste and I did not like the 17' spoke wheels in person. I then decided later to add the TECH package along with the BMW apps because I like the HUD and the apps seemed like a neat feature. The salesman later stated that in order to add the apps, I need to add BMW assist, which I really didn't want so I said forget it. So now I'm on the fence as to if I should keep the nav or exclude it all together. I do like the HUD so my question to all you BMW owners out there is how often do you use your nav/HUD? Is the HUD helpful? Would a portable nav serve me just as good? Another thing I'm struggling with is deciding to exclude it then take delivery of my car and wishing I had gotten the nav. I haven't seen/played with the 6.5' screen in person and none of the dealerships here have one in the showroom. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!!!

[bcl0328]

keep the nav. i didn't want it either but now i can't live without it. and being able to see directions, music, etc. on hud is awesome and safe too.

[jgrasty]

I didn't get the Tech package as it was just too much money for that function. I have an old Garmin GPS with a lifetime map subscription that cost one tenth of what BMW charges. It would have been nice to have an integrated nav, but I can think of better things to do with $2500. The smaller screen looks fine and serves its function.

[Tim_78]

I was debating the same and decided not to go with the Tech package. First of all the price tag of $2550 is a little bit too much. Secondly, when you need to update your navigation software you can only buy it from BMW as far as I know and those upgrade CD's sell for $400 - $500. So it is also very expensive to update your maps. Garmin GPS is a much cheaper solution.

Something to consider.

[Ryan9095]

Nav is useless use your phone. Not worth the money for a Technology Package in my opinion. My standard iDrive screen is perfect!

[incognito_007]

Thanks to everyone for their inputs. I really appreciate it and look forward to posting pics when my car arrives.

[sr5959]

Originally Posted by incognito_007

Thanks to everyone for their inputs. I really appreciate it and look forward to posting pics when my car arrives.

Sorry I'm not in agreement with most of the other posters. My advice is get the NAV. It is expensive but it works great, plus the HUD is excellent, a must-have feature in my opinion. In addition you get better iDrive controller, larger screen which you can do split-screen on, and the 12Gb music hard drive.

Sounds like you have a pretty highly-specced car already, so I think you may as well go all the way!

[Mocheenm3]

I am not ordering the Navigation, since I have a small Garmin. I am using that money for the M sport package. We have a navigation system in my wifes Lexus and she uses it all the time.

[Bmwphile]

Originally Posted by sr5959

Sorry I'm not in agreement with most of the other posters. My advice is get the NAV. It is expensive but it works great, plus the HUD is excellent, a must-have feature in my opinion. In addition you get better iDrive controller, larger screen which you can do split-screen on, and the 12Gb music hard drive.

Sounds like you have a pretty highly-specced car already, so I think you may as well go all the way!

Whats the size of the hard drive with the standard sound system??

[jgrasty]

Originally Posted by Bmwphile

Whats the size of the hard drive with the standard sound system??

There's no hard drive without the Tech package, I believe. I have the Premium Sound Package, and there's no storage for music, though you can play from a USB stick.

[MaX PL]

nvm. found what i was looking for.

[ede92]

Getting harder to justify the pricing of NAV but hard to beat the convenience of an integrated system. Use cases like sending a destination via Google maps to your car just make it more appealing IMO.

BTW - the standard display does do the Sirius/HD Radio display I believe.

[Fetko]

I ordered mine with the technology package mainly for the HUD. My current and previous cars (both Grand Prixs) both have HUDs, so I don't want to give it up. The larger screen and integrated navigation are both nice additions. Overall, the price is a bit steep for what you get, but considering the 7ish years that I'll probably be holding on to the car, it is more than worth the price.

It all comes down to what makes you happy vs what your perceived price for that happiness is.

[incognito_007]

Thanks you guys. I decided I'm gonna get the nav. I really like the HUD and for 40K, I don't want any regrets. I read other posts where people initially wanted to get something, then decided not to get it, only to wish they would have gone ahead and gotten the option. Yea it's a bit pricey but it's something I know I will enjoy.

[Number]

Originally Posted by incognito_007

Thanks you guys. I decided I'm gonna get the nav. I really like the HUD and for 40K, I don't want any regrets. I read other posts where people initially wanted to get something, then decided not to get it, only to wish they would have gone ahead and gotten the option. Yea it's a bit pricey but it's something I know I will enjoy.

Good choice. I wasn't gonna get the nav (tech pack) either. However, when I took my wife in for a test drive, she saw the basic screen and asked, "What the hell? That screen looks ugly. This is a bmw???" So I added the tech package. It's the only package we added.

[sr5959]

Originally Posted by incognito_007

Thanks you guys. I decided I'm gonna get the nav. I really like the HUD and for 40K, I don't want any regrets. I read other posts where people initially wanted to get something, then decided not to get it, only to wish they would have gone ahead and gotten the option. Yea it's a bit pricey but it's something I know I will enjoy.

This is very true. Next one I get I am ordering fully loaded!

[darksilkx1]

Good choice It would probably help your resale (if you are buying). Most non-enthusiasts will not understand why a BMW doesn't have built in nav if you try to sell it in a few years.