BMW Route Planner

TomvdH replied on 04/12/2019 15:19

TomvdH

Posted on 04/12/2019 15:19

I have been towing with a BMW X5 for many years. Initially I relied on my car's sat nav to get me to my destination. But, after having had a number of scary moments with unsuitable routes, height restrictions, etc I have used BMW Routes to plan my own route and upload it to my vehicle via USB.

I have recently replaced my X5 for another. Having lost all my pre-planned routes I tried using BMW Routes again only to be met with a notice that it was no longer available. I then contacted the BMW Connected Drive team and was told that there is no indication that it will be activated again. But, worst of all, that there is no way to load your own routes onto the BMW and have to rely on its own sat nav. Well. that is of no use as it does not take account of the fact that you are towing.

After spending all of that money on an expensive car, it seems my only solution will be to buy a stand alone sat nav suitable for towing! How crazy is that?!

Has anyone encountered a similar problem and found a solution? I'd love to hear from you.

11 replies

Whittakerr replied on 04/12/2019 15:47

Member

Whittakerr

Caravanner

Posted on 04/12/2019 15:47

I got my first X5 earlier this year and have been trying to plan my own routes using this link

https://www.bmw-routes.com/uk/en/plan-routes/index.jsp

To be honest i've only had one quick play with it but got nowhere, and i probably wont need it now until the spring. Id be interested to know if you have any success.

Its still a great car though.

TomvdH replied on 04/12/2019 16:00

Member

TomvdH

Caravanner from Wiltshire

Posted on 04/12/2019 16:00

Yes, it is a great car for towing! That is the site that was closed down. I'll let you know if I get any useful response from BMW.

Have you sourced towing mirrors yet? I had to import mine from Germany as the standard UK ones won't fit properly. EMUK ones are very good.

JVB66 replied on 04/12/2019 16:20

Member

JVB66

Campervanner from Hertfordshire

Posted on 04/12/2019 16:20

Maybe you have to have a top of the range BMW that is fitted with all the extras including direction indicators for their route planner to be active

1 person likes this

TomvdH replied on 04/12/2019 16:41

Member

TomvdH

Caravanner from Wiltshire

Posted on 04/12/2019 16:41

No, I spoke to BMW and it does not only apply to my model. A shame.

Tigi replied on 04/12/2019 18:57

Member

Tigi

Posted on 04/12/2019 18:57

Can you not make your Sat Nav go the way you want it to go by adding waypoints?

TomvdH replied on 05/12/2019 09:42

Member

TomvdH

Caravanner from Wiltshire

Posted on 05/12/2019 09:42

Thanks for the suggestion Tigi, will try that.

Whittakerr replied on 05/12/2019 10:00

Member

Whittakerr

Caravanner

Posted on 04/12/2019 16:00 by TomvdH

Yes, it is a great car for towing! That is the site that was closed down. I'll let you know if I get any useful response from BMW.

Have you sourced towing mirrors yet? I had to import mine from Germany as the standard UK ones won't fit properly. EMUK ones are very good.

Posted on 05/12/2019 10:00

Yes, i had to get the EMUK mirrors as you say very good but expensive.

The sat nav has some functions that might help solve the problem such as the route magnet, but again i've not tried it yet.

I can still login to the routes site with my connected drive account but not planned a route yet.