Zombie

Thanks I will! It's not been the most pleasant ownership experience. Despite a rigorous "100 point check" at delivery the Nav DVD and CD changers were missing (eventually turned up), it wouldn't start twice in the first week (until I demanded a new battery - I'm now thinking the alternator was playing up back then) Over Christmas the Dynamic Drive failed on my holiday (side of road for hours waiting for tow truck), traced to the battery (now a dud too apparently) and now the alternator. Most worrying is simple battery/alternator failures are carefully engineered to cost $1000's, strand you at the side of the road,& require Windows Vista style horrors to fix. I dread being out of warranty - for what it's worth... On a positive note the car hasn't locked me in, like the Thai Finance Minister who had to smash his way out of his 7 series!

Thanks for the info. I just can't understand how a comprehensive warranty can leave me stranded with a car that I can't drive! If the control untis and software upgrade are required to fix the alternator (as opposed to getting me more iDrive TV channels etc) then it should be covered. Much as I love to drive the 654, it will probably be my last BMW and definetely my last from Team McMillan!

Ugh Team McMillan! The alternator has gone on my 2005 645Ci and Team McMillan say they need to update the cars software to proceed before replacement. Its still under their 2 yr "premium Selection Warranty" They say upgrading software carries the risk of damage to one or more control units which are pricey and NOT covered by warranty, and the risk is my responsibility. I think this is piss poor. The car is undriveable with no alternator and I've never heard of warranties that wouldn't cover things that are fundamental to driving the car. Any advice anybody? P.S. This line under exclusions from my warranty looks like it should cover me? ® Programming. Any software updates and vehicle reprogramming unless that is required as the result of a failure which is covered by this warranty.

Not going to attempt this myself! Have contacted Rapid Radio and The Car Kit Company both have done a bit of this, they're getting quotes for the modules needed. Any other suggestions where to get this done or who to go to? I want to be able to view iPod video through the iDrive sat nav screen without screwing up other functions. Its NZ new Sat Nav and iDrive. Rapid Radio say don't try and get iPod controls thru iDrive interface as too complicated, just stick to video. Thanks for any advice!

After years with the Dark Side (Mercedes Benz) I've crossed to BMW and have just got myself an E64 645Ci SE Convertible. Looking forward to quizzing everyone on everything from iDrive, to getting the AV sytem the way I want it. What a great site!