benchod

How does BMW Assits work ? I mean, Whos phone is it using and whos paying for it ?

I know I have a monthly subscrition but does anyone else have this feature ?

I am just curious.


Thank you
Ben

Rudy

BMW has their own phone that's built-in to the car for assist. You don't pay anything more than the subscription fee for the service (the first year is free).

benchod

Yea, but how does that phone work, where does it connect ?

Rudy

Where are you? In the USA, the phone uses the Verizon cellular network.

Merv the Derv

I had this question a few weeks back and like you I thought I paid for the calls, so I switched my phone off and called them and yep its their phone, their bill. Until the free period ends of course

znod

I had this question a few weeks back and like you I thought I paid for the calls, so I switched my phone off and called them and yep its their phone, their bill. Until the free period ends of course
[/quote]Who does one call to get the "services?" I know there is a concierge service. What are the other services? I tried to get concierge once, but no one I talked to could get me connected via the number I was using--forgot which one now. So, I put it out of my mind and never tried again. Can you talk to someone about services using the assist feature?

JStraw

There are two parts to the BMW Assist program (at least for the US. Other regions/countries probably have a diff variation of these programs):

1. BMW Safety Plan is automatically included with your annual subscription. This includes Emergency Roadside Assist, Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Recovery (all models produced after 10/04, except 7 series), etc.

2. The Convinience Plan is an optinal plan with additional charges (can't remember the cost..I think it's per call) and gives you services like travel directions, weather, and concierge services (reservations, tickets, etc).

You can read more at the BMW website:
http://www.bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/bmwassist/

I used mine a couple of times. Each time a customer service person comes on-line. The Convinience plan is also included in the first year. I have called to change my PIN, to ask about the plan, etc.

jet190rs

So if you have an emergency in the middle of nowhere, its possible that the call won't connect?

JStraw

That is correct. Check out this FAQ on the Canadian website:
http://www.bmw.ca/assist/assist_faqs.asp?lang=en

znod

Thanks JS. I had no idea that the convenince plan is included in the first year. My iDrive shows that I have no subscribed services, but I just may be misinterpreting things. I'm going to SOS soon and check things out. I definitely am going to use the concierge on our next San Diego trip. I want to avoid routes with sand storms or recent oil especially.