What is BMW ConnectedDrive and how does it work?

BMW’s ConnectedDrive system has existed in various forms from as long ago as 2008, and put as simply as possible, it’s a marketing term that refers to the infotainment system and some other features in the German brand’s cars. According to BMW, “ConnectedDrive comprises all digital services that intelligently connect the vehicle with the outside world.”

In older BMW models it was just a web browser, but ConnectedDrive is now used as an umbrella term that brings together everything the car can do via the internet using a SIM card on the dashboard display. It’s fitted to many of BMW’s models including 3 Series, 5 Series, X3 and X5 cars. Using the touchscreen or i-Drive controller (depending on the car it’s in) you can access these features through the media system.

What features does BMW ConnectedDrive have? 

Currently, BMW offers the following features under its ConnectedDrive banner, all available on various models at various prices, some under a subscription:

• Adaptive cruise control with lane assist (Driving Assistant Plus)
• Welcome light animation
• Speed camera warning
• Parking cameras, sensors and auto-parking (Parking Assistant Professional)
• High beam assist
• A dash cam (BMW Drive Recorder)
• Adaptive suspension
• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto preparation
• A stereo upgrade (BMW IconicSounds Sport)
• App support (BMW Remote Services)
• Map updates
• A service plan

ConnectedDrive services on cars from 2008 onwards include BMW Online, which has features such as weather, news, web browsing, office services and BMW Routes, which helps with uploading sat-nav directions to the car’s system.

BMW Apps

There’s also BMW Apps, which allows you to use certain apps on your smartphone in the car, such as Audible, Spotify and Deezer. This has been superseded by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality in more recent BMW models.

BMW Tele Services and Intelligent Emergency Call

There’s also Tele Services, which is an automatic communication between your car and BMW regarding the vehicle status, so that your dealer can contact you when servicing is needed. 

This feature also works in the event of a breakdown and it will notify you automatically if your car is parked and the battery charge has fallen below a certain level, so you won’t be left stranded. Intelligent Emergency Call, which automatically dials a dedicated help centre if the airbags or seat belt tensioners are activated, is included on all BMWs and in fact all new cars come with a similar feature these days.

Real Time Traffic Information

Among the optional functions within ConnectedDrive Services are Real Time Traffic Information, and the Online Entertainment option that allows music streaming without using your smartphone through Napster or Deezer.

BMW Concierge Services

A further option available through ConnectedDrive is Concierge Services, which is a 24-hour call centre that can help you find hotel and restaurant reservations, flight times, sport, weather and a host of other localised information. The service assistant can also send details of your chosen location straight to the navigation system. 

BMW has a ConnectedDrive Store within its website that allows you to browse these and additional functions and purchase them online, depending on the model of BMW you have.

Driver assistance 

Also sitting under the ConnectedDrive umbrella is the suite of Driver Assistance systems. This includes features such as the Reversing Assist Camera, Park Assist and the Head-Up Display, but also things like Gesture Control which is available on certain models and in particular Remote Services. This service means you can activate some of the functions of the vehicle remotely, as well as take advantage of more of the Connected Services that BMW offers. 

These features include the ability to use your smartphone for locking and unlocking the doors, flashing the lights and sounding the horn. It can even control the auxiliary heating, show the vehicle location on a map and search nearby POIs.

My BMW App

The BMW Connected App has been discontinued by BMW since 2021 with its functionality transferred to the My BMW App. The My BMW App serves as the link between your phone and the ConnectedDrive software in your BMW car allowing you to perform tasks like checking the car’s status, transferring navigation routes and pre-conditioning the car ready for departure all remotely.

The functionality in the My BMW App varies from model to model but you can do things like activating the headlights, checking the doors are locked (and locking them), check tyre pressures and check the fuel level or battery charge level. The BMW servicing schedule for your car is also integrated so you can see if a service is due from your phone and book one with a local dealer.  

Does your BMW have Connected Drive? Let us know what you think of it in the comments below...