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      06-20-2013, 04:48 AM   #1
ManiacGT
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BMW Assist / ConnectedDrive comms provider

I realise I'm talking to a largely non UK crowd in here, but I wonder if anyone knows if there's an antenna that the BMW Assist/ConnectedDrive stuff uses in the car? The one that signals in a crash, or connects to BMW Online or their staff on call via the iDrive?

I'm lucky if more than 50% of the time I have signal and I'm wondering if there's a separate antenna that might be disconnected, or whether I'm truly in a crap reception area?
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      06-20-2013, 07:31 AM   #2
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Good question. I always thought it was the "hump" located on top of the rear/centre brake light. Just a guess though.
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      06-20-2013, 07:46 AM   #3
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I think that is the satellite radio antenna (the shark fin). I've checked the RealOEM page for it but can't really see whats what...
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      06-20-2013, 02:55 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ManiacGT View Post
I think that is the satellite radio antenna (the shark fin). I've checked the RealOEM page for it but can't really see whats what...
My understanding is that the "shark fin" has the satellite radio antenna and the mobile phone antenna that is used with the snap-in phone adapter and I've always speculated that this is also used for the BMW Assist data and voice connection

EDIT: I believe there truly are times when you will be in a no reception area, since here in CA I've tried to call BMW Assist Concierge service for directions when my cell phone had no signal in the mountains to try and get directions and haven't been able to connect to BMW Assist
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      06-20-2013, 02:57 PM   #5
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I would love t know as well.
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      06-27-2013, 12:26 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWZ4RIDER View Post
I would love t know as well.
From the Technical Training Product Information Manual:

5.5 Aerial locations
The aerial system in the E89 consists of the rod aerial for radio and telephone reception. Other components of the aerial system are located in the rear bumper. This is where the aerials for the digital and analog radio
as well as for telephone and TV are housed. The GPS aerial and DAB L-band aerial are located in separate receiver modules in the upper cover of the windscreen.

Realoem has very good diagrams:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...05&hg=65&fg=30


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Last edited by bmwmick; 06-27-2013 at 02:41 PM..
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      07-09-2013, 10:38 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bmwmick View Post
From the Technical Training Product Information Manual:

5.5 Aerial locations
The aerial system in the E89 consists of the rod aerial for radio and telephone reception. Other components of the aerial system are located in the rear bumper. This is where the aerials for the digital and analog radio
as well as for telephone and TV are housed. The GPS aerial and DAB L-band aerial are located in separate receiver modules in the upper cover of the windscreen.

Realoem has very good diagrams:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...05&hg=65&fg=30


Mick
The question is... which one of those is used for the idrive's data connection (bmw online) and BMW Assist calling feature as that doesn't use my phone, it uses the inbuilt systems.
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      07-09-2013, 12:56 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ManiacGT View Post
The question is... which one of those is used for the idrive's data connection (bmw online) and BMW Assist
bmw assist uses the 2G cellular network and would obviously use the mobile phone antenna in the car for that purpose. Pretty sure that the phone uses the black flex antenna on the left rear fender with other components (possibly an amplifier) under the left rear bumper cover as listed in the realoem diagrams. We specifically ordered our car WITHOUT idrive so I can't help you there.
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      07-09-2013, 01:16 PM   #9
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Thanks for that. I've removed my stubby antenna and put the factory antenna back on just in case there's anything in that... I'll try it over the next few days... I was thinking if there was an antenna in the bumper that it could have become detached hence the poor signal. But if it uses the radio antenna on the rear wing then that could be affected by the stubby I put on.
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