BMW Assist/Concierge Fees

[DRG]

How many of you purchased the BMW Assist/Concierge service within the past 6 months and now find out you have to pay for the concierge through assist at $4.95 per call? We were told we could get weather info, road info, and directions through assist, over the radio, and included in the $240 fee.
We received a card in the mail last month indicating this $4.95 fee/per request.
Anyone out there fighting this misrepresentation?

 

[TheBry]

I'm not sure about you, but when I bought my car I got one year of free BMW Assist (no subscription fee). My dealer made it very clear to me that the assist feature was for emergencies and roadside-assist situations -- not for convenience features. BMW Assist provides an 800 number for that purpose. Use of that number is included in the subscription fee and covers concierge services (tickets, reservations, hotels, etc.). I always thought it was dumb to have the capability to reach an assistant by pressing the assist button, but being limited to doing so only when in dire need of help. At least now they offer everything at the touch of a button (no mobile phone required). At $4.95 a pop, you'd better be sure you need the information or service you're requesting! ;-) Personally, I won't ever use it. I've got the updated 2004-2 navigation DVD and use that to find my way to restaurants, hotels, etc. BMW Assist is a joke.