Shark Fin

[bmwrocks]

Here's one:

http://www.import-heaven.net/images/specs/bmw_330ci_03.shtml

 

[damo]

Cantona7, thanks for your posting. Did you get Nav though? I'd like to hear from a few more folks who did not get BMW Assist, but did get Nav. How did their cars come configured -- with or without a fin?

 

[Talk2USoon]

The shark fin is required for BMW Assist, which comes free for 1 yr with the Premium Package. The NAV GPS antennae is integrated into the rear bumper. If you ordered the NAV system w/o Premium Package, you shouldn't have the fin.

Too bad they couldn't integrate Sirius radio into the shark fin. I didn't want two visible antennaes, so had to do without Sirius.

Free with Premium package? I had to pay to activate my BMW Assist service
Just to add to the confusion, I have the 2004 Ci convertible and the convertibles (I'm told) have the equivalent of the shark fin integrated into their rear bumper.
Can you point me to any documentation that the first year is free (for those other than the 5-6-7 series owners)? I'd sure like to get my $$ back.

 

[donmbmw]

'04 + BMW assist = shark fin

 

[cantona7]

Free with Premium package? I had to pay to activate my BMW Assist service
Just to add to the confusion, I have the 2004 Ci convertible and the convertibles (I'm told) have the equivalent of the shark fin integrated into their rear bumper.
Can you point me to any documentation that the first year is free (for those other than the 5-6-7 series owners)? I'd sure like to get my $$ back.

Now that you mention it, I can't find any documentation about the free first year of service. What year is your car? It might be a 2004 model year feature. All I know is that every BMW dealer I went to mentioned the free first year.

 

[cantona7]

So....

Next question will be,

How will one remove the fin after the one year of free service ??

I would not chose to have the fin afterwards & will hopefully be able to unscrew the unit..etc.. ??

Hmmm...good question. I don't know if anyone's actually tried this yet. The only issue is whether or not there will be a hole in the roof after you take the fin off. I tried looking into this as well, but no one seemed to have straight answer. According to my dealer, he said that the wiring for BMW Assist runs through the roof and down to the car's audio system. He was pretty sure that there would be a hole in the roof and suggested I skip BMW Assist/Premium Package if I was sure I wasn't going to want it after the first year. Pretty upfront answer from a dealer, considering he stood to make more money if I went with the Premium Package.

And to whomever else wanted to know, I didn't get the Nav either--I'll be totally "fin free" when my car is built!

 

[rjp325i]

The free first year of service is in the BMW Assist Subscriber Agreement. It is in the section "Renewal Options and Credit Card Info". The first option is BMW paid period which has the circle filled in. It also states in definitive language "The BMW paid period of service is valid for 1 year."

 

[bmwrocks]

The inclusion of Assist occured sometime after June '03 build dates. I ordered my '04 in June with PP and it did NOT come with BMW Assist.

I seem to remember Oct '03 as the start time for the inclusion. Does anyone know for sure?

 

[Talk2USoon]

The free first year of service is in the BMW Assist Subscriber Agreement. It is in the section "Renewal Options and Credit Card Info". The first option is BMW paid period which has the circle filled in. It also states in definitive language "The BMW paid period of service is valid for 1 year."

<<<<<<

Thank you! I just read the contract I so hastily signed, the day I picked up my car. I have the one free year, but paid for a second year that day. I'm a bit miffed because the sales rep indicated to me it was either pay for the service, or not have it at all
I think the best thing about the assist feature is that they can locate the car (gulp)should it ever be stolen.