Just curious how this looks compared to the XL?

 

I have seen it, it looks fairly similar its just a smaller version. Instead of the screen going all the way to the edges of the circle there are little plastic bezels on each side. See the pics below I found online for comparison.

 

I have it in mine

 

Does anyone know what that button to the right of the 4-way flashers is (the one with a picture of the car, and a yellow circle around it). It's only on some cars; the rest have only the 4-way flashers button. This is the clearest close-up I've seen of it, and yet I still can't figure out what it would be for.

Thanks.

 

Eww, it's kinda ugly with those plastic bits around it :(

 

From the Owner's Manual, its the 'Intelligent Safety System' button. This is the autobraking, collision avoidance, pedestrian safety stuff... all of which is not available on US models. Europe only. So for US cars it'll always look like Shraz's picture, just one big button for 4-way flashers.

 

Hey, what dash do you have? Is that hazy grey? If so do you have the plastic trim on the door bezels?

 

Saw it at the dealer today and not a fan. It makes the center circle appear to have too many plastic pieces to fill it in. This sucks as the XL is obviously more expensive, but you do get nav. Also, I didn't realise the controller is different. In the non-XL, you get a smaller one with no touch-sensitive top - just a button. It is no where near as nice as the XL controller.

I advise anyone who wants to get connected and doesn't want the rear camera/park distance (which the 2015 will force you to get) to get a 2014 with XL. Better to put that $1000 towards a larger screen, way nicer controller and nav. :thumbs up:

 

Yes, Hazy Grey. Don't have anything on door bezels.

 

Other than the larger screen and non touch button, are you losing anything else? I assume it runs the same software..

 

No clue. But the looks alone are enough to turn me off.

 

I like it, much better than stock radio one.
XL is too expensive unless you get the premium package.

 

No split screen functionality, but I think that is the only functional limitation.

 

Oh definitely better than the awful smiling muppet stock radio! It just doesn't look as good as the outgoing model. It's also ridiculous they will be requiring the $1000 rear camera/park assist on 2015's to add connected. That makes the 6.5" screen the same as the XL on 2014's. Madness!

 

I didn't want either screen, but I did want the Premium package and an armrest. So that makes it $250 to get the media package under the Loaded Package. Also, I heard that you could upgrade it to NAV in the future if you so choose. Is this true??

 

Hmm, good question? Have you ran your VIN through a Vin Decoder?

I noticed on mine it has 'Preparation BMW satellite radio' and I looked into it, and apparently BMW ships their cars with satellite radio installed even if you didn't get that option... and it can be activated later for a few hundred dollars. Maybe Navigation is the same? If so I expect you'd see something to the same effect in the VIN, like 'Preparation BMW Navigation' ? For reference, its 'S609A
Navigationssystem Professional Navigation system Professional' for the activated Navigation.

 

The XL adds the following upgrades over the standard 6.5 Media/Visual Boost screen:
Navigation
Touch Pad Controller
8.8 inch screen
Voice Command
Split Screen Capability
20GB hard drive storage

Navigation is not able to be added to the Visual Boost radio "after the fact" at this point. And although all models are prepped for Satellite radio, the upgrade is not yet available for F56 models. Potentially ready for mid June or July introduction.