[bimmeroem]

Reposting this thread since last one was deleted when cartech crashed and revered back to 2019.

As you all are aware, BMW is shitting down 3G network in NA so that means, if you had TCB vehicle (even though you retrofitted 4G ATM),  then you can no longer go to your portal and renew subscription to ConnectedDrive. And since you can renew the subscription, you can not get live traffic and weather/news apps to work.

Until this shutdown, I was able to renew my retrofitted 2014 X5 every year with no problem. But now, even though I have ATM, BMW servers think that I only have the 3G TCB and will not allow me to renew (Option is missing).

So question for you retrofitted guys, have you found a walk around for this?

Note: BMW changed how new ATM replacement works and now days, you can order ATM without VIN or anything. Just get the ATM ordered ($600), plug it it, code it and after reboot, IMEI and CCID will get transferred to BMW server and update the VIN-TO-IMEI link and everything works like it should. 

So, my idea is that you can order ATM (4G black box will work fine), plug it in your retrofitted vehicle, code it to your actual vin and after reboot, it all should propagate and now servers will know you have 4G modem and thus have options available to you to renew. That's just a theory and not tested by me. 

Has anyone purchased a brand new ATM module for retrofitted EVO recently to test this?

[Enabled]

The thing is that BMW blacklisted the VINs associated with the 3G sundown cars. So even if you have a way to connect to telephony services, it won't do anything with BMW connected drive servers.

[JR2]

Has anyone purchased a brand new ATM module for retrofitted EVO recently to test this?

Pre-shutdown I updated I-level to the current level, and all services were re-activated.
I then retrofitted the  ATM module, and it worked fine.
I can say that my system is official, and the back-end systems were updated.
A SIB now explains the customer pay retrofit procedure for older vehicles.
In the past, the parts manager had to change the VIN IEMI link manually, but this is now all automated via ISTA and back end servers.

[user_530d]

Which series?

This may be possible with vehicles where ATM is available as an OEM.
I don't think with F01 or F10 with combox or tcb as oem.

[Timbits93]

The thing is that BMW blacklisted the VINs associated with the 3G sundown cars. So even if you have a way to connect to telephony services, it won't do anything with BMW connected drive servers.

But from what some have posted about in NA, they were able to activate it under a 4G TCB (if they were just retaining their NBT system, there is actual P/N for a 4G TCB) no problem when doing the switch.

Perhaps it's just to do with the back-end from ConnectedDrive to ensure they're only disabling based on 3G specific TCBs and ATMs?

[volaltd]

But from what some have posted about in NA, they were able to activate it under a 4G TCB (if they were just retaining their NBT system, there is actual P/N for a 4G TCB) no problem when doing the switch.

Perhaps it's just to do with the back-end from ConnectedDrive to ensure they're only disabling based on 3G specific TCBs and ATMs?

Yes, there is Combox 4G US and TCB 4G US part numbers in ETK. For sure they don't want somebody with 3G unit from factory appeared with purchased and not working service also their cellular provider not getting payment for those 3G units and stop service. Problem not in 3G/4G sim cards itself. It's always make me smile when I hear dealer complains about impossible to update ConnectedDrive DB with another telematic unit data. Just Database, just VIN-ICC relation, just good profit from new replacement parts and new cars.


@Mods: Probably you well know for what your forum was kicked off. I would say thanks to those guys for a good work...

[jaki]

Yes, there is Combox 4G US and TCB 4G US part numbers in ETK. For sure they don't want somebody with 3G unit from factory appeared

Wonder if they will start to sell these also here in Europe.
What if I purchase that 4G Combox from US and install it to my car?
I have from factory CIC and Combox, so no any retrofit.

[user_530d]

Wonder if they will start to sell these also here in Europe.
What if I purchase that 4G Combox from US and install it to my car?
I have from factory CIC and Combox, so no any retrofit.

Combox-US and TCB-US don't work in europe. ...only ECE version is working.

[Enabled]

The thing is that BMW blacklisted the VINs associated with the 3G sundown cars. So even if you have a way to connect to telephony services, it won't do anything with BMW connected drive servers.

But from what some have posted about in NA, they were able to activate it under a 4G TCB (if they were just retaining their NBT system, there is actual P/N for a 4G TCB) no problem when doing the switch.

Perhaps it's just to do with the back-end from ConnectedDrive to ensure they're only disabling based on 3G specific TCBs and ATMs?

Yes, but what happens when they remove the services for that VIN as part of the BMW 3G sundown? This is coming next month.

Even if your car can now connect to 4G, will BMW servers communicate to that VIN then?

[bimmeroem]

That is exactly what I have addressed in the original post. It all comes down to has anyone tried purchasing a brand new ATM module from dealer and installing it into the retrofitted vehicle to see if services get added.