[SJCFlyer]

We're taking our first long trip in the M60 that will exceed our range - so we'll need to charge at a fast charger at least once. While I totally get pre-conditioning prior to leaving our house (both for the battery and interior climate), what I don't see is any instructions about pre-conditioning the battery while driving prior to fast charging. It's been a major discussion on all the other EV reviews, but I can't find any information for the M60.

We'll be going from Orange County to Paseo Robles, up the 5 to 46. In the myBMW app, I was able to list only Electrify America stations (for free charging), and I pre-selected a number of them along the route (careful to pick only ones with 350 KWH charging). But I understand getting the battery ready to accept a high voltage charge prior to arriving is key. I just can't figure out what to do.

Suggestions?

[LVBMW]

Setting a DCFC location in the navigation automatically activates battery pre conditioning. You should also see an option to do so manually in the iDrive charging section.

[MikeElmendorf]

My experience in NY has been that, now that it is no longer cold out, it is a non-issue as the battery always seems ready for faster DC charging and does not need to be preconditioned.

[Kenny C]

I agree, in this weather preheating doesn't make a difference. Neither doesn't a 350 charger. A 150 is just a few minutes more. The car can only take 205 kw for a relative short period then it will derate.

[Trevor G]

I recently finished my first road trip in my i5 M60. 427 miles from Long Island NY to Buffalo NY. Left on a Saturday afternoon to avoid major traffic. Ride was beautiful! Car planned route had me charging 10 and 15 minute quick charges. Every stop however I cancelled the route and charged to 80%. This added maybe a total of 10 minutes to the entire trip but I wanted to be sure I could get to another station if the one I was at failed to work or was crowded. EA worked perfectly for me at all stops. On the way up I saw a black shadow in the road in front of me so I took a quick glance at the forward camera display in instrument panel and I could see clear as day it was a deer crossing the interstate. Put the flashers on and slowed down. About 3 other cars on the road at that time and we waited for the deer to cross safely before resuming. Pre-conditioning was not an issue for me, car took care of everything automatically. As for 350 or 150Kw chargers you do not even need to worry about that either. EA fast chargers put out 187Kw at a 150Kw charger regularly. 205Kw is max charge rate for the car so either charger will be about same time.

[MikeElmendorf]

Trevor -

Earlier this month, I went from Albany to Ithaca to Buffalo to Rochester and back to Albany over the course of a few days. Only found one EA charger near where I was when I was in Pittsford, but it was nice that it was free.

How has your experience been with the chargers on the Thruway? Mine has been pretty good. They just need more north and south between Albany and NYC so I can do that drive without having to get off. I’ve been taking the train for that.

[Trevor G]

Originally Posted by MikeElmendorf

Trevor -

Earlier this month, I went from Albany to Ithaca to Buffalo to Rochester and back to Albany over the course of a few days. Only found one EA charger near where I was when I was in Pittsford, but it was nice that it was free.

How has your experience been with the chargers on the Thruway? Mine has been pretty good. They just need more north and south between Albany and NYC so I can do that drive without having to get off. I’ve been taking the train for that.

I have had no problem at all charging on the buffalo long island trip. Plenty of stations (EA) available. Most were off the interstate though just a few minutes.

[Icarus1_1]

I think the pre-conditioning works automatically. However there is one important gotcha. If you keep navigation enabled when starting the charging. It will charge only what the BMW predicted you need to the next stop. This can be a bit annoying as for example you take a lunch and spend 30 minutes on the lunch you would expect the car to be at 80/85 percent and find it back at 50 percent.
Workaround would be to disable the navigation just before you start the charging.
This appears to be working as designed (if it is as expected can be argued)

[SkykingUSA]

I'm in New York today but I couldn't take my car because Pricess Cruises wouldn't let me take it on our ship in Fort Lauderdale, the Emerald Princess. LOL.

Weather is nice today (about 86 degrees F today or 30 C), but I sure miss driving.