[ToddRGuy]

So, here's a question for those of you who have gotten to experience the delivery process. Who is it that goes over the new vehicle with you?

I don't mean the inspection process per se, but all the various ins-and-outs of the iDrive configuration, vehicle features, etc. Is it the client advisor? Or is it a "Genius". I noticed my dealership has people with the Client Advisor title, as well as the Genius title.

I'm not sure specifically what the local Genius person does, per se? Is there enough work to keep them busy?

[SkykingUSA]

In my case, the CA simply finalized pricing and preliminary paperwork with me (like credit applications), then sent me to the Finance Manager who tried to sell me a bunch of stuff and who provided all the final paperwork that I signed. After that, the CA introduced me to one of the local geniuses who sat in the car with me and went over what I had time to go over (which was all the basics, like getting my phone working as a digital key, etc.). Unfortunately, I didn't have much time because of a dinner appointment that day, but they were willing to spend more time with me if I wanted it.

One funny thing, I started out with a "genius-in-training" and we could barely get anything started. He had to ask the former genius to join us for help (who was also now a finance guy in training). Once he joined us in the car, he knew exactly why things weren't working - believe it or not, it was because I did not have my seat belt buckled. Once I did that, everything started working, like adding my phone as a digital key, etc. Even though we had no plans to move, the seat belt had to be buckled for some basic activities to work.

The genius gave me his card and said to call any time if I have questions and I took off to my dinner appointment. I'm not even sure if I saw the CA again after the session in the car with the genius - probably because I was in a rush to get going.

One other thing - the CA arranged for my front plate to be installed because he asked if I wanted it on and I said yes (which I regret now, but oh well, not the end of the world). That was completed while I was in the Finance office and was complete before I got into the car with the geniuses.

If possible, give yourself lots of time - these things usually take much longer than you think they need to, so try not to have a dinner appointment for that night if you are picking up your car mid-late afternoon. :-)

[ToddRGuy]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

In my case, the CA simply finalized pricing and preliminary paperwork with me (like credit applications), then sent me to the Finance Manager who tried to sell me a bunch of stuff and who provided all the final paperwork that I signed. After that, the CA introduced me to one of the local geniuses who sat in the car with me and went over what I had time to go over (which was all the basics, like getting my phone working as a digital key, etc.). Unfortunately, I didn't have much time because of a dinner appointment that day, but they were willing to spend more time with me if I wanted it.

One funny thing, I started out with a "genius-in-training" and we could barely get anything started. He had to ask the former genius to join us for help (who was also now a finance guy in training). Once he joined us in the car, he knew exactly why things weren't working - believe it or not, it was because I did not have my seat belt buckled. Once I did that, everything started working, like adding my phone as a digital key, etc. Even though we had no plans to move, the seat belt had to be buckled for some basic activities to work.

The genius gave me his card and said to call any time if I have questions and I took off to my dinner appointment. I'm not even sure if I saw the CA again after the session in the car with the genius - probably because I was in a rush to get going.

One other thing - the CA arranged for my front plate to be installed because he asked if I wanted it on and I said yes (which I regret now, but oh well, not the end of the world). That was completed while I was in the Finance office and was complete before I got into the car with the geniuses.

If possible, give yourself lots of time - these things usually take much longer than you think they need to, so try not to have a dinner appointment for that night if you are picking up your car mid-late afternoon. :-)

Thanks for the detailed story, my friend, much appreciated. That definitely makes sense regarding who does what. I'll try to make sure I pick it up early in the day, so I can have time for the full "onboard training".

Finance should be a quick stop, as I have no intention of doing anything other than signing, and perhaps taking a quote for the extended warranty. The rest of those plans are just garbage. I hope I won't come across wrong, but I'm going to tell them I will get competitive quotes before purchasing it.

[geneatals]

6th BMW on order. For me, it usually goes like this: after I'm done with finance, CA meets me, walks me around the car. Then usually they ask if I'd like a genius to come over to go over the tech stuff. It's been as basic as just pairing my phone and as invasive as going thru the entire idrive and vehicle settings. Truth be told, I've skipped the genius the last 3 deliveries, get the car home, play with the idrive, read the manual (I've usually downloaded it before delivery and read way too many times LOL). Then I end up searching the forum and youtube for tips and tricks...LOL

[RichardInCA]

Yup the genius walked me through - since this was my first EV and the i5 was really new when I took delivery last year, he spent quite a lot of time going through charging, EV settings and a ton of new stuff that was really helpful. Of course, I retained maybe 40% of it, but I had the memory to know that the car could do the stuff he told me which was enough for me to use the manual, post here etc. Time well spent for me.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by ToddRGuy

So, here's a question for those of you who have gotten to experience the delivery process. Who is it that goes over the new vehicle with you?

I don't mean the inspection process per se, but all the various ins-and-outs of the iDrive configuration, vehicle features, etc. Is it the client advisor? Or is it a "Genius". I noticed my dealership has people with the Client Advisor title, as well as the Genius title.

I'm not sure specifically what the local Genius person does, per se? Is there enough work to keep them busy?

So mine was a bit anti-climactic. Of course the dealership was half in shambles due to the roof caving in over the front of the dealership from the torrential rains. So we were in a special "Delivery" garage. We walked around the car and the delivery specialist went through everything with me. We did the paperwork, They attached the plates (Front one with double sided tape. Spanish plates are plexiglass with the numbers stuck on the inside.) Then went with adding my BMW ID and phone Bluetooth to the car. That's when we discovered I could not connect to Android Auto. There was no 'Swag bag" either. They did give me 2 keychains, and they have not charged me for any of the special order items (M Badges, Floor Liners, Wheel locks, Emergency kit, First Aid Kit, Sill plates.) But the cashier was also closed by then, so we'll see when I go back to have the EU Cartography installed and hopefully the Android Auto will work.

In Hind Sight I should have taken an Uber. It was late in the day, and my wife had driven me to the dealer. She kept on asking how much longer? I had told her what the SM had said, that it was going to take an hour or so. And after an hour and a half, it was "You lied to me. You said it would only take an hour" She is not very patient with this kind of thing, and was worried about it getting to late, since she can't see well to drive at night. Oncoming headlights get halos and flare out and she says she can't see. She's ok as long as she is following me and focusing on the back of my car and my tail lights, and not the oncoming headlights, but I have to go slow. And she get nervous someone will cut in between us and then she has to "Find me again" (They did, and she did, and I noticed immediately and slowed enough they would pass me and allow her to get behind me again.)

I have recorded the entry to my carport, and used it this morning to get out of my carport and it worked great. Will see when I get home if it does as well. It's kind of a tight squeeze because my street is a one-way and pretty narrow.

One question. Did any of you have to activate the ESim to get the onboard hotspot to work? I am wondering if I need that for the Android Auto to work.

[SkykingUSA]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

One question. Did any of you have to activate the ESim to get the onboard hotspot to work? I am wondering if I need that for the Android Auto to work.

Yes, you need the eSIM activated with your mobile carrier in order to have a the car act as a mobile hotspot. However, eSIM activation is not needed for Android Auto to work. I was using Android Auto for the first few weeks in my car before I activated the eSIM a few weeks after delivery.

Did you go into the privacy setting in iDrive and just set everything to on (sharing everything). Maybe check that. I think it's in the main "Options" app in iDrive.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by SkykingUSA

Yes, you need the eSIM activated with your mobile carrier in order to have a the car act as a mobile hotspot. However, eSIM activation is not needed for Android Auto to work. I was using Android Auto for the first few weeks in my car before I activated the eSIM a few weeks after delivery.

Did you go into the privacy setting in iDrive and just set everything to on (sharing everything). Maybe check that. I think it's in the main "Options" app in iDrive.

I think so. But I'll check when I go to lunch in a bit.