[Chowbow]

Hello all,

I've had my 335i for about a week now and am enjoying it very much. One of the things I have not done yet is sign up and activate the BMW Assist system. I'm a little weary and paranoid of big brother I guess.

I highly doubt they're going to care if you're speeding but there are probably times when I don't want people to know I'm traveling at triple digit speeds (at the track, of course. ). Or I don't want somebody / BMW to know that I've got a Check Engine light on because I might have installed downpipes and didn't get around to taking care of O2 sensors or whatever it might be.

Anyone had problems with privacy issues, particularly with the law and insurance institutions? I really don't have anything in particular to hide, but I simply don't like forgiving information to others unless it's necessary.

Thoughts, opinions, experiences?

TIA.

[Jaws]

Interesting questions. I wonder if BMW Assist has the provision to monitor vehicle diagnostics, and if so, what BMW does with the data?

[alistair]

I don't believe that BMW Assist "knows" you're doing whatever speed, unless the airbags deploy (at which point you're probably not doing that speed any more!!) or you hit the SOS button.

It's a link that has to be initiated by one end or the other. Bear in mind that this is really running off of a cellphone (Verizon, IIRC) predominantly using SMS for the out-of-band data.

The OBD computer may well have such information, and BMW could be required to provide this under subpoena, but you'd have to provide them with your car first (so that they could read the data). I don't believe anything other than work performed is stored long-term on BMW's maintenance computer.

A really interesting point, though

[Chowbow]

Yeah I'm not too worried about long term storage on the ECU. I just don't want to have somebody looking over my shoulder.

I'm going to assume there are more things monitored than just airbag deployment. At a GM test drive, my friend got a car so sideways that the on-star system activated and a lady came on the line to see if we had gotten into an accident. pretty funny actually, but kinda makes you wonder...

[BK]

BMW Assist Privacy Policy: http://www.bmwusa.com/BMW2003/Templa...ACHEHINT=Guest

"... we may collect and retain an electronic or other record of the following information: your vehicle’s description, location, direction of travel, service data or incidents involving your vehicle, information about anyone making a call from your vehicle or under your account; the date, time and duration of call, information and recommendations provided to you during the call, and any BMW Assist response specialist notes written during a call. We may also record, monitor, or track your vehicle’s location or other information when a) you or other occupants in your vehicle request BMW Assist services b) your airbag deploys or a severe rear impact occurs, c) your vehicle is equipped to provide stolen vehicle recovery and you report your vehicle as stolen (requires identity verification and filing of a stolen vehicle report with local authorities) or d) required by law.

"Your BMW vehicle may also be equipped with one or more sensing or diagnostic modules capable of automatically retrieving, recording, transmitting, storing or recording certain vehicle data and/or service requirements."