What the heck is the dot to the right of my NAV display?

It's like the mystery of morning wood.

The dot only lights up while it is recording. It's only in certain vehicles for testing purposes for the new 007 movie...

My interest in investigating the nature of the DOT began a few weeks ago, before I stumbled upon this thread, and when I was quite satisfied to learn what it wasn't as opposed to what it was. What you are about to read is a true story.

It was one of the most exciting days in recent history, my first test drive of an F10. It was also about 9-million-freakin-degrees outside, so the CA (sidenote: took me forever to figure out what "CA" means) took a few extra minutes pulling around the car so the cabin could cool to a bearable degree. The first leg, he drove, which gave me time to survey the interior from an angle I was sure never to see again. Right off the bat he starts with the spiel, surely not aware that I had been lurking on Bimmerfest and was in no short supply of F10 knowledge. So, sort of half-listening, I casually sweep my gaze from right to left when I notice what appeared to be a small speck of spittle on the dashboard.

Now, while the interior of the 535i is more than adequate in terms of space, I, for one, prefer not to be trapped in a closed compartment with a stranger who has a propensity for spraying it instead of simply saying it. I immediately took evasive action and swung my head around to the right, figuring IF another saliva grenade was launched, the best place for it to land would be anywhere in the universe other than my face. A few seconds later he pulls into a parking lot and indicated that it was my turn to take the helm, but not before spending 4-5 grueling minutes telling me all about some thing that bolsters the doors in the event of a collision, all the while with his head turned toward me and inches away. By that time I was very familiar with the shape and texture of the passenger door sill.

So I finally got to drive; it was amazing of course, etc. etc. etc. But it wasn't until two weeks later when I went back to the dealer to try out a model with multicontour seats that I realized... What I thought was the spittle of a stranger, and had ruined half of my first test drive, was actually... THE DOT.

The relief was overwhelming, but that mysterious little spot had haunted me ever since. That is, of course, until I logged on to Bimmerfest and noticed a 3 page thread on it! This place is awesome...

It's now becoming clear that we should design a religion around the great mysterious Dot (notice that, just as a religion, we must capitolize the 'D'?). The Dot springs eternal and is the source of all life. Without it our beloved cars will not start and certainly will never achieve eternal life.

I mean the possibilities here are endless.

I have the DOT. 2912 535xi built in late March 2012.

Originally Posted by PsychDoc1

It's now becoming clear that we should design a religion around the great mysterious Dot (notice that, just as a religion, we must capitolize the 'D'?). The Dot springs eternal and is the source of all life. Without it our beloved cars will not start and certainly will never achieve eternal life.

I mean the possibilities here are endless.

I like it. Why don't you write the scripture and those of us that have the Dot can be elders and start compiling church liturgy, mythology and rituals?

So DOT thread lives on!

Originally Posted by MSgtMel

I like it. Why don't you write the scripture and those of us that have the Dot can be elders and start compiling church liturgy, mythology and rituals?

Ok, but only if I get to be the exalted grand high pubah, the one who no one can look in the eye without being turned to stone. And I want to wear a really snazzy purple robe.

As long as that's okay, we'll get that scripture written tout suite

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Bimmer App

I actually have two dots on my F02. One on each side.

PsychDoc

Fine, just remember to have three wide black bars on the upper half of both sleeves and a vestment with a depiction of the Dot.

I cannot believe that I just read through every post on this thread again! LOL. And still, no answer to the mystery of the Dot.

Oh, and BTW, my July 2011 build 535ix doesn't have the Dot.

My March 2012 535iX has the dot and the brochure I have shows the dot in two different photos

ok, i will take a shot at this.

i think the DOT is a BMW approved Anger Management Device. i have found myself calming down once i rub it.

maybe that explains why some of us have the DOT and some others DON'T.

My theory is that the DOT is a mark they put on the NAV assembly when it fails quality control testing. Unfortunately, the the guys further down the line don't know this and thoses systems get shipped to BMW anyway. How else could someone why some NAV systems can't follow a 2 mile straight section of highway and others can? It's the DOT!

Originally Posted by dunderhi

My theory is that the DOT is a mark they put on the NAV assembly when it fails quality control testing. Unfortunately, the the guys further down the line don't know this and thoses systems get shipped to BMW anyway. How else could someone why some NAV systems can't follow a 2 mile straight section of highway and others can? It's the DOT!

Except I have no dot!!

OMG... the craziest thread regarding a dot... I didn't think much of it when I first saw it, naturally assumed it was a ambient light sensor (which I still think it is). Sorry, I didn't feel like reading every single post here (just the few first and last pages), but isn't that the conclusion???

BTW, I have a 2012 535i (03/12 build), M Sport, Premium, Tech... and I HAVE THE DOT!!!! hehe

Originally Posted by wonfuk

OMG... the craziest thread regarding a dot... I didn't think much of it when I first saw it, naturally assumed it was a ambient light sensor (which I still think it is). Sorry, I didn't feel like reading every single post here (just the few first and last pages), but isn't that the conclusion???

BTW, I have a 2012 535i (03/12 build), M Sport, Premium, Tech... and I HAVE THE DOT!!!! hehe

I think we're still hung up on the question of how the ambient light in sensed in the cars that DON'T have the dot. Is the dot redundant with other technology, or is the dot instead of some other sensor. From my reading, the jury is still out.

Here's a hypothetical scenario:

Assume you found an irresistable deal on a new F10 at your favorite BMW dealership. The CA says they have two cars at that price, but it doesn't matter since they are indentically equipped, they have the same color combination, the same numbers of miles, and the same build date. You check out the cars side by side and you notice one had the DOT and the other doesn't. Which one do you choose?

Originally Posted by dunderhi

Here's a hypothetical scenario:

Assume you found an irresistable deal on a new F10 at your favorite BMW dealership. The CA says they have two cars at that price, but it doesn't matter since they are indentically equipped, they have the same color combination, the same numbers of miles, and the same build date. You check out the cars side by side and you notice one had the DOT and the other doesn't. Which one do you choose?

Dot, everytime. In fact, I just updated my profile sig to include the Dot Package. I am sure I paid for that dot somehow and it may increase resell value.

Originally Posted by tdance

Dot, everytime. In fact, I just updated my profile sig to include the Dot Package. I am sure I paid for that dot somehow and it may increase resell value.

Originally Posted by wonfuk

OMG... the craziest thread regarding a dot... I didn't think much of it when I first saw it, naturally assumed it was a ambient light sensor (which I still think it is). Sorry, I didn't feel like reading every single post here (just the few first and last pages), but isn't that the conclusion???

BTW, I have a 2012 535i (03/12 build), M Sport, Premium, Tech... and I HAVE THE DOT!!!! hehe

Yes, The Dot is an ambient light sensor. That mystery has been resolved.

The only mystery left is why some F10 vehicles have The Dot, while others do not. This is the question that remains to be answered.

In all seriousness, one would think that, since the F10 is made on an assembly line, all vehicles would have The Dot, or, all vehicles would not. It actually would be interesting to know why some do, while others do not. Is there some deliberate reason on BMW's part, or, do they simply get component parts from different suppliers?

Argh...I noticed my 2/12 build 550 had the dot. I have begun to say hello to the red dot every time when starting the car.

My 535 with x-drive, prem, tech, built in 4-12, does not have the dot.

2011 550, no dot.... I have HUD which changes depending on ambient light.. possible sensor is relocated for vehicles with HUD ?????

My 2012 550 does not have the dot. I'm not sure of the mfr date, but it has to be early 2012.