[Brisy]

Afternoon all

First off apologies, first post on this board and I'm sure this topic probably has been covered numerous times.

I just picked up a second hand 320i, was looking to update the I-Drive software so I can take advantage of Android Auto and noticed the software is very out of date, 11/2019.39 to be exact, the car and the My BMW app shows no updates, when it's so outdated does a dealer need to update the software manually for you?

Thanks in advance

[xenon]

You'll have to have the dealer flash it I'm afraid; OTA updates are a bit hit and miss at the best of times. If you have warranty just complain that the iDrive keeps resetting or something - they'll try an update before the expense of anything else. If you have no warranty I think it's about £250 to have the dealer do it but someone could probably give you a more accurate price as I've never done it personally.

[Brisy]

Originally Posted by xenon

You'll have to have the dealer flash it I'm afraid; OTA updates are a bit hit and miss at the best of times. If you have warranty just complain that the iDrive keeps resetting or something - they'll try an update before the expense of anything else. If you have no warranty I think it's about £250 to have the dealer do it but someone could probably give you a more accurate price as I've never done it personally.

£250 is a pretty hefty price eh? I'm just amazed that the previous owner never updated it.

[C225]

I too just picked up a second hand 320i and my software is on 07/2019. On searching for updates says none available. I'm on CarPlay so it works at least and probably won't bother with the dealer upgrade but also amazed the previous owner never did any updates

[bmnut]

Originally Posted by C225

I too just picked up a second hand 320i and my software is on 07/2019. On searching for updates says none available. I'm on CarPlay so it works at least and probably won't bother with the dealer upgrade but also amazed the previous owner never did any updates

If your car is performing perfectly well and you're happy with it then I personally wouldn't get too hung up on having the software updated and feeling you need to be running the latest version.
I was told by both BMW Master Techs and Senior Techs in the past that 'if it doesn't appear to be broken then why feel the need to fix it?'.

Some owners feel the need to always have 'the latest software version' running, and I DO NOT want to provoke a debate here, but tend to be of the opinion that if there appears to be something wrong with the car; it's not running right; feels something's different to usual, then by all means let a dealer look at it otherwise it's probably best to leave things alone.

Many posters on here have said they've updated the software and nothing seems any different which begs the question 'was it really necessary?'. Only each one of us can make that decision for ourselves.

Again, personally, I've never really taken any notice of software updates in the past and only now that I have the BMW app have I become more aware of them but have to say it still doesn't change my original opinion about them.

I'm currently running 3/2023.67 on my car but apparently there is a newer version available which my app hasn't notified me about and until it does I'll just carry on with what I have. My car seems to be running perfectly well as it is so I'll just let 'sleeping dogs lie'.

Some friends I have who run BMWs have continually ignored software updates and also tend to use independent specialists to service their cars who may well not be too keen to explore the fact that software updates are available nor have the means to carry them out and those people don't seem to experience any adverse effects with regard to their cars.

[a.summers86]

Originally Posted by bmnut

If your car is performing perfectly well and you're happy with it then I personally wouldn't get too hung up on having the software updated and feeling you need to be running the latest version.
I was told by both BMW Master Techs and Senior Techs in the past that 'if it doesn't appear to be broken then why feel the need to fix it?'.

Some owners feel the need to always have 'the latest software version' running, and I DO NOT want to provoke a debate here, but tend to be of the opinion that if there appears to be something wrong with the car; it's not running right; feels something's different to usual, then by all means let a dealer look at it otherwise it's probably best to leave things alone.

Many posters on here have said they've updated the software and nothing seems any different which begs the question 'was it really necessary?'. Only each one of us can make that decision for ourselves.

Again, personally, I've never really taken any notice of software updates in the past and only now that I have the BMW app have I become more aware of them but have to say it still doesn't change my original opinion about them.

I'm currently running 3/2023.67 on my car but apparently there is a newer version available which my app hasn't notified me about and until it does I'll just carry on with what I have. My car seems to be running perfectly well as it is so I'll just let 'sleeping dogs lie'.

Some friends I have who run BMWs have continually ignored software updates and also tend to use independent specialists to service their cars who may well not be too keen to explore the fact that software updates are available nor have the means to carry them out and those people don't seem to experience any adverse effects with regard to their cars.

It’s just annoying when the app says update available and can’t be removed until you do the update.

[bmnut]

Originally Posted by a.summers86

It’s just annoying when the app says update available and can’t be removed until you do the update.

That's a fair point. I think I've only had one (possibly two) OTAs since I bought my car 18 months ago so installed them but honestly didn't notice any difference whatsoever.

[paulockenden]

I've found that the updates since I bought my car have brought useful benefits. Particularly with DAP, but other stuff too.

[bmnut]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

I've found that the updates since I bought my car have brought useful benefits. Particularly with DAP, but other stuff too.

Maybe I just haven't noticed them on mine Paul?
I only have the 'Technology Pack' on my car not the 'Technology Plus Pack' so do you think that might make a difference?

[Brisy]

For me I really want to have Android Auto and still hoping the update comes through for me to download rather than taking it to a dealer to update...not holding my breathe though, can't help thinking as the software is so old it'll never get updated OTA

[Stokeybry]

You can get remote services for free now from connected drive which should let you update. But I’m not 100% sure because the 2019 software is more than 5 versions old, remote update won’t work until it’s updated at a dealer

[Brisy]

Originally Posted by Stokeybry

You can get remote services for free now from connected drive which should let you update. But I’m not 100% sure because the 2019 software is more than 5 versions old, remote update won’t work until it’s updated at a dealer

Yeah saw the the remote services and remote upgrades are now free for an unlimited term, paid for the map updates and connected booster so at least have Spotify in the car

[srbs73]

I found some of the updates to be really beneficial. Improved CarPlay reliability and and improved DAP were probably the main two. I also remember one of the early 2020 versions didn't display the HUD properly when moving between modes.

Just before I sold the M340i, I ignored the software update as it would have wiped my coding and didn't have the updated software to recode - it did actually then disappear from the car / app so couldn't update after! I think it was maybe 4-6 weeks after the notification appeared.

[sjb993]

Originally Posted by srbs73

I found some of the updates to be really beneficial. Improved CarPlay reliability and and improved DAP were probably the main two. I also remember one of the early 2020 versions didn't display the HUD properly when moving between modes.

Just before I sold the M340i, I ignored the software update as it would have wiped my coding and didn't have the updated software to recode - it did actually then disappear from the car / app so couldn't update after! I think it was maybe 4-6 weeks after the notification appeared.

Interested to know what improvements you have noticed in the DAP.

TIA

[paulockenden]

Originally Posted by sjb993

Interested to know what improvements you have noticed in the DAP.

TIA

The auto-steering massively improved on country roads at one point. I don’t often use it there, only if I want to blow my nose or something, but it’s only since that update I feel confident enough to actually engage it. Before it might have steered me into a ditch!

[xenon]

Yes there was one (early) update that significantly improved DAP but the other 4 or 5 updates (including this one) I’ve noticed absolutely nothing.

[srbs73]

Originally Posted by sjb993

Interested to know what improvements you have noticed in the DAP.

TIA

Most significant change was with Traffic Light Assist.

[paulockenden]

Originally Posted by srbs73

Most significant change was with Traffic Light Assist.

Which isn’t available in the UK (without coding).

[sjb993]

Originally Posted by srbs73

Most significant change was with Traffic Light Assist.

Thanks. Given what Paul said, which coding tool did you use?

TIA

[bodyman440]

Originally Posted by srbs73

I found some of the updates to be really beneficial. Improved CarPlay reliability and and improved DAP were probably the main two. I also remember one of the early 2020 versions didn't display the HUD properly when moving between modes.

Just before I sold the M340i, I ignored the software update as it would have wiped my coding and didn't have the updated software to recode - it did actually then disappear from the car / app so couldn't update after! I think it was maybe 4-6 weeks after the notification appeared.

Re the HUD. Last year my dealer updated the system so that I could download the camera app. After that the HUD wouldn't show the overspeed in red when going faster than the speed limit. I'm having trouble trying to install the latest update and have been on the phone to connected drive but they are having trouble sorting it. I was hopping that this would cure the HUD overspeed. Anyone else having these problems the car is my wifes 330i 2019