What generation iDrive is in our cars?

jingai00 · 03-09-2007, 10:03 AM

As title says. I see that over on x5world.net people are updating the operating system via update CDs. Seeing that I'm a programmer for a living and therefore something of a geek, this interests me. As does hacking the OS, of course

From what I gather, though, they have entirely different iDrive systems in the X5 (and apparently the Mini Cooper shares the same).

JSpira · 03-09-2007, 12:37 PM

The X5 only recently (in the last two months) got iDrive so I doubt that anyone is there talking about updating it themselves or hacking it.

It can only be updated at the workshop.

SteveMD · 03-09-2007, 12:41 PM

Don't confuse iDrive with the Nav that was in earlier models.

JSpira · 03-09-2007, 12:43 PM

To answer the other part of the question, i.e. what generation, right now BMW is installing generation 3 iDrives into the car. You can recognize this version by the presence of the favorite buttons. (Gen 1 was in the 2002 7er; Gen 2 followed in the 2004 5er and 2006 3er)

There is a change starting with March production that eliminates haptic feedback and this involves a new controller, not sure what else.

I am also not sure if this should be considered 3.5 or 4.0.

jingai00 · 03-09-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveMD

Don't confuse iDrive with the Nav that was in earlier models.

Ah, this is likely where I was confused. Forgot there was another nav system before iDrive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

There is a change starting with March production that eliminates haptic feedback and this involves a new controller, not sure what else.

That's somewhat disappointing, actually. I rather liked the haptic feedback. It's too bad they couldn't have just fixed it (namely the incorrect resistance when scrolling larger-than-single-screen lists).

It's also too bad the system's firmware can't be updated via CD for iDrive. Reduces our chances of making new firmware (and modifying the existing firmware) considerably.

SoYank · 03-09-2007, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

There is a change starting with March production that eliminates haptic feedback and this involves a new controller, not sure what else.

Is this involving the iDrive knob? If so, will the new controller be compatible with, i.e., replace, the original? I absolutely hate the feedback when trying to scroll down the lists; feels like I'm likely to break something.

JSpira · 03-09-2007, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoYank

Is this involving the iDrive knob? If so, will the new controller be compatible with, i.e., replace, the original? I absolutely hate the feedback when trying to scroll down the lists; feels like I'm likely to break something.

The controller is fairly complex and cannot be swapped because it would not work with the other iDrive hardware in the older vehicle.

JSpira · 03-09-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jingai00

That's somewhat disappointing, actually. I rather liked the haptic feedback. It's too bad they couldn't have just fixed it (namely the incorrect resistance when scrolling larger-than-single-screen lists).

.

I like it where it is appropriate but apparently BMW took the path of least resistance OR there were reasons they haven't yet told me about as to why they did this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jingai00

It's also too bad the system's firmware can't be updated via CD for iDrive. Reduces our chances of making new firmware (and modifying the existing firmware) considerably.

Well given the complexity of loading the system, the specialized equipment needed to do it, and the fact that updates can cause module failure, are yousure you really want to do it?

SteveMD · 03-09-2007, 05:02 PM

Plus when you break it, the dealer has to fix it and BMW foots the bill.

"It just locked up on me, honest".

jingai00 · 03-09-2007, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoYank

Is this involving the iDrive knob? If so, will the new controller be compatible with, i.e., replace, the original? I absolutely hate the feedback when trying to scroll down the lists; feels like I'm likely to break something.

SoYank, it's not SUPPOSED to do that. It's a bug. Besides that bug, though, I really do like the feedback.

jingai00 · 03-09-2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

Well given the complexity of loading the system, the specialized equipment needed to do it, and the fact that updates can cause module failure, are yousure you really want to do it?

Me? Yes. But like I said, I do this kind of stuff for a living. I'm not likely to break it to the point of no return.

Specialized equipment *wouldn't* be necessary had they written the boot-loader to support searching the CD-ROM for an update.

I know why they chose not to allow this, of course. It's not good in the hands of the "general public," but, I'm still a little disappointed

JSpira · 03-09-2007, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jingai00

Me? Yes. But like I said, I do this kind of stuff for a living. I'm not likely to break it to the point of no return.

That would imply more domain specific knowledge than BMW master technicians, who end up inadvertently frying modules all the time during upgrades.

jingai00 · 03-09-2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

That would imply more domain specific knowledge than BMW master technicians, who end up inadvertently frying modules all the time during upgrades.

Then either there is something wrong with the update process itself, or the techs. I've solved the former in many embedded devices I've designed simply by loading the image into RAM first and comparing the MD5 hash of the image uploaded with what it should be before committing it to EEPROM, it's not hard.. of course, if you lose power during the commit itself, you can render it useless. I have solved that problem too, in the past, by keeping a seperate boot-loader partition that contains enough "smarts" to at least load a new firmware image.

But anyway, suffice to say, it's a computer, and I'd like to play with it.

JSpira · 03-09-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jingai00

But anyway, suffice to say, it's a computer, and I'd like to play with it.

Understood. Now I just like getting the new toys from BMW well before anyone else

Jean330xi · 03-09-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

Understood. Now I just like getting the new toys from BMW well before anyone else

That's true. When exactly did you get the iPod adapter, compared to when it was in GA?

jingai00 · 03-09-2007, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

Understood. Now I just like getting the new toys from BMW well before anyone else

And I seriously envy you for that

JSpira · 03-09-2007, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean330xi

That's true. When exactly did you get the iPod adapter, compared to when it was in GA?

June 2006. GA was early Sept.

LEDZEP · 03-09-2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

Understood. Now I just like getting the new toys from BMW well before anyone else

Haven't seen the new 6FL or updated iDrive yet? Gee whiz Jonathan, in a month (or a wee bit less if I'm terribly lucky) I'll have it! I could be persuaded to drive up the Jersey turnpike to give you grist for your mill.

JSpira · 03-09-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

Haven't seen the new 6FL or updated iDrive yet? Gee whiz Jonathan, in a month (or a wee bit less if I'm terribly lucky) I'll have it! I could be persuaded to drive up the Jersey turnpike to give you grist for your mill.

No press cars with these options yet (in the same car).

I have however played with the iDrive with the Favoriten buttons but not with the new controller.

DJHakim · 03-11-2007, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jingai00

SoYank, it's not SUPPOSED to do that. It's a bug. Besides that bug, though, I really do like the feedback.

Actually, I am not sure about that (being a bug). When scolling a long list, resistance kicks in when you reach the bottom, but you can (1) turn through the reistance to "page down" or (2) shift the knob down, then scroll down w/o resistance. It seems logical to me, though I guess I could do w/o the resistance at page breaks if it pleases most others.

jingai00 · 03-11-2007, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJHakim

Actually, I am not sure about that (being a bug). When scolling a long list, resistance kicks in when you reach the bottom, but you can (1) turn through the reistance to "page down" or (2) shift the knob down, then scroll down w/o resistance. It seems logical to me, though I guess I could do w/o the resistance at page breaks if it pleases most others.

Yours might be different. Mine gives resistance over and over and over.. it feels like it's "fighting" me.

Nemis · 03-13-2007, 07:22 AM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...t=31934&page=2

03-09-2007, 10:03 AM	#1
jingai00 Private 6 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	What generation iDrive is in our cars? As title says. I see that over on x5world.net people are updating the operating system via update CDs. Seeing that I'm a programmer for a living and therefore something of a geek, this interests me. As does hacking the OS, of course From what I gather, though, they have entirely different iDrive systems in the X5 (and apparently the Mini Cooper shares the same). __________________ 2007 E92 328i Space Grey over Coral Red with Grey Poplar trim Premium / Sport / Steptronic / Comfort Access / iDrive / Park Distance Control / Power Rear Sunshade iPod Adapter / Chrome Exhaust Tips / Cargo Organizer / Clean Bag / Roundel Valve Stem Caps
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03-09-2007, 12:37 PM	#2
JSpira Freude am Fahren 338 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	The X5 only recently (in the last two months) got iDrive so I doubt that anyone is there talking about updating it themselves or hacking it. It can only be updated at the workshop. __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member
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03-09-2007, 12:41 PM	#3
SteveMD Colonel 198 Rep 2,485 Posts Drives: 2016 F10 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Raventown! iTrader: (3)	Don't confuse iDrive with the Nav that was in earlier models. __________________ 2006 E90 330i (retired) 2009 E90 335i (retired) 2012 E70 X5 50i M Sport (retired) 2016 F10 535i M Sport
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03-09-2007, 12:43 PM	#4
JSpira Freude am Fahren 338 Rep 5,254 Posts Drives: Fünfer, Dreier, + Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York, München, Wien iTrader: (1)	To answer the other part of the question, i.e. what generation, right now BMW is installing generation 3 iDrives into the car. You can recognize this version by the presence of the favorite buttons. (Gen 1 was in the 2002 7er; Gen 2 followed in the 2004 5er and 2006 3er) There is a change starting with March production that eliminates haptic feedback and this involves a new controller, not sure what else. I am also not sure if this should be considered 3.5 or 4.0. __________________ Freude am Fahren. Jonathan E90 2006 330xi E90 2006 325i E39 2003 530i Sport* E46 2000 328Ci* E36 1996 328iS* E36 1992 325i* E30 1991 318is E21 1982 320iS* E21 1979 320 (6-Zyl)* *retired Nominated: Most Contributing Member
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03-09-2007, 05:02 PM	#9
SteveMD Colonel 198 Rep 2,485 Posts Drives: 2016 F10 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Raventown! iTrader: (3)	Plus when you break it, the dealer has to fix it and BMW foots the bill. "It just locked up on me, honest". __________________ 2006 E90 330i (retired) 2009 E90 335i (retired) 2012 E70 X5 50i M Sport (retired) 2016 F10 535i M Sport
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03-13-2007, 07:22 AM	#22
Nemis Private First Class 1 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 330d -> 550Nm@1750 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: italy iTrader: (0)	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...t=31934&page=2 __________________ i'm sorry for my errors and my bad english 330d attiva, SG, dakota Terra, 162 18", xeno als, pcd front & rear, Navi Pro with MP3, rear tint, sun roof, sport pak , sport seat , M shift knob...
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