[willyz30]

I bought my first BMW in Oct 2024. It's a 2019 X5 50i. The installed Remote Software Upgrade is 11/2019.70. I downloaded the BMW app, and downloaded the upgrade to version 07/2020.80, and in Idrive the "Preparations for upgrade to version 07/2020.80 completed." Multiple times I've been told that the update is ready to install when the engine has cooled, and that I'll be notified. But it's never notified me. I took it to the BMW dealership today and they told me I needed a new battery before it could be updated. They told me everything was updated, and for the battery and labor it was $612.00. If I access Remote Software Upgrade via the Idrive it says installed version 11/2019.70. My app now says there is no upgrade available. I called the dealership and told them I should have been upgraded to have additional features like Android Auto and hands free tailgate at least as I knew they were part of the 07/2020.80 update.

-I was told because I have the factory towing package I don't have the sensor for hands free tailgate so my vehicle would not support that feature, this appears to be true.

-I was told because my car didn't originally come with Android Auto it doesn't have the needed hardware for this feature. Everything I can find indicates that is not true and all 2019+ bmw X5's with Idrive 7 were upgraded to feature Android Auto with the July 2020 update. I've talked with a couple different "geniuses" but got different answers from each.

I also had the car dynoed and tuned with Eurocharged, but the tune disabled my remote start, so I had to reset it to factory. I'll post help for this in a different thread.

Any help, advice, or guidance is greatly appreciated! I attached the build sheet.
Attachment 3645174

[Theruleslawyer]

If android is important to you, you might talk to a remote coder. I can't find any evidence additional hardware is needed. They should be able to fix it cheaper than the dealer will. Someone like- https://easybimmercoding.com/product...ideo-in-motion I haven't dealt with them but I've done remote coding previously.

[willyz30]

Originally Posted by Theruleslawyer

If android is important to you, you might talk to a remote coder. I can't find any evidence additional hardware is needed. They should be able to fix it cheaper than the dealer will. Someone like- https://easybimmercoding.com/product...ideo-in-motion I haven't dealt with them but I've done remote coding previously.

Thank you for the suggestion, I will check into that. But shouldn't the dealership be able to install the most current version of the Idrive 7 software available for my car? Newer versions of the software have upgrades to many other things such as BMW maps, BMW virtual assistant, the parking assist feature, etc. If I went the remote coder route, it would address Android Auto, but not all the other things that would be in a newer version of the software, right?
Thank you!

[Theruleslawyer]

Originally Posted by willyz30

Thank you for the suggestion, I will check into that. But shouldn't the dealership be able to install the most current version of the Idrive 7 software available for my car? Newer versions of the software have upgrades to many other things such as BMW maps, BMW virtual assistant, the parking assist feature, etc. If I went the remote coder route, it would address Android Auto, but not all the other things that would be in a newer version of the software, right?
Thank you!

They should be able to update you too, but if you want to check if it did or didn’t update and especially if something went wrong with the update I trust a specialist more. The dealer will want to reflash the whole car and I assume you are out of warranty?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by willyz30

Thank you for the suggestion, I will check into that. But shouldn't the dealership be able to install the most current version of the Idrive 7 software available for my car? Newer versions of the software have upgrades to many other things such as BMW maps, BMW virtual assistant, the parking assist feature, etc. If I went the remote coder route, it would address Android Auto, but not all the other things that would be in a newer version of the software, right?
Thank you!

They definitely will be able to update it to the latest for you. You of course will have to pay for the update and if there are any problems would have to take care of them. You should not count on getting any new features from the update since many are restricted to model year. You may get some but that would be a bonus.

Maps are a different story, as long as you have an active ConnectedDrive subscription those are updated automatically.

[willyz30]

Originally Posted by Theruleslawyer

They should be able to update you too, but if you want to check if it did or didn’t update and especially if something went wrong with the update I trust a specialist more. The dealer will want to reflash the whole car and I assume you are out of warranty?

Yes I'm out of warranty. The dealer charged me $612.00 to replace the battery and "perform a software update on vehicle." However, since I have the same software version as when I got there and I can't identify any "updates" it feels like I paid 612 bucks for a battery. After two emails and three voicemails the dealer finally got back to me and said they'll contact the "regional BMW" something and will try to assess the issue and determine if additional software upgrades are available. Based on my experiences so far, I'm hesitant to think there won't be additional charges if more updates are possible.

And just to clarify, when you say specialist, you're referring to easybimmercoding?

I contacted easybimmercoding and explained my situation. They emailed me back and also emailed an invoice for the products that they're saying will resolve my issue.

I don't currently have a ConnectedDrive subscription, I assume this is why the remote software upgrade never finished. I would get a subscription if I thought it would get the IDrive software updated, but since leaving the dealership my BMW app says no upgrades available....so idk. I don't really understand that, since my car currently has 11/2019.70 and previously downloaded the 07/2020.80 update, just didn't install it. Are there additional benefits to having a ConnectedDrive subscription that make it worth getting/maintaining? The $150.00 for the subscription would be cheaper than using Easy Bimmer Coding....but is the "full screen carplay" an additional feature that's only available through the aftermarket coding and would the Easy Bimmer Coding products provide things the dealership can't? I plan to give them a call this weekend or Monday.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by willyz30

I don't currently have a ConnectedDrive subscription, I assume this is why the remote software upgrade never finished. I would get a subscription if I thought it would get the IDrive software updated, but since leaving the dealership my BMW app says no upgrades available....so idk. I don't really understand that, since my car currently has 11/2019.70 and previously downloaded the 07/2020.80 update, just didn't install it. Are there additional benefits to having a ConnectedDrive subscription that make it worth getting/maintaining? The $150.00 for the subscription would be cheaper than using Easy Bimmer Coding....but is the "full screen carplay" an additional feature that's only available through the aftermarket coding and would the Easy Bimmer Coding products provide things the dealership can't? I plan to give them a call this weekend or Monday.

Having a ConnectedDrive subscription has nothing to do with OTA updates, those are free as long as technically possible. Checking for updates does nothing since BMW does not support updates on demand. They are only available for a vehicle once BMWNS selects the VIN to receive it. Often times they are sent out but they do not install for a variety of reasons. We have seen some folks go years without being able to install an OTA update.

A ConnectedDrive subscription contains various services such as map updates, real time traffic, Spotify, etc. You can see the full list online in the store. In my opinion, it is silly to have the vehicle without an active subscription.

Your dealer did not install a software update, what they may be referring to is registering the battery. There are definitely software updates available for your vehicle. You can either have your dealer instal the latest or if you want to use a third party then do that.

[willyz30]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Having a ConnectedDrive subscription has nothing to do with OTA updates, those are free as long as technically possible. Checking for updates does nothing since BMW does not support updates on demand. They are only available for a vehicle once BMWNS selects the VIN to receive it. Often times they are sent out but they do not install for a variety of reasons. We have seen some folks go years without being able to install an OTA update.

A ConnectedDrive subscription contains various services such as map updates, real time traffic, Spotify, etc. You can see the full list online in the store. In my opinion, it is silly to have the vehicle without an active subscription.

Your dealer did not install a software update, what they may be referring to is registering the battery. There are definitely software updates available for your vehicle. You can either have your dealer instal the latest or if you want to use a third party then do that.

Thanks for the advice. I got the Connecteddrive subscription. I also ordered an enet cord and will give Bimmercode on Monday. I'll probably get the recommended products. Another few hundred bucks is worth it to get this resolved.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by willyz30

Thanks for the advice. I got the Connecteddrive subscription. I also ordered an enet cord and will give Bimmercode on Monday. I'll probably get the recommended products. Another few hundred bucks is worth it to get this resolved.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out. My guess you would get AA with just the iDrive update, at least that is how it works for CarPlay and 2019's as long as the vehicle has the correct package.

[willyz30]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Good luck, let us know how it turns out. My guess you would get AA with just the iDrive update, at least that is how it works for CarPlay and 2019's as long as the vehicle has the correct package.

I emailed them asking how "iDrive 7 MGU Carplay Activation + Android Auto" is different from the Android Auto that should be a part of the firmaware update. No Response yet.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by willyz30

I emailed them asking how "iDrive 7 MGU Carplay Activation + Android Auto" is different from the Android Auto that should be a part of the firmaware update. No Response yet.

Some info:

https://www.bmwblog.com/2021/02/01/b...compatibility/

[jad03060]

Android auto, I think, only became available with a running hardware change starting in July 2020 on the 2021 MY vehicles...I had them postpone my build until that date to get those features.

[arRod1981]

I had a '21 X3 built Sep/Oct 2020 loaded with SP15 iDrive 7 "lite" that came with software 07.2020/XX, and it did not have AA. Read that AA was available starting with software 11.2020/XX, and asked my SA to update iDrive so I could have AA. He confirmed with Genius that it was available starting with 11.2020, and so it was updated under warranty to get the feature.

[willyz30]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Good luck, let us know how it turns out. My guess you would get AA with just the iDrive update, at least that is how it works for CarPlay and 2019's as long as the vehicle has the correct package.

Below are the initial emails via my gmail account last Friday and Saturday. I felt that my question was not answered and it didn't seem like he understood what I was trying to ask.

My paypal is connected to an older email account that I used today to follow up on not receiving the service history I purchased on Friday. In the email I asked if their firmware update includes the same features I would receive in an update via the remote software upgrade, or through the BMW dealership. The responses are below (start at the bottom).

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by willyz30

Below are the initial emails via my gmail account last Friday and Saturday. I felt that my question was not answered and it didn't seem like he understood what I was trying to ask.

My paypal is connected to an older email account that I used today to follow up on not receiving the service history I purchased on Friday. In the email I asked if their firmware update includes the same features I would receive in an update via the remote software upgrade, or through the BMW dealership. The responses are below (start at the bottom).

I probably wouldn't have approach it that way but that s fine. It could be because you caught him trying to sell a product not needed. He doesn't have much of a reputation on the forum anyways.

Just go back to the dealer and ask why the software wasn't updated but it was on your invoice. They probably won't do it free but may discount it. Do not mention AA, you are just interested in an iDrive update.

[willyz30]

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

[Theruleslawyer]

Eh, having to email back and forth a bunch before a small sale is annoying. There are a lot of time wasters out there that will suck up all your time and not buy anything. I've had to cut off tire kickers with some stuff I've done on FB marketplace before.

FWIW remote coding does require you to be somewhat tech savvy as you have to install and configure some software on your laptop. Something like a remote desktop and professional software that isn't one click to install. If you need a lot of hand holding, its probably not the right option.

The apple carplay/andoird packages they sell are typically intended for 2 customers-
1) Cars before carplay was included. I think 2017-2018? Mostly idrive 7,6,5
2) Cars that have part screen carplay with about 1/3 reserved for a clock, etc. My f82 with idrive 7 was like that.

The idrive 8 packages may be for people in other regions who don't get it for free?

If you go and get a quote at the dealer to have them push firmware and still want to pursue coding I looked up the guy I used before- https://bimmer-remote.com/ he's well regarded on the forum. At least over in f80/82 land. Like I said, probably have the firmware pushed if you need it and then schedule the android activation if still needed. Depending on where you live, you might be able to find an indie shop that can do coding as well. That takes a lot of load on your end out as they can just plug right in.

[willyz30]

I called the dealership today. He told me they haven't head back from BMW about any available software updates. I reiterated that I just wanted my Idrive 7 updated to the most current version available. He said they scanned the car and no updates were available and because of the age of the vehicle updated versions of the software are "locked" and not available. So unless they hear good news from BMW, there's nothing they can do.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by willyz30

I called the dealership today. He told me they haven't head back from BMW about any available software updates. I reiterated that I just wanted my Idrive 7 updated to the most current version available. He said they scanned the car and no updates were available and because of the age of the vehicle updated versions of the software are "locked" and not available. So unless they hear good news from BMW, there's nothing they can do.

LOL Your dealer obviously doesn't want to do the update as they can't be that ignorant. Just go to another dealer.