[AloneAlien]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

As I, and others have tried to explain, we are talking about the LCI vehicles that are being produced between April and June. BMW has only said that 8.5 will be available by production or OTA for vehicles beginning with July production. They have never directly said all LCI vehicles will get 8.5.

What we are trying to decipher is if they may update the pre-July vehicles.

For example, the press release last month said:

Attachment 3165342

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...-idrive-system

What you state is a reference to the vehicles in production. When the new software will be available, they will install it at plant. For previously released vehicles it will be either dealer's update or OTA.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by AloneAlien

What you state is a reference to the vehicles in production. When the new software will be available, they will install it at plant. For previously released vehicles it will be either dealer's update or OTA.

BMW has NEVER, at least in the US, directly said that they will be updated by OTA. It is an interpretation that some people take out of a previously issued press release. I took it that way at one point until I did some more research.


The wording, take note of "certain vehicles":

The new BMW Operating System 8.5 will be introduced incrementally – either in production or via a remote software upgrade in certain vehicles already running Operating System 8 – in the following models beginning in the summer of 2023:
BMW 7 Series
BMW iX
BMW i4
BMW X5
BMW X6
BMW X7
BMW XM

https://www.bmwusanews.com/newsrelease.do?id=4113

[AloneAlien]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

BMW has NEVER directly said that they will be updated by OTA. It is an interpretation that some people take out of a previously issued press release. I took it that way at one point until I did some more research.

I am pretty sure I saw a few quotes about 8.5 OTA for X5 in this forum. Too lazy to look for the links though, I am pretty sure you can find some.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by AloneAlien

I am pretty sure I saw a few quotes about 8.5 OTA for X5 in this forum. Too lazy to look for the links though, I am pretty sure you can find some.

It would be a fools errand since they don't exist. Why do you think we are having this discussion?

[AloneAlien]

"BMW is all set to roll out its new iDrive 8.5 infotainment update in the coming months. All models currently running the iDrive 8 system, will get the new software via an over-the-air update. This includes the brand's i4, iX, 7 Series, X5, X6, X7 and the plug-in hybrid XM."

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by AloneAlien

"BMW is all set to roll out its new iDrive 8.5 infotainment update in the coming months. All models currently running the iDrive 8 system, will get the new software via an over-the-air update. This includes the brand's i4, iX, 7 Series, X5, X6, X7 and the plug-in hybrid XM."

I don't know the source but you can ignore it since it obviously is not from BMW given the wording.

[AloneAlien]

"German automaker BMW has revealed the latest version of its iDrive vehicle infotainment system. First debuting in the BMW 7 Series in 2001, the newest iDrive 8.5 update features a new home screen with customizable QuickSelect menus like a smartphone. The latest iDrive 8.5 software will become available to the BMW 7 Series, X5, X6, X7, ix, i4, and XM via over-the-air (OTA) updates beginning in the summer of 2023"

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by AloneAlien

"German automaker BMW has revealed the latest version of its iDrive vehicle infotainment system. First debuting in the BMW 7 Series in 2001, the newest iDrive 8.5 update features a new home screen with customizable QuickSelect menus like a smartphone. The latest iDrive 8.5 software will become available to the BMW 7 Series, X5, X6, X7, ix, i4, and XM via over-the-air (OTA) updates beginning in the summer of 2023"

Again, junk. Not only for source but for content, or lack thereof.

[AloneAlien]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

I don't know the source but you can ignore it since it obviously is not from BMW given the wording.

Please provide any source (except speculations) that it is not OTA?

[AloneAlien]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Again, junk. Not only for source but for content, or lack thereof.

You consider your speculations as not junk?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by AloneAlien

Please provide any source (except speculations) that it is not OTA?

Now you are just being a troll. Our conversation is done and hopefully others will ignore your childishness. Numerous folks have provided information directly from BMW. If you don't want to believe it fine but don't act like a 6th grader.

[AloneAlien]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Now you are just being a troll. Our conversation is done and hopefully others will ignore your childishness. Numerous folks have provided information directly from BMW. If you don't want to believe it fine but don't act like a 6th grader.

Sorry, but I did not see any information directly from BMW which supports your speculations. I am familiar with manufacturing processes and I know how hard it is to switch hardware a month after production begins (recalls do no not count). The 8.5 is a software update - nothing really changed except GIU. No new functionality, just display presentation. Want to bet

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by AloneAlien

Sorry, but I did not see any information directly from BMW which supports your speculations. I am familiar with manufacturing processes and I know how hard it is to switch hardware a month after production begins (recalls do no not count). The 8.5 is a software update - nothing really changed except GIU. No new functionality, just display presentation. Want to bet

I said I was done with your nonsense but seeing this post I take back my troll comment, it is just a case of you not reading and understanding the situation. Lets go through your misunderstandings:

1. As far as the OTA is concerned, see the BMWUSA press release above. It said that certain vehicles will get the 8.5 by OTA rather than all vehicles of those models. You can take that however you want. But given that wording and other information from insiders that BMW has not made the decision about the interim head unit getting the update we can't say anything is certain. However keep in mind that when BMWNA was contacted about this they would not confirm/deny the OTA update would be available and said a press release would be issued on the subject in May. I'm not saying that pre-July vehicles won't get the update, just that it has not been announced that that they will.

2. You make it seem like there is not going to be a hardware change, that is incorrect. From April to June the head unit will be MGU4+ (MGU21A) and starting in July it will be MGU5 (MGU22H).

3. There are numerous articles out there concerning 8.5 and I will let you read them and see what changes are to the system. I'm not going to get into what is presentation and what is functionality, that is a silly and meaningless argument.

[trife.]

If anyone thinks BMW cares even a little bit about pissing off customers regarding the ability to *not* upgrade to 8.5 on a freshly built car, you’re fooling yourself.

This is a company that decided to put non-touchscreens in vehicles over a couple week period back in early 2022, and offered no fix to the very small number of customers that were affected (I’m one of them). They don’t care. They understand that the majority of consumers either don’t know, don’t care or care/know but will still go through with the purchase. And if someone actually decides to not purchase, someone else is waiting in line for that car. The effect of issues like this on their bottom line won’t even register.

[akin67]

Originally Posted by trife.

If anyone thinks BMW cares even a little bit about pissing off customers regarding the ability to *not* upgrade to 8.5 on a freshly built car, you’re fooling yourself.

This is a company that decided to put non-touchscreens in vehicles over a couple week period back in early 2022, and offered no fix to the very small number of customers that were affected (I’m one of them). They don’t care. They understand that the majority of consumers either don’t know, don’t care or care/know but will still go through with the purchase. And if someone actually decides to not purchase, someone else is waiting in line for that car. The effect of issues like this on their bottom line won’t even register.

Furthermore, BMW took orders people placed for vehicles with specific options, and delivered the vehicles without some of those options. in 2021 my vehicle was ordered with air suspension and delivered without it. I was refunded $250 for this.

[Heavyd]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

BMW has NEVER, at least in the US, directly said that they will be updated by OTA. It is an interpretation that some people take out of a previously issued press release. I took it that way at one point until I did some more research.


The wording, take note of "certain vehicles":

The new BMW Operating System 8.5 will be introduced incrementally – either in production or via a remote software upgrade in certain vehicles already running Operating System 8 – in the following models beginning in the summer of 2023:
BMW 7 Series
BMW iX
BMW i4
BMW X5
BMW X6
BMW X7
BMW XM

https://www.bmwusanews.com/newsrelease.do?id=4113

If I read this then the certain vehicles are the list they mention. Implying that all the vehicles in the list will get the 8.5 from factory or by OTA.

The 3 series LCI with curved display and OS 8 will not get an update because it's not in the list. Also from factory it will not get 8.5.

The new BMW Operating System 8.5 will be gradually introduced in all midsize, executive and luxury model ranges1) from BMW. It will continue to be based on Linux and will be combined with the largest version of the BMW Curved Display.
1) BMW Operating System 8.5 compatibility by model and start of production:
BMW 7 Series; BMW iX, BMW i4, BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW X7, BMW XM gradually from July 2023; further models to follow, subject to change

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/globa...em?language=en

I really think it's that simple

[SwissBeemer]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

2. You make it seem like there is not going to be a hardware change, that is incorrect. From April to June the head unit will be MGU4+ (MGU21A) and starting in July it will be MGU5 (MGU22H).

I hate to be "this guy" but where is this info actually coming from? It seems odd to me that we are dancing around a seemingly simple information whether "MGU4+" can be updated or not because we don't even have anything official from BMW for such a simple issue while we are talking about such a very specific topic of the exact hardware specs of a single component of the car as if we know for a fact while that would seem to me like the type of information that BMW would not release in their press releases? So just wondering why we are so sure about that as I've always only seen people mentioning this citing this post as a source, but nothing official from BMW? Otherwise we would be applying a different standard of "factuality" for the OS 8.5 question and the hardware question.

Originally Posted by akin67

Furthermore, BMW took orders people placed for vehicles with specific options, and delivered the vehicles without some of those options. in 2021 my vehicle was ordered with air suspension and delivered without it. I was refunded $250 for this.

That might very well be the case but you could simply refuse to take the car then, which you can't with the iDrive issue. If I was delivered a brand new car with options missing that we agreed on I would simply refuse to take it. And I would be tempted to do the same if BMW would really screw the customers of the first 3 months with old hardware, but I can't. Besides the fact that I don't think they'll actually do that.

Originally Posted by Heavyd

I really think it's that simple

Reading those releases I'm also leaning your way in terms of interpretation. Not saying it doesn't make sense to interpret it the other way just that the other option seems less likely, almost "sneaky", to me and also that it wouldn't make sense to just have the first 3 months of production be left with "old" hardware.

But I also have some skin in the game with my production being WK24 so I acknowledge my bias.

[Heavyd]

Originally Posted by SwissBeemer

But I also have some skin in the game with my production being WK24 so I acknowledge my bias.

My production has gone from week 28 (July) to week 24 (June).

Don't know if that is a good thing Imagine that because of this I won't get the 8.5 update and with my initial production I would have gotten it!

Also the Belgian and German FAQ is saying all vehicles from 04/2023 will get the update. So somewhere BMW must communicated that to those countries. I would hope

Find it hard to believe this software is so market specific that BMW would update some markets to 8.5 and others not.

[Heavyd]

I called BMW Belux. This is not a dealer but a division of the BMW group, something like BMW NA but for Belgium and Luxembourg.

They say all vehicles produced between April and July will get an 8.5 OTA update from September.
The cars will have all necessary hardware from April to run 8.5.
They had written confirmation about that from the product manager.

I don't know if this only applies for the Belgian market or what MGU the car will have.

But it's hard to believe that BMW NA will say naaaah, we're not gonna upgrade the US market

[SwissBeemer]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

My production has gone from week 28 (July) to week 24 (June).

Weren't you the Belgian guy with the Oxford Green X5 50e? If yes it seems they are batching some individual greens together, maybe? Since mine is Malachite Green and WK24 as well.

[Heavyd]

Originally Posted by SwissBeemer

Weren't you the Belgian guy with the Oxford Green X5 50e? If yes it seems they are batching some individual greens together, maybe? Since mine is Malachite Green and WK24 as well.

No I have Manhattan.

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by AloneAlien

You consider your speculations as not junk?

TurtleBoy is quoting BMW directly - to show how ambiguous their wording is - so obviously that isn't 'junk' as far as sources go.

You are quoting sources that are not BMW.

You cannot rely on any source that isn't BMW to be 100% accurate - how can they know if BMW themselves have not clarified.

People are reading BMW's ambiguous wording and interpreting that how they choose to. But it isn't 100% clear.

I think the LCI will probably get OTA to 8.5, but BMW USA haven't confirmed it 100%.