[Heavyd]

Dealer installed 8.5 upon delivery. I really like 8.5. Maybe I’m the only one

[Neurad1]

Originally Posted by bloozemanAZ

Very true but if you make a relationship with your SA they'll do it no questions asked. I've had my dealer do upgrades twice over the course of the last 3 years when I wanted the new features rolled out for the iD7 in my 2020 M850i coupe. OTAs in general are at least 6 months behind. For some of the releases with little interest I just went the OTA route.

The truth of the matter is it's about 15 minutes of labor to do the programming. Hook the car up, start the programming... walk away, and come back later to unhook the car. A relationship with one's SA makes that a no brainer decision for customer satisfaction.

So please explain how you "make a relationship with your SA"...

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Neurad1

So are you saying if I just wait I will eventually get an OTA update for free? That would make me feel much better. I thought I would have to pay either way....Thanks.

Yes, OTAs are free. As far as establishing a relationship with the SA, some folks tip them, give them gifts for Christmas, drop them a few sporting tickets every so often, etc. I have found that doesn’t need to be done though, as I have a good relationship with my SA, director of Service and the shop foreman develop through mainly talking to them, being friendly, etc. They treat me very well and I make sure to acknowledge that.

[Heavyd]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Yes, OTAs are free. As far as establishing a relationship with the SA, some folks tip them, give them gifts for Christmas, drop them a few sporting tickets every so often, etc. I have found that doesn’t need to be done though, as I have a good relationship with my SA, director of Service and the shop foreman develop through mainly talking to them, being friendly, etc. They treat me very well and I make sure to acknowledge that.

Well, I would think if you just bought a brand new +100K car should do the trick

[gadgetfreak2024]

Originally Posted by Neurad1

So please explain how you "make a relationship with your SA"...

Being a first-time customer of this dealer, I find I have effectively no sway, no matter how respectful or appreciative I am. Maybe over time, I’d build up some sort of record, but so far for them I’m a face in a crowd of one-timers and unknown entities. And compared to what I read here about some folks being yearly or bi-yearly upgraders and multi-BMW owners, I’m unlikely to register as anyone worth buttering up anytime soon.

So alas I will be awaiting the OTA in all likelihood. And I’ll still be respectful and polite. For all of my recent fanaticism about everything BMW, I realize for most of the people at the dealership, it’s mostly just a job.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

Well, I would think if you just bought a brand new +100K car should do the trick

One would think but two separate profit centers so Sales and Service often seem like two separate businesses.

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Yes, OTAs are free. As far as establishing a relationship with the SA, some folks tip them, give them gifts for Christmas, drop them a few sporting tickets every so often, etc. I have found that doesn’t need to be done though, as I have a good relationship with my SA, director of Service and the shop foreman develop through mainly talking to them, being friendly, etc. They treat me very well and I make sure to acknowledge that.

Exactly. I don't tip, give gifts, etc. but rather have used the same SA since 2017 when I bought my wife's first X5 and continued to do so with my 2020 M850i. I did all our of warranty maintenance and repairs with the dealer for the 2017 X5 as it was to be a keeper and long paid off. Never balked at the cost, etc. Without even requesting it the SA would give me a discount here and there anytime when feasible to do so.

Have a good relationship with the Director of Service as well so even if I have to make a last minute appointment and end up with a different SA he'll ensure my requests are met. As stated it's about building relationships including myself as a loyal customer to the dealer (bought the new 2024 X5 from the same CA since 2027).

[bloozemanAZ]

Originally Posted by gadgetfreak2024

Being a first-time customer of this dealer, I find I have effectively no sway, no matter how respectful or appreciative I am. Maybe over time, I’d build up some sort of record, but so far for them I’m a face in a crowd of one-timers and unknown entities. And compared to what I read here about some folks being yearly or bi-yearly upgraders and multi-BMW owners, I’m unlikely to register as anyone worth buttering up anytime soon.

So alas I will be awaiting the OTA in all likelihood. And I’ll still be respectful and polite. For all of my recent fanaticism about everything BMW, I realize for most of the people at the dealership, it’s mostly just a job.

It will take some time but through the course of the warranty period try to always use the same SA and build the relationship. I started my BMW journey with the wife's 2017 X5 so it's been a matter of time and 3 purchases from the dealer to date.

[Neurad1]

Originally Posted by Heavyd

Well, I would think if you just bought a brand new +100K car should do the trick

Exactly. Though my X5 didn't cost quite that much

[AutoFFF]

I was thrilled to come across discussions mentioning that vehicles produced in August 2023 should have iDrive 8.5. However, our X5M, produced in early August, still seems to display iDrive 8.0 on the screen, and the current software version is 07/2023.33. Should I anticipate receiving a software update notification in September to upgrade to iDrive 8.5?

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by AutoFFF

I was thrilled to come across discussions mentioning that vehicles produced in August 2023 should have iDrive 8.5. However, our X5M, produced in early August, still seems to display iDrive 8.0 on the screen, and the current software version is 07/2023.33. Should I anticipate receiving a software update notification in September to upgrade to iDrive 8.5?

That is already id8.5. For X5M you do not get the new UI.

[AutoFFF]

Originally Posted by alanzyy

That is already id8.5. For X5M you do not get the new UI.

wow. I just went from cloud nine to rock bottom.
Why is BMW doing this...

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by AutoFFF

wow. I just went from cloud nine to rock bottom.
Why is BMW doing this...

There is a chance the UI will be updated in the future for M's but nothing definite. My guess is that it will happen and there wasn't time to handle the M differences in the initial rollout.

[AutoFFF]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

There is a chance the UI will be updated in the future for M's but nothing definite. My guess is that it will happen and there wasn't time to handle the M differences in the initial rollout.

Thanks for giving me hope. haha.

[weastwood]

Just went to dealer today for the 8.5 update as it shows it due. But dealer says they don’t have it and not sure when they’ll get it. Service advisor mentioned it would be an over the air update which from what I’m reading isn’t the case..

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by weastwood

Just went to dealer today for the 8.5 update as it shows it due. But dealer says they don’t have it and not sure when they’ll get it. Service advisor mentioned it would be an over the air update which from what I’m reading isn’t the case..

They have had it for well over a month. Your vehicle does not show it needs to be installed but rather that it is eligible for 8.5 and should the dealer update it as part of a warranty repair then they need to make the customer aware of the update. In the SIB, BMWNA has told dealers that they will not be paid to update a vehicle to 8.5 unless it is part of a covered warranty repair, that is why they are telling you the story of them not having it. You may be misunderstanding some posts, the OTA is scheduled for September and has been since May so it shouldn't be too much longer.

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by AutoFFF

wow. I just went from cloud nine to rock bottom.
Why is BMW doing this...

Tbh id8.5 UI is not that much better…

However x5m also get a lesser version of assisted driving than normal x5 LCI. This make me suspect if they didn’t up the SP level or has some hardware limitation…

[sharkymcpeterson]

Ya know, my dealer tried to charge me $211.35 to do the update for me. This is for an in warranty vehicle. I declined.

[puckybadger]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Yes, OTAs are free. As far as establishing a relationship with the SA, some folks tip them, give them gifts for Christmas, drop them a few sporting tickets every so often, etc. I have found that doesn’t need to be done though, as I have a good relationship with my SA, director of Service and the shop foreman develop through mainly talking to them, being friendly, etc. They treat me very well and I make sure to acknowledge that.

True, but you would be surprised what a dozen doughnuts can do for the shop, that being all the SA's, service mgr, shuttle driver, and the go-fers who get the vehicle to the right spots and back again.
Tipping all the people who make your life easier like your fav SA, letter carrier, waitress, newspaper delivery (yes that's right, I still get a daily printed newspaper), et al is, IMO,a smart business decision

[weastwood]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

They have had it for well over a month. Your vehicle does not show it needs to be installed but rather that it is eligible for 8.5 and should the dealer update it as part of a warranty repair then they need to make the customer aware of the update. In the SIB, BMWNA has told dealers that they will not be paid to update a vehicle to 8.5 unless it is part of a covered warranty repair, that is why they are telling you the story of them not having it. You may be misunderstanding some posts, the OTA is scheduled for September and has been since May so it shouldn't be too much longer.

Gotcha. When I am on the BMWUSA site in my account it is showing a "recall". The only on I am seeing is for the update to 8.5. But as they stated it is just a service advisement. Would it be better for them to identify this as a service notice rather than a recall? Was hoping that they would update but will wait until the full release. Glad my trip to the dealer wasn't a waste as I had a all weather mat to pick up for the trunk..

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by weastwood

Gotcha. When I am on the BMWUSA site in my account it is showing a "recall". The only on I am seeing is for the update to 8.5. But as they stated it is just a service advisement. Would it be better for them to identify this as a service notice rather than a recall? Was hoping that they would update but will wait until the full release. Glad my trip to the dealer wasn't a waste as I had a all weather mat to pick up for the trunk..

They should probably denote what the code is, recall, advisement, stop sale, etc. but BMW's IT staff doesn't seem to be on the ball very often.

[AutoFFF]

Originally Posted by alanzyy

Tbh id8.5 UI is not that much better…

However x5m also get a lesser version of assisted driving than normal x5 LCI. This make me suspect if they didn’t up the SP level or has some hardware limitation…

yeah, less function, more money.