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      11-23-2011, 08:54 PM   #1
corey2140
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Software update

Is there a software update available for the F25? I\'ve seen it mentioned a couple of times. If so, what does it fix?
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      11-24-2011, 02:40 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by corey2140 View Post
Is there a software update available for the F25? I\'ve seen it mentioned a couple of times. If so, what does it fix?
YES but you wont get it, the dealers do not update software unless a problem arises.
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      11-24-2011, 03:00 AM   #3
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We got ours updated on Tues when our electric towball needed reprogramming and new nearside top-view camera. The service manager mentioned that normally you don't get this done but due to new electronic components, it needed updating. Or something like that.
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      11-24-2011, 03:17 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnbmw6 View Post
YES but you wont get it, the dealers do not update software unless a problem arises.
What about SW updates upon scheduled maintenance?

At least Volvo updates all car's SWs "free-of-charge" here when car is there serviced.
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      11-24-2011, 10:25 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by johnbmw6 View Post
YES but you wont get it, the dealers do not update software unless a problem arises.
This is correct but you can probably use an existing bug and ask for an update to see if it gets fixed. I did this citing the Music Collection playing songs in alphabetical order instead of album order, the navigation bug where the arrow stays on after you reach your destination, and some problems with the signal boost from the iPhone cradle (i.e. there is no signal boost!). They reluctantly agreed and i also got a free car wash and interior clean
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      11-24-2011, 11:03 AM   #6
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I was with the dealer yesterday getting my right side mirror fixed as it never folded in fully. Dealer disagreed to update the software saying it takes 4 to 5 hrs, he just reloaded the original parameters and mirror started working correctly. This was his version, I don't know what exactly was done.

I just wonder why cant they give us software update to us on a USB drive and we ourselves can upgrade it.
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      11-24-2011, 11:40 AM   #7
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I just wonder why cant they give us software update to us on a USB drive and we ourselves can upgrade it

IMO, that would be crazy on the dealer's part. Many ppl could do it properly, then what happens when something goes wrong, car is under warranty but owner uploaded software himself?

I would not want to do that.
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      11-24-2011, 11:43 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alokbhargava View Post
I was with the dealer yesterday getting my right side mirror fixed as it never folded in fully. Dealer disagreed to update the software saying it takes 4 to 5 hrs, he just reloaded the original parameters and mirror started working correctly. This was his version, I don't know what exactly was done.

I just wonder why cant they give us software update to us on a USB drive and we ourselves can upgrade it.
I was told it takes this long too. I think it's less an upgrade and more a complete reinstall. I'm not sure but I think they go online whilst connected to the car. Perhaps the install is done using remote files on a server in Germany and you can't just take an installation image away and install offline.
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      11-24-2011, 12:13 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by sfax View Post
I was told it takes this long too. I think it's less an upgrade and more a complete reinstall. I'm not sure but I think they go online whilst connected to the car. Perhaps the install is done using remote files on a server in Germany and you can't just take an installation image away and install offline.
X3 has a software upgrade feature, I tried to use it, it asks for upgrade software on USB. I wonder if this is just a plan on BMW side on paper to allow software upgrade at customers end.
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      11-24-2011, 12:23 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by tuco44 View Post
I just wonder why cant they give us software update to us on a USB drive and we ourselves can upgrade it

IMO, that would be crazy on the dealer's part. Many ppl could do it properly, then what happens when something goes wrong, car is under warranty but owner uploaded software himself?

I would not want to do that.
You are right, if the upgrade procedure is complex and does not include safety checks, it should not be given to every individual. On the other side, I don't think BMW will make poor upgrade software which might affect the normal working of the car.
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      11-24-2011, 12:35 PM   #11
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There are different levels of software stored in different locations. Its possible, but not very likely, that BMW might sometime allow updates of the entertainment and NAV software by owners, but unthinkable that they would ever allow any user modification or updating of the mechanical management software because of all the safety related issues. A complete reload of the X3 management software is a 4-hour procedure (had it done twice!), and is not done unless there is a specific issue with a particular vehicle. Updates are vehicle specific, in that all vehicle options must be identified before the software replacement is started. Making a mistake can render the vehicle undriveable.

Performing automatic updates at routine service intervals would probably create more service issues than it would correct.
BMW's philosophy is clearly: "If it's not broke, don't fix it."

Last edited by Lotus7; 11-24-2011 at 12:57 PM..
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      11-24-2011, 02:21 PM   #12
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Upgrade software feature given on iDrive clearly specifies that it's for external devices ( such as Nav, entertainment, mirrors, etc ) which are not directly related to automobile management. This is a good sign that BMW has separated software in different sections.
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      11-24-2011, 02:28 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lotus7 View Post
Performing automatic updates at routine service intervals would probably create more service issues than it would correct.
BMW's philosophy is clearly: "If it's not broke, don't fix it."
Good point.

Software industry or mobile phone industry in specific has corrupted our minds so much that we run for any update announced ( e.g. IPhone sw is updated from 5.0 to 5.01 and so on...) though it fixes a minor issue not directly related to our operations. We try to use the same analogy for cars too. For example, if there is an improvement in bluetooth working with iDrive or music sound quality, why should we not get that improvement even though existing setup is running ok? Here I differ slightly with the BMW's philosophy, don't fix if not broken.

Last edited by April1; 11-24-2011 at 02:51 PM..
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      11-25-2011, 02:25 AM   #14
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On the downside, it does mean BMW dealerships have to support multiple versions of the software. The reason software companies want everyone upgraded to the latest and greatest is that it makes supporting their customers much easier. BMW's answer to this seems to be that when you get a problem, one of the first things they try is to update the software to the latest version to see if that helps
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