[RoWoX3M]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Thanks for sharing, cookiesowns . Always learning something new on the Forums, and admit I had to look up the acronym to even find out what it stands for [ISTA-P (Integrated Service Technical Application Programming)]. Turns out both of our X3MCs need this so have them scheduled for the near future (both were late 2019 builds). Happy to pay the $180 to get us current from a programming standpoint. Will be interesting to see if we can tell a difference.

So your dealer will do the update for a fee if nothing needs "fixing"?

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by RoWoX3M

So your dealer will do the update for a fee if nothing needs "fixing"?

Yes. I simply indicated I want our X3MCs to be updated to most current ISTA platform, and happy to pay whatever they needed to accomplish such. They then checked the data for our vehicles and indicated we were indeed about 2 or 3 behind. Seems a small amount to pay to have the latest software on board.

It appears the move to OTA updates with newer iD7 models (not all of them yet) will make these trips to the Svc Ctr unnecessary. Here is a good discussion by BMW from 20 Oct 2020 of why it's important to keep our systems current: https://www.bmw.com/en/innovation/bm...re-update.html

[crst4s]

Went to MyBMW the other day and found there is a OBD software recall out for my 2020 X3M

Description of Problem

Due to a computer software error, the oxygen sensor monitoring system is not working as designed. Should the vehicle experience an oxygen sensor heater malfunction, the OBD (On-Board Diagnostic) system will not illuminate the MIL (malfunction indicator light) and, thus, will not alert the driver.

Safety Risk

Emissions will increase

Description of Repair

New software was developed to address the issue.

[cookiesowns]

Originally Posted by ZTZ1010

I had this update done remotely by one of the more prominent coders (Henwee on IG). Took about an hour start to finish and cost about $180. I did full screen CarPlay separately myself. I have noticed incremental improvements similar to those OP described, but I can't say they have been as substantial in my eyes. Given the low cost, I'd still say it was worthwhile. Keep in mind if you're coded, you'll have to recode. My BM3 flash was unaffected.

I'd be hesitant to have the dealer do it if you're concerned about preserving OBD unlock capabilities unless you have a good relationship with your SA. I expect they will simultaneously update DME software (if you have an update) which means no more flashy flash.

Unless a dealer chose to specifically do a full flash on the DME ( requires special authorization ), there's no way they will overwrite your DME software unless it was severely out of date to begin with pre 2020-march. Most cars got the 2020 march software due to the emissions recall from late 2019.

I used the same exact tools dealer does, hence why I'm confident.

Originally Posted by strohw

I think you may be confusing how it works. The June 2020 encryption change for the Bosch ECU can not be unlocked. The ECU's prior to this do not get the updated encrypted boot loaders, they're just locked. Someone else can then unlock them again which means you have to go to a tuner or ship out your ECU. If a dealer update locked the ECU when it was originally unlocked then it can be unlocked again.

Kind of correct.

There's 4 main layers in the DME.

Bosch/Infineon bootloader, can only be applied at the factory that makes the DME
BMW Bootloader, the bootloader that allows BMW tools to program the DME via OBD / dealer tools
DME Software
EEPROM data ( VIN, adaptations, mileage, runtime etc)

The BMW bootloader side, is what we talk about OBD lock, meaning the bootloader doesn't allow flashing modified DME software.. so far based on my data on my 2020 X3M, the bootloader is not locked.

On DME's that are manufactured after june 2020, there is a new Bosch/Infineon bootloader that is applied, that prevents people from flashing using bench tuner tools to flash a modified BMW bootloader that allows modified DME software to be flashed in via OBD after the fact.

Meaning they closed the one and only backdoor that allowed people to bench unlock the ECU, and also flash modified DME software over OBD.

For pre june 2020 cars, even on 2021 firmware, it doesn't appear they applied a OBD lock to the BMW bootloader/Software side, hence why I was able to keep my OBD unlock even after a full update using dealer tools.

Just a reminder for those on BM3, have them clear your account before you reflash your tune so you can have your OTS maps applied on the latest DME software.

[LimeRock]

Originally Posted by Michael19887

Interesting to see about this software update including a fix for the transmission jerking right after starting to go back in reverse. I took my car in for this to the dealer a few months back, and they told me it was normal for an M car. Might be worth a phone call again.

Unfortunately my late ‘20 build does this too. Drives me crazy...

[new2the3]

My 2020 is a 9/2019 build and I declined the dealer to perform software updates re emissions recall. If I have the update performed it won't block my ability to flash tune?

[sittingmongoose]

I have a 2021 x3m Comp built in oct 2020. It's been to the dealer before for updates. Just brought it today and asked them to update. They updated it. Hopefully I see similar improvements to OPs post.

Edit: I was just told it's a general car update that was related to the camera. Not Istep. There was no istep update available for my car.

Edit2: dealership must be stupid. My results were the same as OP. Self driving features work SO MUCH BETTER now. Transmission is also much smoother when it would previously awkwardly stutter in some cases.

[winn3r]

I have a 03/2020 build x4mc and I’ve been to the dealership fours times for service they have yet to update it. I checked my current istep version and its the original from factory.

[zer0cool]

Great information. Could someone please let me know what exactly I need to tell the dealer? I have seen both ISTA and ISTEP mentioned in the thread. I called the dealer and asked about ISTA software update and they told me they are not seeing any software updates for my VIN. My car is an 10/19 build and there hasn't been any software updates done to it so I am sure it's available based on this thread, just need to know exactly what I need to tell the dealer.

Thank you

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by zer0cool

Great information. Could someone please let me know what exactly I need to tell the dealer? I have seen both ISTA and ISTEP mentioned in the thread. I called the dealer and asked about ISTA software update and they told me they are not seeing any software updates for my VIN. My car is an 10/19 build and there hasn't been any software updates done to it so I am sure it's available based on this thread, just need to know exactly what I need to tell the dealer.

Thank you

My SA immediately knew what I was referencing. I actually texted I needed 'ISTEP' but he quickly corrected me to the correct acronym and scheduled me for the 'ISTA' update. Maybe cookiesowns can comment, but I just then assumed that ISTEP was just a typo for ISTA?

Edit: my X3MC was a Sep 2019 build, and my wife's was a late Nov 2019 build (and is getting its ISTA update as I type), so if indeed you haven't had ISTA updates since you bought it, I don't see any way in which you are up to date with the current Mar 2021 programming which OP is suggesting.

[RoWoX3M]

I have an appointment this Saturday. I too described my request as ISTA-P. I can update after the service

[zer0cool]

No luck, called my local dealer again today (Charlotte; Hendrick BMW) and was told that there's no software update for my car and I even said I can pay for it and still was told there's simply no update... Maybe it's because my local dealer is crappy... Is there a place to check software version? Could someone tell me what the new version is? That way maybe I can directly contact an SA just provide the concrete exact thing I am looking for.

Unfortunately Hendrick is the only dealer in Charlotte... the nearest BMW dealer that's not Hendrick is almost 2 hours away...

[Barrancos]

Originally Posted by zer0cool

No luck, called my local dealer again today (Charlotte; Hendrick BMW) and was told that there's no software update for my car and I even said I can pay for it and still was told there's simply no update... Maybe it's because my local dealer is crappy... Is there a place to check software version? Could someone tell me what the new version is? That way maybe I can directly contact an SA just provide the concrete exact thing I am looking for.

Unfortunately Hendrick is the only dealer in Charlotte... the nearest BMW dealer that's not Hendrick is almost 2 hours away...

How-to: Find out your ISTEP version (guide) https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1638904

[Mikiee]

Originally Posted by Barrancos

How-to: Find out your ISTEP version (guide) https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1638904

I’ve been following this with interest as my vehicle is a 9/19 build and I have noticed many of the “features” listed by the OP. My driver profile looks like this:

<date>2021-03-25T16:56:05</date>
<version>1</version>
<username>MIKE</username>
<vin>LT10XXX</vin>
<i-step>S15A-20-03-540</i-step>

Looks like it really is “i-step” after all. Bimmerlink adds some info about previous versions:

I-LEVEL

Current S15A-20-3-540 (matches driver profile)
Last S15A-19-11-540
At delivery S15A-19-7-552

I had the annual service performed in 09/20 and don’t believe any updates were performed. However, there was an emissions related update done earlier in 2020.

In anyone has had the I-step update I’d be really interested in what the new version is. I’m just about ready for another oil service and have a good relationship with my service advisor and any and all ammunition I can provide should help minimize the groveling needed to get this done.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Mikiee

I’ve been following this with interest as my vehicle is a 9/19 build and I have noticed many of the “features” listed by the OP. My driver profile looks like this:

I had the annual service performed in 09/20 and don’t believe any updates were performed. However, there was an emissions related update done earlier in 2020.

If anyone has had the I-step update I’d be really interested in what the new version is. I’m just about ready for another oil service and have a good relationship with my service advisor and any and all ammunition I can provide should help minimize the groveling needed to get this done.

Was just getting ready to post what our profiles now look like after our ISTA-P updates over the past two days (mine and my wife's). Looks like your last update was the Mar 2020 one which OP mentioned. Re: the naming, probably just a nomenclature issue in that it appears ISTA/P (also referred to as ISTA-P) is the actual software BMW uses to program the vehicle, and perhaps I-STEP is simply the result of that programming, ie., the file we see in our Driver profiles.

Whatever you wish to call it - there exists an update which is performed routinely on wide-ranging aspects of our BMW software and we need to be cognizant of such and proactively ask for these updates it seems. Thankfully we have Forum members knowledgeable of when they are released (kudos again to cookiesowns for bringing this up), so we can share with our Svc teams.

[Mikiee]

MAXWELL thanks for sharing. Looks like I have all the details I need for the update. BTW, did you end up having to pay for the install?

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Mikiee

MAXWELL thanks for sharing. Looks like I have all the details I need for the update. BTW, did you end up having to pay for the install?

Yes, I immediately indicated I was happy to pay the $180 to make it happen, so no questions were asked and it was immediately scheduled and easily completed. Small price to pay IMO for keeping the neural network of my X3MC current.

[sviswan]

Max well is your feedback on the istep update the same as the OP with respect to suspension comfort?

[allinon72]

Here's the thing - if you go into a dealership and ask for a software update, they will run your VIN and it will likely say no updates are available. They will stop there.

An istep update is akin to reformatting a computer - hence why all of the settings are reset to factory default. It requires the car to be put on a battery charger, along with other procedures, and there is a risk of bricking the car just like any other piece of technology. Hence, most dealers will be hesitant to do this on a whim even if you are willing to pay. If you have an established relationship with your SA and have a good service department, you have a chance of getting it done. However, this isn't something you can just walk in and ask for with success.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

I custom ordered a brand new 2021 X3 M Comp to my specs & the build began its way into production this month on March 5th. Would it be safe to say that this new car will come equipped with the newest software version when it rolls out of the factory... ?

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

I customer order a brand new 2021 X3 M Comp to my specs & the build began it's way into production this month on March 5th. Would it be safe to say that this new car will come equipped with this newest software version when it rolls out of the factory... ?

Yes...

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by zer0cool

No luck, called my local dealer again today (Charlotte; Hendrick BMW) and was told that there's no software update for my car and I even said I can pay for it and still was told there's simply no update... Maybe it's because my local dealer is crappy... Is there a place to check software version? Could someone tell me what the new version is? That way maybe I can directly contact an SA just provide the concrete exact thing I am looking for.

Unfortunately Hendrick is the only dealer in Charlotte... the nearest BMW dealer that's not Hendrick is almost 2 hours away...

I got the update from Hendrick Northlake. I asked for a Nav update and they mentioned there was a full update they could do. I was even able to get a loaner since it can be an all day process. At least I'm assuming I got the aforementioned update.