[J-Pizzle]

Originally Posted by Parnishka

update is exist. the actual date is March 2021. I just did mine last week. but I paid for it.

When you search for "Imprint" does it show the new date? I just got my vehicle back from the dealer, and they said they performed the update but mine still shows the 11/19 version.

[Parnishka]

Originally Posted by J-Pizzle

When you search for "Imprint" does it show the new date? I just got my vehicle back from the dealer, and they said they performed the update but mine still shows the 11/19 version.

my SA gave me a print out with my current software version and it says there 03.21

[n54roll]

Originally Posted by boi222

The more time with the update … the more i haven't really felt any substantial differences… as for the time it to takes to program , where dealerships quoting whole day to do… it only took me 20 mins to update myself not counting downloading the esys software and package

Did you do this at a dealer or just on your own with esys? Just curious if ts easier to diy than bringing it to the dealer.

[boi222]

Originally Posted by n54roll

Did you do this at a dealer or just on your own with esys? Just curious if ts easier to diy than bringing it to the dealer.

Did on my own via esys…. Took quite a bit of research on the forums to figure out the process … but there is a relatively good how to guide that is floating around. I didn't have the luxury of time with two kids to make a trip to the dealer for just this so I updated myself at night when everyone was asleep

[allinon72]

So I had a chance to test the lane keep on a 200 mile trip and sadly I don't think any improvements were made. Perhaps a slight improvement in ping ponging in a straight line, but still extremely jerky on sweeping highway curves. To the point where my wife insisted I turn it off. I don't know how BMW puts out a product like this. If I was a regular buyer of an X3 and this feature was extremely important (it's not thankfully), it might be enough to look at alternatives.

I also think the throttle remapping might have been a placebo effect because it seems to be back to where it was before.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by allinon72

So I had a chance to test the lane keep on a 200 mile trip and sadly I don't think any improvements were made. Perhaps a slight improvement in ping ponging in a straight line, but still extremely jerky on sweeping highway curves. To the point where my wife insisted I turn it off. I don't know how BMW puts out a product like this. If I was a regular buyer of an X3 and this feature was extremely important (it's not thankfully), it might be enough to look at alternatives.

I also think the throttle remapping might have been a placebo effect because it seems to be back to where it was before.

It's called a driving assistant. Better than letting Autopilot take full control and lead you to believe it will do everything. At least it helps in the straights.

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

It's called a driving assistant. Better than letting Autopilot take full control and lead you to believe it will do everything. At least it helps in the straights.

Ever tried another car? Even systems in economy cars like Kia and Hyundai wipe the floor with BMW's. They have put no effort or R&D into this.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by allinon72

Ever tried another car? Even systems in economy cars like Kia and Hyundai wipe the floor with BMW's. They have put no effort or R&D into this.

I have not. But no system is perfect. If it helps at all then I consider that a win. I use ACC stop and go often for my short morning commute. If I didn't have an M Performance steering wheel I'd also be using Driving Assistant often too. Still waiting for a Hands On emulator for my vehicle to be able to use it with the M Perf wheel.

I know some people complain that it ping pongs in the lane, or doesn't follow curves smoothly and they bring the car into service to get it looked at. The car is operating normally and the system has its limitations. It's been so long since I used Driving Assistant in my own car now but lower speeds are far more realistic for the systems capability. The i3 with Traffic Jam Assistant had essentially the same thing. It was limited to about 45 mph or so, anything over that with custom coding set to raise the limit showed that the car ping ponged excessively and felt less stable.

[strohw]

My wife's 2020 Sonata isn't particular impressive so I'm curious if Kia/Hyundai use better systems in their more expensive products. The Sonata does fine with marked lines in regards to lane centering. However, it will not take curves safely nor will it lane center correctly when driving through towns with curbs instead of a line. It's also more "safety" oriented with the active cruise than BMWs are which ends up being less safe on the road. Her car has put us in more dangerous situations with its safety features than it has helped by a LARGE factor.

[gotstocks]

Originally Posted by boi222

Did on my own via esys…. Took quite a bit of research on the forums to figure out the process … but there is a relatively good how to guide that is floating around. I didn't have the luxury of time with two kids to make a trip to the dealer for just this so I updated myself at night when everyone was asleep

I would love a link to this please.

[boi222]

Originally Posted by gotstocks

I would love a link to this please.

Google "Flashing ECU's with E-sys" , first link

[tek818]

What's the consensus on '20 models being able to be obd unlocked and flashed again after this update?

[usu335i]

I got the latest update done earlier this week while the car was in for an oil change. My dealer wouldn't perform the update for free. I told them about the issues I've had with the lane keep assist as well as the CarPlay acting up. It wasn't enough to get them to warranty the update so I paid out of pocket for it.

Immediately I notice the steering feel is changed. Even in comfort mode it has more weight to it.

I think the suspension might be a little more supple now. I'm riding on H&R springs for the last 7k miles. Feels a little better to me.

My CarPlay issues have disappeared so far.

I haven't tried the lane keep assist yet because I haven't driven any free miles yet. But I'll try that soon.

Throttle response change... I don't think I feel much difference.

Overall I just like knowing it's updated to the latest and greatest. I don't have a time yet or bimmercode neither. Planning on coding full screen CarPlay now.

[harperium]

Originally Posted by usu335i

I haven't tried the lane keep assist yet because I haven't driven any free miles yet. But I'll try that soon.

I read somewhere in the X5 forum about turning OFF the steering wheel correction for Lane Departure Assist, and that solves the ping-ponging with the Lane Keep Assist.

I tried this out myself and it does seem to work. No more ping-ponging with Lane Keep Assist... which works OK. It seems to sometimes want to hug one of the lane markers, which is nerve-wracking if a car is next to you. For me, I only plan on using LKA on long trips when there are no cars nearby on mostly straight roads, just to give my arms a break. It's not something I would ever rely blindly on.

[J-Pizzle]

Originally Posted by harperium

I read somewhere in the X5 forum about turning OFF the steering wheel correction for Lane Departure Assist, and that solves the ping-ponging with the Lane Keep Assist.

I tried this out myself and it does seem to work. No more ping-ponging with Lane Keep Assist... which works OK. It seems to sometimes want to hug one of the lane markers, which is nerve-wracking if a car is next to you. For me, I only plan on using LKA on long trips when there are no cars nearby on mostly straight roads, just to give my arms a break. It's not something I would ever rely blindly on.

You mean you wouldn't just hop in the back seat and take a nap while the car drives itself? I heard a lot of Tesla owners are doing so all the time these days... then again some of the owners don't live to tell us about it.

[harperium]

My '21 X3MC has the iStep version from 11/20, manufactured 12/20.

I do notice some transmission stuttering when I start driving -- not every time, but occasionally. Is this is the issue people are talking about?

Lane Keep Assist is ping-pongy unless I turn off the steering intervention for Lane Departure.

The suspension seems fine to me. The difference between Comfort and Sport+ is not huge, it's subtle, but I can feel it. Comfort is reasonably comfortable.

I doubt all the fixes for the '20 models went into just the 3/21 update. Likely the fixes were rolled out over a series of updates. I would imagine that the 11/20 update includes whatever suspension updates were made b/c the '21 models seem sorted to me.

[harperium]

Originally Posted by J-Pizzle

You mean you wouldn't just hop in the back seat and take a nap while the car drives itself? I heard a lot of Tesla owners are doing so all the time these days... then again some of the owners don't live to tell us about it.

LOL... idiots... I don't think we'll ever really have fully automated driving. It's a very very difficult problem to solve, and if you get it wrong, people die...

[boi222]

Originally Posted by harperium

My '21 X3MC has the iStep version from 11/20, manufactured 12/20.

I do notice some transmission stuttering when I start driving -- not every time, but occasionally. Is this is the issue people are talking about?

Lane Keep Assist is ping-pongy unless I turn off the steering intervention for Lane Departure.

The suspension seems fine to me. The difference between Comfort and Sport+ is not huge, it's subtle, but I can feel it. Comfort is reasonably comfortable.

I doubt all the fixes for the '20 models went into just the 3/21 update. Likely the fixes were rolled out over a series of updates. I would imagine that the 11/20 update includes whatever suspension updates were made b/c the '21 models seem sorted to me.

You might be on to something .. I also had the 11/20 istep from factory and post March update , I did not notice any significant improvement in suspension, everyone was talking about

[xaser123]

This update is a pain to get here in Canada... bought a brand new 2020 x4m (non-C) that was collecting dust on the floor of a dealer. One of the clear conditions that I had was that they update the vehicle before I pick it up. Picked it up, still got the 2019 iStep version on it! Apparently the VIN doesn't show any available updates when they type it in so they are following up with Germany... this is my first BMW, but needless to say, not impressed right now (car is stiff AF too, likely also due to it sitting for a year in a show room).

No joke, my 2018 GTI was a much better ride than this car at the moment (ride quality, not power obviously) - I really hope this iStep update and a few more kms on the car make the ride more pleasant, otherwise, going to be a long 4 year lease...

P.S. if anyone has an invoice from a dealer showing the updated (with redacted personal information) that they are willing to share, that would be extremely helpful in getting these dealers to do their jobs...

[Young04]

Originally Posted by xaser123

This update is a pain to get here in Canada... bought a brand new 2020 x4m (non-C) that was collecting dust on the floor of a dealer. One of the clear conditions that I had was that they update the vehicle before I pick it up. Picked it up, still got the 2019 iStep version on it! Apparently the VIN doesn't show any available updates when they type it in so they are following up with Germany... this is my first BMW, but needless to say, not impressed right now (car is stiff AF too, likely also due to it sitting for a year in a show room).

No joke, my 2018 GTI was a much better ride than this car at the moment (ride quality, not power obviously) - I really hope this iStep update and a few more kms on the car make the ride more pleasant, otherwise, going to be a long 4 year lease...

P.S. if anyone has an invoice from a dealer showing the updated (with redacted personal information) that they are willing to share, that would be extremely helpful in getting these dealers to do their jobs...

I would very much expect a GTI to ride better than an M car. I'm surprised that you're surprised about the GTI riding worse than an X4M.

Among the VAG vehicles, BMW M = Audi RS.

Also, are 48 month leases customary in Canada?

[xaser123]

Originally Posted by Young04

I would very much expect a GTI to ride better than an M car. I'm surprised that you're surprised about the GTI riding worse than an X4M.

Among the VAG vehicles, BMW M = Audi RS.

Also, are 48 month leases customary in Canada?

48 month leases are pretty typical in Canada (would say about 50% do a 48 month lease). Seemed like a good deal since it had same interest rate as a 36 month and 48 month maintenance included.

I test drove a 2020 x4m with about 600km on it which was similar in ride quality in comfort as my GTI so I do hope that it rides a tad softer once it breaks in a bit (and I get the iStep software update) ... I am surprised you don't think that an M SUV should ride a bit better than a "sports" Golf that rides really low to the ground?

[LimeRock]

I might be missing something...but why would a dealer charge for a software update?! It’s an update...that makes no sense to me. How much are they charging? I took delivery end of December so likely I’m out of date...