PSA: Those with a 2020 on older software get a update

xaser123 · 06-10-2021, 09:58 PM

So to be clear guys as I think there is a lot of confusion in this thread. If your istep is March 2021 BUT your Imprint still shows March 2019, is the car updated? What is Imprint anyways? Hard to find data on that online...

suby01 · 06-10-2021, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boi222

Quote:

Originally Posted by suby01

I am at the dealership now. There is a new one that opened locally in CT. Service tech. And manager were very engaged. Asked all the questions about what the update is about. I literally showed them this forum. And my Imprint from the Driver guide app.
Pending an response. See if they are able find the actual software to update.
If yes. I will be happy to share my notes with others who have such a hard time just getting this done. Free or not.

After 3.5 hours we have success.
The tech came out to get me and wanted me to check the in the car myself if I can see if it was updated or not.
First thing I noticed was the M Lap Timer app, and the BMW Connected app icon in the my apps was now My BMW. I checked my Imprint and yes. 3/21.

I also had the Alexa option show Not Supported in the MY BMW app. Now it said Connect.

I was at 7/20 and after 3 dealerships and calls to BMW Consumer Relations 1 simple care from a tech took care of it all.

I asked him why he was able to update it and not others. He said because other techs are lazy nothing more nothing less.

He mentioned that he had no idea what Imprint was, or how to force update the car. Since the VIN showed no updates available for any type of software.

He had to call the master tech support line and they guided him step by step, as well as he said he literally watched a tutorial video from BMW about it.

He joked that I know more than the entire BMW dealership. But I said this is what I focus on. This forum and BMW CCA have great information.

My cost was $0. He said all updates are covered under warranty, and nobody should charge for it.

PSA for everyone else that is having the issue. I was very clear that I wanted an Istep and Imprint version update. I did not have Alexa or the M Lap Timer option. It did take a 3rd dealership to actually listen .
I have the notes from the tech also. I wont post them here publicly, but if anyone wants them I can share them.

I still don't have the Alexa option and I have the March update … was told it wasn't coming to the US till July .. does it work?

Yes I needed to setup Alexa in the My BMW app.
It works just like at home. Wake word is the same and turns on just like Hey BMW and it activates all your skills etc.
Also now from home I can ask Alexa to lock or unlock the car or check if the windows are open or closed.

Before in the app it said Not Supported.

robopp · 06-16-2021, 07:03 AM

Got the update this past Tuesday. There was some confusion on what needed to happen so my service advisor grabbed the shop foreman. He said there are probably 40 updates for our car and that they're released all the time. He said he can't just update and that I need to tell him something is wrong so I said my CarPlay connection is intermittent. It was good enough for him so two hours later my car was updated free of charge. I can't notice any real changes other than full screen CarPlay, which was the whole reason I wanted the update. Also, my version is dated 6/10/21, but my imprint is still 11/19.

harperium · 06-16-2021, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robopp

I can't notice any real changes other than full screen CarPlay, which was the whole reason I wanted the update.

I thought CarPlay full screen required iDrive 7? I guess not. Cool.

With ID7, I find BMW maps/nav to be good enough that I actually prefer it over Apple Maps and Google Maps. Google used to be hands-down the best, but Apple has made great improvements in the last few years, and apparently so has BMW.

robopp · 06-16-2021, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harperium

Quote:

Originally Posted by robopp

I can't notice any real changes other than full screen CarPlay, which was the whole reason I wanted the update.

I thought CarPlay full screen required iDrive 7? I guess not. Cool.

With ID7, I find BMW maps/nav to be good enough that I actually prefer it over Apple Maps and Google Maps. Google used to be hands-down the best, but Apple has made great improvements in the last few years, and apparently so has BMW.

I needed to check the box in BimmerCode, which was exposed with the update, but full screen CarPlay definitely works with iD6 and it looks great!

Tatsuya219 · 06-18-2021, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookiesowns

Hi,

Those that know me around forums know I do quite a bit of work on my own cars including coding and BMW ISTEP updates. Following the trend that I started on people getting ISTEP updates on their older M2's, I decided to give updating to the 2021 March update a try out solely for being able to code in full screen apple carplay without needing "hacks or backdoors".

That definitely was fulfilled, however not among other excitement and improvements in the car. I've let the car adapted already, so other than longer term adaptations on the transmission, it's safe to say none of this is placebo.

TLDR: Updated from 2020-March to 2021-March vehicle software, X3M much improved. OBD unlock not affected

The car feels more refined overall, maybe a tiny bit less edgy, but overall it improves the driving experience.

Big key improvements

Lane keep & ACC now behaves like you would expect, pingpong is much less, and car is much more reactive on corners.. no more "uhh is the car going to follow this corner?"
Lane keep now works during the day where there's less contrast on lane markings
Delay from a slow rolling start <1mph but not stopped is fixed, no more hesitation or a small clunk if you roll into power a hair too quick for the transmission to react
instrument cluster doesn't crash anymore if you use the konami code on the M buttons for loud starts
car doesn't seem to always want to idle high when the cats are cold
idrive much more responsive
Suspension damping feels a bit more controlled
Shifts seem more buttery
Only con here is.. steering feels different.. unsure if it's better or worse. There's a bit of off center lightness now, but when loaded up it feels better. I think BMW tried to make it feel more natural, but I've grown to enjoy EPS steering with a tight on center feel.. will need to give it a bit more miles to really know. Sport+ seems to be slightly more usable

Hello.
I am trying to update to the vehicle software for March 2021.

You said that OBD unlocking is possible, but could you tell me the software version of DME?[48db,5c64,64e2,2742]

serpentine · 06-23-2021, 10:01 PM

How do you enable full screen CarPlay? Is it a BimmerCode feature that only is available after software update?

Or in Idrive natively?

Also, I really haven’t noticed a difference in ride since update. I’ve asked my wife who basically drives daily, and she hasnt noticed a difference. I also seem to think it doesn’t pull as hard, but my perception could be altered lately since I’ve been mashing an N63 around.

allinon72 · 06-24-2021, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serpentine

How do you enable full screen CarPlay? Is it a BimmerCode feature that only is available after software update?

Or in Idrive natively?

Also, I really haven’t noticed a difference in ride since update. I’ve asked my wife who basically drives daily, and she hasnt noticed a difference. I also seem to think it doesn’t pull as hard, but my perception could be altered lately since I’ve been mashing an N63 around.

It is enabled as an option in BimmerCode once the update is done.

serpentine · 06-24-2021, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allinon72

It is enabled as an option in BimmerCode once the update is done.

Thanks

tommypbass · 07-14-2021, 06:51 PM

I need some help here! I did not start a new post. A couple weeks ago my instrument cluster "blanked" but worked fine after shutting the car down and restarting. I took the car in and the SA said there was a TSB on that and they recommended a software update "to the latest level of integration".

Anyway today I drove the car and got an "Uneven Surface" Warning twice. This was at a flat intersection.

If I'm in the wrong thread please let me know. What the heck is this and do I need to take the car back in?

Bestle · 07-14-2021, 07:04 PM

It's just a traffic alert, nothing wrong with your car.

"The car will even come with what BMW calls Uneven Road Surface warning that will alert the driver of potentially bad roads ahead. The data that makes the system work was collected by a fleet of dedicated vehicles and it has been uploaded to the cloud; it is reportedly constantly updated. BMW also says the iX will have over-the-air update capability."

2kaccordocoupe · 07-14-2021, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestle

It's just a traffic alert, nothing wrong with your car.

"The car will even come with what BMW calls Uneven Road Surface warning that will alert the driver of potentially bad roads ahead. The data that makes the system work was collected by a fleet of dedicated vehicles and it has been uploaded to the cloud; it is reportedly constantly updated. BMW also says the iX will have over-the-air update capability."

The alerts works pretty well. Got an alert over the winter saying object on road. 30 seconds later a ladder was blocking a lane of traffic on the same road.

JJ 911SC · 07-14-2021, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommypbass

... Anyway today I drove the car and got an "Uneven Surface" Warning twice...

Look-like more sideway than uneven... LMFT4U

freshxdough · 07-14-2021, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommypbass

I need some help here! I did not start a new post. A couple weeks ago my instrument cluster "blanked" but worked fine after shutting the car down and restarting. I took the car in and the SA said there was a TSB on that and they recommended a software update "to the latest level of integration".

Anyway today I drove the car and got an "Uneven Surface" Warning twice. This was at a flat intersection.

If I'm in the wrong thread please let me know. What the heck is this and do I need to take the car back in?

It's a new alert with the newest update 21-07. Check in your Apps section of your drive and you should I see it there. You may be able to go into it and change settings. I haven yet to personally play around with it.

X3mcesq · 07-15-2021, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshxdough

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommypbass

I need some help here! I did not start a new post. A couple weeks ago my instrument cluster "blanked" but worked fine after shutting the car down and restarting. I took the car in and the SA said there was a TSB on that and they recommended a software update "to the latest level of integration".

Anyway today I drove the car and got an "Uneven Surface" Warning twice. This was at a flat intersection.

If I'm in the wrong thread please let me know. What the heck is this and do I need to take the car back in?

It's a new alert with the newest update 21-07. Check in your Apps section of your drive and you should I see it there. You may be able to go into it and change settings. I haven yet to personally play around with it.

If you go into apps in the menu, it's the last two apps already installed on your car (red light camera warnings being the other). You can turn it off easily there.

richard in NC · 07-15-2021, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestle

It's just a traffic alert, nothing wrong with your car.

"The car will even come with what BMW calls Uneven Road Surface warning that will alert the driver of potentially bad roads ahead. The data that makes the system work was collected by a fleet of dedicated vehicles and it has been uploaded to the cloud; it is reportedly constantly updated. BMW also says the iX will have over-the-air update capability."

The ride on the X3M is so bad they now have to warn you of a bumpy road??

harperium · 07-15-2021, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard in NC

The ride on the X3M is so bad they now have to warn you of a bumpy road??

haha

(though my '21 rides fine)

They should add an alert when you're in 2nd gear with low RPMs: "Acceleration Not Available".

dystynkt · 07-15-2021, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harperium

haha

(though my '21 rides fine)

They should add an alert when you're in 2nd gear with low RPMs: "Acceleration Not Available".

boi222 · 07-16-2021, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestle

It's just a traffic alert, nothing wrong with your car.

"The car will even come with what BMW calls Uneven Road Surface warning that will alert the driver of potentially bad roads ahead. The data that makes the system work was collected by a fleet of dedicated vehicles and it has been uploaded to the cloud; it is reportedly constantly updated. BMW also says the iX will have over-the-air update capability."

Must use customer cars or render live since I had a new speed bump put in on my block and the next day it registered the uneven surface

robopp · 07-16-2021, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harperium

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard in NC

The ride on the X3M is so bad they now have to warn you of a bumpy road??

haha

(though my '21 rides fine)

They should add an alert when you're in 2nd gear with low RPMs: "Acceleration Not Available".

You, sir, win the internet award for the day! Nicely done

NVETHIS · 07-21-2021, 09:39 AM

I'm trying to figure oit how to check my version? I can't seem to find it in any of the iDrive menus/settings. I have a '21 X3MC with build date 11/20. I have the myBMW app connected but the only reference to imprint I see is attached, but no date.

-NVE

suby01 · 07-21-2021, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NVETHIS

I'm trying to figure oit how to check my version? I can't seem to find it in any of the iDrive menus/settings. I have a '21 X3MC with build date 11/20. I have the myBMW app connected but the only reference to imprint I see is attached, but no date.

-NVE

Cant read your attachment. Photo is too small.

06-10-2021, 09:58 PM	#309
xaser123 New Member 2 Rep 16 Posts Drives: 2020 X4M Join Date: May 2021 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	So to be clear guys as I think there is a lot of confusion in this thread. If your istep is March 2021 BUT your Imprint still shows March 2019, is the car updated? What is Imprint anyways? Hard to find data on that online...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-16-2021, 07:03 AM	#311
robopp Major 1673 Rep 1,365 Posts Drives: 2020 X3MC Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X3MC [4.50] 2023 Porsche 911 Ca ... [5.25]	Got the update this past Tuesday. There was some confusion on what needed to happen so my service advisor grabbed the shop foreman. He said there are probably 40 updates for our car and that they're released all the time. He said he can't just update and that I need to tell him something is wrong so I said my CarPlay connection is intermittent. It was good enough for him so two hours later my car was updated free of charge. I can't notice any real changes other than full screen CarPlay, which was the whole reason I wanted the update. Also, my version is dated 6/10/21, but my imprint is still 11/19.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-23-2021, 10:01 PM	#315
serpentine Second Lieutenant 164 Rep 285 Posts Drives: X3M Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: illadelphia iTrader: (0)	How do you enable full screen CarPlay? Is it a BimmerCode feature that only is available after software update? Or in Idrive natively? Also, I really haven’t noticed a difference in ride since update. I’ve asked my wife who basically drives daily, and she hasnt noticed a difference. I also seem to think it doesn’t pull as hard, but my perception could be altered lately since I’ve been mashing an N63 around. Last edited by serpentine; 06-23-2021 at 10:10 PM..
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07-14-2021, 06:51 PM	#318
tommypbass Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 30i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Boulder, Colorado iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X3 [0.00]	I need some help here! I did not start a new post. A couple weeks ago my instrument cluster "blanked" but worked fine after shutting the car down and restarting. I took the car in and the SA said there was a TSB on that and they recommended a software update "to the latest level of integration". Anyway today I drove the car and got an "Uneven Surface" Warning twice. This was at a flat intersection. If I'm in the wrong thread please let me know. What the heck is this and do I need to take the car back in? Attached Images
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07-14-2021, 07:04 PM	#319
Bestle First Lieutenant 364 Rep 375 Posts Drives: F90 M5 LCI, Audi R8 Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	It's just a traffic alert, nothing wrong with your car. "The car will even come with what BMW calls Uneven Road Surface warning that will alert the driver of potentially bad roads ahead. The data that makes the system work was collected by a fleet of dedicated vehicles and it has been uploaded to the cloud; it is reportedly constantly updated. BMW also says the iX will have over-the-air update capability."
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07-21-2021, 09:39 AM	#329
NVETHIS Private First Class 56 Rep 171 Posts Drives: X3 M Comp Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW X3 M Comp [0.00] 2018 BMW S1KRR [0.00]	I'm trying to figure oit how to check my version? I can't seem to find it in any of the iDrive menus/settings. I have a '21 X3MC with build date 11/20. I have the myBMW app connected but the only reference to imprint I see is attached, but no date. -NVE Last edited by NVETHIS; 07-21-2021 at 04:32 PM..
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