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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum iDrive, Audio, Bluetooth, Phone, Cameras, Electronics + Coding iDrive controller issue

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      04-05-2020, 06:35 PM   #1
TommyC123
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iDrive controller issue

Just got a used 2017 530i from a BMW Preowned. Beautiful car.

However, the iDrive controller is not very responsive. I often have to press several times or press really hard in order for it to register. If I grab the outside circle of the controller with my fingers and press down, it will not register. If I press the centre lightly, but enough to depress the controller, it will not register. Is this normal?

I've never have this issue with my 2014 528i.
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      04-05-2020, 09:55 PM   #2
LogicalApex
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Does it still have a warranty? Sounds like the controller is failing.
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      04-05-2020, 11:09 PM   #3
TommyC123
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Yup, under warranty. Figured it's not normal. I'll give my dealer a call. Thanks.
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      04-06-2020, 02:31 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyC123 View Post
Yup, under warranty. Figured it's not normal. I'll give my dealer a call. Thanks.
Just got a 2017 preowned and what you're describing is not normal. You seem to have a pretty good grasp on what it's supposed to feel like, and mine does not cause me the issues you are facing. Quick warranty hopefully... tho no time soon.
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      04-06-2020, 09:21 AM   #5
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Mine's one of the first 2017 cars and i've noticed one annoying feature regarding the controller. Always on first startup in the morning the controller does not respond to the first signal given. Meaning if you are in menu and push down or turn it either way it doesn't register it on the first push or turn. If i want to go left i have to turn two clicks or push down twice, then after that it always works fine off the bat.

Whole car's software has been updated since it rolled out and whole controller has been swapped out on NBT Evo retrofit so i guess it's just the way it works.. s*cks.
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      04-06-2020, 01:35 PM   #6
TommyC123
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Just scheduled a service appointment. Will get it looked at among other issues I'm having with this preowned 530i.
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      04-09-2020, 09:02 PM   #7
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Technician said he didn't do anything to the iDrive, but now it's functioning perfectly. Very smooth and responsive.
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      04-12-2020, 03:00 AM   #8
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I have the same problem and the agent has replaced it two weeks ago
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      07-25-2020, 01:45 PM   #9
TommyC123
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Truth81 View Post
I have the same problem and the agent has replaced it two weeks ago
It's happening again. Brought the car in for service. Technician said if it's due to a water damage I'll have to pay. I never drink in my car. But since I got the car used from another BMW Pre-owned dealership a few months ago, I hope the previous owner didn't spill anything.
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      07-25-2020, 04:32 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyC123 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Truth81 View Post
I have the same problem and the agent has replaced it two weeks ago
It's happening again. Brought the car in for service. Technician said if it's due to a water damage I'll have to pay. I never drink in my car. But since I got the car used from another BMW Pre-owned dealership a few months ago, I hope the previous owner didn't spill anything.
Frustrating when dealers go right to the stories rather than just fix it. As if nothing ever fails due to poor design, manufacturing issues, etc.

If this is a CPO, don't let them give you water damage stories. They're supposed to give it a thorough inspection before labeling a car CPO.
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      07-25-2020, 05:44 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by claykin View Post
Frustrating when dealers go right to the stories rather than just fix it. As if nothing ever fails due to poor design, manufacturing issues, etc.

If this is a CPO, don't let them give you water damage stories. They're supposed to give it a thorough inspection before labeling a car CPO.
Thanks for the heads up.

It is a CPO (bought in April this year), albeit from another BMW preowned dealer. How do I insist on not paying though? Do I just refer them to the dealer I purchased from?
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      07-26-2020, 01:28 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyC123 View Post
Thanks for the heads up.

It is a CPO (bought in April this year), albeit from another BMW preowned dealer. How do I insist on not paying though? Do I just refer them to the dealer I purchased from?
BMW CPO warranty is valid at all BMW dealers.
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      07-26-2020, 06:15 PM   #13
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So I got my car back w/o getting it fixed. Agent said if the technician opens up the controller and find there's nothing wrong with it or if the fault is not warranted by BMW, I'll have to pay the $200+ CAD labour fee.

Apparently even if the car is still in factory warranty, if the fault cannot be found or warranted by BMW, us customers have to pay for the labour fee.
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      07-26-2020, 08:02 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyC123 View Post
So I got my car back w/o getting it fixed. Agent said if the technician opens up the controller and find there's nothing wrong with it or if the fault is not warranted by BMW, I'll have to pay the $200+ CAD labour fee.

Apparently even if the car is still in factory warranty, if the fault cannot be found or warranted by BMW, us customers have to pay for the labour fee.
Canada must be very different.

The warranty should cover it even if they “can’t find the source”. I’ve never heard of being charged a diagnostic fee while under bumper to bumper warranty in the US.
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      07-27-2020, 03:34 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyC123 View Post
So I got my car back w/o getting it fixed. Agent said if the technician opens up the controller and find there's nothing wrong with it or if the fault is not warranted by BMW, I'll have to pay the $200+ CAD labour fee.

Apparently even if the car is still in factory warranty, if the fault cannot be found or warranted by BMW, us customers have to pay for the labour fee.
Save yourself aggravation and try another dealer or take it back to selling dealer.
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      07-27-2020, 09:43 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by LogicalApex View Post
Canada must be very different.

The warranty should cover it even if they “can’t find the source”. I’ve never heard of being charged a diagnostic fee while under bumper to bumper warranty in the US.
The service agent said "bumper to bumper" warranty only apply to faults warranted by BMW. Anything else the customer has to pay.

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Originally Posted by claykin View Post
Save yourself aggravation and try another dealer or take it back to selling dealer.
I'm going to call my selling dealer and see what he says.
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      07-27-2020, 10:36 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyC123 View Post
The service agent said "bumper to bumper" warranty only apply to faults warranted by BMW. Anything else the customer has to pay.
Sure, you would have to pay for a non-warranty repair. But not the “diagnostic fee”. That is covered under warranty others you’d never go in to get anything fixed (or dealers would make everything a non-warranty repair so they can get paid more than BMW contracted rates).

It is a different country so I can’t say how things work in Canada. But I would complain to BMW as to me that’s outrageous.
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      07-29-2020, 04:01 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyC123 View Post
Just got a used 2017 530i from a BMW Preowned. Beautiful car.

However, the iDrive controller is not very responsive. I often have to press several times or press really hard in order for it to register. If I grab the outside circle of the controller with my fingers and press down, it will not register. If I press the centre lightly, but enough to depress the controller, it will not register. Is this normal?

I've never have this issue with my 2014 528i.
my '16 750 has the same issue when the car is cold.
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      08-02-2020, 12:08 PM   #19
TommyC123
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Originally Posted by jlin101 View Post
my '16 750 has the same issue when the car is cold.
When the car is hot, it works 30% of the time. When the car is cold, it has the issue 100% of the time now.

I've never had this issue even when the car is cold on my '14 528i.

Quote:
Originally Posted by LogicalApex View Post
Sure, you would have to pay for a non-warranty repair. But not the “diagnostic fee”. That is covered under warranty others you’d never go in to get anything fixed (or dealers would make everything a non-warranty repair so they can get paid more than BMW contracted rates).

It is a different country so I can’t say how things work in Canada. But I would complain to BMW as to me that’s outrageous.
You're right. I'll bring the car in another day. Maybe a different agent will make things better.
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      09-02-2020, 08:47 PM   #20
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An update on the iDrive issue. I went back to the purchasing dealer. He said the o-ring under the controller has worn out causing it to stick sometimes. The controller unit was replaced under warranty. No BS like the other dealer.
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