[hems77]

Hi there

My G30 (build Sept 2019) has ID6. Wondering if it can be upgraded to ID7 from the many coders on the forum.

I've seen some cars here in the UK on Autotrader same age as mine which are ID7. Hoping some coding could possibly add this to my car...

Searched on here but couldn't find anything relevant, or I didn't look hard enough.

Appreciate any guidance...

Cheers 😊

[hems77]

Should have added - I have full digital cockpit display already...

So hopefully no hardware upgrade needed...

[VirtualGuitars]

It can be done, but it’s extremely expensive. You can’t just replace the screen. There’s also the control module behind the dash that has to be replaced in addition to the instrument cluster. It will also require coding/activation by BMW technicians. There are lots of videos on YouTube that cover this topic for people that have done it.

[hems77]

Thanks for the reply.

Sounds too difficult and expensive. Was hoping it could be a simple software update. Not keen on dismantling the dash etc. - too much hassle.

That's a shame.

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by hems77

Thanks for the reply.

Sounds too difficult and expensive. Was hoping it could be a simple software update. Not keen on dismantling the dash etc. - too much hassle.

That's a shame.

It’s a completely different system and with bigger screen resolution.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by hems77

Should have added - I have full digital cockpit display already...

So hopefully no hardware upgrade needed...

The driver dash is also very different in ID7 cars. (2020+)
It has Live Cockpit Pro, which is completely different from what you have.

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

The driver dash is also very different in ID7 cars. (2020+)
It has Live Cockpit Pro, which is completely different from what you have.

There’s also a different control module underneath the larger display behind the dash. It can be done replacing the three different pieces of hardware, but it certainly isn’t worth it.

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars

There’s also a different control module underneath the larger display behind the dash. It can be done replacing the three different pieces of hardware, but it certainly isn’t worth it.

Agree. It would probably be cheaper if the OP sold his car and bought a 2020 with ID7.

[mrgicm]

Yes it can be done as I did it on one g30 and doing it now on a G11, its quite expensive since you need:

- used MGU virginized + FSC codes
- Live cockpit cluster
- RAM + Booster
- wire harness + connectorsc

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by mrgicm

Yes it can be done as I did it on one g30 and doing it now on a G11, its quite expensive since you need:

- used MGU virginized + FSC codes
- Live cockpit cluster
- RAM + Booster
- wire harness + connectorsc

What did all of that end up running you if you don’t mind me asking? Replacing the components is not all that difficult, but I know the parts are not cheap. Thanks.

[mrgicm]

Depends on how much you can find the parts, but around 3000$.

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by mrgicm

Depends on how much you can find the parts, but around 3000$.

For that much money, I’d rather upgrade the entire HK sound system.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by mrgicm

Yes it can be done as I did it on one g30 and doing it now on a G11, its quite expensive since you need:

- used MGU virginized + FSC codes
- Live cockpit cluster
- RAM + Booster
- wire harness + connectorsc

I haven't done it myself, but I believe you also need a donor VIN from a 2020 to VO code the MGU, Live Cockpit, and RAM units to work in a pre 2020 G30.
AFAIK the car needs to think it's a 2020 to properly iStep program the various modules.

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by claykin

I haven't done it myself, but I believe you also need a donor VIN from a 2020 to VO code the MGU, Live Cockpit, and RAM units to work in a pre 2020 G30.
AFAIK the car needs to think it's a 2020 to properly iStep program the various modules.

Note that this will probably cause you major issues when you go in for service if a software update is required.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars

Note that this will probably cause you major issues when you go in for service if a software update is required.

ISTA can pull the VO from the car or as stored on the BMW server. Typically they pull it from the car so in this case the owner should not have an issue. But with such a significant upgrade and MY change, I'm not so sure it would work out well long-term.

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by claykin

ISTA can pull the VO from the car or as stored on the BMW server. Typically they pull it from the car so in this case the owner should not have an issue. But with such a significant upgrade and MY change, I'm not so sure it would work out well long-term.

But when you borrow codes from a donor vehicle, you will probably have to reload all of that if the software is updated by BMW for whatever reason since it wouldn’t be part of the original vehicle order file. Every time the dealership has updated my software, I usually have to redo all of my coding changes. Not a big deal, but just something to think about.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars

But when you borrow codes from a donor vehicle, you will probably have to reload all of that if the software is updated by BMW for whatever reason since it wouldn’t be part of the original vehicle order file. Every time the dealership has updated my software, I usually have to redo all of my coding changes. Not a big deal, but just something to think about.

You're referring to FDL coding which is different than VO coding. FDL coding is flipping switches on country specific features such as removing the disclaimer, disabling auto start stop..... VO coding is setting vehicle options. VO coding remains with the car and survives an iStep upgrade, provided the dealer retrieves the VO from the car instead of from ISTA. Normally a dealer will use the VO from the car. They should only use the VO from ISTA in the event of a programming failure.

[WretchedRefuse]

On a related topic, has anybody ever investigated what it would take to upgrade a pre-LCI ID7 "Lite" model to a full LCI ID7 model?

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

On a related topic, has anybody ever investigated what it would take to upgrade a pre-LCI ID7 "Lite" model to a full LCI ID7 model?

What would you gain doing that upgrade? RSU updates are risky enough for iDrive 7 “full” cars. I wouldn’t want to deal with a botched update without any warranty support to replace modules it fails.

Cheaper to swap the car out IMHO. As the G60 comes out next year and you have 3 model years of “full” cars. I think it isn’t worth the cost or risks.

IMHO though it would be better to see what the G60 offers with ideally a much more robust and complete form of RSU. BMW seems to have abandoned development on iDrive 7.

[WretchedRefuse]

Originally Posted by LogicalApex

What would you gain doing that upgrade? RSU updates are risky enough for iDrive 7 “full” cars. I wouldn’t want to deal with a botched update without any warranty support to replace modules it fails.

Cheaper to swap the car out IMHO. As the G60 comes out next year and you have 3 model years of “full” cars. I think it isn’t worth the cost or risks.
...

All fair points. If it were just a matter of swapping out the BDC or something I'd certainly consider it. Benefits would include remote start, driver assistant pro, drive recorder, backup assistant, RSU, and sport displays. But in reality you're probably right; it would be risky and it's probably a lot more involved than simple module swaps.