BMW tightens up eligiblity for software updates

Yobyot · 05-12-2006, 02:46 PM

Reading through the following two SIBs, you could come to the conclusion that BMW is tired of paying to fix software problems. I suspect it's a side-effect of the increasingly digital nature of these cars: BMW is discovering what those of us in the IT industry already know. The cost of support is VERY high.

Apparently, it's bad enough so that they're sending refrigerator magnets to techs to make sure they know not to update a car unless it's for a reason from what I submit is a fairly narrow list of reasons.

I especially like the irony in the logic that software updates may even damage the cars. Why release it then? I know that each update in my 06-05 production car has fixed some things and broken more. (I still wish I could get voice recognition back to where it was when it left the factory.) So, what else can you do but ride the update wave until you get a version that's stable for you and the way you drive your car. BMW isn't the best judge of that. You are.

Check out these links:

The six reasons BMW will update your car
What's decorating the fridges of BMW techs

stressdoc · 05-12-2006, 02:50 PM

Makes I-drive that much more appealing... So you can do more stuff yourself.

Yobyot · 05-12-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Makes I-drive that much more appealing... So you can do more stuff yourself.

It's iDrive that needs the most updating (voice recognition, retrofitting MP3 capability). Once you have iDrive (which I really like, BTW), you need BMW to update it more, I would submit, than if you do not have it.

Bimmerista · 05-12-2006, 03:34 PM

Agreed, we don,t need iDrive we need less electrobabbling and more simple car.

stressdoc · 05-12-2006, 05:24 PM

The bigger the CCC, the more you can futz with it. Too bad you can't get updates via Web access.

sblument · 05-12-2006, 11:41 PM

my car's in for service with BMW assist trouble (get data error, most assist functions don't work.) They're updating the software in this case, after multiple calls to field service, headquarters support, etc.

CnoteMD · 05-13-2006, 06:40 AM

If BMW is going to put a PC in the dashboard, they need to give it a higher speed connection for these "updates". There is no reason a software update should take all day (mine took 2 days!). Almost every current computer comes with a USB 2.0 connection. Why not do this with the car?

Instead BMW probably uses one of these for computer updates:

larryn · 05-13-2006, 06:58 AM

Great info Yobyot!

I wonder why we don't have the capability of self updates, similar to what the E46/X3/X5 nav owners have had for years. BMW doesn't condone it, but the updates are an easy "insert disc" type of update.

If they had simpler updates that could be self administered, they wouldn't need to have these foolish magnets, since it would be a lot easier to update, even if they were doing the update.

E90Fleet · 05-13-2006, 07:34 AM

There problem is they are getting thousands of owners who suddenly hear there is a new software version out going to their dealers and wanting a update

99% of these ont need the update, because they dont have the problem which the update fixes.

So they are trying to educate dealers that the cars only need updateing if there is something wrong.

This has always been the policy, but it seems some dealers didnt understand, so they put it on a magnet

E90Fleet · 05-13-2006, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CnoteMD

If BMW is going to put a PC in the dashboard, they need to give it a higher speed connection for these "updates". There is no reason a software update should take all day (mine took 2 days!). Almost every current computer comes with a USB 2.0 connection. Why not do this with the car?

Instead BMW probably uses one of these for computer updates:

Update is only as fast as the slowest component it needs to update.

Most bus runs at 22MB/s
But if one of the smaller modules needs updating it may only run at 3Kb/s. It will cost a lot and take time to make each bus run faster than they currently are.

5 Series got quite a jump in bus performance a little while ago when they changed the system, so E90 may get one sometime down the line.
But then people are again going to complain that their earlier cars arnt as good.

JSpira · 05-13-2006, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

5 Series got quite a jump in bus performance a little while ago when they changed the system, so E90 may get one sometime down the line.
But then people are again going to complain that their earlier cars arnt as good.

What did they change?

SP330 · 05-13-2006, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

What did they change?

The software that's what the local salesman said at Thompson BMW, when I inquired about i-drive. Frankly I hate I-drive for ruining the classic more driver-oriented dashs of e46's, right now its just flat and is very plain.

JSpira · 05-13-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP330

The software that's what the local salesman said at Thompson BMW, when I inquired about i-drive. Frankly I hate I-drive for ruining the classic more driver-oriented dashs of e46's, right now its just flat and is very plain.

When you say "the software," referencing the bus speed on the 5er, what exactly do you mean?

hotsand5 · 05-13-2006, 11:14 AM

damn, it amazing at the amount of information you can get off of the internet! That is why I love this forum so much, great find yobyot. Now we know that we have to complain about a fake symptom for a chance to update the software.

SP330 · 05-13-2006, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

When you say "the software," referencing the bus speed on the 5er, what exactly do you mean?

He said BMW basically streamlined the software itself to run smoother, he didnt mention anything about changed hardware and physical internals.

Carnage · 05-13-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CnoteMD

If BMW is going to put a PC in the dashboard, they need to give it a higher speed connection for these "updates". There is no reason a software update should take all day (mine took 2 days!). Almost every current computer comes with a USB 2.0 connection. Why not do this with the car?

Instead BMW probably uses one of these for computer updates:

That's classic! I haven't seen one of those in years. But you're right, my last update took so long I half expected to see a technican shoving bits and bytes into the connection line by hand.......

JSpira · 05-13-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SP330

He said BMW basically streamlined the software itself to run smoother, he didnt mention anything about changed hardware and physical internals.

The cars all use the same software, so that´s not possible.

NYF32DRIVER · 05-13-2006, 12:55 PM

When I brought my car in for the second time with the "Service Engine Soon" light problem, I was told that they also performed an "update" of some sort. My car was there for about 9 hrs.
I don't know what sort of "update" he meant and I would usually ask but it was the end of the day and I was pressed for time.

Joseph

E90Fleet · 05-13-2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSpira

What did they change?

They changed some of the BUS systems, and removed others. Basically streamlined the system and put a few newer technology systems in.

Further back ( before the E90) there was a update on the dealers computers changing them to Windows XP run systems that reduced the update time

05-12-2006, 02:46 PM	#1
Yobyot Major 494 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: MY19 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	BMW tightens up eligiblity for software updates Reading through the following two SIBs, you could come to the conclusion that BMW is tired of paying to fix software problems. I suspect it's a side-effect of the increasingly digital nature of these cars: BMW is discovering what those of us in the IT industry already know. The cost of support is VERY high. Apparently, it's bad enough so that they're sending refrigerator magnets to techs to make sure they know not to update a car unless it's for a reason from what I submit is a fairly narrow list of reasons. I especially like the irony in the logic that software updates may even damage the cars. Why release it then? I know that each update in my 06-05 production car has fixed some things and broken more. (I still wish I could get voice recognition back to where it was when it left the factory.) So, what else can you do but ride the update wave until you get a version that's stable for you and the way you drive your car. BMW isn't the best judge of that. You are. Check out these links: The six reasons BMW will update your car What's decorating the fridges of BMW techs
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05-12-2006, 02:50 PM	#2
stressdoc Moderator 618 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	Makes I-drive that much more appealing... So you can do more stuff yourself.
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05-12-2006, 03:34 PM	#4
Bimmerista Major General 82 Rep 5,732 Posts Drives: superstock Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada iTrader: (0)	Agreed, we don,t need iDrive we need less electrobabbling and more simple car.
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05-12-2006, 05:24 PM	#5
stressdoc Moderator 618 Rep 10,855 Posts Drives: BMW i8; Toy 4runner TRD pro Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waco TX iTrader: (0)	The bigger the CCC, the more you can futz with it. Too bad you can't get updates via Web access.
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05-12-2006, 11:41 PM	#6
sblument Lieutenant 13 Rep 427 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Champaign, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	my car's in for service with BMW assist trouble (get data error, most assist functions don't work.) They're updating the software in this case, after multiple calls to field service, headquarters support, etc. __________________ 2006 330i, SP, PP, fold down rear seats, sparkling graphite, black leather, metallic trim.
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05-13-2006, 06:40 AM	#7
CnoteMD Commander in Chief 37 Rep 1,034 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 535i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M5 [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	If BMW is going to put a PC in the dashboard, they need to give it a higher speed connection for these "updates". There is no reason a software update should take all day (mine took 2 days!). Almost every current computer comes with a USB 2.0 connection. Why not do this with the car? Instead BMW probably uses one of these for computer updates: Attached Images __________________ 2008 BMW 535i Space Gray, Black Leather, Dark Bamboo Trim\| Sport Automatic with Paddles \| Sport Package 2008 BMW M5 (gone, but not forgotten) Space Gray, Silverstone Merino Leather, Madeira Walnut Wood Trim \| 7speed SMG \| All options Mods: Corsa Exhaust \| RPI Ram Air Intake \| H&R Sport Springs \| Rogue Engineering 12mm spacers
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05-13-2006, 06:58 AM	#8
larryn Lieutenant General 2148 Rep 10,176 Posts Drives: '97 332ti, '21 X5 45e, '16 GT4 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Seattle iTrader: (2)	Great info Yobyot! I wonder why we don't have the capability of self updates, similar to what the E46/X3/X5 nav owners have had for years. BMW doesn't condone it, but the updates are an easy "insert disc" type of update. If they had simpler updates that could be self administered, they wouldn't need to have these foolish magnets, since it would be a lot easier to update, even if they were doing the update.
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05-13-2006, 07:34 AM	#9
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	There problem is they are getting thousands of owners who suddenly hear there is a new software version out going to their dealers and wanting a update 99% of these ont need the update, because they dont have the problem which the update fixes. So they are trying to educate dealers that the cars only need updateing if there is something wrong. This has always been the policy, but it seems some dealers didnt understand, so they put it on a magnet __________________ BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
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05-13-2006, 11:14 AM	#14
hotsand5 hotsand5 49 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i 6spd Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	damn, it amazing at the amount of information you can get off of the internet! That is why I love this forum so much, great find yobyot. Now we know that we have to complain about a fake symptom for a chance to update the software. __________________ -2006 BMW 330i-Sapphire Black- Tera Leather-Aluminum trim- 6spd manual- Sport- Premium- Cold- Navigation- Euro. delivery -2005 Yamaha Warrior 1700 102cu"
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05-13-2006, 12:55 PM	#18
NYF32DRIVER Lieutenant 132 Rep 556 Posts Drives: 2016 428i X Drive Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Island, NY, USA iTrader: (0)	When I brought my car in for the second time with the "Service Engine Soon" light problem, I was told that they also performed an "update" of some sort. My car was there for about 9 hrs. I don't know what sort of "update" he meant and I would usually ask but it was the end of the day and I was pressed for time. Joseph __________________ 2016 428i X Drive. Mineral Gray Metallic. Born 2/2016, Munich Factory. Member BMW CCA Since 2008
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