[scas12]

I was told that the next OTA update would be this month, does anyone know whether there's a set schedule for when/how they release and distribute the updates across the active vehicles? Just curious what to expect.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by scas12

I was told that the next OTA update would be this month, does anyone know whether there's a set schedule for when/how they release and distribute the updates across the active vehicles? Just curious what to expect.

BMW is super opaque about this (and many things). I don't think anyone knows for sure, but some on the 7 series forum reported receiving the OTA update in the past week or so. Maybe it starts with the top tier vehicles and trickles down?

EDIT: Some on the X7 forum are also reporting receiving the OTA update.

[handinpalm]

Be careful what you wish for. There was a firmware update on the G30 vintage about a year ago, and it disabled some of the Bimmercodeing, such as disabling ASS. They were taking away capabilities, instead of enhancing capabilities. I stopped firmware updates after that. Of course the G60 now has NO Bimmercoding capability.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by handinpalm

Be careful what you wish for. There was a firmware update on the G30 vintage about a year ago, and it disabled some of the Bimmercodeing, such as disabling ASS. They were taking away capabilities, instead of enhancing capabilities. I stopped firmware updates after that. Of course the G60 now has NO Bimmercoding capability.

That ship (coding) has sailed on iDrive 8.5 - whether you accept OTA updates or not. I'm sure BMW could argue they were not "taking away capabilities" since the capabilities in question were those consumers enabled themselves without being BMW-sanctioned.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

BMW is super opaque about this (and many things). I don't think anyone knows for sure, but some on the 7 series forum reported receiving the OTA update in the past week or so. Maybe it starts with the top tier vehicles and trickles down?

EDIT: Some on the X7 forum are also reporting receiving the OTA update.

My new i7 got 03/2024.40 OTA on Monday. It took until Wed for the car and app to download and then install. 2 days of this and then 3 drives to complete. Tesla...please help BMW.

Then after this OTA this week, it killed the connection to the BMW app. Lots of steps later....back now.

OTA a few weeks ago with our son's M3....and the OTA killed his remote start function and re-set a bunch of driver settings and personalizations. Luckily I knew how to put back, what he wanted and needed.

For those not on forums, or not "techy"....BMW needs to greatly improve the OTA process.

[CaboM4]

I just got the prompt on my i7 for the update to 03/2024.40 as well earlier this week. BMW ususally releases last quarter's update atleast 60-90 days past when it is released to the dealerships via ISTA. Not sure of the logic, but assume to validate there are no major bugs while the vehicle is a captive audience in the dealership's hands and not "out in the wild" in case of issues.

Given deutsch100 's experience with his 2 BMWs that recent took this update and how things are working swimmingly in my i7, I will likely pass on this update atleast for now. I have not received the prompt on my iX as that is a bit older on MGU21 (iDrive 8.0)

[freshxdough]

Comes out in batches. Just wait for the notification in the car or app.

[bmw_maniac]

I installed 03/2024.40 last week. The release notes don’t list any specifics and I don’t notice any new features or improvements. I read it improves CarPlay stability, but I don’t use CarPlay.

[handinpalm]

Originally Posted by bmw_maniac

I installed 03/2024.40 last week. The release notes don’t list any specifics and I don’t notice any new features or improvements. I read it improves CarPlay stability, but I don’t use CarPlay.

Sounds just like the release notes on the G30s.

[bmw_maniac]

My wish for new features is the ability to customize the Home Screen Widgets (content and order). What’s your wish?

[Scrapula]

Originally Posted by bmw_maniac

My wish for new features is the ability to customize the Home Screen Widgets (content and order). What’s your wish?

Definitely that. I don’t like having to swipe down for favorites. I’d rather have them on the side bar. I’d also like the ability to hide icons not used. I have CarPlay, so I don’t need to see Android Auto. I don’t play the games, or watch Bundesliga. Maybe just a folder to stash them in which is where ‘favorites’ are now.

[digriz]

Originally Posted by bmw_maniac

My wish for new features is the ability to customize the Home Screen Widgets (content and order). What’s your wish?

I'd love it if the comfort entry proximity option supported geofencing, because I'd like to disable it when the car is in the garage so that it doesn't open and close repeatedly every time I get too close to the car.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by digriz

I'd love it if the comfort entry proximity option supported geofencing, because I'd like to disable it when the car is in the garage so that it doesn't open and close repeatedly every time I get too close to the car.

This is available only in the 7 series as far as I have heard. Eventually, however, the car will stop listening and will no longer lock and unlock when you're near. You will then have to physically touch the door handle to open it.

[aptekcom]

Per someone’s suggestion here on this forum, I changed mine to only unlock when I touch the door handle. It works instantly and has resolved that issue.

[deutsch100]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

This is available only in the 7 series as far as I have heard. Eventually, however, the car will stop listening and will no longer lock and unlock when you're near. You will then have to physically touch the door handle to open it.

And the 7 Series geo fencing, exclude Home, works nowhere near as good as Tesla. I gave up on it, and unchecked the exclude home "feature". It got my address wrong when trying to set it, and the not locking and unlocking did not really work.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by bmw_maniac

I installed 03/2024.40 last week. The release notes don’t list any specifics and I don’t notice any new features or improvements. I read it improves CarPlay stability, but I don’t use CarPlay.

There is no noticeable changes with 24-03

[KeelTiii]

Well, I keep checking for the update but mine is still on the original that it came with. Who has received it so far?

[RockvilleMD540i]

I have 3/2024.47 now and had the dealer install it a week ago. Had 11/2023.xx and wanted my Parking Assistant Pro purchase option to come available on the store again. You can only purchase it after you have 3/2024.xx, if you didn’t have Pro fully purchased/activated (non trial) already under 11/2023.xx. Took them days to install it though, but after 4 days with my car they finally got the download from BMW corporate or wherever it comes from.

[mismail7]

Got the update for my X7 last week. Nothing for my i5 yet. No changes noticeable on the X7.

[Scrapula]

Still waiting for mine. Deleted my car, reloaded it, selected software update, reset iDrive. Still the same.

[scas12]

I'm still waiting too, frustrating because I want to buy the remote parking stuff but can't until we get the update.

[RockvilleMD540i]

Originally Posted by scas12

I'm still waiting too, frustrating because I want to buy the remote parking stuff but can't until we get the update.

One good thing about not buying the 3 year Parking Assistant Pro subscription in March, before BMW withdrew the option under the old software, the price dropped like $80-$100 from when I was going to get it in March. By late April the price dropped that much, which I discovered after the dealer put software 3/2024.47 on my car. So that was a nice surprise.