[dbjunction]

I had given my car for its first service and i told the dealer that I also want to upgrade the software to 2020/07.25 so that I can get Android Auto but they are saying BMW does not allow them to upgrade the software. They only seem to do it when there is a known issue that the software upgrade fixes. One feature that the car is supposed to have is Remote Upgrades but that does not work - the car keeps searching tor update and since they can't address that issue, I thought they will do the upgrade themselves.

Any ideas on how I can get it done? I am in USA.

[MystroX5]

That’s your dealer. Your “issue” is I don’t have Android Auto. These dealers don’t want to be bothered and are stuck in antiquated thinking. I would call BMW and express why they won’t update your iDrive for features that are available. From many of the forum post, there are many urban dealers that need reeled in by corporate BMW in customer service etiquette.

[TurtleBoy]

The dealer does not have to upgrade to the latest software unless there is a known warranty issue that would be fixed. They can also get the approval from the regional engineer to perform the upgrade. In those two instances they are paid from BMW to perform the update. Some dealers will perform update as a good will gesture. Mine told me they would the last time I was in but the regional engineer approved it.

An OTA upgrade supporting AA should be available in the next few months.

[mitch57]

Originally Posted by dbjunction

I had given my car for its first service and i told the dealer that I also want to upgrade the software to 2020/07.25 so that I can get Android Auto but they are saying BMW does not allow them to upgrade the software. They only seem to do it when there is a known issue that the software upgrade fixes. One feature that the car is supposed to have is Remote Upgrades but that does not work - the car keeps searching tor update and since they can't address that issue, I thought they will do the upgrade themselves.

Any ideas on how I can get it done? I am in USA.

The reason they won't update the software is that they don't get reimbursed for the time/labor unless there is an issue that's covered under the warranty period. Therefore, I would just take the following SIB, print it out and hand it to them stating that your are having this problem. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...75285-9999.pdf.

I filed a complaint with the BBB for this very reason. Promised Over The Air (OTA) updates that have yet to happen for a number of people. Unfortunately, I had to use the SIBs, which were present in my vehicle, to get the updates. When I bought my car I was on 11/2019.51. I've had two updates since then from the dealer and none from OTA. I had to tell them that I had the problem in order to get the updates. My dealer does a good job of taking care of this for me when I request updates. They always tell me they have to document an issue first. But they already know how to word it so they get reimbursed.

Sad, but this seems to be the only way to force the dealers to perform the update if they're not willing to do so otherwise.

[eagle_bmw]

Originally Posted by mitch57

The reason they won't update the software is that they don't get reimbursed for the time/labor unless there is an issue that's covered under the warranty period. Therefore, I would just take the following SIB, print it out and hand it to them stating that your are having this problem. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...75285-9999.pdf.

I filed a complaint with the BBB for this very reason. Promised Over The Air (OTA) updates that have yet to happen for a number of people. Unfortunately, I had to use the SIBs, which were present in my vehicle, to get the updates. When I bought my car I was on 11/2019.51. I've had two updates since then from the dealer and none from OTA. I had to tell them that I had the problem in order to get the updates. My dealer does a good job of taking care of this for me when I request updates. They always tell me they have to document an issue first. But they already know how to word it so they get reimbursed.

Sad, but this seems to be the only way to force the dealers to perform the update if they're not willing to do so otherwise.

^
"They always tell me they have to document an issue first. But they already know how to word it so they get reimbursed."

Exactly how my dealer did it. "We have to be creative about this". I can understand it because it takes them 2-3 hours to do the update.

[Thewolfbmw]

I brought mine in to have the drivers side actuator check on exhaust, as I am unable to get it to open under any driving conditions. While there, asked to have Android Auto update installed. SA was unsure if they could do it. My sales person, a former Genius, took care of it. They had to keep the car a couple day and work with BMW but it was done. No issues. I also have the traffic cam app and it is active.

[nvsocr7]

Go to an M dealership if you can. My experience has been night and day better. I won't ever go back to the dealer I Originally leased from because of their bullshit and pretty much lack of doing anything other than bare minimum. Meanwhile the m dealer handled all my problems and then some and even asked if I wanted to instal the update while they replaced the ac. They also gave me an x7 loaner instead of
The barebone x3; I have a nearly fully loaded m50i with "vip service" which is garbage.

[UpstateCP]

Originally Posted by nvsocr7

Go to an M dealership if you can. My experience has been night and day better. I won't ever go back to the dealer I Originally leased from because of their bullshit and pretty much lack of doing anything other than bare minimum. Meanwhile the m dealer handled all my problems and then some and even asked if I wanted to instal the update while they replaced the ac. They also gave me an x7 loaner instead of
The barebone x3; I have a nearly fully loaded m50i with "vip service" which is garbage.

What is the difference between an M dealer and non-M dealer? What would cause the service to be better at one vs. the other?

[nvsocr7]

Originally Posted by UpstateCP

What is the difference between an M dealer and non-M dealer? What would cause the service to be better at one vs. the other?

It's supposed to be a step up from your regular dealer. Like earning a gold star if you will. Better showroom. More volume. Better service. Supposedly because they're geared to sell M versions and higher priced cars, not your generic x3/3series which is the typical bread and butter. There was a post detailing the difference but I can't find it anymore.

[UpstateCP]

Originally Posted by nvsocr7

It's supposed to be a step up from your regular dealer. Like earning a gold star if you will. Better showroom. More volume. Better service. Supposedly because they're geared to sell M versions and higher priced cars, not your generic x3/3series which is the typical bread and butter. There was a post detailing the difference but I can't find it anymore.

Interesting, between the two dealers near me the lower volume, more remote dealer appears to be an M dealer, while the higher volume and larger dealer that carries more M models (two X5M and an M8 on the showroom floor) is a non-M dealer. These designations at least according to their websites.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by dbjunction

I had given my car for its first service and i told the dealer that I also want to upgrade the software to 2020/07.25 so that I can get Android Auto but they are saying BMW does not allow them to upgrade the software.

It's not that BMW doesn't allow them to update the software it's because, as others have said, BMWNA won't reimburse the dealership for the labor (it's a multi-hour process and can require an overnight and rental). If you bring the car in for another fault that requires updating the software to fix, then the dealership will do it, or if that particular dealership is willing to fudge the paperwork. The SIB trick can work too as it gives the dealership the documentation they need to get reimbursed.

Some dealerships will also do it if YOU reimburse them for their time - mitch57 makes a good point about BMW promising but not delivering on OTA updates

[Tenac]

I've only had my dealer do an upgrade once without it being in for normal service but they have no issues doing it for me.

When I take the X3 in I ask them to review for software update and so far they have updated it during oil change no charge. My current X5 updates its self now, but my 2019 they did it for me no charge and had it for 2hrs. My SA told me to always ask for a check during any service and they will take care of it. He also told me if the X5 ever has issues with remote update for some reason to bring it in they will manually do it. My guess, dealer issues....

[themnmd]

Originally Posted by dbjunction

I had given my car for its first service and i told the dealer that I also want to upgrade the software to 2020/07.25 so that I can get Android Auto but they are saying BMW does not allow them to upgrade the software. They only seem to do it when there is a known issue that the software upgrade fixes. One feature that the car is supposed to have is Remote Upgrades but that does not work - the car keeps searching tor update and since they can't address that issue, I thought they will do the upgrade themselves.

Any ideas on how I can get it done? I am in USA.

Same issue here with my m340, SA insisted the 2020/3 was latest update.

[dbjunction]

I will talk to them tomorrow and ask them to either "fix" the remote update that gets stuck on searching OR do it manually.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Tenac

My guess, dealer issues....

Or maybe BMWNA might soon have issues with your dealer?

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Or maybe BMWNA might soon have issues with your dealer?

This could be true for sure!!! lol

[JAM10238]

Tell them you are getting bluetooth audio dropouts...that was a known issue on the November software