Latest software update for 2019 i3 BEV

[BroPro]

Hi all, just wondering where I can download the latest update that is compatible with 2019 model. BMW confirmed my current version is iDrive 5 and need to take it to the dealer. Checked the bmw website for download but nothing is there. BMW chat assistance also said the website download has been out of service. Would be nice if anyone knows where to download it. Currently cabin heating is not working. I hope software update might fix it. Had the car for a month and the cabin heater doesn’t work unless it’s plugged in on charge and set the pre departure climatization.

 

[mojo]

I doubt a software update will fix your heating problem - that's a pretty basic function, and I don't recall it being referred to as a common software-related issue. If you normally run in Eco Pro mode, the cabin heating does seem to be scaled back a bit to conserve power. Otherwise the cabin heating element itself is a well-known problem area (and people have reported that initially it can be intermittent). If that's what has happened to yours, the only solution is to replace the heating element assembly. But IIRC it should generate an obvious, unambiguous fault code when the car's diagnostic data are scanned.

 

[alohart]

Hi all, just wondering where I can download the latest update that is compatible with 2019 model. BMW confirmed my current version is iDrive 5 and need to take it to the dealer. Checked the bmw website for download but nothing is there. BMW chat assistance also said the website download has been out of service. Would be nice if anyone knows where to download it. Currently cabin heating is not working. I hope software update might fix it. Had the car for a month and the cabin heater doesn’t work unless it’s plugged in on charge and set the pre departure climatization.

The owner-installable software that has been available on BMW's Website is phone and media software only. This software is included in system software updates (a.k.a., integration level increases), so any software available for owner download is frequently not newer than what's already installed.

You'll need to ask a BMW dealer to increase the integration level (i.e., update the system software). U.S. dealers almost always charge for an integration level increase unless it's associated with a recall or BMW service action under warranty.

 

[BroPro]

I doubt a software update will fix your heating problem - that's a pretty basic function, and I don't recall it being referred to as a common software-related issue. If you normally run in Eco Pro mode, the cabin heating does seem to be scaled back a bit to conserve power. Otherwise the cabin heating element itself is a well-known problem area (and people have reported that initially it can be intermittent). If that's what has happened to yours, the only solution is to replace the heating element assembly. But IIRC it should generate an obvious, unambiguous fault code when the car's diagnostic data are scanned.

Thanks very much for the info. BMW roadside assistance tech did the diagnosis and he couldn’t find any fault code. He tried replacing the fuse as well. My current software version is March 2020 so it’s not quite up to date. Service centre said diagnosis will cost £298.80. If the fault is not manufacturers related, I’d have to pay for it as well as for the repair. Also bmw connected drive service said I cannot do the update myself via usb but to take the car to the service centre to do the update and there will be a cost to it too. The car seems to warm up with preconditioning set with departure time while still being charged. But it doesn’t work when I drive off.

 

[BroPro]

The owner-installable software that has been available on BMW's Website is phone and media software only. This software is included in system software updates (a.k.a., integration level increases), so any software available for owner download is frequently not newer than what's already installed.

You'll need to ask a BMW dealer to increase the integration level (i.e., update the system software). U.S. dealers almost always charge for an integration level increase unless it's associated with a recall or BMW service action under warranty.

Thanks for the info. How much do they charge normally?

 

[Mondomensch]

There are some online operations that can supposedly update your i-level at perhaps a somewhat cheaper price than the dealer.

Have you tried talking with the dealer about the actual heating issue and seeing what they offer?

 

[BroPro]

There are some online operations that can supposedly update your i-level at perhaps a somewhat cheaper price than the dealer.

Have you tried talking with the dealer about the actual heating issue and seeing what they offer?

Currently I’m waiting for the dealer to reply. Once I bought the car the dealer is very slow to respond my emails. Not sure if every dealer is like that. Post sale service is not like pre sale at all.

 

[alohart]

Thanks for the info. How much do they charge normally?

I think this varies considerably in the U.S. At least $200 I would think. I've never paid for an integration level update but have always taken advantage of a recall or BMW service action under warranty.

 

[BroPro]

I called the service centre and got a quote of £199.20 for software update. I asked whether I would need to pay every time I want to update the system when the new software comes out. The staff told me that I wouldn’t need to do the updates at the centre once I’ve updated to this latest update i.e. July 2024 version as it’d be done remotely for later versions. However, I doubt it’d be the case as 2019 model doesn’t seem to support over the air update and the max iDrive system I can have is ID6. OTA is only suppported on ID7 onwards as far as I’m aware. Not sure the staff didn’t know what he’s talking about. I also asked the connected drive and didn’t get a definitive answer but sent me how to do the updates related to newer system like ID7 and above which you can download the software on your mobile and upload it onto the car via Bluetooth then install the software.

 

[mojo]

You're right - OTA software updates are not supported on the i3. Data updates (e.g. map data updates) are supported, though in my experience that feature doesn't work well - I waited for more the 6 months for my last OTA map update to complete. I gave up in the end and downloaded the new map data using BMW's Download Manager, at which point the partly-downloaded OTA data was already out of date!

I asked whether I would need to pay every time I want to update the system when the new software comes out.

Given that the car has been out of production for more than 2 years, I doubt you will be troubled too much by future software updates...

 

[alohart]

Is it still possible to increase the i3 integration level (i.e., are i3 system software updates still being released every 4 months) 2 years after the final i3 was manufactured? I might pay for the final integration level increase if I knew when it was released.