Reasons for requesting software update at the dealer

[fongph]

I have an MY2016 F80 that was built around September 2015. I have never updated the software and only did some coding. I would like to have the latest I-step to improve the driving experience after two years, if any. The problem is I couldn't find any legitimate concern (which is not a bad thing) to bring up to the dealer for a software update request. It is more like a way to keep me engaged with the car after two years and have the latest and greatest before coding again. Does anybody know if there is any legit complaint/reason/TSB that is applicable to my car and can get the dealer to update the software free of charge? Please advise. Thanks

[elmerzasty]

You could try complaining of random resetting of the I drive.

[Almaretto]

Be prepared to lose 5 (turn-signal) blinks if you get updated.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Be prepared to lose 5 (turn-signal) blinks if you get updated.

Why can't you just code it back after the update? Is that parameter removed with the latest software?

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Why can't you just code it back after the update? Is that parameter removed with the latest software?

Parameter still present, but has no effect. It is software limited.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by Almaretto

Parameter still present, but has no effect. It is software limited.

Well that is unfortunate, I love my 5-blinks as I think that is how it should have come from the factory - or at least a user selected option for it in iDrive . Any other popular/common coding features removed from the current software?

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Well that is unfortunate, I love my 5-blinks as I think that is how it should have come from the factory - or at least a user selected option for it in iDrive . Any other popular/common coding features removed from the current software?

I do not recall, but I think that is the major one.

[jmciver]

So here is a question I had about getting my software updated at the dealer after coding my car - and this thread seems like the appropriate place to ask. I coded the anti-dazzle headlight feature, which is the only coding I have done that required me to change my VO (removing a few items IIRC). If I decide to have the dealer update my software, should I go back in and restore my VO to the original condition before I bring it in? Or will the software update take care of everything without issue - restoring the car back to factory defaults/setup - even the VO.

I don't mind losing my coding when all of the ECUs get updated as I can just re-code everything I want after I get the car back. But I was not sure if there would be any issues if my VO was not at the factory settings prior to any dealer update.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by jmciver

So here is a question I had about getting my software updated at the dealer after coding my car - and this thread seems like the appropriate place to ask. I coded the anti-dazzle headlight feature, which is the only coding I have done that required me to change my VO (removing a few items IIRC). If I decide to have the dealer update my software, should I go back in and restore my VO to the original condition before I bring it in? Or will the software update take care of everything without issue - restoring the car back to factory defaults/setup - even the VO.

I don't mind losing my coding when all of the ECUs get updated as I can just re-code everything I want after I get the car back. But I was not sure if there would be any issues if my VO was not at the factory settings prior to any dealer update.

I kept my VO modified when I went in for service. They programmed the car / updated the software without issues.

It was nice as it kept my modified VO so it programmed the car using the modified VO values I set.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

I kept my VO modified when I went in for service. They programmed the car / updated the software without issues.

It was nice as it kept my modified VO so it programmed the car using the modified VO values I set.

What coding did you have that required a modified VO? So if I understand you correctly, if I keep my modified VO (which in my case is for anti-dazzle), when the dealer updates my software, I will keep anti-dazzle without having to go in and re-code it?

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by jmciver

I don't mind losing my coding when all of the ECUs get updated as I can just re-code everything I want after I get the car back. But I was not sure if there would be any issues if my VO was not at the factory settings prior to any dealer update.

I load and use modified FA's rather than write to VCM so car appears factory. Though, you are less likely to have dealership issues with removed SA codes than added.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by jmciver

What coding did you have that required a modified VO? So if I understand you correctly, if I keep my modified VO (which in my case is for anti-dazzle), when the dealer updates my software, I will keep anti-dazzle without having to go in and re-code it?

Yes I had the VO modified for anti dazzle and enhanced Bluetooth.

The VO was never changed back to stock by the software update. Some of the valves that you modify in the various module did change tho, those I had to re-code after I got the car back. In my case it was only like 2 or 3 lines.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

Yes I had the VO modified for anti dazzle and enhanced Bluetooth.

The VO was never changed back to stock by the software update. Some of the valves that you modify in the various module did change tho, those I had to re-code after I got the car back. In my case it was only like 2 or 3 lines.

Interesting..... So I am a bit more curious now, since the anti-dazzle feature requires removing a few elements from the FA that is very specific to the anti-dazzle feature (I think FA is the correct term to use here vice VO), did your car actually retain the anti-dazzle feature after the dealer software update?

It would seem to make sense that when the dealer plugs the car into the computer for the update, the computer will read the currently installed FA and update the car according to what parameters are contained (or not contained as the case may be) in the FA - but it would not surprise me if there are other variables involved with the update process that makes the process not as "easy" as I may be making it out to be. Either way, going back in to re-code what I may lose is not a big deal to me, but it is nice to know what to expect going into this process if/when I do it.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Interesting..... So I am a bit more curious now, since the anti-dazzle feature requires removing a few elements from the FA that is very specific to the anti-dazzle feature (I think FA is the correct term to use here vice VO), did your car actually retain the anti-dazzle feature after the dealer software update?

It would seem to make sense that when the dealer plugs the car into the computer for the update, the computer will read the currently installed FA and update the car according to what parameters are contained (or not contained as the case may be) in the FA - but it would not surprise me if there are other variables involved with the update process that makes the process not as "easy" as I may be making it out to be. Either way, going back in to re-code what I may lose is not a big deal to me, but it is nice to know what to expect going into this process if/when I do it.

Yes the anti-dazzle was retained for the most part, some of the values in LHM43,44 did change and those had to be changed back to what the NGHB docs required. It is safe to say you will have to go back in and re-code them for them to work right.

[w00tw00t]

I'm also on old software. Never got it updated. What new features do you get with the latest software?

[Almaretto]

Originally Posted by w00tw00t

I'm also on old software. Never got it updated. What new features do you get with the latest software?

There are never official release notes, so it is all subjective.

[mjames]

So I'm at the dealer getting an oil change and I told the SA that I wanted my iDrive updated because it has crashed a few times. He seemed puzzled by this, but I explained it, and he came back now saying they were going to replace the entire head unit. WTF! I just wanted a simple software update. I guess I'm going to have to figure out how to do it myself. The issue I was having was not often, that seems like overkill.