What's up with North American OTA map updates? - The beginning of an answer

[hinckley]

Navigation map updates vary by market and by year, so I’d like to ask that we limit this thread to North American F80/F82/F83 models that can get OTA map updates. I believe that’s from MY16 forward. Prior to MY16, North American maps could be updated by downloads to a USB drive.

There are several threads about the confusion surrounding OTA map updates, so I’ve been on a mission over the last few days to understand how these updates are supposed to work. I first talked to two Corporate Geniuses who confirmed that I’m supposed to get updates “up to” four times a year for three years (I have a MY18 F82). But they told me that if I’m having a problem with OTA updates, I should talk to my local service advisors. They collectively shrugged. So I spoke to two local Geniuses at two different dealers. One didn’t know what the term “OTA” meant. The other guessed at the meaning but told me I can only get map updates via USB and that I had to pay.

The fifth Genius finally paid off. I found Adam, a corporate Genius and the head of the navigation team. He confirmed that there was total confusion at all levels about OTA map updates and that the BMW rollout had been horrible. He said he and two others at BMW NA are working with Germany to clarify and better document the way the map updates are supposed to work, but he did give me a lot of information which I’ll try to pass along here . . .

• OTA map updates are supposed to be available for MY16 and forward F80/F82/F83 models with iDrive 5 or iDrive 6.
• You get OTA updates for only one selected region. You select a region by logging into your BMW ConnectedDrive account and clicking My services > Map update. Btw, there's a FAQ section on the Map update page which may be useful.
• According to Adam, map updates are only sent when it is determined that there has been a “significant” change for your selected region. In other words, we won’t get every update. They’re also rolled-out over time, so we won’t get updates at the same time.
• Updated maps for your selected region will be automatically sent to your car, however you will be prompted to install the update. If you haven’t been prompted to install a regional update, you haven’t received one.
• BMW does not have a way to force or push an OTA map download.
• The “Road Map NORTH AMERICA EVO” map version that you see listed in iDrive’s “Navigation Software Version” page is the base map version. Adam did not think that regional OTA map update versions are shown, but the pic in reply #9 of this thread indicates that both the base and the OTA regional update versions are displayed.
• Dealers can update the base map (for all regions) during the “free” three year period – but it’s not free! It’s supposed to cost $30 or $40 (Adam wasn’t exactly sure). He said some dealers may charge for service time as well. Adam thought it may be worthwhile doing a full map update every two or three years and shopping around for a dealer that won’t charge for service time.

From my direct conversations and all the other Bimmerpost threads, no one, especially the dealers, understands all of this. So I welcome any additional data that other owners had learned. But let’s not add to all the conjecture and confusion around this issue. Let’s keep it to facts that we’re sure of for MY16 and forward F80/F82/F83 cars in North America.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Cars with idrive 4 also came with the NBT EVO maps later in the lifecycle. They also support OTA map updates.

My dealer knows the push service is terrible and told me swing by every quarter to get the maps updated for free. I don't have urge to stop by every 3 months so I'll have them do it with my annual service. For the in between updates you can download them from various sources on the internet for free or pay for the service.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

Cars with idrive 4 also came with the NBT EVO maps later in the lifecycle. They also support OTA map updates.

Does your MY17 M4 have iDrive 4? I would have thought that you had iDrive 5.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by hinckley

Does your MY17 M4 have iDrive 4? I would have thought that you had iDrive 5.

Yes my car is a MY17 and it does have idrive 5.

[Encanto]

OTA started in MY2016.

[backagain]

Haven't had any map update in my MY2016. Never got any OTA update prompt since Sept 2016.

Yes, I have NA region checked in my ConnectedDrive setup. Last time I asked my SA, he said it would cost me couple hundred dollars to update. So I gave up.

[mstevens]

This exactly mirrors my experience. We have 2 MY 2017 cars that are supposed to get OTA updates and have configured region preference at ConnectedDrive.

Neither car has EVER had an OTA update. We get our dealer to update the basemap once a year.

I think people need to push dealers to do map updates, and absolutely insist that they do this for free since the marketing materials say we get free map updates "up to" 4 times a year and something is obviously wrong with our cars. BMW is likely to pay more attention to a bunch of dealers squawking about this than a bunch of owners.

[MN2///M]

What's the latest version...mine shows 2017-2 so I'm assuming there is an update since:

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by mstevens

This exactly mirrors my experience. We have 2 MY 2017 cars that are supposed to get OTA updates and have configured region preference at ConnectedDrive.

Neither car has EVER had an OTA update. We get our dealer to update the basemap once a year.

I think people need to push dealers to do map updates, and absolutely insist that they do this for free since the marketing materials say we get free map updates "up to" 4 times a year and something is obviously wrong with our cars. BMW is likely to pay more attention to a bunch of dealers squawking about this than a bunch of owners.

As it’s a BMWNA issue, Dealers should be able to charge BMWNA for the parts and service under warranty.

Everyone taking their carin every 3 months and BMWNA getting the Warranty Charge would wake them up fast.

[axz17]

Any luck with any SoCal dealers offering updates? I've gone to three dealers that all insist on charging.

My MY2018 M4 still showing 2017-1 without any OTA updates which really isn't ideal considering the two places where I frequent the most (my residence and work place) both do not exist on the maps...

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by backagain

Haven't had any map update in my MY2016. Never got any OTA update prompt since Sept 2016.

Originally Posted by axz17

My MY2018 M4 still showing 2017-1 without any OTA updates which really isn't ideal considering the two places where I frequent the most (my residence and work place) both do not exist on the maps...

I'm in the same boat with my MY2018 M4. I'd bet BMW will tell us that there have been no significant map updates for our areas, so none have been pushed to us.

Originally Posted by MN2///M

What's the latest version...mine shows 2017-2 so I'm assuming there is an update since

Hell, you've had an update!!! Most of us would kill for just one of those.

[cookiesowns]

Some newer ID5 & ID6 NBTEVO cars come with lifetime or a 3 year FSC code for map enabling.

You will be able to find people posting verified ISO's / USB images of the files needed to do a full update.

I haven't given this a go yet as I haven't found a clean way to verify if indeed the FSC code is a long term / lifetime one.

So far I've found NA Next 2018-2 & NA Evo 2018-1 I also have the older NA Premium 2018-1

When I feel risky and bored enough to do the update... I'll chime back here.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by cookiesowns

Some newer ID5 & ID6 NBTEVO cars come with lifetime or a 3 year FSC code for map enabling.

You will be able to find people posting verified ISO's / USB images of the files needed to do a full update.

I haven't given this a go yet as I haven't found a clean way to verify if indeed the FSC code is a long term / lifetime one.

So far I've found NA Next 2018-2 & NA Evo 2018-1 I also have the older NA Premium 2018-1

When I feel risky and bored enough to do the update... I'll chime back here.

I've been using those same downloaded updates 4 times a year. Worked every time.

Nothing risky about it. If the car likes the map it will update. If not it won't proceed. Pretty simple really.

If you need an FSC code it will prompt you at the very start. Can cancel at that point with no harm.

[cookiesowns]

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

I've been using those same downloaded updates 4 times a year. Worked every time.

Nothing risky about it. If the car likes the map it will update. If not it won't proceed. Pretty simple really.

If you need an FSC code it will prompt you at the very start. Can cancel at that point with no harm.

Well then.. there we go. answer done!

[fackamato]

Where do you find these map updates?

[MugsyMD]

So I have resorted to using Waze - easier, better than the bmw nav system - and here in Orlando - the BMW map SUCKS!!!! - with all the new roads BMW refuses to update, and my Dealer - Fields BMW- TOTALLY GUTLESS and CLUELESS!

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by MugsyMD

So I have resorted to using Waze - easier, better than the bmw nav system - and here in Orlando - the BMW map SUCKS!!!! - with all the new roads BMW refuses to update, and my Dealer - Fields BMW- TOTALLY GUTLESS and CLUELESS!

There's no question that Waze is better, but I just love having the nav map and instruction on the large iDrive screen and in my HUD. Now that Waze is available in CarPlay, I may finally pony up for that option and give it a try.

[backagain]

Originally Posted by hinckley

There's no question that Waze is better, but I just love having the nav map and instruction on the large iDrive screen and in my HUD. Now that Waze is available in CarPlay, I may finally pony up for that option and give it a try.

Would CarPlay project the Waze directions up to the HUD?

For the longest time, my 2016 map wouldn't upgrade. But just a few weeks ago, out of blue I got a prompt while driving saying it is ready for the update. Now it says 2017-2.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by backagain

Would CarPlay project the Waze directions up to the HUD?

No.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by MugsyMD

So I have resorted to using Waze - easier, better than the bmw nav system - and here in Orlando - the BMW map SUCKS!!!! - with all the new roads BMW refuses to update, and my Dealer - Fields BMW- TOTALLY GUTLESS and CLUELESS!

With all the I4 construction and exit ramps rerouted on temp roads up to a mile plus, I would be shocked if any service had it all correct.

[danniexi]

so am I one of the lucky ones?

the car said I had an update. I simply accepted and downloaded it over the air (though it took a very long time).

[maniz]

My car has prompted me 2-3 times for OTA map updates in my 13 months of ownership (I always accept); most recently just a few weeks ago. I guess they must've just released more updates for my region?