Firmware/Software Versions

[Robby29]

I have a 2015 m4. Want to update the HUD without updating the whole system. Is that possible?

[shawnsheridan]

Originally Posted by Robby29

I have a 2015 m4. Want to update the HUD without updating the whole system. Is that possible?

You can flash individual ECU (e.g. HUD / Kombi) with E-Sys.

[Tuner1]

What is the latest ISTEP version for a 2016?

[Shadow2]

My 2016 F80, build date 5/16, was on F020-16-03-504.
Dealer updated yesterday to F020-18-11-531.
Feels good, all 3 steering settings and EDC settings are now usable, before could only use comfort for each. Power feels really strong throughout the powerband. I was just getting used to the car so hard to tell exactly how different everything is.

[Mii]

We had iDrive replacement and updated with following in Jan 2019 for reference:

ISTEP: F020-18-11-531
Telephone: TB-006.027.001
Media: MB-006.027.001

[FTP20]

Originally Posted by Shadow2

My 2016 F80, build date 5/16, was on F020-16-03-504.
Dealer updated yesterday to F020-18-11-531.
Feels good, all 3 steering settings and EDC settings are now usable, before could only use comfort for each. Power feels really strong throughout the powerband. I was just getting used to the car so hard to tell exactly how different everything is.

How did you get this update done? Warranty or out of pocket? I called my local dealer and asked about having the software or Istep updated and they made me feel like an idiot and told me the shop foreman have never heard of Istep. What terminology or technical terms should I ask them for to have all the latest software installed for the iDrive, EDC, DCT and other systems?

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by FTP20

How did you get this update done? Warranty or out of pocket? I called my local dealer and asked about having the software or Istep updated and they made me feel like an idiot and told me the shop foreman have never heard of Istep. What terminology or technical terms should I ask them for to have all the latest software installed for the iDrive, EDC, DCT and other systems?

Just ask for a quote to update the cars firmware/software. They do it when they find issues but often don't like doing it on demand. Out of warranty they really don't like doing it because an electronic module could fail. I had to sign a disclaimer when they updated my E90 (which took 8 hours).

[2000gsr]

Is there a way to check which software version you have?

[hilld]

Originally Posted by mfurse

Just ask for a quote to update the cars firmware/software. They do it when they find issues but often don't like doing it on demand. Out of warranty they really don't like doing it because an electronic module could fail. I had to sign a disclaimer when they updated my E90 (which took 8 hours).

Did they charge you 8 hours labor?

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by hilld

Did they charge you 8 hours labor?

No, like an hour I think? The F80 is less dangerous to update as well and much faster I believe.

[m_michael]

Can anyone recommend a SF Bay Area dealership that has done an update for them. Thanks.

[daytonaviolet]

Originally Posted by m_michael

Can anyone recommend a SF Bay Area dealership that has done an update for them. Thanks.

I went to Fremont Bmw. I complained that my idrive nbtevo_j was freezing from time to time. They updated it to nbtevo_p for free during my oil change.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by 2000gsr

Is there a way to check which software version you have?

Get any BMW dealer to read your car key data and print it off....it should contain which software level you are on.

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by 2000gsr

Is there a way to check which software version you have?

Grab a USB key, plug it into the car. On iDrive go to car settings > profile and export your profile to the USB key.

Put the USB key into a PC or Mac, open the folder it creates and open the file in the folder with notepad. The iStep version number is embedded in the text you will see.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by mfurse

Grab a USB key, plug it into the car. On iDrive go to car settings > profile and export your profile to the USB key.

Put the USB key into a PC or Mac, open the folder it creates and open the file in the folder with notepad. The iStep version number is embedded in the text you will see.

Great tip, I just learned something ...!! I thought you needed to fire up a laptop and either E-Sys or ISTA to get that info (and I have both)....

[2000gsr]

Originally Posted by mfurse

Grab a USB key, plug it into the car. On iDrive go to car settings > profile and export your profile to the USB key.

Put the USB key into a PC or Mac, open the folder it creates and open the file in the folder with notepad. The iStep version number is embedded in the text you will see.

Didn't work for me, put the usb in but doesn't give me an option to export anything.

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by 2000gsr

Didn't work for me, put the usb in but doesn't give me an option to export anything.

Might have to go to options on the profile screen...will have a look later and confirm with a screenshot.

Confirming: Settings > Profile > Export on iDrive 4.2. I guess iDrive 5/6 will be different?

[jmciver]

I just did this and it worked for me. My car came with ID5, which I coded to ID6 Lite. To export the driver profile it is under My Vehicle -> Profiles.

I opened up the file in a text program and the i-step was close to the top of the document

[Rhd-jon]

I actually went to www.bmw.com/update and updated my 2015 F80

[trey100]

So I'm handing in my '16 M3 and hopefully will take possession of a '18 M3 ZCP. I haven't driven one yet but I'm confident I'll like it as much as my '16 if not more.

I recall back when I got my '16 there was a lot of people updating their firmware to get improvements to traction, ride, etc. That coincided with the introduction of the ZCP which seemed to improve things, at least from what the road tests said. Did anyone ever determine if the later model 16's actually got the same improvements that the ZCPs were getting? In the back of my mind, I always thought that the ZCP improvements could have simply been the same firmware updates that were given to all newer models.

Has there been any definitive answer?

[2000gsr]

Originally Posted by mfurse

Might have to go to options on the profile screen...will have a look later and confirm with a screenshot.

Confirming: Settings > Profile > Export on iDrive 4.2. I guess iDrive 5/6 will be different?

Got it to work! Just went to the wrong option the first time. Thanks for the tip!

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by Rhd-jon

I actually went to www.bmw.com/update and updated my 2015 F80

That's just an update for the iDrive and Bluetooth etc. ISTEP is the whole car's software and can only be done by dealer or at home using by specialist software.