[mv57]

Hi All,

So first day of new motor. it is still raining out so no good photos and no option to give it some TLC with two bucket method, clay, sealant, wax.

This morning been chasing my tail to get the car to recognise the USB stick for the updates. The first issue was my lack of patience. The usb took a while to be recognised - I reformatted the usb several times before sitting back and waiting a few minutes.

The next thought. Last night on the BMW website it gave me a list of 4 / 5 different UDP100X versions to download. This morning only one is available.

So after the update the cars software versions stand at

MX-002.005.025
TX-002.006.006

The car is a sept 2010 build with combox.

MX = multimedia. Now album art currently doesn't show from the iPod. was hoping the update would improve this.

Is the normal for the age of the car? I have seen Fxx moving on to MX-003s.

Any insight would be great.

Little teaser from the dealers forecourt.

[jayooo]

What was the 1 UPD100X it offered you this morning?

UPD1008 is the latest and i just ran a test on the website and it only gives me 1 too, where as you say in the past it has given me more.

Business nav or pro nav? Not sure if that makes a difference.

I installed UPD1008 a while back and my screen is as below.

Sept 11 build, pro nav, album art works on USB and lightning cable to phone

[jayooo]

Lovely looking motor by the way! Congrats

[mv57]

Hi jayooo,

The update it gave me was the upd01008. But only the tx updated and still in the tx-002 range.

I was expecting the outcome to be similar to your photo.

The car has the usb audio aux in in the arm rest. Pro nav also

[jayooo]

Hmmm if UPD10008 is the latest, then that should update you higher than what it has given you in my opinion, the release notes for 0008 do show the versions I have on my idrive screen.

http://www.bmw.com/_common/shared/ow...D01008_ENG.pdf

Perhaps your install corrupted somehow? Its almost as if it hasn't actually installed the update 0008 in the car, have you reattempted 0008 install?

Not sure if the CIC/Combox software versions have any impact on what version you can go up to, as far as I am aware these updates are for the combox alone, but for what its worth my CIC version is CIC.C16, not sure on combox

[jayooo]

Did you check the versions before attempting to update?

My hunch is that the versions are the same as before you attempted the UPD10008 install, and the update has not worked, therefore not actually changed anything?

What does it say if you reattempt to install UPD10008?

[mv57]

Oddly the previous version was tx-002.005 after update
Tx-002.006.

I even rolled back the software and tried again.

After the update it says there are no newer updates for the car.

I will research the cic version and combox versions

[jayooo]

Very strange, in which case unless its down to a corrupt update, it must be down to the current car/individual ECU software levels surely?

I do remember reading somewhere that some of the first/early combox equipped cars could not perform a software update via USB due to old ECU firmware, but I doubt this is the case with yours as you have "successfully" updated, not strictly successfully, but it has at least allowed you to perform a USB update.

Do you have ISTA / Inpa that could give you the cars current i-level or CIC version?

[mv57]

Ah at which point I say. I'm out of my depth. No I have no means of accessing the obd.

I was thinking maybe the hidden menus. It may be a local Indy in that case to get it checked.

[jayooo]

Yeah to find out current versions its OBD only im afraid, a forum member close by would help you out I am sure, its a 5 minute job to read out all your software versions with the right tools.

I would happily do this for you, but you are a good distance from me!!

Another question, on this compatibility site, if you search by Vehicle ID (last 7 of your VIN), what software options does it give you in the drop down?

http://www.bmw.co.uk/en_GB/topics/su...atibility.html

Mine lists about 7 options for my VIN, the latest being TX-003.005.008-003.004 which I have installed.

[mv57]

followed your link to bmw website.

initial tx selected was tx-002.002 but in the drop down menu I could go all the way to 003.005

It suggests that 002 is viable unless software updates have been carried out on the car.

Now next step is flashing firmware? what are the risk? a place in Southampton said they would for £50 but will not pay for the replacement if it is bricked.

Thanks for the thought to help checking the car over and understand the distance is a ball ache.

There might be a chap LItany who is pretty local that may beable to help.

[jayooo]

The fact it gives you 003.005 is positive, does it actually say about 002 unless software updates have been performed? I dont see that message.

This seems to me that it is checking what is compatible based on the software the car left the factory with, and more than likely no updates have been performed.

The next step probably is a software update, you may aswel do the whole car if you are going to do it, rather than just flashing individual modules.

There are risks involved as with most things, the main thing is to make sure the car has a constant source of clean power, NEVER attempt from battery power. This is to ensure there are no voltage fluctuations during the update causing the ECU to fail and turn it into a paperweight. It also need to be performed using an ICOM lead rather than standard K+DCAN. I wouldnt let this put you off however, I was considering doing mine myself as I have ISTA/P, but I dont have a power supply (battery charger is not sufficient).

If an indy can do it for £50 I would consider it, but I would make sure the update is being done by the latest version of ISTA/P, and ask a few questions around the process just to gauge their competency... Most BMW specialists will have ICOM and ISTA/P and know 100% what they are doing. Worth enquiring with BMW too, but this will be £100+ i feel.

The benefit with a whole car (i-level) update is that not only will you be able to update your TX and MX, but you will get a whole host of other subtle improvements that have been changed over the past few years. Most report smoother gear changes, better MPG, smoother running etc etc... I have a jerky gear change occasionally hence why I am considering an update, mine has not been updated since it left the factory, so I am on 08/11 version

[mv57]

The message appears in the little blue i next to select version number.

I will have to consider pros and cons. Car is going in to bmw for a check up. Had a cold morning misfire that shook the car. I will ask to them to check the firmware if you think it can change engine performance.

To pick you brain on coding...

What sort of adjustments can be made? adding bmw apps etc?

[jayooo]

Is the car under warranty with BMW? Might be worth trying your luck with an update under warranty if it is, not normally something BMW will do under warranty, but if you can attribute a fault to something that could be fixed with an update, then its worth trying your luck!

Jerky gear change for example is the route I am going to go down to see if I can get an update for free, you dont ask you dont get!

6NR (BMW Apps) can be coded, but only for free on CIC version C16 which i think is late 2011 early 2012 ish (I have this version and coded BMW apps myself). If you were to update to the latest software, you could still add BMW Apps, but you would require a 9C FSC from BMW, essentially an authorisation certificate otherwise it wont work. BMW removed the ability to code 6NR for free early 2012 ish software, I was lucky within only a few month window with the right version not requiring FSC.

For what its worth, if I update my car, I will then require an FSC, and I wont be paying for it as I have used BMW apps probably twice...

There are various other small changes that can be made, I coded my mirrors to fold with the key rather than having to remember to press the button on the inside of the door everytime I get out of the car! Have a look in the coding section to give you an idea of what can be done.

[jayooo]

Just to add, I am not sure on the cost of a BMW apps 9C FSC, but id guess in the region of £2-300 upwards, which seems daft considering it was nowhere near that to spec from factory I dont think?

Just not worth it IMO

[mv57]

Right ok I will check the fsc situation too. I don't intend to pay out another £200.

I Tried the jerky gear change on my old 320d 2007. They gave me a new gearbox seal gearbox service and some other part i cant remember but no software update.