Best strategy to get BMW to apply latest firmware updates?

blueman2 · 04-28-2010, 12:25 PM

From talking to my BMW dealer today, they tell me that they will not update firmware on my car just based on me requesting it. The guy let on that there were 2 reasons for this:

1) If it ain't broke, don't fix it (I agree with this one)
2) They do not get paid for updating firmware unless it is an approved warranty issue (I don't like this, but I understand it)

So, can others on this board share what they asked for that triggered the dealer to do a firmware update? I was complaining about DCT lag, but they said that was not resolved by any firmware update beyond what I have. My production date was 09/09.

leemik · 04-28-2010, 01:00 PM

I complained about DCT hesitation.. The dealer looked up a TSB and called to tell me they were reflashing the car to fix it. They even reflashed the Dinan software on it afterwards because according to them it got wiped out when they did the update (they didn't do the Dinan flash originally).. all no charge.

Technic · 04-28-2010, 01:01 PM

1. Look for documented issues (SIB) that require a software update and complaint about that one.
2. Try to have a relationship with the techs, much better with the shop foreman. They are the source. Service Advisors in general are not that interested in technical issues such as this. This is my conclusion based on 26 years of dealing with cars and dealers; I talk only with the source for technical issues, for chit chat about the paperwork, weather and sports I talk to the service advisor...

aus · 04-28-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leemik

I complained about DCT hesitation.. The dealer looked up a TSB and called to tell me they were reflashing the car to fix it. They even reflashed the Dinan software on it afterwards because according to them it got wiped out when they did the update (they didn't do the Dinan flash originally).. all no charge.

That's an AWESOME dealer!!!

For the OP, I'm going to say I want the shift lights to stay on all the time. Someone just posted about the new software doing it.

mkoesel · 04-28-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aus

For the OP, I'm going to say I want the shift lights to stay on all the time. Someone just posted about the new software doing it.

I'm pretty sure that's only for non-IDrive cars though. So that'll work for you (if your sig is thorough, that is) and me, but not for the OP.

Radiation Joe · 04-28-2010, 03:18 PM

Buy the Dinan software which includes the latest DCT updates.

swamp2 · 04-28-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technic

2. Try to have a relationship with the techs, much better with the shop foreman. They are the source. Service Advisors in general are not that interested in technical issues such as this. This is my conclusion based on 26 years of dealing with cars and dealers; I talk only with the source for technical issues, for chit chat about the paperwork, weather and sports I talk to the service advisor...

Absolutely, +1.

aus · 04-28-2010, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I'm pretty sure that's only for non-IDrive cars though. So that'll work for you (if your sig is thorough, that is) and me, but not for the OP.

I have no Tech/nav, so it should work for me.

AZ-BMW · 04-28-2010, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueman2

From talking to my BMW dealer today, they tell me that they will not update firmware on my car just based on me requesting it. The guy let on that there were 2 reasons for this:

1) If it ain't broke, don't fix it (I agree with this one)
2) They do not get paid for updating firmware unless it is an approved warranty issue (I don't like this, but I understand it)

So, can others on this board share what they asked for that triggered the dealer to do a firmware update? I was complaining about DCT lag, but they said that was not resolved by any firmware update beyond what I have. My production date was 09/09.

Find out the Service Manager's E-Mail address, then send him/her a polite E-Mail with your VIN # and describe your major concern about the observed DCT lag/hesitation safety issue and your fear of possibly getting T-Boned or rear-ended in an intersection or at a stop light, etc, while driving in D mode. Then ask for the latest target integration SW download as a "Goodwill measure" to "improve customer satisfaction." BTW, ask them to Flash all modules. That should work

AMP · 04-28-2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I'm pretty sure that's only for non-IDrive cars though. So that'll work for you (if your sig is thorough, that is) and me, but not for the OP.

No, it works in iDrive cars too. Just had mine done using this complaint.

Before you go in be sure to deactivate the shift lights in iDrive (in the MDrive settings screen hit the option button and make sure shift lights are off).

Then you can try and try to activate the lights via the turn signal stalk and they will not stay on when the car is re-started. This has to be the easiest route yet as it's very easy for the techs to verify.

mkoesel · 04-29-2010, 07:17 AM

Ah, thanks. So you are saying that there is genuinely something wrong with the behavior you are experiencing, or its just a way to get the update? Sorry if that's a dumb Q, I am not too familiar with the IDrive/MDrive equipped cars and how they are supposed to behave in this instance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMP

No, it works in iDrive cars too. Just had mine done using this complaint.

Before you go in be sure to deactivate the shift lights in iDrive (in the MDrive settings screen hit the option button and make sure shift lights are off).

Then you can try and try to activate the lights via the turn signal stalk and they will not stay on when the car is re-started. This has to be the easiest route yet as it's very easy for the techs to verify.

AMP · 04-29-2010, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Ah, thanks. So you are saying that there is genuinely something wrong with the behavior you are experiencing, or its just a way to get the update? Sorry if that's a dumb Q, I am not too familiar with the IDrive/MDrive equipped cars and how they are supposed to behave in this instance.

Not a dumb question at all. On iDrive cars you can set the shift lights always-on through the iDrive menus. If you set the shift lights via iDrive then they work correctly (always on).

If you try and change that setting through the instrument cluster then the change will not take hold after the next ignition cycle. This is an actual bug in the instrument cluster software, but those with iDrive will rarely ever notice it. Those without, will.

Nonetheless it makes for an excellent case to get a software update as there is an SIB (which means that BMW will pay for the update) and it's an easily reproducible problem (which means that the dealer will likely be able to get BMW to pay for the update).

mkoesel · 04-30-2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMP

If you try and change that setting through the instrument cluster then the change will not take hold after the next ignition cycle. This is an actual bug in the instrument cluster software, but those with iDrive will rarely ever notice it. Those without, will.

Aha - I get it now. So it turns out that the same bug is present on all cars - IDrive or not. Its just that on IDrive cars, you at least have another way of turning on the shift lights and having them stay on permanently. With non-IDrive cars, there is no way to do it, making the bug that much more severe. I honestly did not know that IDrive equipped cars even had the option to adjust the shift light settings through the BC (Board Computer - i.e the instrument cluster as you said).

Quote:

Nonetheless it makes for an excellent case to get a software update as there is an SIB (which means that BMW will pay for the update) and it's an easily reproducible problem (which means that the dealer will likely be able to get BMW to pay for the update).

Yes.

m3convertdriver · 04-30-2010, 10:11 AM

sry, but what is a shift light?

blueman2 · 04-30-2010, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3convertdriver

sry, but what is a shift light?

LEDs around the top of the Tach that light up to tell you your RPM is getting high and you need to shift.

Alex1911 · 04-30-2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueman2

LEDs around the top of the Tach that light up to tell you your RPM is getting high and you need to shift.

Do the MT's have that feature too or just the DCT?

AMOCHOSTO · 04-30-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex1911

Do the MT's have that feature too or just the DCT?

MT's do not have this feature

SCtud · 04-30-2010, 06:07 PM

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

Also, when the dealer updates your software, I thought you lose all your presets (the 1-6 buttons that store radio stations and other stuff). This happened to me the last time my software was updated, but not on the update that was performed on my car this week - I have a feeling they never actually updated the software and lied to me. Any ideas???

m3convertdriver · 04-30-2010, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueman2

LEDs around the top of the Tach that light up to tell you your RPM is getting high and you need to shift.

thanks. got it

johnsim · 03-07-2013, 10:44 AM

Old thread, but this just worked for me today. 2010 e90 iDrive. Software being updated as we speak after complaining of shift light issue.

vastano · 03-07-2013, 11:30 AM

just tried to get the dealer to update my software after complaining about the DCT hesitation. They drove it 5 times and could not get it to hesitate so they told me...sorry.

TexasSpartan · 03-07-2013, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vastano

just tried to get the dealer to update my software after complaining about the DCT hesitation. They drove it 5 times and could not get it to hesitate so they told me...sorry.

They could have done the update in the amount of time it took them to drive it 5 times.

04-28-2010, 12:25 PM	#1
blueman2 Private First Class 17 Rep 162 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Best strategy to get BMW to apply latest firmware updates? From talking to my BMW dealer today, they tell me that they will not update firmware on my car just based on me requesting it. The guy let on that there were 2 reasons for this: 1) If it ain't broke, don't fix it (I agree with this one) 2) They do not get paid for updating firmware unless it is an approved warranty issue (I don't like this, but I understand it) So, can others on this board share what they asked for that triggered the dealer to do a firmware update? I was complaining about DCT lag, but they said that was not resolved by any firmware update beyond what I have. My production date was 09/09. __________________ 2010 M3 E92 Space Gray, Black Novillo 2MK,2MT,ZCW,ZPP,ZTP,302,5AC,4MZ,507,6FL,655,752,41 5,A52
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04-28-2010, 01:00 PM	#2
leemik Lieutenant Colonel 509 Rep 1,570 Posts Drives: 2013 LRP M3 Coupe Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Quincy, MA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2020 Acura NSX [0.00] 2013 BMW M3 [9.50]	I complained about DCT hesitation.. The dealer looked up a TSB and called to tell me they were reflashing the car to fix it. They even reflashed the Dinan software on it afterwards because according to them it got wiped out when they did the update (they didn't do the Dinan flash originally).. all no charge.
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04-28-2010, 01:01 PM	#3
Technic Lieutenant General 2283 Rep 12,999 Posts Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida iTrader: (18)	1. Look for documented issues (SIB) that require a software update and complaint about that one. 2. Try to have a relationship with the techs, much better with the shop foreman. They are the source. Service Advisors in general are not that interested in technical issues such as this. This is my conclusion based on 26 years of dealing with cars and dealers; I talk only with the source for technical issues, for chit chat about the paperwork, weather and sports I talk to the service advisor...
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04-28-2010, 03:18 PM	#6
Radiation Joe Veni Vidi Vici 89 Rep 2,750 Posts Drives: '11 JB/BBe-6sp-e90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Macungie PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 e90 M3-Sold [8.50] 2003 RS6 - Sold [0.00] 2009 e90 M3 - Gone [0.00] 2003 M3 SOLD [0.00] old 2002 [10.00]	Buy the Dinan software which includes the latest DCT updates.
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04-30-2010, 10:11 AM	#14
m3convertdriver Private 10 Rep 93 Posts Drives: M3 E93 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (0)	sry, but what is a shift light? __________________ ********** 2011 X5 5.0, Jet Black 2008 M3 E93, Jerez Black (retired)** 2005 330 CIC, Jet Black (retired) 1997 Saab 900S, Turtle Green (R.I.P.)
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04-30-2010, 06:07 PM	#18
SCtud First Lieutenant 20 Rep 329 Posts Drives: 2008 E93 M3 Join Date: May 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (1)	Is there a way to check which software version you have? Also, when the dealer updates your software, I thought you lose all your presets (the 1-6 buttons that store radio stations and other stuff). This happened to me the last time my software was updated, but not on the update that was performed on my car this week - I have a feeling they never actually updated the software and lied to me. Any ideas???
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03-07-2013, 10:44 AM	#20
johnsim New Member 0 Rep 26 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Sedan Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 e90 M3 [0.00]	Old thread, but this just worked for me today. 2010 e90 iDrive. Software being updated as we speak after complaining of shift light issue.
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03-07-2013, 11:30 AM	#21
vastano Captain 103 Rep 893 Posts Drives: F15 X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (5)	just tried to get the dealer to update my software after complaining about the DCT hesitation. They drove it 5 times and could not get it to hesitate so they told me...sorry.
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