Problems with i-Drive controller retrofit

[apw2607]

Being following the thread ..... good work everyone .... my feeling is this has to be related to i-Drive software version, and not the controller hardware for the reason stated above, that if someone that owned a 09/08 - 03/09 5 series needed to replace their controller they would need to order what you guys are receiving now as that original part is no longer available and has being superseded.

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by skierman64

Hey Lugnut, you're about 67 miles away from me. Would you mind if I came by tried your new controller on my 3/08 build car? I'd like to try it before purchase since there's a lot of questions on whether it will really work. I had a software update about 2 weeks ago, so I'm pretty confident I have the newest software.

Keep me posted! I'll head up there with you if you want.

[aussiem3]

OK, here we go. I have a 2007 Sept built E92 M3 with the old iDrive controller. I purchased the 2009 iDrive controller based on Technic's experience. I am still waiting for my trim so I haven't had a chance to properly install it.

Following the issue highlighted in this thread today I decided to check whether mine would work. Guess what ... it does perfectly and no issue whatsoever.

If someone can tell me how to check what software level I have on the car, then I can tell you. For now I am happy and I can't wait for the trim to arrive.

So the bottom line is, it's software related I would say this because mine is a 2007 built car. I did have the software updated sometime last October. So there we go.

Have the software updated ... it will cost you because BMW doesn't believe in updating the software for no reason, and cannot be claimed under warrantly.

Also another issue relating to software upgrade is that some components fail and have to be replaced. The dealership will not take the responsibility for this and it is at your own peril. The component that's prone to failing is the telephone module. I've seen this happen on new cars and it's a costly affair. That's why BMW will not update the software if there is no issue with the car.

So the new 2009 idrive controller - P/N: 6582 92 13 309 does work but if you have the correct software. Good luck!

[lugnut]

I'm glad to hear that Aussie's 309 controller works when plugged in. That's encouraging. Of course, if that is the case, I would wonder why my car's software wasn't updated last week when I had my 15k service, but I suppose that is neither here nor there at this point.

What I feel is an interesting question though is if Non US-Spec cars were built w/ CDMA TCUs in the first place. Isn't Australia, like Europe and the rest of the world, GSM based?

With any luck I should be able to pick my car up sometime today (Sat July 18) so I'll report back if my dealership had any luck with the new controller re-code.

[aussiem3]

Well as I pointed out the sw is not updated automatically unless there is an issue with the car. Is it costing you to update the car?

Yes, like europe, we have GSM. Good luck with the updates!

[lugnut]

Just got my car back from the dealership...no luck. They updated and re-coded twice, the new controller still wouldn't work.

I put my orignal console back in and am going to use that. Just for laughs I am going to plug the -311 controller into a co-workers 7/08 build 328xi, as well as my father's 2009 X5d and see if they work in those vehicles.

At this point, especially considering how Aussie's unit worked, I am going w/ the older CDMA TCU being the culprit in this case. I would imagine that Aussie's car, as well as the Euro-spec cars, probably never had our CDMA based TCU in the first place, so the 4/08 changeover would never have affected this. Since the controller wasn't really used until 9/08 in any BMW circumstantially links the TCU as being the biggest suspect here.

What's silly is that there is probably one line of code buried somewhere in the car's systems that says "if CDMA TCU than must use Controller X".

I guess the only way to really test the TCU theory is to upgrade a CDMA car to the newer TCU, then upgrade the controller and see what happens.

UPDATE (KINDA): Just plugged my -311 controller into my co-worker's 7/08 build 328xi E90. Works fine. Completely plug and play.

Also, I think I have figured out what the differance between -309 and -311 is. -309's metal trim rings appear to have a brushed finish the same as the climate control knob trim rings, while the -311 seems to have a more polished look to the trim rings.

[apw2607]

Originally Posted by lugnut

Just got my car back from the dealership...no luck. They updated and re-coded twice, the new controller still wouldn't work.

I put my orignal console back in and am going to use that. Just for laughs I am going to plug the -311 controller into a co-workers 7/08 build 328xi, as well as my father's 2009 X5d and see if they work in those vehicles.

At this point, especially considering how Aussie's unit worked, I am going w/ the older CDMA TCU being the culprit in this case. I would imagine that Aussie's car, as well as the Euro-spec cars, probably never had our CDMA based TCU in the first place, so the 4/08 changeover would never have affected this. Since the controller wasn't really used until 9/08 in any BMW circumstantially links the TCU as being the biggest suspect here.

What's silly is that there is probably one line of code buried somewhere in the car's systems that says "if CDMA TCU than must use Controller X".

I guess the only way to really test the TCU theory is to upgrade a CDMA car to the newer TCU, then upgrade the controller and see what happens.

UPDATE (KINDA): Just plugged my -311 controller into my co-worker's 7/08 build 328xi E90. Works fine. Completely plug and play.

Also, I think I have figured out what the differance between -309 and -311 is. -309's metal trim rings appear to have a brushed finish the same as the climate control knob trim rings, while the -311 seems to have a more polished look to the trim rings.

Please try your fathers x5d as well .... would love to know !!

[Alex///M]

Wow!!! Lots of good info in this thread. I was all ready to order the console and controller from my dealer this week but considering the problems being discovered with North American market cars with 03/08 and previous build dates I'm going to hold off for a while longer.

My '08 E90 has an 02/08 build date and considering the cost of the updated controller and console (each over $300 CDN), I'll wait until some difinitive answers can be had on whether this will work or not.

Keep the info coming folks.

[mazda3ndp]

if anyone has the console and idrive knob and isnt compatible, I will buy it.... I need it for a 6mt. pm me. asap

[Technic]

Originally Posted by mazda3ndp

if anyone has the console and idrive knob and isnt compatible, I will buy it.... I need it for a 6mt. pm me. asap

If this is for your E93 M3, the Sedan/Coupe 6-Speed console will not work.

[MMAJNKE]

hopefully mine works

[Sedan_Clan]

Great thread guys. Are there any So.Cal guys doing this swap?

[MMAJNKE]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Great thread guys. Are there any So.Cal guys doing this swap?

I am pm me

[mazda3ndp]

oh wow didnt even realize there was a difference... F man

[Technic]

Originally Posted by mazda3ndp

oh wow didnt even realize there was a difference... F man

Convertible console 6-Speed: P/N 51 16 7 903 972

[SECRET M]

how did we overcome the HD display issue?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by SECRET M

how did we overcome the HD display issue?

This is not a full retrofit, just the swapping of controllers...

[SECRET M]

so if i currently order the HD display and the 09 iDrive unit, have we already determined this will not work?

[Technic]

Originally Posted by SECRET M

so if i currently order the HD display and the 09 iDrive unit, have we already determined this will not work?

Nobody knows if by just installing all the hardware it will work -or at least if somebody knows for sure is not telling.

One thing for sure, though: BMW has to give you a set of FSC enabling codes based on your M3 VIN for that iDrive unit to display the Nav and the Voice Activation.

[m328ci]

My car is Euro base with 05/08 production. I just got -311 today. Will give it a try. Still waiting for RHD console tho

[m328ci]

update my -311 works with 05/08

[mdrobc13]

Originally Posted by lugnut

Having my M3 re-coded tomorrow. Hopefully it will work. I'll post more when I get the car back.

On the plus side, I'm getting really good at replacing the center console. I think I am under 7 minutes total now

Hey Lugnut...how about posting a DIY on how to remove the center console for those of us who still have to remove theirs and are less so inclined! Pics too would be nice. It would be helpful.

Hope your car gets sorted out. Mine is a late May 2008 build so I think I am safe from the tcdma issue.