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iX won't be "released"

4544 Views 14 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  davidbuffey
Hi all,

I'm new here, some great reading. I just have a quick enquiry to try and understand if my experience is unique.

We ordered our iX 40 MSport in mid January and were given an expected delivery of May to June. Three weeks ago the dealer contacted me to tell me that the vehicle was inbound imminently and was then duly informed that the vehicle was with the dealer.

We arranged the pick up for 8th April and all was going well until the morning of the 8th. I was called to say that BMW won't release the vehicle as a software update is required and the pickup was cancelled. We're now a full two weeks down the line and I'm still being told that BMW won't release the vehicle, which seems odd.

Is anyone else in the same situation?
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Hi all,

I'm new here, some great reading. I just have a quick enquiry to try and understand if my experience is unique.

We ordered our iX 40 MSport in mid January and were given an expected delivery of May to June. Three weeks ago the dealer contacted me to tell me that the vehicle was inbound imminently and was then duly informed that the vehicle was with the dealer.

We arranged the pick up for 8th April and all was going well until the morning of the 8th. I was called to say that BWM won't release the vehicle as a software update is required and the pickup was cancelled. We're now a full two weeks down the line and I'm still being told that BWM won't release the vehicle, which seems odd.

Is anyone else in the same situation?
Yes - I'm in exactly the same situation. Here are some dates and locations of my iX 40 MSport ordered 25/1/22 from Dick Lovett BMW Swindon:
  • 15/3/22 advised that production was delayed due to shortage of wiring looms made by Leoni south of Lviv, Ukraine
  • 24/3/22 exited the Dingolfing production line, headed to Cuxhaven by rail link
  • 7/4/22 arrived Southampton docks berth 25 on the Ro-Ro ferry "Minchah"
  • 13/4/22 advised that a "campaign" (I call that a recall) was current on at least 2 car functions: 1.) Airbag warning light 2.) Laserlights firmware. Both these fixes to be done by logistics pre-delivery NOT Dick Lovett BMW, Swindon. OK but surely firmware updates can be done 'over the air' via the car's 5G link?
  • 22/4/22 Advised no update... after fixes, no revised ETA
So, not good. How long does a car have to sit around for it to no longer be regarded as new? Apparently this is similar to what happened to the Porsche Taycan and may stem from the insurance indemnity issues that level 2.5 autonomy incur if any known functional issues are not pre-emptively addressed via ISO governed procedures even before a transporter driver is allowed to load a car.

Or...:
  • did someone ding the car and the bodywork is being fixed?
  • are some parts needing to come from Germany?
  • is a software update needed that has not yet been coded?
  • Or all three? ;)
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As far as I know, the 2022s just started shipping so your car is far from not being new. It will be "new" for the rest of this model year as long as it isn't being driven. More transparency from BMW would be helpful. Perhaps they should issue a bulletin to all owners in the queue instead of relying on stealerships to perform outside of their capabilities. This also doesn't bode well for addressing issues down the road.

BMW touts the 5G and software updates, you'd think this would be dead simple. Tesla just sends an update. You let it install (or touch the yellow clock to install at a certain time) and it's done. Nothing complicated. No drama.

Ford's head of Mach-e accompanied Sandy Munro during a teardown of that vehicle and was told where it lacked and what improvements needed to be made. She addressed why things were the way they were, and that improvements were forthcoming. Where has BMW's transparency been? I feel like BMW is hiding behind layers of corporate insulation in an attempt to do the actual opposite. I do not like this German auto mentality.
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Or...:
  • did someone ding the car and the bodywork is being fixed?
  • are some parts needing to come from Germany?
  • is a software update needed that has not yet been coded?
  • Or all three? ;)
Well I was suspecting bullet 1 hence asking here, so if I'm not alone I'll discount that one. I suspect bullet 2 is neigh on certain and for bullet 3, if there is a software update that's so important that they can't release the vehicle then you'd have to wonder about those vehicles that have already been released.
I've learned, in the absence of information, anything that I conjure in my mind as an explanation is likely not the real reason. No matter what we think, it's very often something else. This is about everything in life! lol... Do not ascribe to malice that which can be explained by stupidity. I think a lot of dealers don't quite know how to handle these cars. In reading through another forum, there is a special firmware update that needs to be sent specifically to the airbag controller or something like that. Could be a more involved process than OTA.
I've learned, in the absence of information, anything that I conjure in my mind as an explanation is likely not the real reason. No matter what we think, it's very often something else. This is about everything in life! lol... Do not ascribe to malice that which can be explained by stupidity. I think a lot of dealers don't quite know how to handle these cars. In reading through another forum, there is a special firmware update that needs to be sent specifically to the airbag controller or something like that. Could be a more involved process than OTA.
Yeah, I just saw the Airbag thread. Sounds like the likely culprit
As far as I know, the 2022s just started shipping so your car is far from not being new. It will be "new" for the rest of this model year as long as it isn't being driven. More transparency from BMW would be helpful. Perhaps they should issue a bulletin to all owners in the queue instead of relying on stealerships to perform outside of their capabilities. This also doesn't bode well for addressing issues down the road...
Its OK - I can wait for the Castanea interior, LaserLights, electric tow-ball as well as the self-clean cameras and the 'replay (drive) the last 100m'... the interior camera...and the heated washers. Still working my way thru the 400 + page manual and pages are being added as I write...
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My IX 50 was sat at Baltimore port for 2 weeks. I understand the USA stop/cancel updates where for the airbag and the navigation system (30gb map update). I now have the vehicle and absolutely love it! I will post photos and review asap...
On 8th, did your dealer call to inform about the delivery being paused or was the call from the BMW company itself?
I had a similar delay in London. Car was due for pickup end of November 2021, but was then held for 1 month, again for critical software updates. I have an IX 40, and the current software (as was finally delivered to me) is the 2021/11 software. It's going in for a service this week as I'm having lots of minor issues plus a brake pad critical warning. I'm hoping it comes back with a new software update on it.
The fact we are use to having cars readily available has never really needed the dealers to explain themselves on where a car is up to.

Since the pandemic, the dealers are now finding themselves explaining alot more to customers due to the shortages, something they wouldnt normally need to do and something the customers may get a bit freaked out over - after all, how many car dealers are out there that we trust 😜
My car was due to be delivered in July. In early September, the delivery company contacted and planned to deliver on 20th September. But on 15th September, the dealer contacted that the car can’t be released due to the hands off function causing malfunction with lane assist control. It is now over a month it has not been fixed and can’t tell when it will be fixed.
I hope you receive your car soon. I'm scheduled to take delivery of my iX 40 on the 11th so fingers crossed.
Yes - I'm in exactly the same situation. Here are some dates and locations of my iX 40 MSport ordered 25/1/22 from Dick Lovett BMW Swindon:
  • 15/3/22 advised that production was delayed due to shortage of wiring looms made by Leoni south of Lviv, Ukraine
  • 24/3/22 exited the Dingolfing production line, headed to Cuxhaven by rail link
  • 7/4/22 arrived Southampton docks berth 25 on the Ro-Ro ferry "Minchah"
  • 13/4/22 advised that a "campaign" (I call that a recall) was current on at least 2 car functions: 1.) Airbag warning light 2.) Laserlights firmware. Both these fixes to be done by logistics pre-delivery NOT Dick Lovett BMW, Swindon. OK but surely firmware updates can be done 'over the air' via the car's 5G link?
  • 22/4/22 Advised no update... after fixes, no revised ETA
So, not good. How long does a car have to sit around for it to no longer be regarded as new? Apparently this is similar to what happened to the Porsche Taycan and may stem from the insurance indemnity issues that level 2.5 autonomy incur if any known functional issues are not pre-emptively addressed via ISO governed procedures even before a transporter driver is allowed to load a car.

Or...:
  • did someone ding the car and the bodywork is being fixed?
  • are some parts needing to come from Germany?
  • is a software update needed that has not yet been coded?
  • Or all three? ;)
Hi. How did you get all this these details?
I'm hearing nothing from the dealer. My iX is at the port for the past 2 weeks.
If you have a secret website that had any details, I would appreciate anything you could provide.

You posted in April 2022. I assume you received your car by now.
What do you think of driving your iX for the past 5-6 months?

The cars and good luck!
I was advised of delivery for December 8th. 3 days before call received to inform me that the delivery is cancelled & vehicle is held. With a little pressure on the allocated dealership I understand it is a EDU ‘problem’. I remain without any updates or outlook for BMW to resolve and release. anyone in a similar position?
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