I don't see this is anything new 
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BMW iX Reservation Tracker: Add Yours Here!
New features (including iDrive 8.5) from BMW "NOT" available to iX manufactured before March 2023
Sigh. According to BMW's press release today (in other words, if you have an iX that was produced before March 2023, you are currently not able to get these new features or a upgrade to iDrive 8.5.
I thought I was getting their flagship EV back in 2022 where it would get exciting new features over time. Sadly, I was mistaken -->
"To coincide with the ongoing expansion of the all-electric model line-up, new functions are being made available for all BMW i7 and BMW iX variants in summer 2023 that will make enjoying locally emission-free driving pleasure even easier and more convenient.
The BMW Group is the first carmaker in the world to incorporate multi-contract functionality into this new feature. Customers are able to store their individual vehicle electricity contracts from multiple suppliers in digital form in their car, allowing them to use the charging points of these operators with the greatest of ease. The new Multi-Contract Plug & Charge function can be made available via Remote Software Upgrade for all BMW i7 models manufactured since July 2022 and all BMW iX models built since March 2023.
Activating the MAX RANGE function extends the range by a comfortable margin for the journey to an alternative charging point for the high-voltage battery. This is achieved by, among other things, limiting the vehicle’s top speed to 90 km/h (56 mph) at the same time as disabling features such as the climate control, seat heating and steering wheel heating. The new MAX RANGE function can be made available via Remote Software Upgrade for all BMW i7 models manufactured since July 2022 and all BMW iX models built since March 2023
The high-voltage battery in the BMW iX can now also be charged more efficiently thanks to the same upgraded charging software already used in the BMW i7. Here, careful control of the charging rate results in shorter charging times. The new charging software can also be imported into all BMW iX models manufactured since March 2023 via Remote Software Upgrade.
Other cars that can be updated to BMW Operating System 8.5 at a later stage via Remote Software Upgrade: BMW 7 Series from production 07/22; BMW iX from production 03/23; BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW X7. BMW XM, BMW X5 M, BMW X6 M from production 04/23."
I thought I was getting their flagship EV back in 2022 where it would get exciting new features over time. Sadly, I was mistaken -->
"To coincide with the ongoing expansion of the all-electric model line-up, new functions are being made available for all BMW i7 and BMW iX variants in summer 2023 that will make enjoying locally emission-free driving pleasure even easier and more convenient.
The BMW Group is the first carmaker in the world to incorporate multi-contract functionality into this new feature. Customers are able to store their individual vehicle electricity contracts from multiple suppliers in digital form in their car, allowing them to use the charging points of these operators with the greatest of ease. The new Multi-Contract Plug & Charge function can be made available via Remote Software Upgrade for all BMW i7 models manufactured since July 2022 and all BMW iX models built since March 2023.
Activating the MAX RANGE function extends the range by a comfortable margin for the journey to an alternative charging point for the high-voltage battery. This is achieved by, among other things, limiting the vehicle’s top speed to 90 km/h (56 mph) at the same time as disabling features such as the climate control, seat heating and steering wheel heating. The new MAX RANGE function can be made available via Remote Software Upgrade for all BMW i7 models manufactured since July 2022 and all BMW iX models built since March 2023
The high-voltage battery in the BMW iX can now also be charged more efficiently thanks to the same upgraded charging software already used in the BMW i7. Here, careful control of the charging rate results in shorter charging times. The new charging software can also be imported into all BMW iX models manufactured since March 2023 via Remote Software Upgrade.
Other cars that can be updated to BMW Operating System 8.5 at a later stage via Remote Software Upgrade: BMW 7 Series from production 07/22; BMW iX from production 03/23; BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW X7. BMW XM, BMW X5 M, BMW X6 M from production 04/23."
1 - 20 of 48 Posts
ok that's a bummer but does it really change a lot?
I don't know if you have contracts other than with ionity and BP pulse, I personally don't. And having driven EVs in UK for a while, range is never really an issue and I doubt you would ever use max range function and limit yourself to 56mph on a motorway with no AC? If you really end up with really low range, which I assume only rarely happens, it's not a big thing to turn off AC
I don't know if you have contracts other than with ionity and BP pulse, I personally don't. And having driven EVs in UK for a while, range is never really an issue and I doubt you would ever use max range function and limit yourself to 56mph on a motorway with no AC? If you really end up with really low range, which I assume only rarely happens, it's not a big thing to turn off AC
A few things I wouldn’t mind having in my pre-March ‘23 but nothing I’m too excited about. Grasping at straws perhaps but I’ll take the lack of anything about Highway Assistant as a sign of remaining hope.Sigh. According to BMW's press release today (in other words, if you have an iX that was produced before March 2023, you are currently not able to get these new features or a upgrade to iDrive 8.5.
I thought I was getting their flagship EV back in 2022 where it would get exciting new features over time. Sadly, I was mistaken -->
"To coincide with the ongoing expansion of the all-electric model line-up, new functions are being made available for all BMW i7 and BMW iX variants in summer 2023 that will make enjoying locally emission-free driving pleasure even easier and more convenient.
The BMW Group is the first carmaker in the world to incorporate multi-contract functionality into this new feature. Customers are able to store their individual vehicle electricity contracts from multiple suppliers in digital form in their car, allowing them to use the charging points of these operators with the greatest of ease. The new Multi-Contract Plug & Charge function can be made available via Remote Software Upgrade for all BMW i7 models manufactured since July 2022 and all BMW iX models built since March 2023.
Activating the MAX RANGE function extends the range by a comfortable margin for the journey to an alternative charging point for the high-voltage battery. This is achieved by, among other things, limiting the vehicle’s top speed to 90 km/h (56 mph) at the same time as disabling features such as the climate control, seat heating and steering wheel heating. The new MAX RANGE function can be made available via Remote Software Upgrade for all BMW i7 models manufactured since July 2022 and all BMW iX models built since March 2023
The high-voltage battery in the BMW iX can now also be charged more efficiently thanks to the same upgraded charging software already used in the BMW i7. Here, careful control of the charging rate results in shorter charging times. The new charging software can also be imported into all BMW iX models manufactured since March 2023 via Remote Software Upgrade.
Other cars that can be updated to BMW Operating System 8.5 at a later stage via Remote Software Upgrade: BMW 7 Series from production 07/22; BMW iX from production 03/23; BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW X7. BMW XM, BMW X5 M, BMW X6 M from production 04/23."
sorry what is highway assistant? and how is it different from current assisted driving where you can already auto cruise on highways?A few things I wouldn’t mind having in my pre-March ‘23 but nothing I’m too excited about. Grasping at straws perhaps but I’ll take the lack of anything about Highway Assistant as a sign of remaining hope.
It’s “assisted driving plus” with an 80 mph limit instead of 40 mph.sorry what is highway assistant? and how is it different from current assisted driving where you can already auto cruise on highways?
I think you refer to completely hands free option? I'm not sure if it's allowed in UK at all, maybe a UK owner can enlighten me?
It’s allowed and available in the U. S., so far only on ‘24s. Many threads around on the subject.I think you refer to completely hands free option? I'm not sure if it's allowed in UK at all, maybe a UK owner can enlighten me?
@occam I like having the latest tech and I had hoped that the iX I got in 2022 would continue to get new tech features added through software updates over time. My point of sharing earlier is that it's becoming clear that BMW are not likely to roll out a lot of new features to older iX cars. Whether those features are trivial or really useful is another question but it would have been useful to have the ability to get every new feature that gets rolled out.ok that's a bummer but does it really change a lot?
I don't know if you have contracts other than with ionity and BP pulse, I personally don't. And having driven EVs in UK for a while, range is never really an issue and I doubt you would ever use max range function and limit yourself to 56mph on a motorway with no AC? If you really end up with really low range, which I assume only rarely happens, it's not a big thing to turn off AC
I agree. Very disappointed with BMW on this especially considering how the competition (i.e. Tesla) handles software updates. Even more ironic, iDrive 8.5 steals multiple UI interface features from the Tesla UI.@occam I like having the latest tech and I had hoped that the iX I got in 2022 would continue to get new tech features added through software updates over time. My point of sharing earlier is that it's becoming clear that BMW are not likely to roll out a lot of new features to older iX cars. Whether those features are trivial or really useful is another question but it would have been useful to have the ability to get every new feature that gets rolled out.
You are wrong about Tesla. there have been a number of hardware updates over the years that limit software/feature updates. My 2015 Model S, which I sold when I got the iX, hadn't had an update in probably a year, and there hadn't been a worthwhile update in probably 4 years. Most of their updates are bug fixes for the too frequent "updates" which are poorly tested before release.I agree. Very disappointed with BMW on this especially considering how the competition (i.e. Tesla) handles software updates. Even more ironic, iDrive 8.5 steals multiple UI interface features from the Tesla UI.
And look what Tesla did with hardware - they removed the radar sensors and went with LIDAR only. To me, that is a step backwards which they'll regret going forward, with respect to self-driving progress.
Hardware progress marches on. There's always a line in the sand beyond which some features can't be applied.
There was an old joke on the Johnny Carson show when all of the US had a Nationwide speed limit of 55mph that the only time people in California drive 55mph is when they are backing up.This is achieved by, among other things, limiting the vehicle’s top speed to 90 km/h (56 mph)
it's still pretty much true today.
But if you go back to the engineers 9 times out of 10 their response will be "it worked in the lab"Most of their updates are bug fixes for the too frequent "updates" which are poorly tested before release.
Sure, but let's make a more fair comparison than a 2015 MS. The Model Y's from their initial introduction in MY2020 are still getting all of the latest software feature updates. It's likely if you buy a 2023 of any Tesla model today, you'll be getting meaningful UI and feature updates for years.You are wrong about Tesla. there have been a number of hardware updates over the years that limit software/feature updates. My 2015 Model S, which I sold when I got the iX, hadn't had an update in probably a year, and there hadn't been a worthwhile update in probably 4 years. Most of their updates are bug fixes for the too frequent "updates" which are poorly tested before release.
Our iX were introduced in MY2022. And now no more software UI or feature updates?
Especially true of the UI developers, who seemed to be a bunch of teenagers, who don't own cars and don't know what presbyopia is, sitting in front of giant monitors.But if you go back to the engineers 9 times out of 10 their response will be "it worked in the lab"
What useful features did Tesla add to a recent MY?Sure, but let's make a more fair comparison than a 2015 MS. The Model Y's from their initial introduction in MY2020 are still getting all of the latest software feature updates. It's likely if you buy a 2023 of any Tesla model today, you'll be getting meaningful UI and feature updates for years.
Our iX were introduced in MY2022. And now no more software UI or feature updates?
I highly doubt your '22 iX will be frozen in time. But in some respects, that may be a good thing. One of the things I hated about my MS is I bought a car with certain features and an elegantly designed UI, then they updated it and ruined it, and removed features I bought and paid for.
Yes, that's a fair point. Maybe they will roll "more significant" features for models older than March 2023, fingers crossed!@occam I like having the latest tech and I had hoped that the iX I got in 2022 would continue to get new tech features added through software updates over time. My point of sharing earlier is that it's becoming clear that BMW are not likely to roll out a lot of new features to older iX cars. Whether those features are trivial or really useful is another question but it would have been useful to have the ability to get every new feature that gets rolled out.
I received my car 2 weeks ago. Is it possible to find out when my car was built exactly so I can check if I'm getting those updates?
@occam Use a VIN decoder like this one to find out when your car was madeYes, that's a fair point. Maybe they will roll "more significant" features for models older than March 2023, fingers crossed!
I received my car 2 weeks ago. Is it possible to find out when my car was built exactly so I can check if I'm getting those updates?
A lot. And to be honest, to have a frozen car is really not state of the century anymore. This was good 10 or 20 years ago, but with all the changes of new Apps, Services, etc. I expect to have them updated/improved/added in my car, if I'm already buying or driving some kind of battery powered computer.What useful features did Tesla add to a recent MY?
Just double-check here:
Tesla Software Updates - Not a Tesla App
Verzeichnis der Tesla Software Updates, Versionsinformationen und Bildschirmanzeigen für alle Versionen
www.notateslaapp.com
e.g. Added Apple Music. Introduced a lot of customization options for the control panels and buttons. Improved the trip planner. Improved (o.k. here have have me and sometimes not improved) the UI, etc. etc.
Ofc not everyone needs it and in the past this was not usual, but today, at least for me, it is expected to get improvements, e.g. new services, ... esp. in this price class.
I believe BMW made the upgrade in conjunction with model year 24 changover. Thus, if you have a 2024 model iX, you should have iDrive 8.5.Yes, that's a fair point. Maybe they will roll "more significant" features for models older than March 2023, fingers crossed!
I received my car 2 weeks ago. Is it possible to find out when my car was built exactly so I can check if I'm getting those updates?
OK I just checked the VIN decoder, mine was built in MarchI believe BMW made the upgrade in conjunction with model year 24 changover. Thus, if you have a 2024 model iX, you should have iDrive 8.5.
I don't know what you mean 2024 model per se? How do I understand if mine is 2024 model?
1 - 20 of 48 Posts
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