BMW Presents the New BMW iDrive 8.5 & 9. Launching With July 2023 Production

[forcefed]

Originally Posted by thebigcheese

Will the new M3CS be 8 or 8.5?

8

[Game]

Originally Posted by thebigcheese

Will the new M3CS be 8 or 8.5?

8

3 series isn't even listed in the first post.

[vasillalov]

BMW has had major problems with software engineering for decades. Just look at how complex and convoluted the various dealer service software is: INPA, ISTA-P, ISTA-D, ETK, etc. Why? Likely because of poor tech leadership and direction.

This simply festers and now it's evident in what's happening with the various iDrive versions. It's a total mess. It's very unfortunate.

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by TheMaxXHD

While not commenting directly on the new OS’s, I just want to point out how categorically stupid this is from a software management pov and a consumer pov.

For perspective, starting July 2023 according to the document, you will be able to buy current model year, NEW off the production line cars, within BMW’s lineup that includes, idrive 7, idrive 8, or idrive 8.5. If they don’t add any more cars to 8.5 before November 2023, you will be able to buy brand new off the production line cars with any 1 of 4 idrive systems with the inclusion of idrive 9.

This is can only mean 1 thing, you can still buy vehicles brand new that likely won’t be supported long term or even short term software wise. Anyone who just bought an idrive 8 vehicle (assuming OTA/retrofit upgrades are not possible to 8.5), also just got their OTA update support likely decreased dramatically. Not to mention idrive 7 is STILL out there BRAND NEW with the G30 and G01 and will be for likely atleast another year. What a mess.

While I agree with you from a standardization perspective, BMW supports their systems much longer than just about any other manufacturer. My CIC equipped 2011 335i still gets map updates in 2023, and theoretically a 1997 E38 with nav can run 2015 maps in it (with a MK4 nav computer upgrade)- pretty unprecedented.

What concerns me more is the elimination of the controller. By far the best feature as one can navigate menus by memory.

[KevM2]

Originally Posted by Mako

This is the shitty part about car buying today. Infotainment tech is making cars feel dated that shouldn’t be and will really hurt values down the road. Electric cars will be even worse as you are just buying a piece of tech like a phone. Imagine trying to sell a 5-6 year old electric car that only has 75% charge when solid state batteries arrive.

Not to get too political but this is a brilliant strategy! This will force people more into leasing a car and keep updating them every few years just like an iPhone… and as Klaus Schwab says, we “will own nothing and be happy” 🤦🏻‍♂️

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by Mako

This is the shitty part about car buying today. Infotainment tech is making cars feel dated that shouldn’t be and will really hurt values down the road. Electric cars will be even worse as you are just buying a piece of tech like a phone. Imagine trying to sell a 5-6 year old electric car that only has 75% charge when solid state batteries arrive.

But think of the gas you’ve saved!!!!

The car should be improving all the time like teslas do. It’s a complete paradigm shift away from step-wise hardware changes to always improving software. If you have i8, it should be upgraded to 8.5, yes? If you have a 7, you’re history now.

I don’t get excited about anything bmw is doing to remove ergonomic value for the sake of upselling software subscriptions and making the car a moving computer like tesla. The i4 and iX are cool. But I will be sad to buy one when I eventually do. i7 was basically perfect. But I’m old school.

[Bestle]

With Android Auto and Apple Carplay so prevalent now, how much do you actually interact with the car infotainment system itself? I know I rarely touch it now so idrive 7/8/8.5/9 doesn't make any difference to me.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by Bestle

With Android Auto and Apple Carplay so prevalent now, how much do you actually interact with the car infotainment system itself? I know I rarely touch it now so idrive 7/8/8.5/9 doesn't make any difference to me.

Now essentially you’re forced to because the hvac controls are in the system. I think that’s the real play here from bmw etc to displace the trends around CarPlay and android auto

[phantom701]

Sounds like BMW is still having major difficulties in transitioning to be more sophisticated with software.

Based on some of the information I learned in the last few years comparing traditional car manufacturers to the newer breed, the OGs have a lot of reliance on tier 2, tier 3 suppliers to get their work done. Many of the work might actually include tier 3 suppliers which then the software development is outsourced to a very low cost system integrators who have zero clue about the car and write very crappy software.

When you have multiple tier 3 components that needed to integrate back to to tier 2, tier 1 equipment and to ensure the entire software actually works, that's what you get with all the complexity that you see with BMW.

In order to adopt a more Tesla-like approach, BMW will need to overhaul how cars are designed. It will not be easy and I am predicting that will take at least another 5 years until they come out with the next generation vehicles.

The EVs should be easier but you never know what happens behind the scene. Too much historical baggage with how cars are built traditionally and manufacturers are failing to adapt.

[maverick618]

Originally Posted by wavyyyy

Any chance ID8’s will be able to be software updated to ID8.5? They already have the curved display.

Ye this is what I'm interested in knowing as well.

Unless there are hardware restrictions I don't see why an ota update couldn't happen

[AHall]

I have IDrive 7 and do not have a problem with it, but I would like the option on upgrading as new version are released. Given the hardware involved from IDRIVE 7 forward, which seems to be blank screens with a controller, I do not understand why the change from IDrive 7 to 8 would require a hardware change. Sure IDrive 8 has a long curved screen, but this is really two screens connected. So why does BMW not just allow the software update that provides the same functionality. I know the argument of BMW wants you to buy new cars, but not everyone will and it would be a nice plus for the brand.

[JK479]

Here’s an Idea- let the consumer pick- no IDrive and basic radio

Remember when the 3 series let you pick. Idrive and Nav or NO Idrive?

I see e90s and e92’s without the tech and it looks clean and simple.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by AHall

I have IDrive 7 and do not have a problem with it, but I would like the option on upgrading as new version are released. Given the hardware involved from IDRIVE 7 forward, which seems to be blank screens with a controller, I do not understand why the change from IDrive 7 to 8 would require a hardware change. Sure IDrive 8 has a long curved screen, but this is really two screens connected. So why does BMW not just allow the software update that provides the same functionality. I know the argument of BMW wants you to buy new cars, but not everyone will and it would be a nice plus for the brand.

You have HVAC controls. So they would be redundant. Highly doubt you have what’s required to OTA to 8/8.5/9

[ergarza]

Little by little bmw tries to focus the driver on distractions (which look horrible IMO).....they should create an individual package offering ID7...

[AP]

Unless I’ve missed it, have bmw actually stated what they support lifecycle is for any given OS?

I hope that going forward they limit changes to genuine functionality enhancements rather than unnecessary gimmicky items

I do however feel we’ve past that point and personally feel they have dropped the ball as regards ergonomics by dropping physical buttons. Feel they chasing Tesla ( which I also feel is how not to do it from an ergonomic point of view)

Does the consumer expect that once they have bought a car they should expect further enhancements, I suspect we are there.

I would certainly expect bmw to address any bugs but as I work in IT can attest that the. Pre you keep changing and with aggressive deadlines, the quality will suffer and bugs will be present.

[michael.bramblett]

Originally Posted by TheMaxXHD

While not commenting directly on the new OS’s, I just want to point out how categorically stupid this is from a software management pov and a consumer pov.

For perspective, starting July 2023 according to the document, you will be able to buy current model year, NEW off the production line cars, within BMW’s lineup that includes, idrive 7, idrive 8, or idrive 8.5. If they don’t add any more cars to 8.5 before November 2023, you will be able to buy brand new off the production line cars with any 1 of 4 idrive systems with the inclusion of idrive 9.

This is can only mean 1 thing, you can still buy vehicles brand new that likely won’t be supported long term or even short term software wise. Anyone who just bought an idrive 8 vehicle (assuming OTA/retrofit upgrades are not possible to 8.5), also just got their OTA update support likely decreased dramatically. Not to mention idrive 7 is STILL out there BRAND NEW with the G30 and G01 and will be for likely atleast another year. What a mess.

They explained it a while back, I can’t find the article but will link it when I do. But they always introduce the newest tech changes to lower models and Europe first for a couple of years before expanding it to higher models and USA. Notably I drive 9 as it goes away with buttons and controller completely. 8.5 is being introduced as its Linux based still, so can use the controller knob, but with the graphics resembling idrive 9 as much as Linux can. 8.5 is to create more uniformity as far as the visual aspect to idrive 9, while not upsetting the higher end models/older class of drivers who prefer controller knobs over touch screens. As for idrive 7-8, no idea and never found a true answer on why the jump shift, etc. as for me? I HATE touchscreens in cars and not just because of the constant cleaning. 95% why I came back to a BMW was because of idrive and the controller as I don’t use CarPlay, shocking as I’m not even 30 I know, and much prefer traffic and nav from BMW than CarPlay or any other manufacture’s version.

[B///MWGuy]

I think iDrive 9 will be a game changer.
There will be a community of people who will be attempting to root and modify the system since it is based on Android.
That would essentially make the OS updatable and expand features even if BMW officially dont support it.
I think it might be worth waiting for the 9

[cfm56d7b]

The integration of hardware and software in cars has always been very complex and it takes a long time to improve the process.

Hardware: typically requires longer planning, design, and manufacturing cycles. The software innovation moves at a much faster speed

Software: new features demanded by the the market often require new hardware - which triggers yet another planning, design, and manufacturing cycle. Cars caught un the middle of this cycle are often left behind. It is what is.

Engineering process / supplier integration / testing: the most complex part. Not all software is created equal not all software is written by BMW. The best software engineers will still have difficulties executing a poor design. Even the best design may not be executed as intended if the team is new or lacks the experience working on specific problems.

Security: with integration of cellular connectivity and multiple hosts (driver app, BMW in-country and global HQ servers, authorized apps running on the curved display, and many more) and closer integration with various control units, code security is even more important and not discussed for obvious reasons. Code security is being used to describe a much larger scope. For example, is the incoming request arriving from a valid host?

In short, if the driver doesn't see a polite (yet alarming) "blue screen of demise" then progress can be declared.

This is a _long_ journey. Good example is Apple's IOS now at iteration 16.

[ChrisM4]

Originally Posted by dasistato

Should I regret gettin id7?

Hoping they continue to push updates until warranty expires at least..

No you shouldn’t regret it.

It’s the peak of BMW UI/UX…I’m thankful every day that my ‘22 M3 has ID7…

[AHall]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

You have HVAC controls. So they would be redundant. Highly doubt you have what’s required to OTA to 8/8.5/9

I could live with redundancy. HVAC can be controlled via both panel and IDrive in IDrive 7 now I believe. Updates don’t have to be OTA. I wouldn’t mind the update occurring during a service appointment. I am sure we can come up with a million obstacle and what I suggest will probably never happen. I think the reason has more to do with BMW wanting to sell cars with the newest IDrive as opposed to designing a a system that can be updated with each version.

[kjoseph270]

Originally Posted by maverick618

Ye this is what I'm interested in knowing as well.

Unless there are hardware restrictions I don't see why an ota update couldn't happen

This. As a prospective buyer of the G05 LCI, it seems silly that with a production start of April the switchover to 8.5 is in June. So now I wait 2-3 months to get the latest i-drive? Hoping it's just an over-air update.

[diablo2112]

Originally Posted by michael.bramblett

I HATE touchscreens in cars and not just because of the constant cleaning. 95% why I came back to a BMW was because of idrive and the controller as I don’t use CarPlay

Me, too. The reason I came back to BMW was the controller-based interface. Most important was the instant map zoom by turning the controller. I use this constantly. My prior Toyota required you hit a + or - button on screen. Way, way more complex and you had to take your eyes off the road. I adore the iDrive controller, and its elimination will nearly certainly widen my search for a replacement to other brands such as Audi that aren't all-in on this 100% touchscreen nonsense.