[wjones14]

On my iDrive, I went to Map, clicked the Option button, and navigated to Navigation Settings->Position->Software version. It's showing:

Road Map NORTH AMERICA EVO 2021-1

Is that same version as when I bought the car in June 2021?

Scrolling down in iDrive from there, it showed:

Automatic Map Update
CT,DE,MA,MD,ME,NH,NJ,NY,PA,RI,VT 2024-1

I called the local dealership and asked if I could get a free map update while I'm still in the warranty and ultimate care periods. The service advisor said there are no free updates. The prices she quoted over the phone are: two-year update for $350 or a one-year update for $325.

Then she said I needed to be subscribed to Connected Drive Services with a map update subscription to get free updates.

I didn't argue, but after the call I went to the BMWUSA.com website, logged in, and saw that I do have an Active subscription for Automatic Map Update until the warranty is up in June 2025.

I called the dealership back and told them that I had the subscription but wasn't getting the OTA updates. She talked to the BMW genius at the dealership. He suggested that I may be in a bad area as far as connecting and that's why it isn't happening. The local dealership could push the update, but I would have to pay the prices she quoted earlier. She suggested I contact BMW USA customer care to see if they had a solution.

Does anyone have additional information before I call the customer care number?

[wjones14]

I called the customer care number 888-333-6118 and talked to a representative, who transferred me to BMW Genius. He wasn't sure which version of iDrive I have and I'm not sure either, so he had trouble telling me how to navigate to certain menus and screens. After a lot of back and forth, he went to someone else in his group for advice. He came back saying that it looked to them like I did receive a map update in Mar 2024. He couldn't say why my map version still shows 2021-1 but said that I had the latest update for my region (CT USA). He also couldn't explain why I was seeing the Automatic Map Update message on my iDrive where it listed version 2024-1 as the latest version for CT.

Disappointing that the local dealership could not push the update for free, and that the Customer Car BMW Genius told me that it appears my map was updated, but the iDrive message looks like it still needs the update.

Wondering if the 2024-1 update exists and if anyone else got it automatically on their Northeast region USA map?

[David1]

I haven't used the factory nav since I discovered WAZE. But my 21 has had maybe 3 OTA updates in 4 years for the Northeast region.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by David1

I haven't used the factory nav since I discovered WAZE. But my 21 has had maybe 3 OTA updates in 4 years for the Northeast region.

What version is yours showing when you go to your Map, press the Option button, and then choose Navigation Settings->Position->Software version?

[KevinC]

You got 4 years of free updates when buying the car. Pretty sure that 2024-1 is the current map, so everything is working as it should. You can renew the auto updates via the MyBMW app or online. That 2021 map info is the original as installed at the factory, and 2024-1 is your latest OTA update.

Pretty sad that BMW “genius” and corporate both have no clue how any of this works, especially when it’s quite straightforward.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by KevinC

You got 4 years of free updates when buying the car. Pretty sure that 2024-1 is the current map, so everything is working as it should. You can renew the auto updates via the MyBMW app or online. That 2021 map info is the original as installed at the factory, and 2024-1 is your latest OTA update.

Pretty sad that BMW “genius” and corporate both have no clue how any of this works, especially when it’s quite straightforward.

Thanks for clearing it up Kevin! The genius should have known for sure, but I blame the iDrive somewhat too. If you look at any software on your PC and check the Help->About menu, it shows the latest version, not the original version. Who cares what the original version was?

[KevinC]

Yeah, I hear you. BMW is, like all automakers, lousy software developers. Then after they throw it out there, nobody knows anything about it. Which is why I'm glad I'm "stuck" with iDrive 6. iDrive 8+ has really jumped the shark, and with iDrive 9, they are completely ditching the software platform they are currently on and moving to Android Automotive, which requires new hardware, an entirely new method of authorizing features, etc. Meanwhile they still have to maintain the old stuff. No thanks, sounds like a disaster to me.

Here's what my screen looks like right now - the original version and current, which is indeed 2024-1.



When your 4 years is up, login to mygarage.bmwusa.com and you can re-subscribe here, not sure what the cost will be (almost certainly you were given an incorrect figure, just on principle lol).



EDIT: I just did some Googling to find out what this is going to cost to renew next year. Looks like $120 per year for continued map updates and RTTI, and a few other things. Not cheap but RTTI + updated maps makes it worth the cost for me.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Yeah, I hear you. BMW is, like all automakers, lousy software developers. Then after they throw it out there, nobody knows anything about it. Which is why I'm glad I'm "stuck" with iDrive 6. iDrive 8+ has really jumped the shark, and with iDrive 9, they are completely ditching the software platform they are currently on and moving to Android Automotive, which requires new hardware, an entirely new method of authorizing features, etc. Meanwhile they still have to maintain the old stuff. No thanks, sounds like a disaster to me.

Here's what my screen looks like right now - the original version and current, which is indeed 2024-1.

When your 4 years is up, login to mygarage.bmwusa.com and you can re-subscribe here, not sure what the cost will be (almost certainly you were given an incorrect figure, just on principle lol).

EDIT: I just did some Googling to find out what this is going to cost to renew next year. Looks like $120 per year for continued map updates and RTTI, and a few other things. Not cheap but RTTI + updated maps makes it worth the cost for me.

You missed your calling - should have been a BMW Genius. All great info here. Explains a lot.

Good news that extending the map update subscription might only be $120/year. I say "only" because the dealer quoted $325 to push a single year update, and $350 for 2 years. They said I could come in and they would do it by USB, so not exactly sure what the difference was, unless the 2-year price allowed me to come back again next year? The local dealership service rep I talked to on the phone was very vague and unsure of any details and put me on hold a couple times to speak to their resident genius when I asked specific questions.

This is where companies like GM are actually ahead of BMW. My 2018 Camaro infotainment was much more intuitive and just as responsive as iDrive. They didn't update the navigation maps for free, but instead, you could order a USB flash drive for $99 and get yearly updates as needed.

Thanks again!

[Killramos]

Originally Posted by wjones14

You missed your calling - should have been a BMW Genius. All great info here. Explains a lot.

Good news that extending the map update subscription might only be $120/year. I say "only" because the dealer quoted $325 to push a single year update, and $350 for 2 years. They said I could come in and they would do it by USB, so not exactly sure what the difference was, unless the 2-year price allowed me to come back again next year? The local dealership service rep I talked to on the phone was very vague and unsure of any details and put me on hold a couple times to speak to their resident genius when I asked specific questions.

This is where companies like GM are actually ahead of BMW. My 2018 Camaro infotainment was much more intuitive and just as responsive as iDrive. They didn't update the navigation maps for free, but instead, you could order a USB flash drive for $99 and get yearly updates as needed.

Thanks again!

i didn't subscribe to Connected drive last year, this year I did and got my updates for $120. Took like 5 seconds to update my subscription on the app.

2019 M2c