[Ucan]

Over time, BMW identifies the bugs and fixes on their SW and come up with an updated SW, right? My question is, why are we required to pay for updating the SW? (say PROGMAN 23.X to PROGMAN 24) Shouldn't it be free as these bugs HAVE to be corrected by BMW anyways? How is it different than fixing the seat belt arm or a suspension recall etc.? My logic is, if it's the manufacturers fault or miss, than it's the manufacturers responsibility to fix it. I buy the car and realize that Dynamic Route option in NAV does not work. Then BMW announces that there's a bug in the SW version my car has (Dynamic Route does not work with RTTI cars) and it's fixed with the new SW. But to get it fixed, I have to pay for dealer service (~$150) Please help me understand what I'm missing in the picture?

[s4iscool]

i havent read of people having to pay for this. Its covered under warranty...otherwise we'd have $500+ in charges, because the software can take hours to upload

[Ucan]

Originally Posted by s4iscool

i havent read of people having to pay for this. Its covered under warranty...otherwise we'd have $500+ in charges, because the software can take hours to upload

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39290

Scroll down to post #19. Poeple pay for the SW update.

[krafty04]

My previous 04 325 had two software upgrades, and the second one took two times to work.. thus, three visits to the dealership, never paid a dime, OH and got loaners to play with each and every time.

I would call another dealer in your area and ask if they charge you directly for software patches.

Everyone remember: NHTSA lists all recalls and service bulletins for every vehicle sold in the US.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

Here is the service bulletins for the 06 325:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...sb/results.cfm
Office of Defects Investigation
Technical Service Bulletins - Search Results
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report Date : December 11, 2006 at 11:12 AM
SEARCH TYPE : VEHICLE
YEAR : 2006
Make : BMW
Model : 325I


Make : BMW Model : 325I Year : 2006
Manufacturer : BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Service Bulletin Num : 130306 Date of Bulletin: MAY 01, 2006
NHTSA Item Number: 10020110
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Summary:
FUEL PUMP FAILURE AFTER REFUELING WITH ETHANOL FUEL BLEND. *TT


Make : BMW Model : 325I Year : 2006
Manufacturer : BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Service Bulletin Num : 360406 Date of Bulletin: APR 01, 2006
NHTSA Item Number: 10020004
Component: TIRES
Summary:
NITROGEN INFLATED TIRES. *TT


Make : BMW Model : 325I Year : 2006
Manufacturer : BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Service Bulletin Num : 130206 Date of Bulletin: APR 01, 2006
NHTSA Item Number: 10020005
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary:
TOP TIER DETERGENT GASOLINE IN BMW VEHICLES. *TT


Make : BMW Model : 325I Year : 2006
Manufacturer : BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Service Bulletin Num : 720906 Date of Bulletin: APR 01, 2006
NHTSA Item Number: 10020030
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL
Summary:
THE RED AIRBAG WARNING LAMP (AWL) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS ILLUMINATED AND FAULT CODE 93EB EMERGENCY CALL FUNCTION IS STORED IN THE MRS5 (MULTIPLE RESTRAINT SYSTEM) CONTROL MODULE. *TT


Make : BMW Model : 325I Year : 2006
Manufacturer : BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
Service Bulletin Num : 721006 Date of Bulletin: APR 01, 2006
NHTSA Item Number: 10020032
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL
Summary:
RED AIRBAG WARNING LAMP (AWL) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REMAINS ILLUMINATED AFTER TURNING ON KL-15 AND COMPLETING THE SELF-CHECK, BUT GOES OUT AGAIN IF THE KEY IS CYCLED OFF/ON. *TT

and here is the recall for the 06's front control arm:
(It's not for every 06, but 25 cars are affected!)
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...callsearch.cfm

Office of Defects Investigation
Recalls - Search Results

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report Date : December 11, 2006 at 11:18 AM
SEARCH TYPE : VEHICLE
Make : BMW
Model : 3 SERIES

Make : BMW Model : 3 SERIES Year : 2006
Manufacturer : BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 06V400000 Recall Date : OCT 09, 2006
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 25
Summary:
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ONE OF THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND SWIVEL BEARING CONNECTION BOLTS WAS NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY. THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD LOOSEN.
Consequence:
THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD BREAK WHICH COULD IMPAIR VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOLTED CONNECTION AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST THE CONNECTION. IN SOME CASES, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND THE SWIVEL BEARING. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

[s4iscool]

i can understand paying for things like alarm software update, and what this guy had done, the ipod software update. But other updates like the PreSept flash, that is warranty, and not paid for. But I do agree, that even things like the alarm software should be done free because the car should have had it before.

[Ucan]

Thanks guys. So, if I go to dealer today and ask for PROGMAN 24 SW update, is it going to be free or not? I don't need it because of a new alarm or Ipod. I just need it to fix the bugs in the old SW.

[Alan(iX)]

Originally Posted by Ucan

Thanks guys. So, if I go to dealer today and ask for PROGMAN 24 SW update, is it going to be free or not? I don't need it because of a new alarm or Ipod. I just need it to fix the bugs in the old SW.

I think you have to complain about a problem, like slight bucking during acceleration with a cold engine.

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B124606g.htm

It is my understanding that coding an IPOD integration or an alarm does cost unless you had an agreement when you purchased the car.

[RWRice]

If you make the appointment reporting an issue that is corrected by the update you should have no problems.

[jmonier]

I think that BMW's rules say that the update will only be done to address specific problems. So you should be prepared to specify the specific "bugs" (and be prepared to defend them if they might be considered trivial). I think it can also vary by how the specific dealer interprets the rules. I don't think this is completely fair but it seems to be the way it is.

[HereAgain]

Originally Posted by jmonier

I think that BMW's rules say that the update will only be done to address specific problems. So you should be prepared to specify the specific "bugs" (and be prepared to defend them if they might be considered trivial). I think it can also vary by how the specific dealer interprets the rules. I don't think this is completely fair but it seems to be the way it is.

I have a 330i, Sep 05 Build, and it's time for my first service appointment. I want the latest Progman update, what might be some good things to complain about so that I get this update?

[Ucan]

I got it. So, if you have a specific problem which can be fixed by the updated SW, the service is free. But if you have to update the SW due to a new equipment installation, you pay for it.

[Ucan]

Originally Posted by HereAgain

I have a 330i, Sep 05 Build, and it's time for my first service appointment. I want the latest Progman update, what might be some good things to complain about so that I get this update?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...hlight=progman

At the linked thread, take a look at the list of problems fixed by the updated SW. If you have any of these issues, it sounds like you are qualified for a free SW update.

Holes in the rules and procedures lead to "creative" ways to avoid expenses. If BMW requires that you have to have specific complaints for free SW updates, then ones mind tends to come up with "good" complaning points. I think this comes up to subjective criteria and how strong you can defend an imaginary problem you have and convince the dealer for a free SW. Is it fair to do so? Why not? The fact that you do not have (or not realized yet) a problem should not justify to stick with an older SW.

As it's the case with all SW updates in various industries, this has to be free IMO - evenif you do not have any complaints with the older SW.

[Ucan]

Another idea: For vehicles with BMW assist - BMW assist can remotely lock-unlock the car, get maintenance info from the car etc., right? So, in a way, they can control specific functions in a specific vehicle's SW. So, technically, they may be able to update the SW remotely as well. It's not that much different than cable service providers or TiVo updating the product's SW without actually touching the product itself.

I'm sure we'll see remote SW updates in a couple of years.

[JSpira]

Originally Posted by Ucan

Over time, BMW identifies the bugs and fixes on their SW and come up with an updated SW, right? My question is, why are we required to pay for updating the SW? (say PROGMAN 23.X to PROGMAN 24) Shouldn't it be free as these bugs HAVE to be corrected by BMW anyways? How is it different than fixing the seat belt arm or a suspension recall etc.? My logic is, if it's the manufacturers fault or miss, than it's the manufacturers responsibility to fix it. I buy the car and realize that Dynamic Route option in NAV does not work. Then BMW announces that there's a bug in the SW version my car has (Dynamic Route does not work with RTTI cars) and it's fixed with the new SW. But to get it fixed, I have to pay for dealer service (~$150) Please help me understand what I'm missing in the picture?

If there is a bug, and the new sw fixes it, you do not have to pay. If you decide you want newer software, and the dealer is willing to do it for a fee (not always a certainty either), then you pay.

So to fix something like Dynamic Route, you do not have to pay if your Dynamic Route does not work.

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by JSpira

If there is a bug, and the new sw fixes it, you do not have to pay. If you decide you want newer software, and the dealer is willing to do it for a fee (not always a certainty either), then you pay.

So to fix something like Dynamic Route, you do not have to pay if your Dynamic Route does not work.

+1 ^ that has been my experience with software update.

[SoYank]

My car is in for a iDrive problem. They're replacing a part and have to reload the software and will have the car for two days. They've told me there is nothing to pay...well, except for the blacklines.

[bpbenda]

Originally Posted by Ucan

Another idea: For vehicles with BMW assist - BMW assist can remotely lock-unlock the car, get maintenance info from the car etc., right? So, in a way, they can control specific functions in a specific vehicle's SW. So, technically, they may be able to update the SW remotely as well. It's not that much different than cable service providers or TiVo updating the product's SW without actually touching the product itself.

It would seem as though this should be possible. However, for what it's worth, BMW Assist cannot unlock the car doors. It can pull maintenance information from the vehicle and send such to your local BMW Service Center, but no unlocking for 2006 3-Series vehicles with BMW Assist.