Firmware/software update is not FREE

DrivingPassion · 03-13-2020, 05:07 PM

I have a 2018 M3 and it is still under full warranty and full-service agreement.
Made an appointment to get firmware/software update and the SA told me that it is not free and that I had to pay $300 to do that.

Is this true?

tom @ eas · 03-13-2020, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

I have a 2018 M3 and it is still under full warranty and full-service agreement.
Made an appointment to get firmware/software update and the SA told me that it is not free and that I had to pay $300 to do that.

Is this true?

Dealers will not update upon request without charging for it.

If you can prove something is malfunctioning in which the update would correct (iDrive resetting, Bluetooth calls dropping, etc), it would most likely be covered.

alex2364 · 03-13-2020, 05:52 PM

You need to describe a problem that would be fixed with a ISTEP update for it to be free.

DrivingPassion · 03-13-2020, 06:02 PM

In this day & age, such an operation should be done from the car via the cell connection without a mechanic, let alone charging for it.

Ludicrous policy.

What made it ridiculous was they should have told me this over the phone when I made an appointment, not after I driven all the way to the dealership.

tom @ eas · 03-13-2020, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

In this day & age, such an operation should be done from the car via the cell connection without a mechanic, let alone charging for it.

Ludicrous policy.

What are you hoping to gain by a software update?

DWEI · 03-14-2020, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

What are you hoping to gain by a software update?

also wondering what is so important youd want to "update".

DrivingPassion · 03-14-2020, 06:01 PM

If there is firmware update, it means there was something which BMW has found that needs to be corrected or improved on.
That's why there's a firmware update.

tom @ eas · 03-14-2020, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

If there is firmware update, it means there was something which BMW has found that needs to be corrected or improved on.
That's why there's a firmware update.

Could be a number of things, updates don't automatically update every module in the vehicle - only what modules call for it. If you are not experiencing any issues, updates aren't going to do squat.

Newer doesn't necessarily mean better in all cases. If you're that concerned, pay the money and get it updated.

IK6SPEED · 03-15-2020, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

If there is firmware update, it means there was something which BMW has found that needs to be corrected or improved on.
That's why there's a firmware update.

BMW also upgraded the early M3 from NBT to NBT EVO.

You expect that for free as well?

If updates were always free, you’d get map updates free for life.

dmikhael619 · 03-15-2020, 02:48 AM

From a business perspective someone needs to pay the technician labor time to update the vehicle. This usually takes a while depending on the control unit which takes up a lift when a tech can be doing a service. Bmw warranty covers manufacturers defects if you just want the software updated for the hell of it bmw will not pay the tech warranty time to do it and of the dealer does it free they are losing revenue so it has to come from somewhere hence it being 300$. The part that doesn't make much sense to me is why its 300. Usually its an hour labor to update a vehicle and I don't think the labor rate is 300/hr

FlyingLow78 · 03-15-2020, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Newer doesn't necessarily mean better in all cases.

Wow, this. I have a list of reasons my 2018’s software is worse than my 2015’s.

doug_999 · 03-15-2020, 04:31 PM

From what I have read, this is not a 2 minute thing AND things can go wrong - causing the car to be there for a while - since BMW has to get involved.

WORSE, lots of stuff can change that you didn't want to change. For instance, I believe the latest software* makes it impossible to turn off rev match - that would tick me off!

*late 2018 M3 builds lost this ability, so just a guess.

jacobe92 · 03-15-2020, 05:37 PM

I got a new software through warranty last year. Mine is a yr 16. Is it true that the new software makes shifting (DCT) less jerky? Common for yr 15 and 16? Frankly, I can't tell the difference. I didn't even have to ask for it. Downside, wiped out my Amber delete, fancy door chime, fuel all the way down less than a fourth tank before it lights up, brighter headlights etc,etc.

nbennettksu · 03-16-2020, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

I have a 2018 M3 and it is still under full warranty and full-service agreement.
Made an appointment to get firmware/software update and the SA told me that it is not free and that I had to pay $300 to do that.

Is this true?

Step 1: Drive to dealer
Step 2: Complain about bluetooth dropping
Step 3: Enjoy you free new programming
Step 4: You're welcome

03-13-2020, 05:07 PM	#1
DrivingPassion Lieutenant 131 Rep 485 Posts Drives: '15 M235xi Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Firmware/software update is not FREE I have a 2018 M3 and it is still under full warranty and full-service agreement. Made an appointment to get firmware/software update and the SA told me that it is not free and that I had to pay $300 to do that. Is this true? __________________ 2015 M235i xDrive 8AT
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03-13-2020, 05:52 PM	#3
alex2364 Colonel 2913 Rep 2,782 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 ZCP / 2023 X3 M40i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2020 BMW M4 [10.00] 2023 BMW X3 M40i [10.00]	You need to describe a problem that would be fixed with a ISTEP update for it to be free.
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03-13-2020, 06:02 PM	#4
DrivingPassion Lieutenant 131 Rep 485 Posts Drives: '15 M235xi Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	In this day & age, such an operation should be done from the car via the cell connection without a mechanic, let alone charging for it. Ludicrous policy. What made it ridiculous was they should have told me this over the phone when I made an appointment, not after I driven all the way to the dealership. __________________ 2015 M235i xDrive 8AT
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03-14-2020, 06:01 PM	#7
DrivingPassion Lieutenant 131 Rep 485 Posts Drives: '15 M235xi Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	If there is firmware update, it means there was something which BMW has found that needs to be corrected or improved on. That's why there's a firmware update. __________________ 2015 M235i xDrive 8AT
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03-15-2020, 02:48 AM	#10
dmikhael619 Private 21 Rep 71 Posts Drives: e92 ST 335, e46 m3, e39 m5 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: san diego iTrader: (0)	From a business perspective someone needs to pay the technician labor time to update the vehicle. This usually takes a while depending on the control unit which takes up a lift when a tech can be doing a service. Bmw warranty covers manufacturers defects if you just want the software updated for the hell of it bmw will not pay the tech warranty time to do it and of the dealer does it free they are losing revenue so it has to come from somewhere hence it being 300$. The part that doesn't make much sense to me is why its 300. Usually its an hour labor to update a vehicle and I don't think the labor rate is 300/hr
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03-15-2020, 04:31 PM	#12
doug_999 Brigadier General 2545 Rep 3,968 Posts Drives: 2011 1M/2021 992/2023 X3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	From what I have read, this is not a 2 minute thing AND things can go wrong - causing the car to be there for a while - since BMW has to get involved. WORSE, lots of stuff can change that you didn't want to change. For instance, I believe the latest software* makes it impossible to turn off rev match - that would tick me off! *late 2018 M3 builds lost this ability, so just a guess. __________________ 2011 1M, Black loaded sans sat radio 2021 911 C4S Gentian Blue, manual 2023 X3 M40i - loaded sans Park Assist
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03-15-2020, 05:37 PM	#13
jacobe92 Major 619 Rep 1,239 Posts Drives: 2016 Hell Rot F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: California iTrader: (6)	New software I got a new software through warranty last year. Mine is a yr 16. Is it true that the new software makes shifting (DCT) less jerky? Common for yr 15 and 16? Frankly, I can't tell the difference. I didn't even have to ask for it. Downside, wiped out my Amber delete, fancy door chime, fuel all the way down less than a fourth tank before it lights up, brighter headlights etc,etc. __________________ 2016 Hellrot F80 M3\|JRZ RS Pro with Swift Springs 550/750 spring rates l AP Radical 5000R 9668/9449 lSpiegler SS LinesI DS1.11I Eisenmann DP\|MPE Catback\|18" Forgeline GS1R 18x10 et 22 and 18x11 et 44 NT01 275/35/18 and 305/35/18\| Forgeline GTD1 18x10et43 SquarelM Performance Lip/Splitter\|IND aesthetic mods\|Dinan Toe Link\|Fall Line mono ball conversion kit and upper link kit\| Aim Solo 2DL Smarty Cam\|Simpson Hybrid\|Stilo Offshore helmet.
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