ok i took my 08 E70 4.8i in today and had the software updated and here's what I learned.

1. BMW software updates apply to the entire car's software not a particular system individually ie. iDrive, transmission, etc. when the software update is applied, it changes all the software components of the vehicle to the most up to date version.

i had originally complained of a jerky transmission and when i received the update for my transmission, all other systems were updated as well.

2. there was no change to my iDrive's appearance. the color scheme was brown and it still is brown. I never had any issues with my iDrive so i havent noticed any appreciable functional difference.

the only difference i did discover was that my navigation has changed. the perspective view now displays more information and has an "updated" appearance ie. roads of different size appear differently, etc. it's hard to describe it but the nav definitely has changed.

3. my "adaptation" was reset. apparently the software has a capability to adapt the transmission to the drivers driving style. resetting the adaptation allows the car to re-learn your driving style and that apparently can improve transmission response.

this is especially helpful if you've purchased the car used and hence are a completely different driver with possible different driving style/ aggressiveness.

i do notice the transmission to be a bit smoother but it's not a big change.

--- i have no real complaints with the car except for the transmission. the 4.8 V8 has a lot of torque and it's my opinion that the transmission is not successful at making gear changes seamlessly, especially at low speeds.

this is most evident in coming to a stop. at below 5 mph the transmission shifts into 1st gear which i think is the problem. the brakes have difficulty stopping without a jolt and subsequent sending the car in a forward to back rocking motion.

i believe when the transmission is in "D" the car should only downshift into 2nd gear at the lowest. this would allow less torque to be delivered to the wheels and thus both a smoother stop and a more gentle launch when the brake is released.

perhaps downshifting into 1st gear could be reserved for "SD".

this problem seems to be addressed however not by transmission software updates, but by the fact that the 2011 models have a 7 speed transmission as oposed to my vehicle which has 6 speed.

anyway, my two cents.