How can I determine which software I have and whether it needs an upgrade/update?
 

What's Up Guy's,

I am unfamiliar with my car's software and whether it needs an upgrade/update. I did some research and am a bit unclear. I would greatly appreciate some sound feedback on the following questions;

1. What’s does an upgrade/update generally entail?

2. How can I determine which software I have and whether it needs an upgrade/update?

3. Where can I find information relative to what’s included in each upgrade/update?

4. Is the software upgrade/update only performed at the dealer?

5. What are the general costs associated with a upgrade/update?

Thanks in advance

My very friendly advice would be that if you are asking these questions you better not go there.
Car could be reprogrammed by a dealer or by independent shop or technician like me. I personally dont reprogram even my cars except it has to be done to fix a problem, change module,etc. Reprogramming can open another can of worms, so i dont recommend it to anybody who wants to do it for no reason.
The problem is that to upgrade the software in a control module, it has to be erased first. And sometimes after that it doesnt accept the new FW, SW or coding. It just becomes a paperweight. There are other problems that can arise too.

Cars are not like personal computers.

if they run fine, dont mess. Its not like they are bombarded with new applications or evolving bugs/viruses each week.


Only upgrade software when BMW is paying (ie warranty or recall)

One thing the OP never mentioned is why they think they need an upgrade. The CCC and NBT's have some software that can be upgrade to support say new phones or fix other phone compatibility issues.

I'm not even certain if the OP knows what they are referring to, so surely we can't know either.

Good point. I thought about this and forgot to mention it...

The nav system is the one area that can, on occasion, get an 'update' that could affect functionality. (ie '3D map views' or better routing algorithms) Not sure about phone functions.

There should be a menu where you can view the current software version for the nav system.

Also, for a time, BMW was selling 'nav upgrades' that included a firmware update PLUS the map data. I dont know if they've done that past CCC days (ie for the newer cic and nbt systems)

OP let us know what you are trying to upgrade- if there is a specific issue- or just a general thing...

Thanks for the feedback. I came across the following issue, (see link below). While taking it to two indie shops that only work on Bimmers, both places recommended updating the software in order to successfully remove the maintenance reminder;

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-reminder.html

You mean 'reset' the reminder?? or reprogram it to no longer have a reminder function.

Does it make sense that you need to 'update' software to reset a maintenance reminder?

Go to a dealer, ask them how to reset it. Report back. (I do see that someone suggest adaptations reset. Did you try that?)

transer case fluid and diff fluid change

In some googling, it seems that all you need is a GT1-like program on a laptop and a cable, and the TC can be reset.

After the transfer case fluid is changed, if that is the same message the OP has.

I would not go back to those shops again. They could have easily cleared the maintenance notification. It would have comeback in the future. I would bite the bullet and change the TC fluid and get the notification reset.

I would look here to have an idea of the latest version of everything.
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-database.html