iDrive software updates?
 

Does anyone know if there are any software updates for the iDrive to help it function faster?

Just dropped off my wife's car to perform an air conditioning service. They gave me a 528 loaner that has the newer iDrive hardware (new controller with buttons). But it ran what appeared to be the old iDrive software (the same one from my X5). This car did not have navigation nor a backup camera.

The software ran FAST! No lag in booting up. No lag when switching from one menu item to another or from scrolling through my phone list/music list. I'm sure it was probably the hardware that accounted for the performance increase. But maybe there is some kind of update out there that might have fixed a common complaint.

I think the Navigation is what really slows it down (which your 528i loaner didn't have). Also, bluetooth phone sync up slows down the start up of idrive.

I'll be convinced when I see the performance of the new idrive with Navigation...

Uhm.. I wonder if there is a way to disable the navigation and turn it on later.

The bluetooth on the loaner (new iDrive hardware) syncs up fast too (less than 5 seconds to establish connection, though the phonebook still takes more time to download)! With my X5 and it's iDrive, it takes anywhere from 45 seconds to 3 minutes before my phone connects.

What year is your X5? The older i-drive has seen some significant updates over the years. One in particular reduced the colour pallet in a effort to speed up performance.

The idrive you saw in the 5 series used the new controller but the existing hardware.

My X5 is a 2008.

Wow. So the existing hardware runs that fast without navigation.

I'm not sure if navigation has much to do with it quite frankly. I have navigation with my 2009 x5 and I find the system as fast as the navigation system in my 2008 M3. Both systems are identical, based on the CIC hardware and have the optional usb/ipod interface. Scrolling long lists is very fast indeed.

Prior to that, I've used the older i-Drive interface (more colours) and first generation ipod interface. That system seemed to be very slow to react and scrolling long lists was painfully slow.

My iDrive isn't that slow. It's faster than previous generation iDrive's for sure.

My main complaint is with the boot up time.

As far as navigating through the various menus. It's acceptable, but just not as responsive as the 5 loaner I had or the Command in a Mercedes C or S class.