2009 128i I-Drive ... can it be upgraded to 2010+ software??

128i-guy · 11-09-2010, 06:49 PM

I thought this would be FAQ but so far I haven't found the answer...

I have a late 2009 128i with I-drive. It has the HD-based I-drive system, but looking at the 2010 Owner's Manual, it looks like a lot of improvements were made in 2010, including the Sirius Time-shift feature and ability to mute the phone via the steering wheel button, among others. I also find the 2009 I-drive software to be horribly buggy and I am hoping that BMW fixed some of the worst bugs in the 2010 version.

I complained about the horrible software to BMW corporate and asked for a free software upgrade, but they said I need to work it through my local BMW Center. Before I invest the time to meet with the Service Manager, I would like to know whether it is technically possible to upgrade a 2009 HD-based I-Drive car to the 2010 or 2011 software? Do all HD-based I-Drives use the same hardware, or was there any hardware change in 2010+ that enabled the new features?

Any information GREATLY appreciated!

Technic · 11-09-2010, 08:23 PM

The dealer cannot upgrade the 2009 CIC (HDD iDrive unit) software to MY2010 specs as the hardware is different. For example, that Sirius "TiVo" feature is possible only because the tuner is now built into the CIC, it is no longer a separate module in the trunk.

128i-guy · 11-10-2010, 06:53 PM

Thanks for the info. Not what I wanted to hear but good to know!

Do you happen to know the latest version # for the 2009 CIC? Maybe I can at least get upgraded to that if I'm not already on the latest version.

Thanks again!

11-09-2010, 06:49 PM	#1
128i-guy Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 128i Convertible Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	2009 128i I-Drive ... can it be upgraded to 2010+ software?? I thought this would be FAQ but so far I haven't found the answer... I have a late 2009 128i with I-drive. It has the HD-based I-drive system, but looking at the 2010 Owner's Manual, it looks like a lot of improvements were made in 2010, including the Sirius Time-shift feature and ability to mute the phone via the steering wheel button, among others. I also find the 2009 I-drive software to be horribly buggy and I am hoping that BMW fixed some of the worst bugs in the 2010 version. I complained about the horrible software to BMW corporate and asked for a free software upgrade, but they said I need to work it through my local BMW Center. Before I invest the time to meet with the Service Manager, I would like to know whether it is technically possible to upgrade a 2009 HD-based I-Drive car to the 2010 or 2011 software? Do all HD-based I-Drives use the same hardware, or was there any hardware change in 2010+ that enabled the new features? Any information GREATLY appreciated!
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11-09-2010, 08:23 PM	#2
Technic Lieutenant General 2288 Rep 13,000 Posts Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida iTrader: (18)	The dealer cannot upgrade the 2009 CIC (HDD iDrive unit) software to MY2010 specs as the hardware is different. For example, that Sirius "TiVo" feature is possible only because the tuner is now built into the CIC, it is no longer a separate module in the trunk.
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11-10-2010, 06:53 PM	#3
128i-guy Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 128i Convertible Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info. Not what I wanted to hear but good to know! Do you happen to know the latest version # for the 2009 CIC? Maybe I can at least get upgraded to that if I'm not already on the latest version. Thanks again!
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