Some big iDrive fixes with ISTA/P 2.40.3

brian.toth · 04-15-2011, 05:19 PM

Had my car programmed this week as part of the high-pressure fuel pump recall to software 2.40.3. I had previously documented a lot of the problems I've run into with the 2009 iDrive here: http://www.briantoth.com/idrive/

1.) The first thing I tried when I got in the car (assuming it wouldn't work) was navigating to an address that was stored on my phone. Went into the Contacts menu, picked one that was synced via bluetooth and it worked perfectly! Previously I had to mess with the ZIP codes and formatting to get it to sort-of-work, too much trouble. Now it works like it should've all along.

2.) The phone call screen has changed. Different icons, call timer, clearer labels and it looks like better multi-call support. Haven't tested all the features yet. And now when you're on a call, it doesn't cover up the split screen portion, so if you're navigating, you can still have the map/arrow view on the right side without having to dismiss the call screen.

3.) Noticed some changes with the nav voice. Could have been from a prior update, but just now noticed that the volume is easier to control... so I can make the voice whisper quiet even with loud music playing (it turns of the music when it speaks). There's also a new setting for the voice: long or short (or something like that). The iDrive setting for the voice is gone, you just have to adjust the knob like any other source.

4.) Seems to sync my contacts from my phone faster. It was done syncing 650+ in about a minute or less.

5.) Subtle menu changes in the navigation mode.

I updated my site to reflect the bigger changes. If anyone else has anything, I'd be curious to know about it. BMW doesn't document this stuff very well at all obviously.

Gray67 · 04-16-2011, 11:33 PM

I believe you were running one of the earliest releases of the iDrive SW for the new HD-based units. Most of the changes you identified I have had in my 2009 128i since I got it. Mine was built in early 2010 I believe, and was probably among the last '09 models before they started with the 2010's.

Does your iDrive make you import the contact you're navigating to into your iDrive itself before it navigates there? I can see my iPhone contacts in my iDrive menu but when I pick one, it indicates I need to validate the address, which requires the address to be imported into the Contacts list of the BMW.

Thanks for the reminder about the short instructions - I need to activate that.

And it seems that the 2010 maps are worth getting. I am hoping to hold out until the 2011 maps come out but that might be late late this year/early next year. urgh. I'm reasonably sure that I'm missing a bunch of updates.

04-15-2011, 05:19 PM	#1
brian.toth Enlisted Member 7 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 2009 135i; 2017 X3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cleveland, OH iTrader: (0)	Some big iDrive fixes with ISTA/P 2.40.3 Had my car programmed this week as part of the high-pressure fuel pump recall to software 2.40.3. I had previously documented a lot of the problems I've run into with the 2009 iDrive here: http://www.briantoth.com/idrive/ 1.) The first thing I tried when I got in the car (assuming it wouldn't work) was navigating to an address that was stored on my phone. Went into the Contacts menu, picked one that was synced via bluetooth and it worked perfectly! Previously I had to mess with the ZIP codes and formatting to get it to sort-of-work, too much trouble. Now it works like it should've all along. 2.) The phone call screen has changed. Different icons, call timer, clearer labels and it looks like better multi-call support. Haven't tested all the features yet. And now when you're on a call, it doesn't cover up the split screen portion, so if you're navigating, you can still have the map/arrow view on the right side without having to dismiss the call screen. 3.) Noticed some changes with the nav voice. Could have been from a prior update, but just now noticed that the volume is easier to control... so I can make the voice whisper quiet even with loud music playing (it turns of the music when it speaks). There's also a new setting for the voice: long or short (or something like that). The iDrive setting for the voice is gone, you just have to adjust the knob like any other source. 4.) Seems to sync my contacts from my phone faster. It was done syncing 650+ in about a minute or less. 5.) Subtle menu changes in the navigation mode. I updated my site to reflect the bigger changes. If anyone else has anything, I'd be curious to know about it. BMW doesn't document this stuff very well at all obviously.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-16-2011, 11:33 PM	#2
Gray67 Noob to the Bimmers but loving the ride 0 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2009 128i Vert Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Northern CA iTrader: (0)	I believe you were running one of the earliest releases of the iDrive SW for the new HD-based units. Most of the changes you identified I have had in my 2009 128i since I got it. Mine was built in early 2010 I believe, and was probably among the last '09 models before they started with the 2010's. Does your iDrive make you import the contact you're navigating to into your iDrive itself before it navigates there? I can see my iPhone contacts in my iDrive menu but when I pick one, it indicates I need to validate the address, which requires the address to be imported into the Contacts list of the BMW. Thanks for the reminder about the short instructions - I need to activate that. And it seems that the 2010 maps are worth getting. I am hoping to hold out until the 2011 maps come out but that might be late late this year/early next year. urgh. I'm reasonably sure that I'm missing a bunch of updates.
	Appreciate 0 Quote