iDrive software update on my Z4

[wilwong1971]

Hi

I have a Z4 with CIC Pro nav (2009 I think) that would not recognise my iPhone 6s, iPod touch..when I plug them into the USB in the armrest, it says 'Reading...' then 'Not Supported' same with a fair few Flash Drives I have too.. strange thing is the same flash Drives are ok importing music with the USB port in the glove box.

I also read that if the CIC is a very old revision then navigation maps can only be updated via DVD (up to 2014) rather than through USB ..

Question then is worth pushing the dealer for a software update? Any new features worth mentioning? and if not any decent indy that would do it for a good price?

thanks all!

 

[PhilW]

Pretty sure you can do it yourself via a flash drive (or online via ConnectedDrive if you have it). Assuming of course you get a flash drive it recognises!

Just go to Settings > Software Update and select USB device.

You can find the latest version your car supports here, you just need to enter the last 7 digits of your VIN:
http://www.bmw.co.uk/en_GB/topics/support/mobile-devices/update.html

 

[wilwong1971]

thanks Philw

Tried this but I think it won't let me because the manufacture date of my car is before March 2010 :-( VIN doesn't go in

 

[Northotheborder]

I have the same problem, took car into dealer this month for oil/brake fluid change, asked about update for iDrive and was told why would you want to if everything is working. Upgraded to iPhone 6s was considering new cable for connection in armrest (apparently according to dealer there are two types) tried both and neither worked (just charged phone), newer models have usb and data connection in armrest? Told to buy cheap cable from Amazon - usb/aux, ended up buying a bluetooth dongle that automatically connects to phone and plays music via bluetooth - £12 its great! and yes the link above only works for 2010 cars onwards.

 

[wilwong1971]

Just got my head round the quirks of my iDrive now...

1) To plug iPhones directly with the Apple USB lead requires a Combox option which is on later models BMW (round 2011 I believe ) this will also allow album art, office integration etc ...

2) I stupidly had my USB sticks formatted as NTFS historically ...only FAT32 works...Doh!

3) I think I can upgrade my maps via USB, according to this post if you have a tick icon on your perspective screen you can update with USB in the glovebox :
http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=918432

Hope this helps

 

[DinosaurEyes]

I'm planning on updating my maps to 2016 versions with USB. Will report back how I get on!

 

[jimbo1958]

Just got my head round the quirks of my iDrive now...

1) To plug iPhones directly with the Apple USB lead requires a Combox option which is on later models BMW (round 2011 I believe ) this will also allow album art, office integration etc ...

2) I stupidly had my USB sticks formatted as NTFS historically ...only FAT32 works...Doh!

3) I think I can upgrade my maps via USB, according to this post if you have a tick icon on your perspective screen you can update with USB in the glovebox :
http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=918432

Hope this helps

1) Really would of liked Album art on mine.

2) Yes...FAT32 only as you've found out.

3) Used this guy for my update. Easy to do but take a cuppa out with you as it takes a while.

 

[Z4_35i]

I'm planning on updating my maps to 2016 versions with USB. Will report back how I get on!

Hi DinosaurEyes, how did you get on with your 2016 map updates via USB?

We have a 2009 e89 and had the system software updated by an independent when we purchased it in 2012 so that we could update the navigation maps by USB. The last time I did the update was with the 2013-2 map update, I now have the 2016-2 maps and FSC code, but I can't seem to get the iDrive to recognise the USB drive when it's plugged into the USB slot in the glove box?

It may just be the current USB drive I've been using (checked only one partition and that it's FAT32), so I've ordered one off of Amazon, 32GB SANDISK, that is known to work and will try this update again tomorrow.

I'm not sure if you can still do the latest navigation updates via DVD?

 

[DinosaurEyes]

I'm still waiting to get a reply from the guy with the maps. Wherr did you get your update and fsc from?