[G80indy]

Yeah makes sense.
Always figured 8 could be upgraded with OTA.

[EatThatLunchBaby]

This post seems really controversial for no reason (in my opinion). All the latest iDrive 8 screens are getting updated to 8.5 and then all new models after iDrive 9 has finished development will get that.

iDrive 8.5 & 9 are going to be the exact same minus the base OS (Linux vs Android). iDrive 9 (Android) will include an App Store while 8.5 won’t.

This really just seems like BMW saying they are finished with 8.5 and currently working on 9. This is great news that they are improving iDrive 8 and allowing older cars to keep up with the latest models.

I’m confused about all the hate here. Is it because no one else likes iDrive 8 (I disliked it before I used it) or what am I missing?

[BLKSAPPE92]

Originally Posted by ASAP

note to self - delay m3 order further lol

I think my 2022 is going to be a lot easier to sell in a couple years honestly. I have had a lot 18-30yo saying they hate the massive screens and like my car a lot more then a 2023

[Bimmerfun82]

For one thing, and I’m not an expert, iDrive 8 can update OTA to 8.5, but not 9. For another, this is a very rapid change in BMW world. 9 runs on android but 8.5 runs on Linux. There’s also the general malaise and anger toward losing functionality with the move from 7 to 8 (I speak for myself here). And the fear of the unknown, FOMO, etc.

[TheMaxXHD]

Originally Posted by RCtennis3811

Someone needs to update the press release in post 1. Seems like there was an update to the release per BMW USA News:

https://www.bmwusanews.com/newsrelease.do?id=4113&mid=

NICE if true. I’ll update atleast my first comment which has gotten a lot of traction accordingly

[weingarm]

So it looks like the only new models that run iDrive 8 that WON’T be automatically updated OTA to iDrive 8.5 are the 2, 3, and 4 series.

At least not as of Summer 2023.

I imagine even the 2, 3, and 4 series will see it roll out to them Fall 2023 or Winter 2023-24, certainly at the latest by early/mid 2024.

[RCtennis3811]

Originally Posted by weingarm

So it looks like the only new models that run iDrive 8 that WON’T be automatically updated OTA to iDrive 8.5 are the 2, 3, and 4 series.

At least not as of Summer 2023.

I imagine even the 2, 3, and 4 series will see it roll out them Fall 2023 or Winter 2023-24, certainly at the latest by early/mid 2024.

I wonder if it’s another press release mistake considering their team went in to elaborate further on the original release.

I mean it’s just odd that the i4 is getting updated to 8.5 when it has the same hardware for iDrive as the 3; the same setup that limits it to 40 MPH on Assisted Driving vs the newer ones that can go up to 85 MPH on Highway Assist.

[Alexvier]

Would be nice if it was just a plug and play with older car models….

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by dasistato

Should I regret gettin id7?

Hoping they continue to push updates until warranty expires at least..

Do not ever regret having iD7.

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by sahajesh

Do not ever regret having iD7.

I second this!!

[DarkstarZero]

Meanwhile, in the latest, top of the line, Audi e-tron... buttons!

[schernov]

So bmw software team had to support
Idrive 6 - sold new in Supra
ID7
ID8
ID8.5
ID9

All available in some new bmw vehicle. And has to be fully supported for at least 4 years while cats under warranty.

Expect bugs extravaganza as even without 8.5/9 - stuff breaks all the time inside connected drive world.

[apw2607]

Releasing one screen shot in the presser to showcase idrive 8.5 seems pretty poor really.

[Jimjamz]

Use CarPlay or android auto and it won’t matter. No wonder car owners are shifting to these platforms. Much more upward compatibility.

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by schernov

So bmw software team had to support
Idrive 6 - sold new in Supra
ID7
ID8
ID8.5
ID9

Support is a loosely-defined term within that team.

[thaalrasha]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

Meanwhile, in the latest, top of the line, Audi e-tron... buttons!

Yes ! Audi understood after going all out only touch screen, they went back and re aded the buttons on the lastest model... I can only hope BMW does the same eventually... But why can't we learn from other's mistake and skip that part ?

Instead we got this scary BS :

The transition from push, turn and press to swipe, tap and natural language.
...

After about 20 years, the digital user experience is dominated by touchpads, touch-sensitive smartphone displays and voice assistants. Swiping, tapping and speaking are the most common methods of interaction.

I want to avoid touching a screen while driving as much as possible and the wheel allowed that mostly... now it's going away and that was one of the most important UX thing BMW had IMHO.

[sahajesh]

Funnily enough, I read something a month or two back where some bigwig in BMW did say they would go back to buttons, but tried to put a positive spin on that (rather than we fkd up).

[medialook]

Personally I didn't like the idrive 8 especially that it's a new thing so technically you're a beta tester. I rushed to order my X5 G05 last year to make sure it will not be replaced with the idrive 8. When tested idrive 8 at dealership it didn't appeal to me much but the lack of physical buttons was a deciding factor for not to get it. I'm assuming it was purely cost saving excercise executed badly - without passing the saving to the customers. Looking at Mercedes, the idrive 8 cockpit acts as old design, implemented by Mercedes long time ago which they've already dropped from their new lines. Despite being a huge fan of BMW, fact that BMW not updating their system via OTA often (I would say at least in pair with the Android / iOS major updates) sucks.

[ChrisM4]

Originally Posted by AHall

I think the reason has more to do with BMW wanting to sell cars with the fewest amount of SKUs as opposed to designing a a system that can be updated with each version.

Fixed it for you

[Tejas1836]

BMW will bring back buttons in 3 years when this cycles through.

[RCtennis3811]

FWIW, again, Audi will be moving to a similar layout with the new A4. That’s the first model getting their next-gen MMI.

Zoom into the interior photos and you’ll see that big screen on the dash has something similar to iDrive 8+. Yup, touch controls for the temp in the lower third.

https://www.carscoops.com/2022/07/20...est-spy-shots/

[eddj]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

Meanwhile, in the latest, top of the line, Audi e-tron... buttons!

meanwhile, I think idrive 8 is great with the new enhanced voice commands and with the idrive controller on the centre console. And after some muscle memory training you can use the idrive controller with your eyes closed.
I do everything in my car 100% only via these 2 functions. I think I 've used only 1 or 2 times the touch screen to change something in my car since taking delivery last year... And after that never again.
Also this way I can avoid possible scratches or fingerprints on the big screen and it always looks so clean and beautiful.