Ensuring Your BMW Electric Vehicle Has the Latest Features: What You Need to Know Before Buying
BMW Electric Vehicle Updates: What You Need to Know Before Buying
The BMW electric vehicle lineup is growing, and with that comes the need for software updates. But how good is BMW at delivering these updates? This article will provide an overview of BMW's record with software updates, as well as what features you can expect post-delivery.
What Is BMW’s Record With Software Updates?
When it comes to BMW electric vehicles, there have been several software updates delivered over the air (OTA). The latest was a November General Availability release which was received in early January 2021. The next update is due in March 2021. These OTA updates have included some new features, but nothing major.
However, when it comes to legacy manufacturers like Porsche, they have only had two updates - one of which took a year to get and the second took two years to get because they had to provide it to fix a recall.
Unfortunately, it appears that BMW is not keeping up with their promises of providing regular software updates. There are reports of newer cars receiving features that don't seem to come to earlier models, even though it looks like they should (e.g., new ambient lighting colors). Additionally, the Parking Assistant Pro isn't backwards compatible due to hardware issues. And the battery pre-condition option seems only available on post 11/22 cars, with no explanation why.
It also appears that BMW has made changes to its app over time which has resulted in some features being lost from older models. For example, the trip computer feature has been removed from the i3s model. Furthermore, idrive 8 is now end-of-life and BMW is reportedly putting an upgraded head unit in cars possibly from March 2021 to give new assist features as per 7 series models.
Overall, it seems that BMW is not doing a great job of keeping their vehicles up-to-date with the latest software and features. It's important to note that you should not accept any BMW vehicle on the promise of future functionality or upgrades as BMW seems unable to keep up with the competition when it comes to software updates.
How Can You Ensure Your BMW Has Up-To-Date Features?
If you're looking for a way to ensure your BMW electric vehicle has all the latest features and software updates, then there are a few steps you can take. Firstly, make sure you read up on any reviews or feedback from other owners before making your purchase decision. This will help you understand if there are any potential issues with software updates or compatibility issues between different models.
Secondly, be aware of any recalls or service bulletins issued by BMW for your particular model. If there are any known issues with software updates or incompatibility between certain components, then this information will likely be listed in such documents.
Finally, consider speaking directly with your local dealership before making your purchase. They may be able to provide additional insight into any upcoming software updates or feature releases for your particular model.
Conclusion
Before buying a BMW electric vehicle, it's important to understand how good BMW is at delivering software updates and what features you can expect post-delivery. Unfortunately, it appears that BMW is not keeping up with their promises of providing regular software updates and many customers have experienced issues with incompatibility between different models or missing features from older models. To ensure your car has all the latest features and software updates, make sure you read up on reviews and feedback from other owners, be aware of any recalls or service bulletins issued by BMW for your particular model and speak directly with your local dealership before making your purchase decision.