iDrive Change Timeline

Striker169 · 01-05-2011, 10:45 AM

I tried searching but didn't see a very comprehensive thread on the subject, I was wondering if anyone had a timeline of the changes to iDrive over the years? I am looking at getting a 09/08 build 3-er with iDrive and was wondering what I would be missing compaired to the newest version.

edowen · 01-05-2011, 11:58 AM

make sure you get an 09 manufactured onwards car with the HDD based system.

Easily identified by the controller with multiple buttons on rather than the single buttoned i-drive controller of older versions.

Striker169 · 01-05-2011, 12:05 PM

So all the cars with the multi button iDrive controller are the hard drive based one? If you have that one have there been any changes from then till today?

Professor///M · 01-05-2011, 12:16 PM

Correct.

Yes there have been changes. BMW will only update its software if there is a serious service bulletin for it, or if you say that "something's not working right".

Vehicles produced after 3/10 and 9/10 have various newer "connected drive" features such as more iPhone/iPod integration. Some models differ per series, for instance the 7 series has options where you can load the seat positions onto a USB key and transfer it to another vehicle.

But for the most part, all LCI (post 09) iDrives are similar in the 3 series.

fdriller9 · 01-05-2011, 01:25 PM

Yea the only major change to the E9x platform was the DVD based to HDD based units.

I believe it was CCC, DVD based and CIC, HDD based. I still get confused someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Striker169 · 01-05-2011, 02:43 PM

Are the "connected drive" features hardware or software updates so if I do have the hard drive based iDrive is it a simple software update to get those or would I have to retrofit something?

VTECaddict · 01-08-2011, 01:23 PM

start to 9/06 - CCC iDrive (DVD based)
9/06 to 3/07 - CCC iDrive with RTTI
3/07 to 9/08 - CCC iDrive with RTTI and shortcut buttons
9/08 to 9/10 - CIC iDrive (HDD based)
9/10 to present - CIC iDrive with ComBox (Connected Drive)

Professor///M · 01-08-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Striker169

Are the "connected drive" features hardware or software updates so if I do have the hard drive based iDrive is it a simple software update to get those or would I have to retrofit something?

The initial videos gave the impression that it was software, but now it looks like hardware.

I find it very hard to believe that the few features added with connected drive cannot be added via software.

Technic · 01-09-2011, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAMidge

The initial videos gave the impression that it was software, but now it looks like hardware.

I find it very hard to believe that the few features added with connected drive cannot be added via software.

ConnectedDrive has been functional since 03/08 in the USA -using the CCC iDrive- starting with the X5 and X6 MyInfo feature. In other words, if your TCU is GSM (03/08-on) then the MyInfo and BMW Search software is there even if your iDrive is CCC, it is just that Assist only allows the X5 and X6 owners with current Assist accounts to receive Google addresses.

Then it was fully implemented with the $199 a year BMW Search feature from 09/08-on CIC.

It is that now BMW is using the ConnectedDrive term more often just because more Internet connectivity is coming.

apw2607 · 01-09-2011, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technic

ConnectedDrive has been functional since 03/08 in the USA -using the CCC iDrive- starting with the X5 and X6 MyInfo feature. In other words, if your TCU is GSM (03/08-on) then the MyInfo and BMW Search software is there even if your iDrive is CCC, it is just that Assist only allows the X5 and X6 owners with current Assist accounts to receive Google addresses.

Then it was fully implemented with the $199 a year BMW Search feature from 09/08-on CIC.

It is that now BMW is using the ConnectedDrive term more often just because more Internet connectivity is coming.

Yup. I have it on my 2009 x5 CCC idrive.

I just wish there was a way to send to car from google maps on my iphone !

Jgcdude1 · 01-10-2011, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAMidge

Correct.

Yes there have been changes. BMW will only update its software if there is a serious service bulletin for it, or if you say that "something's not working right".

Vehicles produced after 3/10 and 9/10 have various newer "connected drive" features such as more iPhone/iPod integration. Some models differ per series, for instance the 7 series has options where you can load the seat positions onto a USB key and transfer it to another vehicle.

But for the most part, all LCI (post 09) iDrives are similar in the 3 series.

This worked for me, "my radio randomly switches from the radio to CD then back to radio! It's extremely annoying!" Establish a case, then by your 3rd complaint you should get your update! Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Professor///M · 01-10-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apw2607

Yup. I have it on my 2009 x5 CCC idrive.

I just wish there was a way to send to car from google maps on my iphone !

Uggh... I've been pestering BMW & Google for the javascript for this forever...

The workaround is just creating a new contact using google maps and then finding it through the car.

PM me if you're really interested in this feature- i'm an iOS developer and if we could get a few heads together maybe we could make it happen.

01-05-2011, 10:45 AM	#1
Striker169 New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Sedan Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin, Tx. iTrader: (0)	iDrive Change Timeline I tried searching but didn't see a very comprehensive thread on the subject, I was wondering if anyone had a timeline of the changes to iDrive over the years? I am looking at getting a 09/08 build 3-er with iDrive and was wondering what I would be missing compaired to the newest version.
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01-05-2011, 11:58 AM	#2
edowen Major 39 Rep 1,194 Posts Drives: E90 330i, 991 GTS, Cayenne S D Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	make sure you get an 09 manufactured onwards car with the HDD based system. Easily identified by the controller with multiple buttons on rather than the single buttoned i-drive controller of older versions.
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01-05-2011, 12:05 PM	#3
Striker169 New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Sedan Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin, Tx. iTrader: (0)	So all the cars with the multi button iDrive controller are the hard drive based one? If you have that one have there been any changes from then till today?
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01-05-2011, 12:16 PM	#4
Professor///M Brigadier General 820 Rep 3,342 Posts Drives: 2022 M3, 2022 X5 40i; Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northeast iTrader: (5) Garage List 2022 BMW M3 Comp. [0.00] 2016 BMW X5 35i [10.00]	Correct. Yes there have been changes. BMW will only update its software if there is a serious service bulletin for it, or if you say that "something's not working right". Vehicles produced after 3/10 and 9/10 have various newer "connected drive" features such as more iPhone/iPod integration. Some models differ per series, for instance the 7 series has options where you can load the seat positions onto a USB key and transfer it to another vehicle. But for the most part, all LCI (post 09) iDrives are similar in the 3 series.
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01-05-2011, 01:25 PM	#5
fdriller9 Banned 255 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	Yea the only major change to the E9x platform was the DVD based to HDD based units. I believe it was CCC, DVD based and CIC, HDD based. I still get confused someone correct me if I'm wrong.
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01-05-2011, 02:43 PM	#6
Striker169 New Member 3 Rep 14 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Sedan Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Austin, Tx. iTrader: (0)	Are the "connected drive" features hardware or software updates so if I do have the hard drive based iDrive is it a simple software update to get those or would I have to retrofit something?
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01-08-2011, 01:23 PM	#7
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 481 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	start to 9/06 - CCC iDrive (DVD based) 9/06 to 3/07 - CCC iDrive with RTTI 3/07 to 9/08 - CCC iDrive with RTTI and shortcut buttons 9/08 to 9/10 - CIC iDrive (HDD based) 9/10 to present - CIC iDrive with ComBox (Connected Drive) __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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