[jmciver]

OTA updates update all the ECU's in the car, which includes new cell phone functionality. This is apparently new to cars with iDrive 7 (like the X7), but is not the case on the F-series BMWs. Also, unless BMW changed their OTA policies, the update you get via OTA will not be the latest update available. BMW updates the software quarterly. The current software is 07/2020.xx, with 11/2020.xx about to be released in November, which will only be available from the dealer. The OTA updates typically lag the most current dealer updates available by one quarter. So beginning in November, 07/2020.xx should be available via OTA. Also keep in mind that BMW has a weird algorithm to determine which cars get updates and which don't. I have owned my X7 since Mar and have never been offered an OTA update. But I have had my software updated by the dealer twice to address a few warranty issues, and I will be on the schedule to get the 11/2020.xx software next month to address another issue.

As far as getting the dealer to do updates under warranty (i.e. free), typically if you complain about an issue with the car, especially an iDrive issue, you will almost always get the update done under warranty - this has always worked for me over the years. I doubt that will change now as the dealers want to keep their customers happy and a software update is not manpower intensive.