[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by rich5741

Not sure anyone knows. Despite its popularity on this forum, the take rate of it in the US may not have been good (I understand it available in some foreign markets). I think US drivers tend to forgo options - every time I shop for cars I end up custom build because none of the on-the-lot options have more than a few basic packages + cosmetic ones (think Base + Premium + Msport).

Or its still a supply chain issue - foreign markets may get those parts over the US because BMW has more confidence with availability for smaller markets vs a large one.

This does not represent the true preference of the average US consumer. The reason that most BMWs lack some of these options (especially those new vehicles on the lot) is that they are a dealer-spec'd and ordered vehicle. Due to competition, they go cheap with the options that a non-BMW expert will not recognize. Most dealers rely on an un-informed buyer, like for instance an old dude who doesn't have time to keep track of vehicle features and simply wants a 7-series, or a mom that just wants a red X6.... or whatever not meant to say that older people or women don't know cars, but dealers rely on buys who are not aware of what the car is missing on the options side that are non-cosmetic. Hence, to offer a lower price, they only focus on cosmetics (naturally DHP, B&W, dashboard full leather, etc get dropped every single time). Most vehicles that BMW produced are dealer ordered vehicle, hence naturally the population of vehicles on the road are mostly poorly equipped vehicles. Typically, most BMW consumers prefer fully optioned vehicles but many people just don't like the idea to wait for a vehicle to be ordered... they just want to pull in with their current vehicle, trade it in and leave with new keys same day......

[rjabend]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

This does not represent the true preference of the average US consumer. The reason that most BMWs lack some of these options (especially those new vehicles on the lot) is that they are a dealer-spec'd and ordered vehicle. Due to competition, they go cheap with the options that a non-BMW expert will not recognize. Most dealers rely on an un-informed buyer, like for instance an old dude who doesn't have time to keep track of vehicle features and simply wants a 7-series, or a mom that just wants a red X6.... or whatever not meant to say that older people or women don't know cars, but dealers rely on buys who are not aware of what the car is missing on the options side that are non-cosmetic. Hence, to offer a lower price, they only focus on cosmetics (naturally DHP, B&W, dashboard full leather, etc get dropped every single time). Most vehicles that BMW produced are dealer ordered vehicle, hence naturally the population of vehicles on the road are mostly poorly equipped vehicles. Typically, most BMW consumers prefer fully optioned vehicles but many people just don't like the idea to wait for a vehicle to be ordered... they just want to pull in with their current vehicle, trade it in and leave with new keys same day......

I believe you are correct. I spent quite a bit of time looking around for a reasonable match in dealership inventories including vehicles they had on order and finally just ordered the configuration I wanted. I think BMW's turnaround time is pretty quick, probably due to their automated assembly line.

[EWL5]

Finally got through the rabbit hole that is this thread (LOL!). I appreciate BMW5and7 for being our "insider" and getting this info to the general public in a timely manner! Reading through all the speculation and everyone's 2 cents has been at times entertaining, especially the estimate on the crystal DRLs (flip the "1" and the "2" and the cost is correct!).

Test drove a '24 X7 xDrive40i today and found it to be a worthy performer. Only thing that gives me pause is whether the possibility of not being elgible for iDrive 8.5 down the road will drive me crazy. Seems like it wouldn't be the first time BMW puts something out half-baked and offer 2 different types of cars in the same model year!

Anyone know what's improved in iDrive 8.5?

[avalon652]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Finally got through the rabbit hole that is this thread (LOL!). I appreciate BMW5and7 for being our "insider" and getting this info to the general public in a timely manner! Reading through all the speculation and everyone's 2 cents has been at times entertaining, especially the estimate on the crystal DRLs (flip the "1" and the "2" and the cost is correct!).

Test drove a '24 X7 xDrive40i today and found it to be a worthy performer. Only thing that gives me pause is whether the possibility of not being elgible for iDrive 8.5 down the road will drive me crazy. Seems like it wouldn't be the first time BMW puts something out half-baked and offer 2 different types of cars in the same model year!

Anyone know what's improved in iDrive 8.5?

Biggest change is the climate control stuff - there's a link elsewhere in the forums but easier to find on google:

There are a few other things seemingly as well but the only thing I will be bummed if I miss (taking delivery this week likely) is the much simplified climate control and access to things like heated steering wheel. All that said - while I haven't used iDrive 8, I am coming from a 2017 XC90 that's a bit cumbersome to get to climate control and while annoying it's not the end of the world.

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Finally got through the rabbit hole that is this thread (LOL!). I appreciate BMW5and7 for being our "insider" and getting this info to the general public in a timely manner! Reading through all the speculation and everyone's 2 cents has been at times entertaining, especially the estimate on the crystal DRLs (flip the "1" and the "2" and the cost is correct!).

You're welcome. I appreciate it....

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by avalon652

Biggest change is the climate control stuff - there's a link elsewhere in the forums but easier to find on google:

There are a few other things seemingly as well but the only thing I will be bummed if I miss (taking delivery this week likely) is the much simplified climate control and access to things like heated steering wheel. All that said - while I haven't used iDrive 8, I am coming from a 2017 XC90 that's a bit cumbersome to get to climate control and while annoying it's not the end of the world.

You guys won't believe how well BMW received most of the complaints internally about ID8 and lack of physical buttons. They responded so quickly and ID8.5 is designed specifically to address the lack of buttons and the non-sense of how many windows or screen touches you need to follow to get to a certain function in ID8. This has all started long time ago with the iX with ID8 was first revealed. ID8.5, though seems more like just a software update, is a huge update in terms of user interface and comfort level to get to certain functions (almost similar to the Zero-Layer concept in MBenz). In my view, ID8 with the removal of physical button was a disaster. I am hopping that the long-term use of ID 8.5 would somewhat compensate for the removal of several buttons and get closer to a true zero layer between the driver and the vehicle. I still believe they should have at least kept the AC buttons as well as the 1-9 pre-set custom button (that was a shame those were removed after being present on a number of BMW vehicles for so many years... one of the best no-cost features we had).

[avalon652]

Totally agree on the presets - I really loved being able to just hit a number to navigate home no matter where I was. I’m sure you can do so quickly with the voice command, and that works great while you’re by yourself, but if you’re mid conversation with someone I don’t want to interrupt to talk to my car .

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avalon652

Biggest change is the climate control stuff - there's a link elsewhere in the forums but easier to find on google:

There are a few other things seemingly as well but the only thing I will be bummed if I miss (taking delivery this week likely) is the much simplified climate control and access to things like heated steering wheel. All that said - while I haven't used iDrive 8, I am coming from a 2017 XC90 that's a bit cumbersome to get to climate control and while annoying it's not the end of the world.

I'm guessing if my wife can't figure out ID8 on the test drive, we're defaulting to the GLS450!

[das2050]

Originally Posted by BMW5and7

You guys won't believe how well BMW received most of the complaints internally about ID8 and lack of physical buttons. They responded so quickly and ID8.5 is designed specifically to address the lack of buttons and the non-sense of how many windows or screen touches you need to follow to get to a certain function in ID8. This has all started long time ago with the iX with ID8 was first revealed. ID8.5, though seems more like just a software update, is a huge update in terms of user interface and comfort level to get to certain functions (almost similar to the Zero-Layer concept in MBenz). In my view, ID8 with the removal of physical button was a disaster. I am hopping that the long-term use of ID 8.5 would somewhat compensate for the removal of several buttons and get closer to a true zero layer between the driver and the vehicle. I still believe they should have at least kept the AC buttons as well as the 1-9 pre-set custom button (that was a shame those were removed after being present on a number of BMW vehicles for so many years... one of the best no-cost features we had).

Thanks so much for all of this information - been following since I put my deposit down in December on the m60i. I pushed my June build to (hopefully) July for the updates. Is that still your expected timing/has anything slipped?

[Jaakee]

Originally Posted by EWL5

I'm guessing if my wife can't figure out ID8 on the test drive, we're defaulting to the GLS450!

What's the point, if X7 MY24 gets an OTA update with ID8.5 later anyway?

[Brinkley77]

Originally Posted by das2050

Thanks so much for all of this information - been following since I put my deposit down in December on the m60i. I pushed my June build to (hopefully) July for the updates. Is that still your expected timing/has anything slipped

https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2015906

That thread also has some good info on MGU5 and 8.5

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by Jaakee

What's the point, if X7 MY24 gets an OTA update with ID8.5 later anyway?

That is a calculated risk if the April cars with the MGU4+ are not able to run ID8.5. The cars coming out in July will have MGU5 and are guaranteed to run ID8.5. I like to hedge on the side of certainty!

I will feel very bad for Spring/early Summer '24 X7 owners if they can't run ID8.5 simply for being early to the game!

[das2050]

Originally Posted by Brinkley77

https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2015906

That thread also has some good info on MGU5 and 8.5

Thanks. This just came out: https://www.bmwblog.com/2023/05/22/i...els-this-july/

Does this mean the x7 update will now be August builds? And I should push again - July to August for more certainty? Feels hasty to not be patient for 8.5 at this point but at some point will have to pull the trigger. Any insights would be very appreciated. I realize that if the July build comes with mgu5 then it doesn’t matter as much since it will likely get updated at build time or shortly after with 8.5. But worried that mgu5 is what is getting pushed.

[dlance]

Originally Posted by mitch57

It certainly is for me. Quickest and sportiest SUV I've ever driven in it's size class. The 60i is even quicker but it would definitely get me in trouble as I would want to be flooring it all the time. I fight the urge now even with my 40i.

I had a 2020 and was surprised at how quick it is. Put it in sport mode and giddy up. Waiting on a 24 X7 Am in production que now.

[Brinkley77]

Originally Posted by das2050

Thanks. This just came out: https://www.bmwblog.com/2023/05/22/i...els-this-july/

Does this mean the x7 update will now be August builds? And I should push again - July to August for more certainty? Feels hasty to not be patient for 8.5 at this point but at some point will have to pull the trigger. Any insights would be very appreciated. I realize that if the July build comes with mgu5 then it doesn’t matter as much since it will likely get updated at build time or shortly after with 8.5. But worried that mgu5 is what is getting pushed.

My main concern is MGU5. I guess you can read into that as all X7 will get the OTA update starting in Aug. I don't know lol. Hard to keep up is one I've noticed between dealers, blogs and the now Famous BMW5AND7. We are in no rush so the waiting game is not hard for us. I'd wait will August just to make sure.

[littleyang]

My understand is all X7 with ID 8.0 can be updated to ID 8.5 include MY 2023 (Build from Aug 2022)

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Brinkley77

My main concern is MGU5. I guess you can read into that as all X7 will get the OTA update starting in Aug. I don't know lol. Hard to keep up is one I've noticed between dealers, blogs and the now Famous BMW5AND7. We are in no rush so the waiting game is not hard for us. I'd wait will August just to make sure.

Hopefully someone with the LCI X7 can check which head unit they have by going into System Settings. From everything we have seen, the X5 has been using MGU 5 since the start of the LCI so updating to 8.5 should not be a technical issue.

[Phasers]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Hopefully someone with the LCI X7 can check which head unit they have by going into System Settings. From everything we have seen, the X5 has been using MGU 5 since the start of the LCI so updating to 8.5 should not be a technical issue.

I just checked my April 1, 2023 (2024 MY) build and it is MGU22:

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Phasers

I just checked my April 1, 2023 (2024 MY) build and it is MGU22:

Excellent. Then there shouldn't be any technical reason not to update them to 8.5.

[Tehnoid]

My ‘23, Jan build also says MGU22 fwiw.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by tehyox

My ‘23, Jan build also says MGU22 fwiw.

That is interesting. I saw one source saying the X7 wouldn't receive it until summer. I guess we are going to have to get confirmation that the MGU22 designation really means MGU5.

[Tehnoid]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

That is interesting. I saw one source saying the X7 wouldn't receive it until summer. I guess we are going to have to get confirmation that the MGU22 designation really means MGU5.

I find this whole thing fascinating. I’m so in the Apple echo system now with CarPlay now it’s only a bonus if I get 8.5, as I’ll get some short cut buttons on the bottom. It would describe to some degree why one of the main benefits of the newer service pack was supposed to be faster response, which I already thought was extremely fast.