[Waise]

Does anyone know what are the major updates or fixes in iDrive software version 3/2020.58 update ? Dealership just updated ours, not sure what major things it fixed. I have the 2019 BMW X7 40i. This was the older version 11/2019.40 in the car.

[Heimdall]

I only know that the 3rd row AC works while seats are down folded.

There's another thread about this somewhere.

Your comparison is based to what older version? Just to make it clear for everyone to chime in.

[jcarlilesiu]

Does anybody know when this is slated to roll out? I really need the 3rd row AC with seats down.

[Rublezz]

Does anyone know about Android Auto? I've heard that new 5 series already have this update for IDrive, but nothing about X7.

[iconoclast]

Loaded on mine, third row does not work with seats down. Perhaps I am doing something wrong. If I press synchronize all should be on? If I go to HVAC settings third row is "greyed out" with seats down.

[mitch57]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

Loaded on mine, third row does not work with seats down. Perhaps I am doing something wrong. If I press synchronize all should be on? If I go to HVAC settings third row is "greyed out" with seats down.

This was by design from BMW. However, apparently iStep version 03/2020.58 has enabled the 3rd row HVAC with the third row folded down. So, if you don't have the version they just released to enable the HVAC in the 3rd row then yours won't work until you get the update that enables it. Apparently BMW got hammered by pet owners whose pets couldn't ride in the vehicle in the 3rd row because of no air.

This was the dumbest design I've ever seen. If you don't order the 5 zone climate control in the X7 then you get no HVAC in the 3rd row with no overhead vents for the 3rd row. That's just plain ASININE!!! If an automaker is going to put in 3 rows of seating they damn well better put HVAC in all 3 rows. But NOOOO....! Not BMW.

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by mitch57

This was by design from BMW. However, apparently iStep version 03/2020.58 has enabled the 3rd row HVAC with the third row folded down. So, if you don't have the version they just released to enable the HVAC in the 3rd row then yours won't work until you get the update that enables it. Apparently BMW got hammered by pet owners whose pets couldn't ride in the vehicle in the 3rd row because of no air.

This was the dumbest design I've ever seen. If you don't order the 5 zone climate control in the X7 then you get no HVAC in the 3rd row with no overhead vents for the 3rd row. That's just plain ASININE!!! If an automaker is going to put in 3 rows of seating they damn well better put HVAC in all 3 rows. But NOOOO....! Not BMW.

I tested my car today. I don't have 03/2020.58, I'm on the version prior. I am able to turn on 3rd row AC with the seats folded down.

[mitch57]

Originally Posted by thenew3

I tested my car today. I don't have 03/2020.58, I'm on the version prior. I am able to turn on 3rd row AC with the seats folded down.

There's discussion on it here. https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1686212. However, after reading it again it may not be specific to that version but may require a dealer visit to enable it. It's odd that you have it from a previous version and others don't. Which version prior are you on? There are several versions in the 03/2020.xx line.

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by mitch57

There's discussion on it here. https://g07.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1686212. However, after reading it again it may not be specific to that version but may require a dealer visit to enable it. It's odd that you have it from a previous version and others don't. Which version prior are you on? There are several versions in the 03/2020.xx line.

I'm on 03/2020.35, I took delivery 10 days ago and that's the version it came with. It shows no updates available.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by mitch57

This was by design from BMW. However, apparently iStep version 03/2020.58 has enabled the 3rd row HVAC with the third row folded down. So, if you don't have the version they just released to enable the HVAC in the 3rd row then yours won't work until you get the update that enables it. Apparently BMW got hammered by pet owners whose pets couldn't ride in the vehicle in the 3rd row because of no air.

This was the dumbest design I've ever seen. If you don't order the 5 zone climate control in the X7 then you get no HVAC in the 3rd row with no overhead vents for the 3rd row. That's just plain ASININE!!! If an automaker is going to put in 3 rows of seating they damn well better put HVAC in all 3 rows. But NOOOO....! Not BMW.

An interesting observation (and not that I am making excuses for BMW on this one), but apparently the design of the HVAC system in the X7 "requires" the 5-zone climate control option to get any cold air to the 3rd row. The 5-zone climate control option actually adds a separate and complete A/C unit/system just for the 3rd row (separate refrigerant, fans, compressor, etc). I did some poking around in the rear of my X7 and found the separate A/C system. Based on the online technical documents for the HVAC system in the X7, there is no HVAC duct work from the front system to feed the 3rd row any air (at least cold air, could not tell about duct work for heat).

That is no excuse of course to not have the rear A/C activated with the 3rd row down if you do have the 5-zone climate option. My previous Expedition, with rear A/C (that was also a self contained unit design separate from the front A/C) would work with the 3rd row down.

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by jmciver

An interesting observation (and not that I am making excuses for BMW on this one), but apparently the design of the HVAC system in the X7 "requires" the 5-zone climate control option to get any cold air to the 3rd row. The 5-zone climate control option actually adds a separate and complete A/C unit/system just for the 3rd row (separate refrigerant, fans, compressor, etc). I did some poking around in the rear of my X7 and found the separate A/C system. Based on the online technical documents for the HVAC system in the X7, there is no HVAC duct work from the front system to feed the 3rd row any air (at least cold air, could not tell about duct work for heat).

That is no excuse of course to not have the rear A/C activated with the 3rd row down if you do have the 5-zone climate option. My previous Expedition, with rear A/C (that was also a self contained unit design separate from the front A/C) would work with the 3rd row down.

This is not unique to BMW. MB GLS is the same way, you have to option it with the 5 zone climate to get the vents in the 3rd row, and it has it's own (electric) A/C compressor and fans.

[iconoclast]

Same with 4L Q7 (IIRC).

[jmciver]

So I just got word from my dealer that has my X7 for an unrelated issue:

1. 3/2020.58 is the latest software on the street right now for the X7 as of the time of this post.

2. 3/2020.58 does add the functionality to run the 3rd row A/C with the 3rd row folded down - operation verified by the dealer.

While my X7 was in the shop I asked them about the 3rd row A/C issue and software update. I have not tested this yet (I will pick-up my X7 later today), but I will give the dealer the benefit of the doubt that the above info is correct. I consider this a "trust but verify" moment right now....

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by jmciver

2. 3/2020.58 does add the functionality to run the 3rd row A/C with the 3rd row folded down - operation verified by the dealer.

Interesting, I'm on 03/2020.35 and am able to run the 3rd row A/C with seats folded down.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by thenew3

Interesting, I'm on 03/2020.35 and am able to run the 3rd row A/C with seats folded down.

Not necessarily surprising since .35 is older software than .58. Who knows when BMW actually added this functionality. But at least it is confirmed to be there so those waiting for a software update know what to expect with a particular software version.

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Not necessarily surprising since .35 is older software than .58. Who knows when BMW actually added this functionality. But at least it is confirmed to be there so those waiting for a software update know what to expect with a particular software version.

Originally Posted by jmciver

2. 3/2020.58 does add the functionality to run the 3rd row A/C with the 3rd row folded down - operation verified by the dealer.

Well the way you said it made it sound like it was a feature only added to the .58 release which is why I was wondering if it was only added to the .58 release why is it working in my .35 release.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by thenew3

Well the way you said it made it sound like it was a feature only added to the .58 release which is why I was wondering if it was only added to the .58 release why is it working in my .35 release.

Fair enough. Although I did not even know there was a .35 out there other than what you reported with your X7. .58 has been the topic of much discussion as of late. Based on the fact you just took delivery of your X7, I will speculate .35 is what they are loading at the factory right now (which includes the 3rd row A/C fix). But just like your cell phone, computer, etc, the software loaded at the factory is rarely the latest and greatest on the street.

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by jmciver

Fair enough. Although I did not even know there was a .35 out there other than what you reported with your X7. .58 has been the topic of much discussion as of late. Based on the fact you just took delivery of your X7, I will speculate .35 is what they are loading at the factory right now (which includes the 3rd row A/C fix). But just like your cell phone, computer, etc, the software loaded at the factory is rarely the latest and greatest on the street.

Yeah I find lots of odd things on my car. For example, I was following the production and Genius said it was built May 19th, But Mdecoder.com says it was built 4/18 and the sticker on driver door jam shows production 4/2020 which is strange given the factory was shut down in April.

I've got an appointment to take the car back next week for some paint issues. I asked they update it to the latest .58 but they said the .35 on my car is the latest. I tried to do update via idrive and via the phone app and it shows no updates available.

Nothing in the idrive was working when I took delivery, the bmw genius at the dealer had to do a factory reset on the idrive system to get it to work. Some things are still acting weird, like the rear lower tailgate, sometimes it opens when you push the button once, sometimes one push unlocks it but doesn't fold it down, you have to push two or three times for the power fold down. Also the cameras don't always turn on, and PDC won't turn on automatically when you are at low speeds and approaching a tight parking space.

Many strange electrical issues.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by thenew3

Yeah I find lots of odd things on my car. For example, I was following the production and Genius said it was built May 19th, But Mdecoder.com says it was built 4/18 and the sticker on driver door jam shows production 4/2020 which is strange given the factory was shut down in April.

I've got an appointment to take the car back next week for some paint issues. I asked they update it to the latest .58 but they said the .35 on my car is the latest. I tried to do update via idrive and via the phone app and it shows no updates available.

Nothing in the idrive was working when I took delivery, the bmw genius at the dealer had to do a factory reset on the idrive system to get it to work. Some things are still acting weird, like the rear lower tailgate, sometimes it opens when you push the button once, sometimes one push unlocks it but doesn't fold it down, you have to push two or three times for the power fold down. Also the cameras don't always turn on, and PDC won't turn on automatically when you are at low speeds and approaching a tight parking space.

Many strange electrical issues.

Give yourself time to get used to the new car. Not saying that there can't be issues, but many times what may appear to be inconsistent performance of a particular function could just be the new operator getting used to a new vehicle. Considering how close your software is to the current version, I would not hold my breath to get the dealer to update your vehicle to get it right now (and I doubt OTA will push it to you either).

That said, typically the first troubleshooting step if you report an issue with a BMW (some electrical/electronic gremlin, etc) after a reboot/calibration of a module (if applicable) is to "program" the vehicle, which is dealer speak for updating to the latest software, since many times updating the software will solve the problem. For example, some time ago when I was having issues with the OTA navigation maps updating on my M3, I brought it to the dealer. I just expected them to update the navigation maps, which is done frequently at the dealer. When I got my car back, my maps were updated, but so was the software in my M3. YMMV.....

[mitch57]

Originally Posted by jmciver

An interesting observation (and not that I am making excuses for BMW on this one), but apparently the design of the HVAC system in the X7 "requires" the 5-zone climate control option to get any cold air to the 3rd row. The 5-zone climate control option actually adds a separate and complete A/C unit/system just for the 3rd row (separate refrigerant, fans, compressor, etc). I did some poking around in the rear of my X7 and found the separate A/C system. Based on the online technical documents for the HVAC system in the X7, there is no HVAC duct work from the front system to feed the 3rd row any air (at least cold air, could not tell about duct work for heat).

That is no excuse of course to not have the rear A/C activated with the 3rd row down if you do have the 5-zone climate option. My previous Expedition, with rear A/C (that was also a self contained unit design separate from the front A/C) would work with the 3rd row down.

Actually, my point is this. If any automaker is going to put seats for passengers in the 3rd row which doesn't have roll down windows then it should be a law that there be ventilation to those seats regardless of selected options.

So what happens when you put a person in the 3rd row during the middle of summer, in Florida for example, on a nice two hour road trip? If there is no ventilation to the 3rd row seating how does any manufacturer expect someone to survive back there in the stifling heat or freezing cold in frigid climates? Not to mention pets!

It's surprising that the NHTSA hasn't cited these manufactures for safety violations in this regard. Especially when most owners would be putting kids and pets back there. I believe automakers that install 3rd row seating should be mandated to install ventilation ducting for HVAC in all vehicles with 3rd row seating. No ducting... No 3rd row seating allowed.

[Waise]

Originally Posted by Heimdall

I only know that the 3rd row AC works while seats are down folded.

There's another thread about this somewhere.

Your comparison is based to what older version? Just to make it clear for everyone to chime in.

This was the previous version number in my car: 11/2019.40.

[thenew3]

Originally Posted by mitch57

So what happens when you put a person in the 3rd row during the middle of summer, in Florida for example, on a nice two hour road trip? If there is no ventilation to the 3rd row seating how does any manufacturer expect someone to survive back there in the stifling heat or freezing cold in frigid climates? Not to mention pets!

There is no physical (or magical) barrier between 1st, 2nd and 3rd row that would prevent air from the 1st or 2nd row to get to the 3rd row.

While it still won't be as comfortable as if the 3rd row had it's own vents, folks stuck back there definitely won't die if the the air in the 1st and 2nd rows are turned on.

Given many 3 row SUV's in the $30k-$50k range have 3rd row vents as standard equipment (although not it's own controllable zone), It's sad to see BMW (and MB) make this an option rather than making it standard.