First, what is CIP?

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I read (with interest) frequent references to software upgrades to our vehicles. Do you do this proactively (as soon as you hear about it) or only if your dealer recommends it as part of regular maintenance?

I admit that based on my experience with personal computers, upgrading software just for the sake of upgrading it (its existence) is not always a good thing--sometimes the new upgrade creates as many problems as it solves.

What is the general approach with members of this group as it applies to software upgrades? I'm inclined to not chase them down and let the dealer decide when they need to be done.

I'm interested in your opinions.

 

CIP stands for "Coding Individulization and Programming" and it's just basically the software that dealerships get for the latest models.

I've been told by my service manager that unless your car's software has a glitch then it's highly recommended that you don't do the upgrade because it can hurt the car during reprogramming. Apparently it's not just a simple plug and play upload, sometimes the computer won't work or in some cases make it worse. 2 of my buddies here have 3series coupes and they recently got their CIP upgraded because their bluetooth wouldn't work. One of them even claims to feel that his 335i coupe is SLOWER after the upgrade, how weird is that right? The only thing I really like about the newer version is that you can search by location name in the navigation, that and the i-drive is a bit faster.

Dan

 

CIP is no longer used by BMW. Instead they now refer to the collection of software as PROGMAN, short for Program Manager.

The correct approach is "ifin' it ain't broke donna fixit". However, I believe we all may differ on what we deem as broke in some cases. I lived with the CD run on for 2-years (through three CIP/PROGMAN upgrades done for really broke things like iDrive going blank). But when PROGMAN 25 appeared and became somewaht stable and looked like it was not going to ADD to my list of issues then I thought the collective inprovements were worth the risk. I was always irritated by the fact that AUX INPUT (retrofit 2 years ago - not a as built version) could not be cycled through on the steering wheel button (if so programmed) so hoped v25 would take care of this. And it did much to the SAs surprise as it was not listed as a fix (probably considered an "enhancement" by BMW so not listed). None of these issues was major as I worked around them so by themselves I may not have upgraded. But when added to new NAV POI search feature and few other goodies worth the risk. And I am happy wiht the results.

As far as performance impacts the answer is a qualified yes, there have been reports by several members that they observed performance impact. The most validated observation was by Znod who is a avid frequent user of a GTECH accelerometer for testing vehicle performance. While one can argue its absolute performance measure capabilities compared to a drag strip timing system, it is certainly a proved and accurate instrument for making comparisons on the same vehicle under the same conditions. Znod, as well as myself and others are very careful to use ?same? testing conditions even factoring in weather conditions to make sure we are comparing apples to apples. Znod did find some negative impact on performance in one upgrade. Without doing full research I cannot remember at this time what system may have been to blame (a search could find this discussion I am sure). With EGS (tranny control) ECU or DME (engine controls) and other sensors being in the mix it is entirely possible that performance could hurt or HELPED when compared to the same cars previous performance. I personally have not experienced observable changes in either direction.

 

If you are happy with you car lynx10 , you do not need a Progman update!

 

Ive come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as the perfectly behaved iDrive.

Had my upgrade last week after Id experienced slow to respond commands, and now not only are some of the commands still slow but the blinkin' thing keeps crashing! :thumbsdown:

Wish Id kept the old version now.

Ah well, roll on the next version where they fix the problems of the old version and introduce a few new ones into the mix

 

I wanted the Progman 25.02 because of the upgrades I had read about. Not having any issues with my car, I asked the General Mgr of the service dept. on what the chances were of getting an upgrade. He told me they will not do it unless there is a compelling reason. He said that' maybe if you had the CD continuous playing problem' (wink, wink, nod, nod) they could do it. Of course I said that that is the exact problem I am having. So he scheduled and did an update. Funny part is, I have the 6 disk CD changer yet I don't own even 1 CD. It's either Sports radio or occaisionally news radio (AM) for me.

 

I just had my car programmed with 25.02 last week. One noticeable different is the Auto headlight. It used to come on and go off by itself no more than 4 times. After the 4th time, it stayed ON until the car was turned off. Now, it comes ON / goes OFF by itself as many times as it needed to.

iDrive GUI is different and the voice command come ON faster too. What I meant is that after you press the voice command button, you have to wait for the "human" icon to be displayed in the lower left corner of the iDrive screen then you can "talk"/"command". The waiting time is much shorter with 25.02.