Updating firmware - chances...
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Island Of Korcula - Croatia
My Ride: E60 535d M
e61 530d
Iron Horse Sunday :-)
What are my chances that something would go wrong when I take my 2004 530d for a firmware update. It has never been updated before and has no warrenty of course...
They say it's not reccomended but I made an appointment anyway. So what do you think are my chances that something will go wrong (have to replce module or central unit..)
90%
10% :thumbsdown: or???? 
I don't have BT, Ipod, active drive.... Just nav pro, auto lights, xenon.
I'm really scared what will happen on monday morning when I take it to dealership for an update..
They say it's not reccomended but I made an appointment anyway. So what do you think are my chances that something will go wrong (have to replce module or central unit..)
90%
10% :thumbsdown: or???? I don't have BT, Ipod, active drive.... Just nav pro, auto lights, xenon.
I'm really scared what will happen on monday morning when I take it to dealership for an update..
Contributors
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 0
From: Essex, UK.
My Ride: 2006 530 d M-sport e60
Nothing can go wrong, ISTA/p may lock out one of the modules because the module after repeated attemps fails to update but the update can not kill the modules, mine had one two weeks ago and it took 12 hours.
Members
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Northamptonshire, UK
I had my engine management light come on my 530i and duly took it into my dealer as thankfully it has extended warranty - it's a 55 plate.
They told me the light had been coming on and off in the back ground too and it required an oil vanos sensor, and cam and crank shaft sensors, together with a firmware update as it had never been done in the 4 years of the cars life.
The sensors were fitted, and they attempted the update - because, (I am told by the dealer,) that the vehicle has 12 or so ECU's, the computer has said that this will take 18 hours and it will be left plugged in over night.
This was done, but it timed out twice before it actually accepted the full update and took them a week and a half to get it sorted.
I just hope your update goes better than mine - thankfully I didn't have to pay a penny, but the difference in the idrive is good, and the car is all the better for it I feel.
P
Thread Starter
Members
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Island Of Korcula - Croatia
My Ride: E60 535d M
e61 530d
Iron Horse Sunday :-)
ok! everything went well! It only took 4 hours. 
Now I got silver idrive screen, many new navigation options, ect... but mp3 function is NOT working. When I put mp3 disc inside cd or dvd drive it just says "Not supported format"... Car is made 09/2004 and has pro navigation and cd changer.. Is it possible to enable mp3 function somehow?
Now I got silver idrive screen, many new navigation options, ect... but mp3 function is NOT working. When I put mp3 disc inside cd or dvd drive it just says "Not supported format"... Car is made 09/2004 and has pro navigation and cd changer.. Is it possible to enable mp3 function somehow?
Senior Members
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: DFW, TX
My Ride: '04 545i, sport pkg, premium sound, sprint booster,
Good news/bad news. MP3 should have worked since you have navi? Or I wonder, if you had the ipod option added beforehand, would it have worked?
Burn another mp3 cd and give it another go. It can't hurt.
Burn another mp3 cd and give it another go. It can't hurt.
Members
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
My Ride: 2005 Titanium Gray 545 Sport Package
Interesting I can't play mp3 in my 2005 545, I thought it just didn't play them. It would be nice if I could instead of having my 6 disc CD changer full of regular CD's.
Members
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: London and Newcastle
My Ride: BMW 525d M Sport 2006
Yes, I would be interested too....
I had my engine management light come on my 530i and duly took it into my dealer as thankfully it has extended warranty - it's a 55 plate.
They told me the light had been coming on and off in the back ground too and it required an oil vanos sensor, and cam and crank shaft sensors, together with a firmware update as it had never been done in the 4 years of the cars life.
The sensors were fitted, and they attempted the update - because, (I am told by the dealer,) that the vehicle has 12 or so ECU's, the computer has said that this will take 18 hours and it will be left plugged in over night.
This was done, but it timed out twice before it actually accepted the full update and took them a week and a half to get it sorted.
I just hope your update goes better than mine - thankfully I didn't have to pay a penny, but the difference in the idrive is good, and the car is all the better for it I feel.
P
I had my engine management light come on my 530i and duly took it into my dealer as thankfully it has extended warranty - it's a 55 plate.
They told me the light had been coming on and off in the back ground too and it required an oil vanos sensor, and cam and crank shaft sensors, together with a firmware update as it had never been done in the 4 years of the cars life.
The sensors were fitted, and they attempted the update - because, (I am told by the dealer,) that the vehicle has 12 or so ECU's, the computer has said that this will take 18 hours and it will be left plugged in over night.
This was done, but it timed out twice before it actually accepted the full update and took them a week and a half to get it sorted.
I just hope your update goes better than mine - thankfully I didn't have to pay a penny, but the difference in the idrive is good, and the car is all the better for it I feel.
P
can i ask u a big fat favour mate? would u plz take some pics or a short clip to show us the differences after the update? i have a 55 plate too
i would appreciate that coz it would help me deciding whether to go for the upgrade or not
