Got Global Software Update, ConnectedDrive menu is gone (UPDATED)

I finally got around to having the Global Software update done on my 2011 528i. It's not perfect, but it has definitely helped the tip-in issue.

Unfortunately when they did the update, they changed something in the system that deleted my ConnectedDrive menu. I can no longer access Pandora, etc through the iDrive.

I'm taking the car in on Friday for them to fix the problem, but I'm concerned that they may shrug their shoulders and say there's nothing they can do. I had to really prod them to get the Global Update done in the first place.

Anyone have any insight I can give the service guy when I take the car in?

So are you saying when you plug in your iPhone, and launch the BMW Connected app on the phone, there is no longer a menu on the screen to access apps?

If you launch the Pandora app, do you see it pop up in the AM, FM menu area?

Originally Posted by jgscott987

I finally got around to having the Global Software update done on my 2011 528i. It's not perfect, but it has definitely helped the tip-in issue.

Unfortunately when they did the update, they changed something in the system that deleted my ConnectedDrive menu. I can no longer access Pandora, etc through the iDrive.

I'm taking the car in on Friday for them to fix the problem, but I'm concerned that they may shrug their shoulders and say there's nothing they can do. I had to really prod them to get the Global Update done in the first place.

Anyone have any insight I can give the service guy when I take the car in?

If this was your very first firmware update since August of 2011 then this firmware update introduced enabling codes (FSC) for the ConnectedDrive/BMW Apps feature. The enabling codes were not present in your 2011 firmware therefore your BMW Apps disappeared.

Simply tell them to load the damn BMW Apps FSC codes that they forgot to load.

Your dealer should have known about this in the first place as there was a very specific SIB explaining all this, released 9-10 months ago. So you do not have to waste your time going back for them to do it right the second time.

Originally Posted by Technic

If this was your very first firmware update since August of 2011 then this firmware update introduced enabling codes (FSC) for the ConnectedDrive/BMW Apps feature. The enabling codes were not present in your 2011 firmware therefore your BMW Apps disappeared.

Simply tell them to load the damn BMW Apps FSC codes that they forgot to load.

Your dealer should have known about this in the first place as there was a very specific SIB explaining all this, released 9-10 months ago. So you do not have to waste your time going back for them to do it right the second time.

Wow, I had this issue on a BMW like 8 years ago, I guess I should not be surprised the system is still so dumb that basic coding mistakes are still easily made.

Give me a break .... my dealer ... escalated to BMWNA .... refused the software update for my F10 .... ditched the 535i ....

Originally Posted by chuck92116

Wow, I had this issue on a BMW like 8 years ago, I guess I should not be surprised the system is still so dumb that basic coding mistakes are still easily made.

The system is very engineering-focused, not technician-friendly. So unless the tech/shop foreman are constantly reading the latest TIS/SIB and being on top of new things then they will not know exactly what to do and quick.

Took my car in yesterday for what was to be a quick update to add back the ConnectedDrive and BMW Apps.

The tech has now been working on it for two full days, and has been consulting with BMW. I get a call this afternoon that the ConnectedDrive menu is now showing up, but every time they start or try to drive the car it comes up with malfunction warnings and is undriveable. They "put the car to sleep" twice, but it's still throwing error codes.

What the heck have they done to my car??? I'm scared that they're going to permanently screw something up.

For anyone who hasn't gotten the Global Software Update yet, I recommend holding off. It improved the tip-in problem somewhat, but the side effects are a potential nightmare. I guess this is what you get when you have grease monkeys trying to program computers.

I had no issues with the update. You appear to be the first, honestly.

My update went well also.

You guys are right- I over-reacted by suggesting folks not get the update. I'm just concerned and frustrated by what's happening to my car.

Has anyone else had issues with the dealer completely screwing up the software in the car?

Same problem happened to me, it's documented in another thread. They had to re-do to the whole SIB to get the BMW Apps / Connected Drive portion to work.

Good luck!