118d F20 JPN has No iDrive after software update by BMW

[Only118d 14]

I have recently acquired a “Japanese” import BMW 118d (F20 2016) which has now lost its iDrive readout. 

And I am new to BMWs and Bimmersport and cars build this century….

 

So I am looking for help to fix this and posting as a warning to others, assuming you don’t already know all about this…….

 

After taking the 118d to Continental Cars BMW in Wairau in Auckland for two (2) recalls as checked and reported on the BMW NZ recall website. 

>> The EGR Cooler fix (I know the why’s and wherefores for this). 

>> And a software update. (and I am not sure what this would do and CC-BMW couldn’t tell me, although I now know it ruins the iDrive). 

CC-BMW made me sign a waiver regards the software update so I really should of said no…… but you assume the best I guess. 

 

On collecting the car I was informed the head unit / radio and GPS /navigation no longer works. 

On checking the car there is no iDrive display/information at all and the screen only says “no signal” in red letters in the middle of the screen.  

On raising this with CC-BMW they have advised taking the car to “OBDTech NZ” in Penrose who are “likely” to restore the iDrive system. 

 

On doing a bit of research on the WWW it appears this is a common issue on Japanese import BMWs that have the radio and navigation updated locally for NZ.   Apparently other BMW dealers recommends not doing any software updates on similar cars for this reason. 

 

On checking with “Auto Gravity” (who are local Japanese import vehicle conversion specialists) they informed me this is common on the imported 1 series (and others?) when the software is upgraded by BMW after the NZ Radio/GPS updates.  Apparently the pre 2014 models just lose the maps.  Post 2014 lose everything.  Hopefully I have quoted this correctly. 

 

I have tried rebooting the iDrive system multiple times (holding mode and on/off button for 30s) which does seem to reboot the system but it still comes up with “no signal” on the screen. 

 

I am guessing the iDrive system needs the head unit “reflashed” using a dealer level tool (or some other witchcraft)……….. quoting a guy from the UK on the www.

 

So can anyone please help with getting my iDrive back? 

The radio and navigation is a low priority as I will probably just use my phone for google maps and music etc. 

 

So are any of these possible or could work:

 

1.       Is there anyone in Bimmersport World who can help with this in Auckland (or the North Island)? 

2.       Can anyone recommend either OBDTech or Auto Gravity to help (or anywhere else)?

3.       Are there other ways to access the iDrive system, remotely? I can’t get “My BMW” to work as the car is from Japan also.

4.       Any other clever tricks that might help? 

 

Thanks in advance and sorry if this has all been posted and answered previously. 

 

 

 

[The Bimmer 11]

Maybe I can help.Is your NBT Evo is ID4 or ID5?.No signal is cause by VO Lock or Region Lock.Need to patch with  FI or other similar software.

Edited February 19 by The Bimmer

[Only118d 14]

2 hours ago, The Bimmer said:

Maybe I can help.Is your NBT Evo is ID4 or ID5?.No signal is cause by VO Lock or Region Lock.Need to patch with  FI or other similar software.

Hello “The Bimmer” and thanks for helping.

On checking my vin number on mdecoder.com my 118d build date is 2016-03-23.

This also confirmed I have these features so I think this confirms my car is Japanese spec.

S449       Interior Toll Mirror For Japan (interesting)

S698       Area-Code 2 For DVD (Japan?)

S807       National Version Japan

S852       Language Version Japanese

 

Then checking on Bimmertech.com for “Do I Have CIC, NBT or NBT Evo?”

I should have “NBT EVO ID4” as the car is 1-Series F20/F21 03/2015 – 06/2016.

The picture of ID4 also shown on Bimmertech.com also seems to match my iDrive when I could still see it. 

 

So hopefully that is correct and confirms your question?

 

And if so how or who can help with the relevant software patches as you mentioned?

 

Super big thanks by the way. 

[The Bimmer 11]

9 hours ago, Only118d said:

Hello “The Bimmer” and thanks for helping.

On checking my vin number on mdecoder.com my 118d build date is 2016-03-23.

This also confirmed I have these features so I think this confirms my car is Japanese spec.

S449       Interior Toll Mirror For Japan (interesting)

S698       Area-Code 2 For DVD (Japan?)

S807       National Version Japan

S852       Language Version Japanese

 

Then checking on Bimmertech.com for “Do I Have CIC, NBT or NBT Evo?”

I should have “NBT EVO ID4” as the car is 1-Series F20/F21 03/2015 – 06/2016.

The picture of ID4 also shown on Bimmertech.com also seems to match my iDrive when I could still see it. 

 

So hopefully that is correct and confirms your question?

 

And if so how or who can help with the relevant software patches as you mentioned?

 

Super big thanks by the way. 

Please DM me your Rego or Vin.I will help you verify.Thanks

[Only118d 14]

2 hours ago, The Bimmer said:

Please DM me your Rego or Vin.I will help you verify.Thanks

Done

[Only118d 14]

As an update, The Bimmer is helping me sort this out.  Big Thanks to him.  

It looks like the previous software update by CC-BMW nuked the head unit.