2024 BMW iDrive 8.5 improvements 

Got it! Thanks! Hahaha. Saw that the other day. I love learning from my viewers 😂

Agreed!

Yeah it’s model dependant. It’s getting stupidly confusing these days but basically…. OS9 is running on Android, supposedly with a number of benefits in both functionality and bugs. This is currently only in certain markets in the X1. OS8.5 is an upgraded form of 8, but which has been made to look like OS9. Basically it’s still the Linux based OS8 underneath, but with the UX updates and beefier hardware. But to add to the confusion… there are two different types of 8.5 (and there were two different types of 8!). These are roughly split into “models that still have buttons” and “models that don’t have any buttons over the essentials”. So the 3, 4, X5 etc. are still button models. They have, for example, Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport buttons… and therefore they ONLY have those modes! Other differences include still having separate buttons on the wheel for Limiter, Cruise, Distance setting etc. iX, X1, 7 etc. are buttonless models. They have just the “My Modes” button, and therefore have the my modes feature. Again these are easily identified as having really reduced steering wheel buttons (so on/off and Mode are the only cruise / limit buttons available). Hope that helps… I’m just about to change from a buttonless OS8 X1 to a buttony i4… I like the extra buttons but super weird I’m going to lose some features on the “better” OS!

@@benmarshall4202 Yeah, and some cars, like the 24 440s can't be upgraded to 8.5. They were shipped without the necessary hardware, and it can't be upgraded. BMW has been diddling with idrive for at least 10-12 years and they still don't understand how to but a user friendly gui in place!

I found it confusing. One has to press a whole bunch of widgets until you get to your desired screen

I know there are few models already in 8.5. Seems like the higher end more luxurious models. The true Sportscar driver's cars are next. I love my iDrive 7, but "none car people" seem to prefer iDrive8 and iDrive 8.5

@@theautointuitive3172 BMW's rollout of idrive is odd and it's something they have kept close to the vest. The main issues, as I see it, is the 440 I own, doesn't have the same upgrade capability of an x1 and that is because the 440s don't have a certain piece of hardware, there's a name for the hardware, but I can't reall what it s. That wasn't something that BMW publicized. Without that hardware/chip, Idrive can't be upgraded to 8.5 or whatever else might be coming along. Drivers may not like idrive "X", but it would be nice if a $72k car had the same capability as that of a 50k car. BMWs Idrive system must be maintenance nightmare for themselves. I don't know how many differnt versions of idrive there is on a given model year, I think BMW has acknowledged that and after 15 or more years of fiddling with the idrive system, they're funally trying to make the idrive system upgradeable. IE 8 i to 8.5 or whatever. Idrive9 is already out. Personally, I'd like the abiliy to review idrive chances and decide if I want them or not as opposed to buying a new car to get a new idrive system. If one buys a BMW for the "pure" driving experence the electronics are probably not a major concern. I'm in my car alot and if there are changes that might make my like easier while driving, I'd like to be able to take advantage of both