[Noggie]

Since I have the Connected Drive subscription and the 2021-1 map (EU) had beed released, I decided to do the update.
This file is now quite big so the 32GB USB I have used on my previous and other BMW's in the past is too small.
I got a new 64GB USB 3.1 at my local electronics shop formatted it to FAT32.

Downloaded an update file that is VIN locked to my I3s using the BMW download manager, put it on the USB stick and plugged it in the car.

At 20-21% it failed, says that the file is "corrupted" in lack of a better word as my iDrive is in Norwegian.

Re-format the UBS, this time to ExFAT.
Download the VIN locked file again......... plug it in the car, update starts and fails again around the 20% mark.

Left the car for an hour or so, then went for a small drive, Navi system is not working, it just keeps prompting for a USB to continue updating, VERY annoying as when cleared, it pops up again after 5 seconds.
Essentially rendering the whole screen useless, just getting CarPlay to work was an ordeal.

When I got home I went through it all again, downloaded new file and tried again, but its the same, gets to 20% and says the file is corrupt.

I guess a trip to the dealer is next, car is just 6 months old so still under warranty.

Not sure if its the USB 3.1 that made a mess or if the Navi unit just had a bad day and decided to quit on me.

If no-one has any pointers, I'll update after I have been to the dealer.

[Coastali8]

It sounds like your doing everything correctly.
Probably a trip to the dealership is necessary.

[Noggie]

Originally Posted by Coastali8

It sounds like your doing everything correctly.
Probably a trip to the dealership is necessary.

Yeah, its the way I have done it for years on my other BMW's.

Only difference this time is that the 32GB USB stick was too small, the new file was around 33GB, so I'm using a different USB stick.

I'll see what the dealer say.

[ovesund]

I wouldn't be surprised if you had gotten a bad USB stick. Try to do a more thorough format of it before trying again.

[Noggie]

Originally Posted by ovesund

I wouldn't be surprised if you had gotten a bad USB stick. Try to do a more thorough format of it before trying again.

Thats what the BMW tech told me over the phone as well.

I did a 7 time overwriting and FAT32 formatting today on my MacBook.
Also ran a disc health check that came out with no errors, both before and after the formatting.

New download (thank god I have a 500mbps internet connection), this time it did not even make it to 10% before it failed

I'll buy a new USB stick on Friday, it Ascension day tomorrow so everything is closed.

If that doesn't work I guess its a dealer appointment next.

[ovekvam]

Buy a different brand of USB stick, then. Sometimes there are incompatibilities between chipset types.

[Noggie]

Originally Posted by ovekvam

Buy a different brand of USB stick, then. Sometimes there are incompatibilities between chipset types.

I was thinking that as well.

The trusty old 32GB was a Sandisk, the new 64GB is by PNY.
I'll get a Sandisk tomorrow.

[Noggie]

All fixed !!

I bought a 64GB Sandisk USB 3.0.
Downloaded the file again and had it installed on the USB.

This time the car accepted the USB/file, and the Navi is functional and I have the 2021-1 map installed.

I guess lesson learned is to stay with a memory stick brand that is known to work.

[Rewes]

I know this is an old thread but just wanted to confirm that USB sticks by PNY don’t seem to work. I had similar problems with two new 64GB PNY sticks. Bought one by Sandisk and that worked without any problems.

[edojac]

Yep I can confirm as well - had this problem for years.
But if using Sandisk USB drive 64 GB USB 3.0 then the update works.

I wish I knew this before.

[Hhibird]

I bought a used 2020 230i convertible a year or so ago and am enjoying it. I just realized how out of date the maps were and confirmed it still had the original 2019 maps. I confirmed that the car is supposed to get OTA map updates through next year but that obviously isn’t happening.

After MANY calls with bmw I’ve been told that:
1. If the baseline map isn’t continuously updates subsequent updates are too large and no OTA updates are performed.
2. BMW will not provide a new baseline map so that OTA updates can resume.
3. The only way to get the baseline map is to go to the local dealer who wants $365 to load the map.
4. Suggested going to software updates on bmw.com site but that goes nowhere.

I find this frustrating since their system was supposed to automatically do OTA map updates for 5 years at no cost. I feel like they should provide a new baseline map free of (or at minimal) charge. BMW has, at numerous levels, shown no interest in working out a solution for me. So I’m stuck with old maps, $365 at dealer, or 3rd party map purchase.

I’d love to hear back from forum members what their experience has been, whether I’m just out of line with my expectations, or suggested solutions.