[asarkisian]

Up to now, the general consensus has been that the 2 series won't be getting iDrive 8.5 because it has a MGU21 headunit and iDrive 8.5 requires MGU22. I checked my headunit version under Settings->Regulatory Info and confirmed I do indeed have MGU21.

Now that 2025 models are out, I went to a dealer to check the MGU and was surprised to see that even the newly arrived model listed MGU21 as the installed headunit.

I have a 2024 230i with a production date of August 2023 that lists iDrive 8.0 version 07/2024.30. However, when I search for upgrades, it states there are no updates. The new 2025 230i at the dealership listed iDrive 8.5 version 07/2024.55.

So what is the official word of iDrive 8.5 making it to older model years? BMW seems to be really promoting 8.5 as a big feature upgrade for the new 2 series thus I'm not sure if the holdout for older years is more of a marketing tactic or they simply aren't comfortable rolling it out yet to a wider audience?

Anyone have any additional details?

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by asarkisian

Up to now, the general consensus has been that the 2 series won't be getting iDrive 8.5 because it has a MGU21 headunit and iDrive 8.5 requires MGU22. I checked my headunit version under Settings->Regulatory Info and confirmed I do indeed have MGU21.

Now that 2025 models are out, I went to a dealer to check the MGU and was surprised to see that even the newly arrived model listed MGU21 as the installed headunit.

I have a 2024 230i with a production date of August 2023 that lists iDrive 8.0 version 07/2024.30. However, when I search for upgrades, it states there are no updates. The new 2025 230i at the dealership listed iDrive 8.5 version 07/2024.55.

So what is the official word of iDrive 8.5 making it to older model years? BMW seems to be really promoting 8.5 as a big feature upgrade for the new 2 series thus I'm not sure if the holdout for older years is more of a marketing tactic or they simply aren't comfortable rolling it out yet to a wider audience?

Anyone have any additional details?

The iD8 cannot be updated to the iD8.5, if that is what you are asking.

[AdonisP91]

Originally Posted by asarkisian

Up to now, the general consensus has been that the 2 series won't be getting iDrive 8.5 because it has a MGU21 headunit and iDrive 8.5 requires MGU22. I checked my headunit version under Settings->Regulatory Info and confirmed I do indeed have MGU21.

Now that 2025 models are out, I went to a dealer to check the MGU and was surprised to see that even the newly arrived model listed MGU21 as the installed headunit.

I have a 2024 230i with a production date of August 2023 that lists iDrive 8.0 version 07/2024.30. However, when I search for upgrades, it states there are no updates. The new 2025 230i at the dealership listed iDrive 8.5 version 07/2024.55.

So what is the official word of iDrive 8.5 making it to older model years? BMW seems to be really promoting 8.5 as a big feature upgrade for the new 2 series thus I'm not sure if the holdout for older years is more of a marketing tactic or they simply aren't comfortable rolling it out yet to a wider audience?

Anyone have any additional details?

According to this source:https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/canad...pe?language=en

2025 series 230 and 240 will come with idrive 8.5. I wish it would come with idrive 8. Yes 8.5 might have some nice features, but idrive 8 allows for custom coding and 8.5 is locked down pretty tight limiting what one can do in BimmerCode or BimmerUtility.

[Bumpinjeep]

Other than having like a home screen button on the bottom of the screen instead of the side, what exactly is the difference between the two iDrives?

[J-RO]

Originally Posted by Bumpinjeep

Other than having like a home screen button on the bottom of the screen instead of the side, what exactly is the difference between the two iDrives?

To me the climate control system is better on idrive 8.5

[asarkisian]

Yes! Honestly, better climate control is all I'm looking for. I hope they figure out a way to incorporate that even with iDrive 8. I don't know why it wouldn't be possible because that's really the only feature that is noticeably different.

[jakek66]

Originally Posted by asarkisian

Yes! Honestly, better climate control is all I'm looking for. I hope they figure out a way to incorporate that even with iDrive 8. I don't know why it wouldn't be possible because that's really the only feature that is noticeably different.

I've spoken to BMW about it and it doesn't sound like it will ever happen. I just wanted a heated seat control to show on the main screen all the time. I've got another car with 8.5 and it's so much better implemented, but 8.5 has a lot more changes in the background, I guess it's hard to just get some features ported over.