Software issues

[Powerman80]

Short of buying something old or a Caterham, this is the world of the modern car. Get with the plan is all I can say...

I kinda agree with you but feel that VW have gone a bit too far with it, trying to be cleverer than they are!

Previous cars have been BMW - they arent faultless by any means but noway near as problematic as these.... personally, i think their tech is better and it works, say what you see!
Only reason i changed marque this time is because im not a fan of their latest styling decisions..... i didn't realise how much of a step down it would be, my bad :-(

May I ask which BMW you had before?

[fredgroves]

Well, its rather important as they are busy resolving software issues.

It seems:

1) updates for the infotainment is OTA - do that yourself

How do you do it?

Not clear from reading the manual, I would suggest looking in the car settings menu, look at maybe software version? On the Mk7 there is a menu for that, I would expect to find the update button in there.

[fredgroves]

PS from spending some time living on BMW forums while I was trying to decide, the one series has its own array of software issues, most of which I see little evidence of the dealerships understanding or being willing to update the software for free to deal with.

As I said, its not a unique problem to VW, this is what automated connected cars look like.

I've not spent any time looking beyond VW and BMW, I 100% guarantee you will see this elsewhere too though.

Its ultimately not about there being problems, its about the process and the willingness to address the problems.

(my work involves similar issues, albeit not with cars but with machinery that makes cars look like pocket change)

[SRGTD]

PS from spending some time living on BMW forums while I was trying to decide, the one series has its own array of software issues, most of which I see little evidence of the dealerships understanding or being willing to update the software for free to deal with.

As I said, its not a unique problem to VW, this is what automated connected cars look like.

I've not spent any time looking beyond VW and BMW, I 100% guarantee you will see this elsewhere too though.

Its ultimately not about there being problems, its about the process and the willingness to address the problems.

(my work involves similar issues, albeit not with cars but with machinery that makes cars look like pocket change)

There’s a forum member over on seatcupra.net who’s had software issues with a new Leon;

• blank infotainment screen (was an issue with MIB1 infotainment units in some early mk7 Golfs in cold weather. Dealer performed a software update, but in current sub zero temperatures the blank screen has happened again. 
• climate control blowing warm air one side of the cabin and cold in the other side, even though the temperature was set the same for both driver and passenger side. This was fixed by a software update.
• screen demist button on the lights control touchpad not working.

The blank infotainment screen could be a bit of an issue with most of the car’s functions being controlled through the touchscreen. The Leon has pretty much the same set up as the mk8 Golf’s so it’ll be interesting to see if mk8 Golf owners experience the blank screen issue.

[fredgroves]

There are loads of reported issues to be honest, but without a proper change log its going to be hard to tell what is related to what version.

I don't suppose VAG publish their change logs!

Once I get my car I'll start to try and pull one together for forum users - but be aware that other than infotainment, the software upgrade must be done by a dealer.

From the manual, these things are over the air (OTA) upgrades:

The factory-fitted Infotainment system supports the system update function. This allows the following control units to be updated by Volkswagen AG without the need to visit a qualified workshop:

    Central computer in the Infotainment system.

    Control unit of the digital instrument cluster.

    OCU (control unit for Volkswagen We Connect).

When I say OTA, this is either via the built in E-Sim or by whatever internet connection you have setup in your car. Like the Mk7 the Mk8 can use a wifi hotspot to connect - either your phone or other wifi (eg your house when on the drive).

The E-Sim is a 4g (3g?) mobile network connection built into the car, in the UK it uses supposedly Vodafone. If your house has a rubbish mobile signal from Vodafone (or just rubbish completely), connect it to your house wifi to do updates...

[buttons]

May I ask which BMW you had before?

I had a M140 before this.... big power difference i know but its a car for the wife predominantly and she rarely goes over 3krpm anyway!! ha
Had a few 330's, 2 x 335's and ive got an M3 in the garage for playing (E36) so its kinda fair to say I have a preference!! ha

Not a fan at all of the new 1 series, it looks like an old peoples car and it no longer has a 6 cylinder engine.
I let her choose this time - it was between a Mini and a Golf......
 

[Splashalot]

As I said.... digital, everything from here on out is digital.... for better or for worse.

I'm not convinced that's the case, Fred.  I can still buy Golf alternatives with relatively traditional, non-digital interfaces (eg. Mazda 3, Hyunda i30).  And that's almost 100% likely where my money will be going next time.

If sales of non-digital equipped cars increases as a result, and the digital Golf's sales fall, that would send a pretty clear message to manufacturers.....

Will be interesting to see how the Golf's sales figures play out in the short to medium term.

[ar899]

Quite apart from software issues, I'd like to see the risk assessment(s) that justify the replacement of most physical buttons with a touchscreen, the use of which takes the driver's attention away from the road. This is not just a VW issue. I come across risk on an almost daily basis in my job and I'm astounded the way the motor industry is moving in this regard.

[ub7rm]

Digital everything is OK - I mean the HVAC system on the mk7 (heck even going back to the mk4) was digital - it just had a much more intuitive interface.  On the mk7 you can go into the HVAC menu screen and control most elements by touch screen if you want to - but I bet no one does.  As far as HME interface goes, the system of rotating a wheel to increase / decrease temperature or fan speed is by far the easiest. 

I do hope VW take note of the feedback and implement some improvements in the 8.5 or whatever comes next.   

[fredgroves]

I'm not convinced the problems are caused directly by the change of switches for screens and buttons, i think the problem is down to a huge change in the underlying control system. Maybe I'm wrong but that's how I see it at the moment.

I was reading a German forum last night and trying to get my head around what they were saying.

They obviously have had a mk8 golf for much longer than we've been thinking about them.

There seems to have been some hardware changes between week 48 (July 2020) that overcome a lot of the gremlins.

Additionally there is talk of version 1788 really starting to eliminate all of the issues.

They were also saying that the software doesn't seem to get rolled out by vw. You only get the software if you flag a fault and depending on which dealer you might not get the actual bang up latest one.

Ir could just be me trying to read German badly but that was what I understood.