BMW iX Hands-Free Calling Issues: Microphone Problems

Hey there! I have some experience with EVs and had a similar issue with my 2021 BMW i4. The infotainment system went haywire, including the calling system and microphone. It was super frustrating! I took it to my workshop and they found that the main infotainment control unit was defective. Initially thought it was just the mic, but turned out to be a bigger problem. The repair wasn't cheap, set me back 815 Euro for the whole fix, including programming the new unit. Before you head to the workshop, could you share if you've had any other electrical glitches? Like issues with the screen or navigation? Also, what's the error code you're getting? This would help compare if it's the same problem I had. The i4 and iX share similar systems, so might be able to give more specific advice. BTW, have you tried doing a system reset? That's always a good first step, though it didn't work in my case.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Similar to what you faced, I'm having issues with my iX which just hit 35545 KM. Had my latest service about two weeks ago, and everything was working perfectly until yesterday. I've actually tried the system reset already, held down the power button for about 30 seconds, but no luck. The error code I'm getting is B7F8900, and yeah, I've noticed the navigation system acting up a bit too, sometimes takes longer to load than usual. No other electrical issues though. Really hoping it's not the entire control unit that needs replacing. Might take it to the workshop this week if I can't figure it out. Did they offer you any warranty coverage for the repair?

Hey again! Yeah, that B7F8900 error code sounds really familiar, it's exactly what I had on my i4 before the whole control unit drama. After seeing your symptoms, especially the nav system being slow, I'm pretty convinced it's the same issue I faced. In my case, they initially tried just replacing the microphone (waste of time, honestly), but the problem persisted. The control unit replacement ended up being the only fix that worked. About the warranty, I was lucky because my i4 was still under the basic warranty period, so I didn't actually have to pay that 815 Euro I mentioned. Since your iX is a 2023 model, you should definitely be covered! Just make sure to document everything, when the problem started, what you've tried, etc. The workshop might try the microphone replacement first (they seem to always do that), but stand your ground if the issue continues. Quick tip though, before you go in, try clearing your navigation cache and removing any paired phones. Didn't work for me, but hey, worth a shot before dealing with the workshop hassle. Let me know how it goes, curious if they find the same issue with your iX as they did with my i4.

Thanks for the detailed info and tips! You know what, I just went ahead and tried clearing the nav cache and unpaired all my phones like you suggested, still no luck. The error code's definitely pointing to what you experienced, and it's actually a relief to know I'm not the only one who's dealt with this. I checked my warranty paperwork, and you're right, I should be fully covered since the car's only a few months old. I've gone ahead and booked an appointment for next week. Really appreciate the heads up about them potentially trying just the mic replacement first, I'll make sure to mention your case with the i4 and the control unit issue. Will definitely document everything and keep all the error codes handy. It's super helpful knowing what you went through with your car, at least now I know what to expect and won't have to waste time with temporary fixes. I'll keep you posted on what they find. Thanks again for all the help!