[XutvJet]

I saw this on the M3/M4 forum. Apparently the latest DME software on the S55 M2/M3/M4 cars is locking the capability of BM3 to flash tune. Anyone else hear of this? It appears that BMW is on to how the flash tuners are getting their way into the DME code, at least on the S55. I would only assume the protocol is the same for the N55.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1593312

[Poochie]

It's true, all March 2019 build or any software update thereafter; BMW patched the software to prevent flash tuning. This applies to all BMWs.

However, I heard recently a tune retailer cracked the new firewall. Don't know how true that is.

Don't Update Your Software At The Dealer https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1596317

[amw896]

heard this too but what's the point of updating software if you're tuned anyway?

[Joe240]

Originally Posted by amw896

heard this too but what's the point of updating software if you're tuned anyway?

Dealers will sometimes do it because it’s free and the vehicle is in for service such as an oil change. They did a software update on my m240i at the 10k oil change without me asking about it.

[mike@x-ph.com]

They have been trying different methods for a long time, its only a matter of time before the tuners catch up

[trilax59]

Is there anyway I can tell if my dealer updated my software? I just had an oil change in middle of March.

[RoundelM3]

If they update your software, it will be noted on the work order that you signed.

[Liandri]

For M235i owners as it relates to i-step update and BM3 flashing-

I bought a 2016 m235i a couple months ago. I currently have i-step version F020-16-03-504 (March 2016)

From reading every thread I could find, only some brand new M cars are affected. However, under the ISTA software chart, the F2x, F3x, F80, F82, F83, F87 all take the same F020 software. The M cars that are affected have F020-19-03-5xx versions. Therefore we can deduce if you have your 2014-2016 M235i i-step updated at the dealer today you could end up not being able to flash tune BM3

I have read other flash tuners have gotten around this new round of anti-tuning protection from BMW. PTF/Bootmod3 were working on it months ago but I didn't find any concrete posts about them confirming its worked around yet. I'm going to hold off on bringing it in to the dealer for i-step update until PTF confirms they cracked it as I've decided on them for tuning

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Praetor353

For M235i owners as it relates to i-step update and BM3 flashing-

I bought a 2016 m235i a couple months ago. I currently have i-step version F020-16-03-504 (March 2016)

From reading every thread I could find, only some brand new M cars are affected. However, under the ISTA software chart, the F2x, F3x, F80, F82, F83, F87 all take the same F020 software. The M cars that are affected have F020-19-03-5xx versions. Therefore we can deduce if you have your 2014-2016 M235i i-step updated at the dealer today you could end up not being able to flash tune BM3

I have read other flash tuners have gotten around this new round of anti-tuning protection from BMW. PTF/Bootmod3 were working on it months ago but I didn't find any concrete posts about them confirming its worked around yet. I'm going to hold off on bringing it in to the dealer for i-step update until PTF confirms they cracked it as I've decided on them for tuning

Yep, I've heard similar things. I too have i-step version F020-16-03-504 (March 2016). My M235 was reflashed to this because I had CEL issues with winter fuel back in the late 2016. No issues since.

I really thought I was going to do a flash tune (BM3 or MHD). After seeing all the driveability/boost/fueling issues people are having with Stage 2 flashes, especially BM3, and the constant revisions to the tunes plus the fact that there's a chance that BMW latest flash could lock you out of flash tuning, I went old school and bought a used Dinan Stage II piggyback and will wait to see how this all turns out regarding flash tuning.

I have no desire to change burbles, boost per gear, cold start changes, etc. plus the flash tuning process isn't overly user friendly. I'm currently running the Stage 2 in Stage 1 mode until I can install my FTP charge pipe. The Stage 1 tune teamed with my HJS Euro 6 catted downpipe and 93 octane is quite potent (for me), even in 80+ degree humid weather. The car is making more power than a stock M2 N55. I can't wait to see how my M235 drives in 60 and below degree weather. The power is really smooth and very linear. I had a Dinan Sport and it would deliver a wallop of power in the low/midrange and feel weaker up top. This setup so much tractable and light years more smooth than the Sport. It doesn't overload the tires with a huge surge of instant torque. The power is most noticeable above 3,500rpms and comes on strongly between 4,500rpms to 6,500rpms. Right where I prefer it. I've riden in cars with JB4s and the power delivery appears to focus way more on power vs smoothness and tractability. Perhaps since the Dinantronics unit is reading/modifying more sensors than the JB4 and likely has more robust/intuitive programming in the piggyback ECU, the Dinantronics setup can deliver smooth power, perhaps close to that of flash tuning.

[c-m]

They’ve also stepped up their game so much that it automatically sends information to BMW when you take it to a dealer. They’ll know if it’s flashed regardless.

[RMNB]

My tech had no problem unlocking the DME and downloading yesterday stage 1. Everything went smooth and no CEL's so far.

[Liandri]

Update- I decided to play guinea pig, even though I was pretty sure of the outcome. I'm not tuning until mid-late next year, and warranty will run out by the time the car comes out of winter storage so I decided to try and get the newest FW I could before putting it away.

I brought the car to the local BMW dealership to ask them to do an i-level update as well as look a seatbelt issue for warranty. I have a 2016 w/20k mi, so it's still under factory coverage. They gave me the same answer I've seen in other threads: neither they or the manufacturer recommend doing an i-level update for no reason because of risk. The cost is around $200 (2hr) depending on labor rate, and BMW will only recommend/cover it under warranty if there is a problem that requires a module to be reflashed. Luckily, I happened to have experienced the HK-amp-cutting-bass problem (TSB B651016) about 4 times since buying the car, and the SA came back after a while and it turns out they would have to do an i-step update to reflash the amp

4 hours later, picked up the car and drove it home. Exported profile, checked new i-step: F020-19-07-539 (July 2019). Unfortunately there is no detail on the work order so I don't know specifically what modules were flashed, and I can't comment on if it drives any different because learned adaptations for any modules that were flashed as well as fuel trims etc would have been reset. After a week or so I should have a decent idea if it drives any different. My iDrive profiles were wiped and bimmercode settings reverted so I can surmise that the FEM, headunit, cluster, and SRS at least were flashed.

So I wont be doing any flash tuning this year, which is fine, and it will give PTF and the rest of the tuning community time to re-crack this new round of encryption and or shed more light on it. I'll edit back in a week or so with whether or not I noticed difference anywhere, from features/functionality to drivability for those interested -edit after more than a week: no difference at all, for sure. Car drives exactly the same after full learning.

Summary - 2016 M235i went from F020-16-03-504 to new F020-19-07-539, previously confirmed anything from F020-19-03-5xx and up having the new round of BMW tuner protection