[Mart1000]

I'm gonna have to ask a noob question here.

Seem plenty of people talk of software upgrades on their cars especially when faults appear.

These upgrades, how do they work? Are they like an ecu upgrade designed to target specific areas like gearbox etc or a totally re-written management system? Is it cruelly worth taking a car into BMW or an Indy and getting the latest upgrade? As far as I know mine has never had an upgrade and I'm wondering if it's worth doing although I've got no faults (touch wood) with the car?

Can someone shed light on the upgrades and what they actually do please? (mines a 06 330d m/s)

Mart

[Mart1000]

^above should read 'actually' rather than cruelly! Friggin iPhone/sausage fingers...

[NotNormal]

I've just had a software update done on my car, I wanted to refresh everything.
My car was running n the original 2007 software.

My gearbox had exceeded the maximum adaption values when changing from 2nd to 3rd in DS and jerked/snatched into gear.
The software update as well as curing this, has given a different feel to it. The econ has improved, as has the way it drives and the ay power is delivered.
They've obviously improved the standard maps to the car, little tweaks and touches here and there.
The coding has been changed too, the idrive system is a fraction quicker in some processes
And they've added a couple of different screens that appear when you press certain buttons ect....

As it was my choice to pay for he software update, I'm really pleased with the end result
It's nice to know everything is upto date too


The way I looked at it was, there will have been allot of research and development happening in the 4+ years since my car was produced.....In theory it can only be a positive for my car....

....and it was

[rovers_andy]

Originally Posted by NotNormal

I've just had a software update done on my car, I wanted to refresh everything.
My car was running n the original 2007 software.

My gearbox had exceeded the maximum adaption values when changing from 2nd to 3rd in DS and jerked/snatched into gear.
The software update as well as curing this, has given a different feel to it. The econ has improved, as has the way it drives and the ay power is delivered.
They've obviously improved the standard maps to the car, little tweaks and touches here and there.
The coding has been changed too, the idrive system is a fraction quicker in some processes
And they've added a couple of different screens that appear when you press certain buttons ect....

As it was my choice to pay for he software update, I'm really pleased with the end result
It's nice to know everything is upto date too


The way I looked at it was, there will have been allot of research and development happening in the 4+ years since my car was produced.....In theory it can only be a positive for my car....

....and it was

How much did it cost you for the upgrade?

I'm having the exact same symptoms changing from 2nd to 3rd in DS Mode

[Mr Singh]

Yeh interested in getting this done, no doubt I will loose my remap but I'm sure Evolve will sort that out..

[Frobius]

Originally Posted by rovers_andy

How much did it cost you for the upgrade?

I'm having the exact same symptoms changing from 2nd to 3rd in DS Mode

This. Pain in the arse!

What's this about max adaptation values?

[makkan00]

You get max benefit out of it if
-your car is Automatic
-you car has idrive

You get slight improvements. I think you do not have to go to main dealer, and BMW specialist should be able to do that for you.

I thought about the same mart, and did some home work to find out, if I can learn it.

Got the files, but nobody helps how to use software and I dont want to mess with it.

[Mart1000]

Cool, ill enquire at my local Indy about price. Mines auto with I drive. Nothing wrong with it but as said I'm sure after a few extra years r&d it will only be a good thing.

[NotNormal]

Originally Posted by rovers_andy

How much did it cost you for the upgrade?

I'm having the exact same symptoms changing from 2nd to 3rd in DS Mode

It cost me about £70 + vat roughly

Originally Posted by Mr Singh

Yeh interested in getting this done, no doubt I will loose my remap but I'm sure Evolve will sort that out..

as far as I know, evolve will flash the map back on to your car so long as you have the original receipt

Originally Posted by Frobius

This. Pain in the arse!

What's this about max adaptation values?

Adapoion values are the peramiters that are measure as we have what's called "semi-learning" gearboxes / ecu's .... Occasionally, the measurements exceed the allowed amount that the ecu can measure. Once it's gone past this the ecu cannot compute and then carries on the best it can.

You should be able to get it reset ..... But I wanted a full update as it was, in my opinion, needed due to the cars age.

Originally Posted by makkan00

You get max benefit out of it if
-your car is Automatic
-you car has idrive

You get slight improvements. I think you do not have to go to main dealer, and BMW specialist should be able to do that for you.

I thought about the same mart, and did some home work to find out, if I can learn it.

Got the files, but nobody helps how to use software and I dont want to mess with it.

Well, sort of, the more equipment your car has come out of the factory with the better the benefit

What ever level of spec of your car, if your running effectively "out of date" software and your car has an issue, en your going to benefit.

In theory though, you are going to benefit no matter what, as they are constantly improving the "behind the scenes" programming too !


There is always two options, genuine BMW dealer
Software update ( my preference for this kind of work ) and independent software update.
Using a competent independent is ok, as autologic is supposed to be the same as genuine BMW software, but tbh, I think there is still going to be some difference between the two ..... Hence my choice for genuine BMW ...... Might be just my paranoia but I'm happier doing it this way

[Mr Singh]

Dealer charged £70+ Vat right?

Doesn't seem too bad. How long did they have your car?

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by Mart1000

Cool, ill enquire at my local Indy about price. Mines auto with I drive. Nothing wrong with it but as said I'm sure after a few extra years r&d it will only be a good thing.

If it is auto, you will love the update. Car will become smoother and better.
Very slight difference in mpg too.

[NotNormal]

Originally Posted by Mr Singh

Dealer charged £70+ Vat right?

Doesn't seem too bad. How long did they have your car?

Correct, and I left them the car from about 10am to about 4:30pm as I had an oil service too and the longer your cars software is out of date the longer the update takes

Tbh, I wasn't bothered how long they had it, I get a loan car for the duration so I can still work

[NotNormal]

Originally Posted by makkan00

If it is auto, you will love the update. Car will become smoother and better.
Very slight difference in mpg too.

On my trip to the dealer, in morning traffic I averaged 50.4 mpg, the same trip in reverse in similar traffic conditions I returned 55 mpg
I know this is on from the OBC, but tbh, mine only reads aprox 2 or 3 mpg over what I'm actually getting per tank

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by NotNormal

There is always two options, genuine BMW dealer
Software update ( my preference for this kind of work ) and independent software update.
Using a competent independent is ok, as autologic is supposed to be the same as genuine BMW software, but tbh, I think there is still going to be some difference between the two ..... Hence my choice for genuine BMW ...... Might be just my paranoia but I'm happier doing it this way

Autologic has a contract with BMW and has access to whatever update you get from BMW.
There is no difference b/w files whether you get those from BMW or local garage having autologic, except peace of mind.
Also £70+VAT is not bad price. I guess you did it, when you are was in for something else.

Latest files are V46 for E90 and my friend (works for BMW in germany) informed me, I will not get any significant benefit as mine is manual. He said ECU mapping may help, but difference is insignificant according to him.

Also, as I am having no issues with the car, so will keep it in my 'To Do' list.


It has been set previously many times that all car manufacturers should provide softwares update free of charge when your car goes for service.

It is like softwares for our phones and other applicants, where updated softwares are better.

However in car industry, nothing is free....so all dealers charge for it, unless if you are under warranty and dealer does not want to carry out work and at that stage they use that trick 'we'll update your software FOC and that should help'.

[nicktyler]

I just had my software updated by Prestige Veichle Repairs in Essex. Best service I've ever had at any garage and it has made the car seem smoother, especially at idle and the wastegate rattle is not as bad. Definitly worth doing. Give them a call Makkan they are litterally a stones throw from you!

I did loose my map but Evolve are going to sort me out with a re-tune.

[mistryn]

Hmmm all this of a software update is making me think. I am one of those belivers in that if it aint broke dont fix it but I am having minor issues with my gearbox in that its not as smooth as it once was.

Am I right in thinking if I was to go down the dealer route that I would ring up and ask for a price on software update or is there anything specific re software I have to ask for?

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by nicktyler

I just had my software updated by Prestige Veichle Repairs in Essex. Best service I've ever had at any garage and it has made the car seem smoother, especially at idle and the wastegate rattle is not as bad. Definitly worth doing. Give them a call Makkan they are litterally a stones throw from you!

I did loose my map but Evolve are going to sort me out with a re-tune.

Thanks Nick. You seems very happy with their service. Will give them a call soon.

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by mistryn

Hmmm all this of a software update is making me think. I am one of those belivers in that if it aint broke dont fix it but I am having minor issues with my gearbox in that its not as smooth as it once was.

Am I right in thinking if I was to go down the dealer route that I would ring up and ask for a price on software update or is there anything specific re software I have to ask for?

They always tell you, they will require to inspect your car to see which of those modules need update.

Best bet would be to ask for worst scenario, where they have to update all the modules. You will get some idea and then take the car to them and take the approach 'update only if needed'.

Also worth of giving your local a shout.

[NotNormal]

Originally Posted by mistryn

Hmmm all this of a software update is making me think. I am one of those belivers in that if it aint broke dont fix it but I am having minor issues with my gearbox in that its not as smooth as it once was.

Am I right in thinking if I was to go down the dealer route that I would ring up and ask for a price on software update or is there anything specific re software I have to ask for?

Nothing's specific, I just asked for a complete software update

The head tech did come out, he was curious as to why I wanted this doing, I told him I'm taking a punt on have the software updated as my gear transission issue I mentioned earlier was apparent and my idrive stalled twice recently.
So I said I'd rather pay for the software update than a gearbox
He agreed and the carried out with the work

Circa 5000 miles since the update......all is good !!

[makkan00]

Originally Posted by NotNormal

The head tech did come out, he was curious as to why I wanted this doing,

That is what they always ask. WHY DO YOU WANT TO DO IT?

I asked BMW to quote me complete coolant change.
I was asked, why I wante it done.....
And I was told it would cost £420 including VAT.

[BanziBarn]

So these updates do Idrive, but also the car's Engine mapping too? These are two different things I take it?

Do these updates bring with them 7 digit post code searching?

On cars with the new encrypted ECUs is there anything different that needs to be done or does the dealer simply update as normal?

[NotNormal]

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

So these updates do Idrive, but also the car's Engine mapping too? These are two different things I take it?

Do these updates bring with them 7 digit post code searching?

On cars with the new encrypted ECUs is there anything different that needs to be done or does the dealer simply update as normal?

They do every ecu on the car I believe, unless there is no change in the data ?!?!

Sadly no, they do not carry the 7 digit postcode, I hoped, but no, annoyingly enough

The dealer simply updates as per normal