[Exwoodchuck]

4/10/12 Edit!

BMW states that it does NOT need to be coded in post 03/09 cars. If you don't code it, the sound EQ is still horribly compressed, the subs are overdriven, and the gong's are WAY too loud (even at min volume).

If you do code it with ISTA/P (or NCSExpert), the gongs/BT voice/PDC/Nav instructions will be WAY too quiet... but the fix is rather simple!

Don't follow the instructions, and especially don't follow the labels on the Crossover... just plug in like-for-like colors on the crossover. They are labeled wrong- so plug your tweeter into the yellow wire out of the crossover, and your mid to the blue wire, matching up the factory wiring colors.

With this, your BT/gong/PDC volumes will be correct!

[Technic]

Originally Posted by Exwoodchuck

I'm looking at getting the European Alpine Retrofit kit for my Base Audio-equipped '10 E90. The PN on the kit is 65412163268 and as per the instructions, it says that the car needs to be recoded.

Here's the txt in question-
...Encode/Program retrofit with ISSS via the path -Conversion-
...Perform quick test
...Perform function test

From what I've read, its coding the radio from Base to Hi-fi, which would get rid of the EQ settings.

My questions are--
1) Since this is a European kit, would a US dealer balk at recoding it per the instructions? My Indy has the full ISSS setup if it came to that. But can this coding even be accomplished on a US car?

2) Is it possible to code it via NCSExpert? If so, how? I'm familiar with NCSExpert having used it on my E38.

Any help would be appreciated!!

Just code the OEM HU to output HiFi using NCS Expert.

[Exwoodchuck]

Since I've got SA609, I assume that I need to set it to Hifi in the CIC module?

Just tried my cable that worked great on my E38-- it's not loving the E90 ... ugh. INPA doesn't see the Ignition.

Time for a new cable I guess.

[Elliott@DetailAddict]

You need PIN 8. Just get the adapter.

[Exwoodchuck]

Any idea where I can find said adapter? My cable is a serial cable.

What's strange is that it sees battery and ignition in my v3.xx INPA but the v5.xx doesn't see ignition.

[token419]

i think pin 7 and 8 are swapped, i could be wrong though. ill try to dig up a thread i found with the info.

* EDIT *
Found this article detailing the building of a cable:
http://www.new-sweden.com/forum/showthread.php?t=959

It appears pin 7/8 are bridged.

I have mine on order still for my 06 325xi so i haven't got to test yet

[Exwoodchuck]

I've got the latest VAGCOM cable, but I can't modify it-- still need it to keep the Other Half's Audi A3 going!

[montr]

Originally Posted by Exwoodchuck

I've got the latest VAGCOM cable, but I can't modify it-- still need it to keep the Other Half's Audi A3 going!

Let us know if you have success recoding the radio. I would like to do the same.
Thanks

[PrMaX]

Originally Posted by Exwoodchuck

My questions are--

2) Is it possible to code it via NCSExpert? If so, how? I'm familiar with NCSExpert having used it on my E38.

Any help would be appreciated!!

You can code it via NCSExpert. You just need to add +SZMFA to your VO key.
Coding your system to hi-fi is not recomended becouse you will lose your rear speakers.

+SZMFA means Alpine Retrofit kit

Greetings

[montr]

Originally Posted by PrMaX

You can code it via NCSExpert. You just need to add +SZMFA to your VO key.
Coding your system to hi-fi is not recomended becouse you will lose your rear speakers.

+SZMFA means Alpine Retrofit kit

Greetings

Great info. I was looking for this for a long time and no success.
Thanks

[Imperator]

Originally Posted by PrMaX

You can code it via NCSExpert. You just need to add +SZMFA to your VO key.
Coding your system to hi-fi is not recomended becouse you will lose your rear speakers.

+SZMFA means Alpine Retrofit kit

Greetings

Thanks! Do you know what the VO change accomplishes or modifies?

[montr]

Originally Posted by Imperator

Thanks! Do you know what the VO change accomplishes or modifies?

I am not the one that posted this answer but I hope to find out myself soon. I did order the cable last Monday and I have NCSExpert. When I receive the cable and after figuring out how to change the VO, I will take a new set of frequency response for the front and rear speaker. I already have the Alpine retrofit installed and I did extensive measurements of levels and frequency responses of the current system.

[Imperator]

I recall your first sets of measurements when you installed the kit. I assume the coding change *SHOULD* apply some EQ normalization but I haven't been able to successfully apply the VO addition yet.

Edit: apparently +SZMFA is not a valid option to the E89 VO list so forget about it.

[montr]

Originally Posted by Imperator

I recall your first sets of measurements when you installed the kit. I assume the coding change *SHOULD* apply some EQ normalization but I haven't been able to successfully apply the VO addition yet.

Edit: apparently +SZMFA is not a valid option to the E89 VO list so forget about it.

I am still hoping that +SZMFA is the magic bullet. If that does not work, I am back to square one! I will continue keep my ears and eye open for a solution to disable the EQ in the HU. According the Alpine kit instructions, there is a recoding for the Alpine kit. I have read that the BMW dealers in NA do not know how to code this option. If +SZFMA does not work today, I hope that one day I will find a solution.

[Exwoodchuck]

I've found out that US BMW dealers *should* be able to code this retrofit, but you'd have to bring the instructions for the retrofit to them, as this kit is very 'new' to them.

btw- the 268 kit is out of stock globally right now.

[montr]

Originally Posted by Exwoodchuck

I've found out that US BMW dealers *should* be able to code this retrofit, but you'd have to bring the instructions for the retrofit to them, as this kit is very 'new' to them.

btw- the 268 kit is out of stock globally right now.

Any idea how much the dealer charge for this?

[Exwoodchuck]

Originally Posted by montr

Any idea how much the dealer charge for this?

This is what I got from my Indy who uses the same programming tools a dealer uses-
"You're probably going to be in the two to three hour window, as long as things go well"

So depending on the hourly rate, you're looking at $200-??? to get this done.

[wibble69]

Got these fitting instructions from the BMW dealer which says that no recoding is needed. I recoding was needed on a post 3/09 car (mines 2011)?

[Exwoodchuck]

Good timing on this one -- I just had my car (10/09 build) coded for the Alpine upgrade today. I would say that it sounds *very* different now that it's coded-- and the gong is now correct once again.

I see that the date on those instructions are 7/11 -- my 3/10 instructions for the same kit DO say it requires coding - and my car certainly did. My CIC was replaced a few weeks ago (due to failure), so it had the most current SW on it.

Its pretty clear to my old ears that the coding removed the equalization on the HU and it seems to have made the bass a lot less 'muddy'. It now sounds 99% of the H-K system. And it only cost me $150 to get it coded.

[Imperator]

Chuck, I'm also in TX and with a 12/09 build car. I'd like to see a copy of your work order, if a dealership performed the coding. Would you mind sending a PM with a scan of the work order or copy me on the exact coding work they performed?

[Exwoodchuck]

Originally Posted by Imperator

Chuck, I'm also in TX and with a 12/09 build car. I'd like to see a copy of your work order, if a dealership performed the coding. Would you mind sending a PM with a scan of the work order or copy me on the exact coding work they performed?

I had it done at an Indy that had BMW-spec equipment-- they used ISTA/P to encode it. My WO reads- "Encode and Program for Hi-Fi Alpine conversion. Programmed vehicle for Hi-Fi Alpine stereo conversion."

[taibanl]

did you measure the results of the conversion? (i.e. HU signal)?