Is there a lag fix software for MSD81 ECU's too?

Lotus99 · 03-09-2009, 12:35 AM

This is probably a totally easy question for those who know... but I've understood so far that for those with MSD80 and 29.2 s/w, which made it laggy, the fix came thru when they got upgraded to the 32 something software, right?

What about those people with MSD81 ECU's? My car's a May 08 build, and I swear it's got a big lag when I punch the gas around 3000 RPM, for example. I've never had the software updated since delivery in July 08.

Is there a software version that fixes the lag in these ECU's too?

Muchas gracias!

bimmerlex · 03-09-2009, 12:46 AM

I'm sure v32 fixes it for all ECUs

shaddai · 03-09-2009, 12:37 PM

v32 does not fix it. Bmw claims msd81 cars are unaffected and their info for 32.1 backs that up. My car drives better now than it did originally, but I am not lag free. Did you try uncrimping the vacuum hoses that control the wastegates?

Lotus99 · 03-09-2009, 03:01 PM

I've not messed around with anything (and don't plan on it, as I don't understand enough about the vacuum hoses and what they do!).

I also thought I'd read a month ago someone post up a service bulletin from BMW saying that they'd introduced v 32 to help lag for older ECU's, because of customer complaints and that MSD81 ECU's shouldn't have lag, and therefore, theoretically don't need a fix. They would only do the s/w upgrades for customers under certain circumstances, and I don't think MSD81 people qualified.

I found the post now... and the scan of the Roundel magazine article: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...13#post3955413

But I'm positive I DO have a lag... so that's why my question. Maybe my lag is the "normal" lag that's expected with these cars, and that it's nothing compared to what MSD80 people had with 29.2?

So has anyone with MSD81 complained of lag and gotten it fixed? How?

shaddai · 03-09-2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus99

I've not messed around with anything (and don't plan on it, as I don't understand enough about the vacuum hoses and what they do!).

I also thought I'd read a month ago someone post up a service bulletin from BMW saying that they'd introduced v 32 to help lag for older ECU's, because of customer complaints and that MSD81 ECU's shouldn't have lag, and therefore, theoretically don't need a fix. They would only do the s/w upgrades for customers under certain circumstances, and I don't think MSD81 people qualified.

I found the post now... and the scan of the Roundel magazine article: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...13#post3955413

But I'm positive I DO have a lag... so that's why my question. Maybe my lag is the "normal" lag that's expected with these cars, and that it's nothing compared to what MSD80 people had with 29.2?

So has anyone with MSD81 complained of lag and gotten it fixed? How?

My results are buried in the huge 29.2 sticky thread. Basically I've complained of lag - been upgraded to 30.0.2 initially (for flailing HPFP, didn't fix it, was replaced one week later), then to 32.1. My car does drive better than day one, but it may have to do with the vacuum hoses (I'll have to find the specific SIB). The car has always been temperamental with the lag, even now. Some days it sucks donkey, other days it's not so bad.

It boils down to this: If you have MSD81 and feel lag, you're pretty much stuck. There is no official or unofficial fix (that I know of).

shaddai · 03-09-2009, 04:20 PM

http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B111407g.htm

Lotus99 · 03-09-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaddai

Basically I've complained of lag - been upgraded to 30.0.2 initially (for flailing HPFP, didn't fix it, was replaced one week later), then to 32.1.

So I take it you're MSD80 then?

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaddai

It boils down to this: If you have MSD81 and feel lag, you're pretty much stuck. There is no official or unofficial fix (that I know of).

That's what I was worried about, esp. after reading BMW's response in Roundel. They are saying MSD81's don't have lag/the lag is acceptable and within normal specs and therefore there's no fix to a problem that they don't think exists...

Thanks for finding the bulletin on the hoses. Now I gotta find them to check for kinks... Do you know if that section of hose is visible without having to pull stuff off, just by opening the hood?

shaddai · 03-09-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus99

So I take it you're MSD80 then?

That's what I was worried about, esp. after reading BMW's response in Roundel. They are saying MSD81's don't have lag/the lag is acceptable and within normal specs and therefore there's no fix to a problem that they don't think exists...

Thanks for finding the bulletin on the hoses. Now I gotta find them to check for kinks... Do you know if that section of hose is visible without having to pull stuff off, just by opening the hood?

Actually... sources seem to indicate I'm MSD81. One day I'll look at the physical ECU and confirm.

The vacuum hoses are plain to see. Just do it on a cold engine as it can get warm in there quickly.

Lotus99 · 03-09-2009, 11:50 PM

Thanks for the tip. Are there other pics where they show the approx. location of these hoses? The ones in the bulletin are closeups, so I'm not clear where to start looking even... Good to hear at least that I don't need to pull off any covers or anything.

shaddai · 03-10-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Thanks for the tip. Are there other pics where they show the approx. location of these hoses? The ones in the bulletin are closeups, so I'm not clear where to start looking even... Good to hear at least that I don't need to pull off any covers or anything.

They're on the right side of the engine bay.

Rotary Rasp · 03-10-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaddai

They're on the right side of the engine bay.

Right side? that changes depending on how you are standing... Are the hose on the drivers or passengers side?

shaddai · 03-10-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotary Rasp

Right side? that changes depending on how you are standing... Are the hose on the drivers or passengers side?

Picture would help, wouldn't it... Right side of the car. From memory, they're pretty close to the black plastic ugly ass engine cover thing. In lieu of a proper picture, check out RealOEM for some drawings.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...75&hg=11&fg=45

Rotary Rasp · 03-10-2009, 02:19 PM

Oh ok, so the passenger side for US spec cars. (the side with the turbos)

Lotus99 · 03-11-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaddai

Picture would help, wouldn't it... Right side of the car. From memory, they're pretty close to the black plastic ugly ass engine cover thing. In lieu of a proper picture, check out RealOEM for some drawings.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...75&hg=11&fg=45

Nice! And which hoses am I looking at? 5 and 6 at the bottom of the photo? #7 hoses that plug into the vacuum reservoirs? Or 7 and 8 on the right side of the photo that join together using part 9, the T connector?

shaddai · 03-11-2009, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Nice! And which hoses am I looking at? 5 and 6 at the bottom of the photo? #7 hoses that plug into the vacuum reservoirs? Or 7 and 8 on the right side of the photo that join together using part 9, the T connector?

Follow em all and see if any are crimped. Chances are they are firmly secured, maybe a tad too firm.

03-09-2009, 12:35 AM	#1
Lotus99 Colonel 628 Rep 2,808 Posts Drives: 19 M2C & 18 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	Is there a lag fix software for MSD81 ECU's too? This is probably a totally easy question for those who know... but I've understood so far that for those with MSD80 and 29.2 s/w, which made it laggy, the fix came thru when they got upgraded to the 32 something software, right? What about those people with MSD81 ECU's? My car's a May 08 build, and I swear it's got a big lag when I punch the gas around 3000 RPM, for example. I've never had the software updated since delivery in July 08. Is there a software version that fixes the lag in these ECU's too? Muchas gracias!
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03-09-2009, 12:46 AM	#2
bimmerlex Captain 26 Rep 865 Posts Drives: 2018 F15 X5 xDrive35d Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: SoCal. iTrader: (25) Garage List 2018 F15 X5 xDrive35D [0.00]	I'm sure v32 fixes it for all ECUs
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03-09-2009, 12:37 PM	#3
shaddai former N54 owner 11 Rep 607 Posts Drives: 2008 Audi S4 DTM Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	v32 does not fix it. Bmw claims msd81 cars are unaffected and their info for 32.1 backs that up. My car drives better now than it did originally, but I am not lag free. Did you try uncrimping the vacuum hoses that control the wastegates? __________________ +lemon
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03-09-2009, 03:01 PM	#4
Lotus99 Colonel 628 Rep 2,808 Posts Drives: 19 M2C & 18 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	I've not messed around with anything (and don't plan on it, as I don't understand enough about the vacuum hoses and what they do!). I also thought I'd read a month ago someone post up a service bulletin from BMW saying that they'd introduced v 32 to help lag for older ECU's, because of customer complaints and that MSD81 ECU's shouldn't have lag, and therefore, theoretically don't need a fix. They would only do the s/w upgrades for customers under certain circumstances, and I don't think MSD81 people qualified. I found the post now... and the scan of the Roundel magazine article: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...13#post3955413 But I'm positive I DO have a lag... so that's why my question. Maybe my lag is the "normal" lag that's expected with these cars, and that it's nothing compared to what MSD80 people had with 29.2? So has anyone with MSD81 complained of lag and gotten it fixed? How?
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03-09-2009, 04:20 PM	#6
shaddai former N54 owner 11 Rep 607 Posts Drives: 2008 Audi S4 DTM Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	http://www.bmwtis.com/tsb/bulletins/...p/B111407g.htm __________________ +lemon
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03-09-2009, 11:50 PM	#9
Lotus99 Colonel 628 Rep 2,808 Posts Drives: 19 M2C & 18 X3 M40i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (1)	Thanks for the tip. Are there other pics where they show the approx. location of these hoses? The ones in the bulletin are closeups, so I'm not clear where to start looking even... Good to hear at least that I don't need to pull off any covers or anything.
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03-10-2009, 02:19 PM	#13
Rotary Rasp Lieutenant Colonel 241 Rep 1,857 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SoCal - Torrance iTrader: (6)	Oh ok, so the passenger side for US spec cars. (the side with the turbos)
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