My Cursory Understanding Of "Coding"

MattGrantham · 01-11-2012, 11:24 PM

Am I on crack or is "coding" simply opening config files from the ECU and changing values?

Flame away if I'm wrong but the term "coding" makes it seem very difficult and inaccessible when in reality anyone who can use windows, has the proper hardware and can follow instructions should be able to handle it.

On a related note, I'm wondering if there would be demand for a kit containing the following:

- All necessary cables.
- A pre-configured netbook with one-click scripts to perform common mods along with all of the more "advanced" tools.
- A glove box insert which would act as an easily accessible dock and fold-out stand for the netbook.
- Did I mention that the actual shell of the netbook could be optionally customized to be painted any factory color or even done up in an interior-matching leather, aluminum or even (cringe) wood?

Assuming the cost of the glovebox insert isn't overly prohibitive, the total cost would be around the $500 price point.

I'm seriously considering taking this on as a project regardless starting with my own e93. The primary focus would be designing and building a prototype of the glovebox insert as the rest is pretty straight-forward.

JDLM · 01-11-2012, 11:27 PM

I don't see the coding as an "on the fly" type thing

MattGrantham · 01-11-2012, 11:28 PM

...and if you really wanted to get crazy you could connect a mobile internet stick (or tether your phone wirelessly) and interface the netbook to the car's stereo for some useful functions like nav (for those without), netflix or whatever else you can think of.

MattGrantham · 01-11-2012, 11:32 PM

Good point JDLM, there's no reason to be constantly changing things while driving. It's more of a one and done type thing.

I've got another, more compelling idea relating to in-car entertainment that I will be posting about soon. Stay tuned.

justa3series · 01-12-2012, 10:53 AM

Get combox and it's nice for cars with CIC.

Abear · 01-12-2012, 12:13 PM

2Fast 2Furious Coding. For something that should take a person maybe 45 minutes if they are changing everything that could be changed, I dont see a need to spend 500 or more when they already have a laptop, cable and can sit in the car and do the coding. It took me about an hour the very first time I tried to code anything because I was going slow. It took me 30 minutes to code twice as many options on my friends 135i. Its really kind of pointless anyway because you can code with the car running. Its a good idea though if coding on the go was possible.

01-11-2012, 11:24 PM	#1
MattGrantham 2008 e93 335i 11 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 335i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	My Cursory Understanding Of "Coding" Am I on crack or is "coding" simply opening config files from the ECU and changing values? Flame away if I'm wrong but the term "coding" makes it seem very difficult and inaccessible when in reality anyone who can use windows, has the proper hardware and can follow instructions should be able to handle it. On a related note, I'm wondering if there would be demand for a kit containing the following: - All necessary cables. - A pre-configured netbook with one-click scripts to perform common mods along with all of the more "advanced" tools. - A glove box insert which would act as an easily accessible dock and fold-out stand for the netbook. - Did I mention that the actual shell of the netbook could be optionally customized to be painted any factory color or even done up in an interior-matching leather, aluminum or even (cringe) wood? Assuming the cost of the glovebox insert isn't overly prohibitive, the total cost would be around the $500 price point. I'm seriously considering taking this on as a project regardless starting with my own e93. The primary focus would be designing and building a prototype of the glovebox insert as the rest is pretty straight-forward.
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01-11-2012, 11:27 PM	#2
JDLM Banned 73 Rep 3,277 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kansas iTrader: (4)	I don't see the coding as an "on the fly" type thing
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01-11-2012, 11:28 PM	#3
MattGrantham 2008 e93 335i 11 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 335i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	...and if you really wanted to get crazy you could connect a mobile internet stick (or tether your phone wirelessly) and interface the netbook to the car's stereo for some useful functions like nav (for those without), netflix or whatever else you can think of.
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01-11-2012, 11:32 PM	#4
MattGrantham 2008 e93 335i 11 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 2008 e93 335i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Good point JDLM, there's no reason to be constantly changing things while driving. It's more of a one and done type thing. I've got another, more compelling idea relating to in-car entertainment that I will be posting about soon. Stay tuned.
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01-12-2012, 10:53 AM	#5
justa3series Banned 9 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2010 328xi Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	Get combox and it's nice for cars with CIC.
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01-12-2012, 12:13 PM	#6
Abear Private First Class 10 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston iTrader: (3)	2Fast 2Furious Coding. For something that should take a person maybe 45 minutes if they are changing everything that could be changed, I dont see a need to spend 500 or more when they already have a laptop, cable and can sit in the car and do the coding. It took me about an hour the very first time I tried to code anything because I was going slow. It took me 30 minutes to code twice as many options on my friends 135i. Its really kind of pointless anyway because you can code with the car running. Its a good idea though if coding on the go was possible.
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