[thakid22]

We had a icy/snowy past couple of days which got me to thinking.

This car could use some sort of Limited Slip differential.
When one rear wheel is on ice and the other is on dry/grippy pavement, the
DSC doesn't just brake the spinning wheel, it also reduces engine power. In fact, there is sometimes plenty of one wheel spin with DSC activated (from a stop).

This makes for slow(er) starts on split-mu surfaces.

I would imagine, the eLSD from the 335i would apply more brake to the spinning wheel, transferring the drive force to the other wheel, while delaying engine output reduction. In my mind, this would allow the wheel with the best traction to push move the car when one wheel is on a slippery surface.

Anyway the question is:
Has anybody flashed 335i DSC software to the 06/07/or 328i DSC module in an attempt to gain the eLSD function? Anyone know of a reason why it would not work. Surely, the eLSD is purely electronic. Anyone know of a reason the flash would not work?

Maybe I'll have to just give it a try.
#intrigued

[DickBlisken]

What are you driving?

[thakid22]

2006 330i Auto

[Taskmaster]

Don't all 3ers have eLSD?

[DickBlisken]

I'm pretty sure all of the post-Mar08 3ers have the eLSD, and all the pre-Mar08's do not.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

To touch on OP's question, I doubt a simple flash would do the trick. You'd need to install the required sensors to talk to the stock open diff.

[Mike.]

maybe this will help, who knows

everything you want to know about the elsd, except the production date
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=719012

[thakid22]

Yes. 03/08 forward is the date for eLSD. 328i's may have it. 335i has it for sure.
No 325 or 330i was equipped with it.

The system is totally software software based. No additional sensors were added. REALOEM shows the only difference as the DSC unit itself.

All other sensors are in place already because of stability and traction control.

[AMG KLR]

Oh this is very easy to do. Just buy the new unit and program it to your VIN I would assume

[DickBlisken]

Originally Posted by AMG KLR

Oh this is very easy to do. Just buy the new unit and program it to your VIN I would assume

Interesting. I'm driving a 2009 E92 328i (production November 08) and I'm unsure if I'm running with an eLSD. Searched forever and can't seem to confirm it.

[bimmerquick43321]

my opinion obviously, but in normal/spirited driving on snow, I find the traction/stability control on a 2006 330i is super, I don't know how to explain it, but it allows me to "rotate" the car around corners (not drifting), personally I love the way it behaves, but than again this is not in full crazy driving mode, in which I guess it could become unpleasant.

[npsteeb]

Originally Posted by thakid22

We had a icy/snowy past couple of days which got me to thinking.

This car could use some sort of Limited Slip differential.
When one rear wheel is on ice and the other is on dry/grippy pavement, the
DSC doesn't just brake the spinning wheel, it also reduces engine power. In fact, there is sometimes plenty of one wheel spin with DSC activated (from a stop).

This makes for slow(er) starts on split-mu surfaces.

I would imagine, the eLSD from the 335i would apply more brake to the spinning wheel, transferring the drive force to the other wheel, while delaying engine output reduction. In my mind, this would allow the wheel with the best traction to push move the car when one wheel is on a slippery surface.

Anyway the question is:
Has anybody flashed 335i DSC software to the 06/07/or 328i DSC module in an attempt to gain the eLSD function? Anyone know of a reason why it would not work. Surely, the eLSD is purely electronic. Anyone know of a reason the flash would not work?

Maybe I'll have to just give it a try.
#intrigued

Wow you read my mind. I was thinking the same thing today and stumbled across your post. I also have an 06 330i auto and it's downright horrible in snowy Ohio. This is my first BMW and I assumed a car with a 46k sticker price would have a LSD. This car really needs a LSD, but I don't feel like dropping $1500 into my DD. It sounds like the eLSD(w/ winter tires) would atleast make the car driveable in the snow.

[thakid22]

Originally Posted by mecbain

my opinion obviously, but in normal/spirited driving on snow, I find the traction/stability control on a 2006 330i is super, I don't know how to explain it, but it allows me to "rotate" the car around corners (not drifting), personally I love the way it behaves, but than again this is not in full crazy driving mode, in which I guess it could become unpleasant.

Yes. The DSC is quite good. But In recent snowy weather, it was evident that it could clearly be better if it was able to more accurately transfer power to the wheel with grip (as opposed to reducing power).
One wheel on ice and one wheel on grippy pavement, the wheel on ice slips then DSC reduces engine power and/or applies brakes to that slipping wheel.
The problem is that the power reduction limits the torque transferred to the wheel with grip, so you move away from a stop rather slowly. Exactly the situation e(LSD) would help most...

The stock system is good, but there is room for improvement!
As we all know, improvement is a good thing!

[thakid22]

Originally Posted by npsteeb

Wow you read my mind. I was thinking the same thing today and stumbled across your post. I also have an 06 330i auto and it's downright horrible in snowy Ohio. This is my first BMW and I assumed a car with a 46k sticker price would have a LSD. This car really needs a LSD, but I don't feel like dropping $1500 into my DD. It sounds like the eLSD(w/ winter tires) would atleast make the car driveable in the snow.

A good set of tires will go a long way towards making your E90 handle the snow better. I equipped mine with a set of stock sized Goodyear Eagle Sport All Season tires and am totally blown away by the grip, stability and traction the car displays in even the most tumultuous winter weather. On top of that, the dry weather handling is phenomenal!

A set of dedicated snow tires would definitely be better on ice, but is total overkill here in Arkansas (only 2 or 3 snows yearly).

e(LSD) would certainly be a welcome addition though. Especially if it just be flashed to the current DSC unit.

[thakid22]

Originally Posted by AMG KLR

Oh this is very easy to do. Just buy the new unit and program it to your VIN I would assume

I know the new DSC unit could be retrofitted.
I was hoping that the new software could be flashed to the original DSC though.

Thinking about it, if that were the case BMW wouldn't have changed the unit in the first place. They would have just flashed an update themselves.
Unless, the new DSC unit/part number is about some other hardware revision and has nothing to do with the software...

[npsteeb]

So do we know if the part number for a 2008.5 DSC is different than our 2006?

[thakid22]

Originally Posted by npsteeb

So do we know if the part number for a 2008.5 DSC is different than our 2006?

Yes. The Pre 09/2006 unit is # 34516775394.
09/06 to 09/07 is 34506777160.
12/07 to 09/08 is 34506784811.
09/08 to 12/13 is 34516789308

As you can see. There have been a series of part #'s for the DSC unit.
None of them corresponds directly with the 03/2008 eLSD introduction date.
In fact, DSC part# 34506784811 came on eLSD and pre eLSD 2008 models according to the date range. So surely, Early E90s with that part # will gain the eLSD with a simple flash to the appropriate ZB# (software)...

The two preceding part #'s (covering introduction all the way to 09/2007) may or may not be able to accept the new software. A hardware change does not necessarily mean software has changed too. Sometimes a physical component is improved whilst not affecting the software.

[npsteeb]

Originally Posted by thakid22

Yes. The Pre 09/2006 unit is # 34516775394.
09/06 to 09/07 is 34506777160.
12/07 to 09/08 is 34506784811.
09/08 to 12/13 is 34516789308

As you can see. There have been a series of part #'s for the DSC unit.
None of them corresponds directly with the 03/2008 eLSD introduction date.
In fact, DSC part# 34506784811 came on eLSD and pre eLSD 2008 models according to the date range. So surely, Early E90s with that part # will gain the eLSD with a simple flash to the appropriate ZB# (software)...

The two preceding part #'s (covering introduction all the way to 09/2007) may or may not be able to accept the new software. A hardware change does not necessarily mean software has changed too. Sometimes a physical component is improved whilst not affecting the software.

Thanks for digging that info up. So are you going to be the guinea pig and attempt to update your DSC?

[thakid22]

Originally Posted by npsteeb

Thanks for digging that info up. So are you going to be the guinea pig and attempt to update your DSC?

You read my mind. Yes. I am going to go ahead and flash this module.
I've gotta track down the correct ZB#.

My notes show that my DSC Software # is 6775387. (06 330i)
6776067 belongs to a 2007 335i. I need the software # for a slightly newer model, perhaps a 2008 328i or 335i.

It's harder to locate zb#'s than part #'s.

Anyone know how to find the current zb# for a specific vehicle or module (not my own)?

[Mike.]

where are you going to go to get it flashed?

[bimmerquick43321]

Originally Posted by thakid22

Yes. The DSC is quite good. But In recent snowy weather, it was evident that it could clearly be better if it was able to more accurately transfer power to the wheel with grip (as opposed to reducing power).
One wheel on ice and one wheel on grippy pavement, the wheel on ice slips then DSC reduces engine power and/or applies brakes to that slipping wheel.
The problem is that the power reduction limits the torque transferred to the wheel with grip, so you move away from a stop rather slowly. Exactly the situation e(LSD) would help most...

The stock system is good, but there is room for improvement!
As we all know, improvement is a good thing!

yeah forgot a small detail, in straight line (hey I'm a bmw driver who cares about straights lol, just kidding) yeah obviously even with all the systems the car has, not having lsd is unpleasant when accelerating in a straight line on snow, can actually be dangerous if snow tires are not too good.

[andrey_gta]

Commercial sales section has anew budget option for an LSD, they are doing group buys, the shipped price is quite nice

[thakid22]

Originally Posted by Emozoo

where are you going to go to get it flashed?

I will flash it myself via WinKfp.

Played with a couple of modules so far. eLSD would be nice, but it'll be cool to try for just the experience.