[AJL]

After a few months of pondering whether or not I want to try, I’ve finally gone through with it and attempted the BMW PPK flash on my car. Honestly, the most difficult and time consuming part was setting up the software. Actually flashing the car only took a couple minutes (once I worked out some initial issues). Before you say it didn’t take because it flashed in a couple minutes, I can assure you that it did. After flashing, there is a very noticeable difference in the exhaust sound and my butt dyno seems to indicate a change.

Because I couldn't find a detailed DIY, only vague overviews of what to do, I figured it was about time for someone to write one. I am not an expert at these things, I freely admit it. If you notice an issue with my instructions, please let me know and I will correct it.

Vehicle information:
• Model: 335i (M Sport)
• Production Date: 5/2011
• Engine: N55
• Transmission: Automatic
• Market: US
• ECU/DME: Mevd172 (or just 17)
• Completely stock except for:

o ER Chargepipe (OEM one blew up on my way home after buying the car!)
o Alpina B3 transmission flash (I highly recommend this as well, it’s loads of fun)

Workstation Information:
• 17” Macbook Pro
• Windows 10 fresh install specifically for this purpose
• Full E89/E9X V53.3 SP-Daten files
• Mike’s Easy BMW Tools Package

o INPA 5.0.6 (in English)
o EDIABAS 7.3.0
o NCS Expert 4.0.1 (in English)
o NCS Dummy 0.6.0.4
o Tool32 4.0.3
o WinKFP 5.3.1
o BMW Coding Tool v2.5.0
o Came with basic SP-Daten v53.3 files for diagnostic purposes. I loaded full Daten files for coding after installation

NOTE: The USB Cable drivers that were bundled with the tool package did not work correctly and caused the flashing to fail on my first attempt. There were not issues after the correct WHQL certified drivers were installed.

---

The following are the steps I followed to successfully flash the BMW PPK (Not including updating the SP-Daten files, as this is already a well-documented procedure)

DISCLAIMER:
I offer this information with NO GUARANTEE that it will work, nor do I guarantee that it will not break your vehicle. I am not liable for any damage to your vehicle, person or ego. I do not guarantee that this information is completely accurate. Follow these steps with extreme care, do your research, don’t break your car. If you feel uncomfortable with modifying your vehicle, then pay a professional to do it. Don’t try and blame me.

If you have no prior experience with these BMW tools, I recommend you learn about them before attempting this.


1. IMPORTANT: Connect your car to stable power supply. I used a 15 amp battery charger which managed to hold the voltage at a minimum of 12.7v throughout the whole process. I also recommend turning off all lights and other power consuming devices on the vehicle.
2. Get in, close the door, plug in your OBD cable, put the key in the ignition, press the start button without the brakes pressed.
3. Open INPA. Battery and Ignition should both be ON. If ignition is not on, you didn’t press the start button!
4. Next, we are going to get the current ZB with INPA

a. Choose your chassis
b. Choose Functional Jobs
c. Then choose “Read User Information Field”. This lists your current ZB (Zusub) numbers for each module. Save this report for reference purposes.
My DME/DDE ZB No. before flashing was 8615734

5. Close INPA
6. Now it’s time to flash the DME using WinKFP

a. Open WinKFP and select “Comfort mode”
b. Select “Enter VIN” and put your VIN in carefully

i. Double check to make sure you have entered the VIN number correctly!

c. Now select “Choose ZUSB”
d. Select the correct option from “ECU Family” for your vehicle. In my case, the correct option was MEVD17
e. Next select the PPK ZB-Number that is appropriate for your vehicle. I used 8639146, and that seemed to work. There are charts floating around the internet to help you determine the correct number for your vehicle.
f. Select “Done” and if there are no communication problems (yet), the main menu will re-appear with a new option “Prog. ZB_update”
g. You will be asked to confirm the update and WinKFP will then state the number of times the module can be re-programmed.
h. The update will begin. It only took a couple of minutes for my flash to complete, however this may vary depending on the speed of your computer, the battery charger or your vehicle.
i. When complete, WinKFP will let you know.
NOTE: The first time I tried this flash, I received error code 211, and my car went a little crazy (i.e. the windshield wipers wouldn’t stop). Turning the car off and back on fixed this, and my car still started after, albeit with a CEL. In my case, the problem was caused by bad drivers for my K+DCAN cable. After installing the correct drivers, I did not have a problem.

7. Now we need to write a blank FSW_PSW.MAN file to 62BMO or 63BMO from NCSExpert

a. This step is to remove an encoding error that the car will throw supposedly (I did not check, and my CEL was already on)
b. Open NCSExpert and load the correct profile (Mine is called FSW PSW MAN, there are plenty of tutorials on setting this up)
c. Press “VIN/ZCS/FA” (F1) and then press “ZCS/FA f. ECU” (F3)
d. Select your chassis code. (E89 = E9X)
e. This will bring up a list of ECUs. CAS, FRM and NFRM. Select CAS. NCSExpert will now communicate with your vehicle to pull the VIN and other needed info.
f. Now that the vehicle information is populated, click the back button to the main menu.
g. You should now see a button labeled “Process ECU” (Shortcut is F4). Press this and choose 63BMO.
h. Press the button labeled “Read ECU”. This will pull the current settings from the ECU into an FSW_PSW.TRC file in the NCSExpert WORK folder. If this step is successful, a NETTODAT.TRC file will open automatically.
i. In the WORK folder, there should be a blank FSW_PSW.MAN file, if not then create one.
j. Back in NCSExpert, press the button labeled “Change Job” and select the job “SG_CODIEREN”
k. Double check that you are on the correct module, then press “Execute Job”. This will write the blank FSW_PSW.MAN file to your ECU.

NOTE: NCSExpert is a dangerous tool and should be used with caution.


8. Finally, open INPA and clear the error memory

a. Shift+F2
b. Functional Jobs
c. F4 – Error Memory
d. F2 – Clear Error Memory

9. Turn the car off, then start it up and make sure you don’t have a CEL

10. I’m not sure if this step is necessary, but I’ve seen people say to do it before so I did.
- Button up your car, lock it and wait 15 minutes (so the car goes to sleep)
11. Enjoy the PPK!

[Richards335]

what are the chances of "Bricking" your car if someone where to do this incorrectly?

[Sensible_]

Originally Posted by Richards335

what are the chances of "Bricking" your car if someone where to do this incorrectly?

If someone were to do it incorrectly then you have a 100% chance of bricking your car...

However, it isn't rocket science. You are simply flashing a module. The guide above is good. However I'd just add that BMW recommend a power supply able to supply a constant 13.8v at 70amp, for programming ECU's. Also a decent quality cable should be used.

Also, after programming the ECU, you should revert its configuration to default by coding the 2 modules identified by the OP to default with expertmode and not blank man files. Using the blank man method can cause unexpected results.

Also, also, make a bit of your existing ECU zusb number! In case you ever need to go back to it.

[Ibo24]

Don't you need to give in your VIN after choosing the right update? Before you press Done?

Edit: My bad, you did it the second after comfort mode!

[AJL]

Originally Posted by Sensible_

However I'd just add that BMW recommend a power supply able to supply a constant 13.8v at 70amp, for programming ECU's. Also a decent quality cable should be used. Also, after programming the ECU, you should revert its configuration to default by coding the 2 modules identified by the OP to default with expertmode and not blank man files. Using the blank man method can cause unexpected results.

Haha yes, a better power supply would ideal! But I work with what I have. There weren't any dips in voltage and my battery is good, so I didn't run into any issues.

The profile I was using is simply expertmode adjusted to the settings specified at the codinge90 website.
Also, I can definitely see how coding a blank MAN file could cause issues, luckily for me it didn't. Whatever instructions I could find scattered around all seemed to suggest it was how to remove a supposed encoding error code (which I didn't actually check for )
So I agree with you, especially if you're not the "hold my beer and watch this" kinda person, try writing the default configuration first.

[Katkarot]

since getting PPK installed with ZB 8684958 for my 2012 135i, I been getting error code 28A0 repeatedly (after clearing code).

I never got this error code prior to the PPK install

Any one have any idea what may be the cause and a possible resolution?

Thanks in Advance

[Terraphantm]

Originally Posted by Sensible_

If someone were to do it incorrectly then you have a 100% chance of bricking your car...

However, it isn't rocket science. You are simply flashing a module. The guide above is good. However I'd just add that BMW recommend a power supply able to supply a constant 13.8v at 70amp, for programming ECU's. Also a decent quality cable should be used.

Also, after programming the ECU, you should revert its configuration to default by coding the 2 modules identified by the OP to default with expertmode and not blank man files. Using the blank man method can cause unexpected results.

Also, also, make a bit of your existing ECU zusb number! In case you ever need to go back to it.

I think it's important to note the difference between a recoverable brick vs a permanent brick. 99% of the time if your flash messes up, it can be recovered.

Where things get a little hairy is during the boot sector update. There is a brief window after the DME is done downloading the flash and performing the security check where it erases a section of the boot sector and copies over the new one. If the power is cut at this point, the DME is permanently bricked; it just won't boot. If you don't have the passwords for bootstrap access, you can't even get in with a debugger to fix it.

Expert mode vs blank MAN file doesn't matter. They'll both literally accomplish the same thing.

[taranfx]

Originally Posted by AJL

o Alpina B3 transmission flash (I highly recommend this as well, it’s loads of fun)

Isn't Alpina B3 for non-DCT cars?
Also, what ZUSB should I use. My info: https://drive.google.com/folderview?...CirU4rOUaWUQ9V

[RocketSurgeon]

The pictures won't load, what is your DME ZB number?

[taranfx]

Originally Posted by RocketSurgeon

The pictures won't load, what is your DME ZB number?

Images here

[RocketSurgeon]

You have a 135i vert with DCT?
My program refuses to match your VIN to any ZB number for any module.
Your car is a type UN73 with 2TC (DCT transmission). If you add NPOW for the PPK, it looks like 8684952 is the PPK flash for your car, though I can't verify for your vin.
If you get the e89 DATENS and locate kmm_ATSH.txt and search your current DME ZB (8615774), you get UN73;2TC&-NPOW;1003500-1006501,1009500-.
NPOW is the power kit and the little - means you don't have it. If you seek out UN73;2TC&NPOW;1003500-1203502, the latest ZB number is 8684952.

[nate93]

For this flash, will Standard BMW tool setup 2.12 take care of all the software installation? If not, can you please show us how you've corrected it?

[Joe@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by nate93

For this flash, will Standard BMW tool setup 2.12 take care of all the software installation? If not, can you please show us how you've corrected it?

Yes, BMW Standard Tools is the only software you need to flash the PPK.

[m3dragon]

Not a F10 mod correct? 2011 535 but it seems the tune is only for 2014 and up?

Or can this work on a F body?

[torkasx]

Originally Posted by Joe@TopGearSolutions

Yes, BMW Standard Tools is the only software you need to flash the PPK.

Yes, correct.

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by m3dragon

Not a F10 mod correct? 2011 535 but it seems the tune is only for 2014 and up?

Or can this work on a F body?

It won't work, the 5 series has different chassis settings inside the factory tunes. Also I think the F10 is BN2010 so the DME would be slightly different anyway.

[nate93]

My current DME/DDE Zb is 8608836.Does Anyone know the PPK Zb I want to flash to?

I have an 2011 335i E93. AT

[SA3945]

Originally Posted by nate93

My current DME/DDE Zb is 8608836.Does Anyone know the PPK Zb I want to flash to?

I have an 2011 335i E93. AT

Try 8685064,... with Daten v63.0

[Cchristianh20]

Originally Posted by nate93

My current DME/DDE Zb is 8608836.Does Anyone know the PPK Zb I want to flash to?

I have an 2011 335i E93. AT

did this work for you I also have a 2011 e93 335i

[jsanchez335]

Originally Posted by Cchristianh20

did this work for you I also have a 2011 e93 335i

8685064 works great. It has burples too

[nate93]

Originally Posted by jsanchez335

8685064 works great. It has burples too

Yes, it's been working perfectly

[jsanchez335]

Originally Posted by nate93

Yes, it's been working perfectly

That's good to hear.