Quick Tune Question

eee_90 · 07-24-2012, 08:03 AM

Okay guys, I've done my homework, but there is ONE thing I'm just not quite understanding.

Looking at getting the AA tune through Turner because they're local...

If I get the tune, I understand its essentially just an ECU reprogramming. What I've read, however, is some people saying if you DON'T buy the Simon tool, you will lose your tune when your car gets reflashed.

So as stupid as it sounds I have to ask... when would the car need to be reflashed? Or how would it be reflashed accidentally? Why would a dealership or any mechanic be touching the ECU?

For $500 I think the gains received from a tune are absolutely justified, but if I have to purchase the tool for an additional $300.... well it's not so easily justified anymore.

Please help me clarify this!!!!!!!!

dangeris · 07-24-2012, 08:25 AM

^^ +1 on this...

eee_90 · 07-24-2012, 10:02 AM

come on someone must know!

E90ROXS · 07-24-2012, 10:23 AM

If the dealer digs into your ecu and reflash it then your tune file will get overwrite. However, most shops offer a 1 time reflash for free or around $50. Check with turner.

eee_90 · 07-24-2012, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90ROXS

... most shops offer a 1 time reflash for free or around $50. Check with turner.

This is great to know, thank you. I will have to look into this.

To address my initial question, WHY would a shop/dealer touch the ECU? Is it common for them to reflash it during regular/periodical maintenance?

jfisher160 · 07-24-2012, 03:14 PM

I have talked to dealerships about this and I was told they would do reflash for software updates. If BMW changes or updates software for example your navigation, or computer, then they will reflash it. It doesn't happen very often, in three years I haven't had mine reflashed.

AlanAZ · 07-24-2012, 05:05 PM

On my E46, when a cam sensor was replaced, it was a revised part, and the ECU software needed to be updated. Bluetooth compatibility issues are often resolved with an ECU software update.

eee_90 · 07-25-2012, 07:33 AM

hmmm... maybe the smartest route would be to get an ECU software update first, then purchase the tune.

How much is a realistic price for a dealership to charge for an ECU software update? Or can another shop do this?

jfisher160 · 07-25-2012, 10:50 AM

I'm guessing your car is under warranty, if so I would call the dealership ask them if there is any software updates for you car, they should do it for free. My friends car had updates done and the dealership didn't charge him.

If there is no updates, then I wouldn't worry about it and just get the tune done.

As far as I know BMW is the only
Place to get software updates.

E90ROXS · 07-25-2012, 11:03 AM

My 2011 x3 (loaner) has software update through its usb port. I guess you can download the updated software on bmw website.

eee_90 · 07-25-2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfisher160

I'm guessing your car is under warranty, if so I would call the dealership ask them if there is any software updates for you car, they should do it for free. My friends car had updates done and the dealership didn't charge him.

If there is no updates, then I wouldn't worry about it and just get the tune done.

As far as I know BMW is the only
Place to get software updates.

My car is an '06 325... no warranty.

And given that it is 6 years old, am assuming there might be a software update available. Who knows if the previous owner had one done or not... Car only has 27k miles so I would assume not.

whoyuwit · 07-26-2012, 05:03 PM

I'm not sure if you're into coding, but i recently coded my car and it flashes your ecu for it to take affect. I would assume if you do not code your car and don't see any updates in the near future then just get the tune. Plus like you said TM is not that far from you.

07-24-2012, 08:03 AM	#1
eee_90 Private 4 Rep 86 Posts Drives: soon to be e90 Join Date: May 2012 Location: boston iTrader: (1)	Quick Tune Question Okay guys, I've done my homework, but there is ONE thing I'm just not quite understanding. Looking at getting the AA tune through Turner because they're local... If I get the tune, I understand its essentially just an ECU reprogramming. What I've read, however, is some people saying if you DON'T buy the Simon tool, you will lose your tune when your car gets reflashed. So as stupid as it sounds I have to ask... when would the car need to be reflashed? Or how would it be reflashed accidentally? Why would a dealership or any mechanic be touching the ECU? For $500 I think the gains received from a tune are absolutely justified, but if I have to purchase the tool for an additional $300.... well it's not so easily justified anymore. Please help me clarify this!!!!!!!!
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07-24-2012, 08:25 AM	#2
dangeris Second Lieutenant 22 Rep 221 Posts Drives: 08 e92 328xi Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chalfont Pa iTrader: (3)	^^ +1 on this... __________________ 2008 e92 328Xi - Daily Driver M-Tech Lip/ M-side Skirts/ Painted Grille/ 18" LM Reps/ BMS Powerbox/ Koni Sport/ B&G S2 Springs 2008 997.1 TT Porsche; 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe - Show Car; 1995 300ZX SMZ #36
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07-24-2012, 10:02 AM	#3
eee_90 Private 4 Rep 86 Posts Drives: soon to be e90 Join Date: May 2012 Location: boston iTrader: (1)	come on someone must know!
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07-24-2012, 10:23 AM	#4
E90ROXS Captain 225 Rep 676 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SJ iTrader: (1)	If the dealer digs into your ecu and reflash it then your tune file will get overwrite. However, most shops offer a 1 time reflash for free or around $50. Check with turner.
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07-24-2012, 03:14 PM	#6
jfisher160 First Lieutenant 19 Rep 331 Posts Drives: 2012 335is Coupe Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA iTrader: (3)	I have talked to dealerships about this and I was told they would do reflash for software updates. If BMW changes or updates software for example your navigation, or computer, then they will reflash it. It doesn't happen very often, in three years I haven't had mine reflashed. __________________ New - 2013 - 320i - 15% Tint - Future Mods ( BMS Tune, Suspension, Wheels, Exhaust) Sold - 2007 328i (3-Stage Manifold - BMW Perf Intake w/Scoops - Powerbox - Magnaflow Exhaust - MMW Headers - KW Street Comfort - VMR 701s 19' w/M3 offset - BMW Strut Brace - 330I Brake Conversation - 5% Tint All Around - 8K HID Fog Lights -Angel Eyes)
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07-24-2012, 05:05 PM	#7
AlanAZ Captain 40 Rep 818 Posts Drives: E90 325i sport manual Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (4)	On my E46, when a cam sensor was replaced, it was a revised part, and the ECU software needed to be updated. Bluetooth compatibility issues are often resolved with an ECU software update.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2012, 07:33 AM	#8
eee_90 Private 4 Rep 86 Posts Drives: soon to be e90 Join Date: May 2012 Location: boston iTrader: (1)	hmmm... maybe the smartest route would be to get an ECU software update first, then purchase the tune. How much is a realistic price for a dealership to charge for an ECU software update? Or can another shop do this?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2012, 10:50 AM	#9
jfisher160 First Lieutenant 19 Rep 331 Posts Drives: 2012 335is Coupe Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA iTrader: (3)	I'm guessing your car is under warranty, if so I would call the dealership ask them if there is any software updates for you car, they should do it for free. My friends car had updates done and the dealership didn't charge him. If there is no updates, then I wouldn't worry about it and just get the tune done. As far as I know BMW is the only Place to get software updates. __________________ New - 2013 - 320i - 15% Tint - Future Mods ( BMS Tune, Suspension, Wheels, Exhaust) Sold - 2007 328i (3-Stage Manifold - BMW Perf Intake w/Scoops - Powerbox - Magnaflow Exhaust - MMW Headers - KW Street Comfort - VMR 701s 19' w/M3 offset - BMW Strut Brace - 330I Brake Conversation - 5% Tint All Around - 8K HID Fog Lights -Angel Eyes)
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07-25-2012, 11:03 AM	#10
E90ROXS Captain 225 Rep 676 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SJ iTrader: (1)	My 2011 x3 (loaner) has software update through its usb port. I guess you can download the updated software on bmw website.
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07-26-2012, 05:03 PM	#12
whoyuwit Private 1 Rep 63 Posts Drives: 2006 330i and 2008 528i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: cape cod, mass. iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure if you're into coding, but i recently coded my car and it flashes your ecu for it to take affect. I would assume if you do not code your car and don't see any updates in the near future then just get the tune. Plus like you said TM is not that far from you.
	Appreciate 0 Quote