Software upgrades.

808MGuy · 05-11-2009, 05:57 PM

When I had my Audi, a lot of guys would buy a spare ECU (or DME or whatever you feel like calling it) to do the flash. The spare was good to have because you could do the flash without downtime, put the unflashed ECU back in for dealer service, troubleshoot with the OEM software if necessary, and send the flashed ECU back for updated if necessary. Is anyone doing that with the BMW DMEs or are they just too damn expensive. I recall a new ECU from the Audi dealer at the time was $500 and you could get them used for about $300.

JS11 · 05-11-2009, 06:37 PM

it's approximately $1000 and i don't think it's easy to find used ones yet

808MGuy · 05-11-2009, 07:03 PM

$1000 is not bad. If one of the tuners would offer it as a $700-800 option with the software I would think about it. Some of the Audi tuners did that. I assume they were able to buy some ECUs at a discounted rate from a dealer local to them.

Sales@Gintani.com · 05-11-2009, 07:26 PM

We have our software upgrade available for $990.

pittsy · 05-11-2009, 07:29 PM

I think he is talking about a new ecu with the software tune for 700-800

808MGuy · 05-11-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pittsy

I think he is talking about a new ecu with the software tune for 700-800

I meant, if the tuners would offer an ECU for $700-800 on top of the cost of the software. So if the software is $995, the ECU + software would be around $1700.

JAJ · 05-11-2009, 09:59 PM

I was told, back when I had an E39 M5 that the BMW ECU implements a part of the anti-theft system for the car. To make sure you couldn't start a stolen car by swapping ECU's, the ECU has to be coded to the car and the mileage on the ECU has to match the mileage on the chassis computer. No match, no start.

I imagine that the E9x cars work the same way - swap ECU's and it won't run with the one that has mismatched mileage, even if both ECU's are coded to the car.

Rascasse · 05-11-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAJ

I was told, back when I had an E39 M5 that the BMW ECU implements a part of the anti-theft system for the car. To make sure you couldn't start a stolen car by swapping ECU's, the ECU has to be coded to the car and the mileage on the ECU has to match the mileage on the chassis computer. No match, no start.

I imagine that the E9x cars work the same way - swap ECU's and it won't run with the one that has mismatched mileage, even if both ECU's are coded to the car.

This is true. I get requests all the time from guys that want to have a spare ECU, but it just isn't a practical or useful possibility.

05-11-2009, 05:57 PM	#1
808MGuy Colonel 221 Rep 2,339 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oahu, Hawaii iTrader: (3)	Software upgrades. When I had my Audi, a lot of guys would buy a spare ECU (or DME or whatever you feel like calling it) to do the flash. The spare was good to have because you could do the flash without downtime, put the unflashed ECU back in for dealer service, troubleshoot with the OEM software if necessary, and send the flashed ECU back for updated if necessary. Is anyone doing that with the BMW DMEs or are they just too damn expensive. I recall a new ECU from the Audi dealer at the time was $500 and you could get them used for about $300. __________________ 2016 Porsche Cayman GTS - Sapphire Blue / Black Full Leather Interior / Carrera S Wheels
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05-11-2009, 06:37 PM	#2
JS11 Private First Class 19 Rep 192 Posts Drives: '08 E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cambridge, MA iTrader: (3)	it's approximately $1000 and i don't think it's easy to find used ones yet
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05-11-2009, 07:03 PM	#3
808MGuy Colonel 221 Rep 2,339 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Oahu, Hawaii iTrader: (3)	$1000 is not bad. If one of the tuners would offer it as a $700-800 option with the software I would think about it. Some of the Audi tuners did that. I assume they were able to buy some ECUs at a discounted rate from a dealer local to them. __________________ 2016 Porsche Cayman GTS - Sapphire Blue / Black Full Leather Interior / Carrera S Wheels
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05-11-2009, 07:26 PM	#4
Sales@Gintani.com 138 Rep 322 Posts Drives: Melbourne Red E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Van Nuys, California iTrader: (0)	We have our software upgrade available for $990.
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05-11-2009, 07:29 PM	#5
pittsy Captain 60 Rep 860 Posts Drives: Jerez...E92 M3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	I think he is talking about a new ecu with the software tune for 700-800 __________________ 08 E92 M3 Jerez Black \| Bamboo \| 6MT \| 18s \| 5% tint \| No iDrive \| Heated Seats \| V1 hardwire \| ///M Alu Pedals \| Matte Black Grills \| Painted Reflectors \| CF Roundels \| GP Thunder 8500k \| Remus Race Exhaust \| VMR V701 18s Matte Black
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05-11-2009, 09:59 PM	#7
JAJ Captain 80 Rep 961 Posts Drives: 2014 Shelby GT500 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (4)	I was told, back when I had an E39 M5 that the BMW ECU implements a part of the anti-theft system for the car. To make sure you couldn't start a stolen car by swapping ECU's, the ECU has to be coded to the car and the mileage on the ECU has to match the mileage on the chassis computer. No match, no start. I imagine that the E9x cars work the same way - swap ECU's and it won't run with the one that has mismatched mileage, even if both ECU's are coded to the car.
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