[Dr Dave]

As title really; have any of you guys had any coding done at a stealership - I've fitted a BMW CD Autochanger and need it coded into the car.

Local stealer tells me that the whole car has to be coded, which is 4-5hrs work and wants £190 for the privilege.

A1BM Specialists say they can do it in the same timeframe but their cost is £65+VAT, but they are 170 miles or so away from me.

Obviously it would be nice to have all new software uploaded to the car, so the BMW route is appealling coupled with the close proximity of them to me, but also the reasonable £65+VAT from A1BM is playing on my mind!

Has anyone any experiences/advice they can give?

[chris330D]

yes i have had it done, the default time they quote is the max time allowing for any upgrades and 'difficulties'. Normally takes a lot less and you can haggle them down. My arguement was that if they were effectively hooking up a laptop and then leaving the car and computer to do their thing, why the high cost.

[lesfinnie]

One reason would be the cost of software etc from BMW. I work for a tractor dealership and the behind the scenes cost of software, and updating computers etc is horrendous.

[Steve748]

I would go to A1BM then and enjoy the journey there and back

or try and knock the price at the local dealer on the basis that driving to A1BM would be cheaper

[Tunna_uk]

when you say coding, do you mean you get the latest engine computer software version etc?

[MO_1]

I know Sytner were doing Price matches with specialists. Try Darren Edwards he might be able to help you out

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by MO_1

I know Sytner were doing Price matches with specialists. Try Darren Edwards he might be able to help you out

I'd rather give Darren/Sytner the business, given his positive support on the forums etc.

Cheers Mo, I'll give him a shout.

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by Tunna_uk

when you say coding, do you mean you get the latest engine computer software version etc?

I've fitted a BMW autochanger to my car that already has the wiring etc, just need the car 'telling' that the changer is present for it to function.

[Dr Dave]

Originally Posted by chris330D

yes i have had it done, the default time they quote is the max time allowing for any upgrades and 'difficulties'. Normally takes a lot less and you can haggle them down. My arguement was that if they were effectively hooking up a laptop and then leaving the car and computer to do their thing, why the high cost.

Yeah but I guess it ties up the machine for a period and it can't be used by anyone else.....

Originally Posted by lesfinnie

One reason would be the cost of software etc from BMW. I work for a tractor dealership and the behind the scenes cost of software, and updating computers etc is horrendous.

Indeed, from being in the trade, I know the ongoing costs of diagnostic equipment alright!

[coodem]

Dave
You need to do one more thing before you can code the CD changer.

The wiring is in the boot by default. But the MOST (fibre optic circuit to the CD changer has not been connected to the loop.

Behind the seatback on the rear seats on the near side, you will find the distribution block. to connect it all. Its not hard at all, I suggest you number all the optic leads before you start moving them around. That way you can put it all back to how it was if it goes wrong. No soldiering, so don't worry

[coodem]

Dave. Have a look here for the BMW instructions. Also a lot of info on it.

Its really not hard to do at all, but you probably find BMW are charging £100 for thie bit alone

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=229440

[Dr Dave]

Wonderful, thanks Martin!

Yes, a fair bit of reading done, now I see what has to be done, many thanks!

[Dr Dave]

Many thanks for that Martin, all fitted and fibre-optic cables changed around.

As you say, fairly simple but label those wires in case it goes tits-up!

Worst part of the job was removing the rear seat bit (I don't have the load-through system) and the side panel in the boot.

Otherwise all done in an hour.

Now to get it coded...........where to go!

[gIzzE]

Fuckin' dealers!!!


If you are simply adding a cd changer, and it is a most bus version, ie you hooked it up with an optical cable, then you simply need to code it to the car, this will take 5 mins tops.

Problem with dealers is as soon as they hook it up to the car it will make them update everything that needs updating, you should argue that you don't want this to be done, you will allow it, but you are not prepared to pay for it.
Why should you pay, it is simply a load of updates that make BMWs life easier in the future, correcting things that should be right in the first place.

I would call autologic ask them who is local to you with their diagnostic equipment, then go and see them, they will code it for half an hour, which will be about £40 from most indys.

[gIzzE]

By the way, all most bus components in the car, so head unit, nav, dab, tv, cdchanger, usb, bluetooth etc. etc. are on their own network, you can code them on a bench.

You could send your head unit to someone with the coding software and they will code it and send it back to you, they don't even need the car.

[Dr Dave]

Cheers gizze, I'll give Autologic and see what's the score locally.

Half of me would kinda like the car to be fully updated.....but the £190 for basically nothing guts me somewhat!

I'll see what Autologic have to say and report back, cheers for the tip

[gIzzE]

Autologic can bring it up to date as well if you want them to.