Japan Spec 240E software flash by Alex@Alpine

[S65B40]

Since I got my car back in early 2008, it has only gone through a flash once with the powerchip stage 1 tune. I've never quite got used to how the car drives, the power band has been peaky and overly sensitive, and the early DME software has been very sluggish for me. I knew I had to find a solution for this.


After months of searching, I came across Alex@Alpine on this forum. I decided to give Alpine a shot after reading so many positive reviews from the fellow forum members. Alex told me he offers both the American 240E and the Japanese spec 240E for me to choose from, I decided to go with the J-Spec after learning that it runs more aggressive and leaner than the US version. It took Alex a total of 10 minutes to flash my very outdated car, and he also gave me some freebie coding such as the folding mirrors, idrive message removal, and the amber corner delete.


Below are a few positive changes I've noticed after the tune:

1) The idle RPM sits a bit lower than my old tune.

2) The throttle is very responsive but not overly sensitive.

3) The clutch engages smoother with the new tune, as it accommodates the clutch better. Downshift rev-matching can be done more smoothly now.

4) The engine is more linear than before, pulls a lot stronger throughout the entire RPM range, when it used to be peaky with the old tune.

5) There isn't a huge difference between normal and sports throttle now since the normal throttle has been improved much over the old tune.

6) The car seems to be getting better MPG now, by a small margin.


I can't believe a simple tune would've transformed my car completely! The tune made me fall in love with my old garage queen all over again! I highly recommend fellow SoCal members to pay Alex a visit, he's easy to get along with, very knowledgeable about the tunes, offers the best bang for your buck, and most importantly, he gets the job done!

[S65B40]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Oh wow... 80E is really old. The earliest I've seen in a US car is 60E. Both 80E and 60E are from 2008. Now you have the benefit of BMW's improvements over the last 5 years

My car was a 12/07 build and came with 60E.

Yeah it definitely is old! I am glad I've kept the car this long to witness the changes and all the fix made by the brilliant BMW engineers.



Most importantly, I am a happy customer reviewing a fine product and a great service on here, so please no debates in this thread guys!

[W///]

Originally Posted by S65B40

Thanks for clearing that up Mike. I won't find the emissions testing a problem because I will be exporting this car back to Taiwan with me within a few months. The emission regulation there is about the same as Japan.

My car previously had the 80E I believe, since it is a 02/08 build and the DME has never been updated by the dealership before. This could very well explain why I am seeing so many improvements.

Mike was working on my car last fall and saw that my car was 60E
Let's just say 240E and stage 2 tune made a difference!

[Alex@Alpine]

I'll be more then happy to update any customer to US spec, then over to Japan Spec, and they can be the judge. I have done this for a good number of people, and everyone is very pleased, I even had customers coming from 240E US claim amazing results.

[pbonsalb]

I wish there was a shop or tuner in the MA/NH area that could do the factory software update to my 08M3. Do not want to buy a cable and tune.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I wish there was a shop or tuner in the MA/NH area that could do the factory software update to my 08M3. Do not want to buy a cable and tune.

I wish I could do the 240E update too here in San Francisco. Seems like most of the shops are in SoCal. I asked the dealer about it and they refused to touch it even if I wanted to pay for the update! April 08 build on mine so it probably has the early version too.

[BIU]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I wish there was a shop or tuner in the MA/NH area that could do the factory software update to my 08M3. Do not want to buy a cable and tune.

I feel ya...

In the same boat out here overseas.. I believe I have one of those dinosaur 08s everyones talking about

All I want to do is have the DME upgraded to 240E and if possible, the most updated DCT software..

[AP3X_FTW]

I have an 08 e90 and Im sure im on one of the older tunes. How much to have one of you guys get me up to date with the latest software? Im in SoCal

[BIU]

Originally Posted by AP3X_FTW

I have an 08 e90 and Im sure im on one of the older tunes. How much to have one of you guys get me up to date with the latest software? Im in SoCal

Price of a tune

[Alex@Alpine]

Send me a PM, update for SoCal residents are cheap, I can do DCT software remotely also, much faster shifts.

[M3DCTBT]

Japan or Euro Spec DME software versions are getting flagged in all local emission databases by the EPA. Do not go through emissions testing via OBD2 with one of these in. You will be in alot of pain. Ask me how I know

[NikB316]

Alex@Alpine is a good man! He did all the coding for my Euro MDM, headlights, I-Drive etc.

Everyone one else wants to charge ~$100 just for Euro MDM and some even $100s more for the same exact coding!

I think I paid under $80 including shipping both ways of the cable for EVERYTHING. He took care of me on a moments notice on a Friday night. He also put up with my computer related issues.

I'm the type that will gladly spend more money if I'm getting something better but why pay significantly more for the exact same service and results?

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by NikB316

Alex@Alpine is a good man! He did all the coding for my Euro MDM, headlights, I-Drive etc.

Everyone one else wants to charge ~$100 just for Euro MDM and some even $100s more for the same exact coding!

I think I paid under $80 including shipping both ways of the cable for EVERYTHING. He took care of me on a moments notice on a Friday night. He also put up with my computer related issues.

I'm the type that will gladly spend more money if I'm getting something better but why pay significantly more for the exact same service and results?

Good to hear. Euro MDM is awesome. Let's me drift just about every turn on my way to work but catches me and prevents me from hitting curbs (there's no other cars around) when I screw up.

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

Ill take every percent I can get!'

My E60 M5 on the other hand is a hell of a lot worse mileage wise. Like 9-12 mpg... Fail!

But on E60 M5 the latest software from BMW is 160E. There have been many more revisions of M3 software vs M5

Absolutely, it was a pleasantly surprising side benefit after Sal updated me. Close to 2,000 miles on it now and averaging in the mid-high 19's instead of 18.6 prior

[Rk-d]

Originally Posted by Z K

I wish I could do the 240E update too here in San Francisco. Seems like most of the shops are in SoCal. I asked the dealer about it and they refused to touch it even if I wanted to pay for the update! April 08 build on mine so it probably has the early version too.

Just find a local BMW shop that has an Autologic. I'm in a very small market (way smaller than SF) and had it done for cheap.

[NikB316]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Good to hear. Euro MDM is awesome. Let's me drift just about every turn on my way to work but catches me and prevents me from hitting curbs (there's no other cars around) when I screw up.

Exactly! Best $80 one can spend on this car. It is much less intrusive around corners and even when going in the straights hard on lower gears it makes a huge difference. I can hear a nice little chirp 1st to 3rd without the traction kicking on. Of course some of you just drive with traction off but if I'm on public streets I prefer something to save my ass.

[geneatals]

Originally Posted by Alex@Alpine

Send me a PM, update for SoCal residents are cheap, I can do DCT software remotely also, much faster shifts.

what is/are the difference(s) between US and EU DCT programming? and is this simple coding or entails an ECU flash?

[Alex@Alpine]

Originally Posted by geneatals

what is/are the difference(s) between US and EU DCT programming? and is this simple coding or entails an ECU flash?

Faster shifts, transmission engages right away in reverse and forward moving. You will feel it right away when you reverse the car, and sometimes it shifts so fast from 1st-2nd you'll see your traction light blink a sec.

[geneatals]

Originally Posted by Alex@Alpine

Faster shifts, transmission engages right away in reverse and forward moving. You will feel it right away when you reverse the car, and sometimes it shifts so fast from 1st-2nd you'll see your traction light blink a sec.

thanks alex..I'll contact you sometime later this week...regarding this..I'm local but will most likely want to do remote as my schedule is tight...

also, will I need to flash my SW to the latest version? I have a 11/2010 build

[Alex@Alpine]

Originally Posted by geneatals

thanks alex..I'll contact you sometime later this week...regarding this..I'm local but will most likely want to do remote as my schedule is tight...

also, will I need to flash my SW to the latest version? I have a 11/2010 build

I have done many DCT updates without updating the DME, not necessary to update the DME for DCT update.

If you are local come by I will update your DME & DCT for a real low price. Both with dealer tool.

[disruptv]

question...whats the latest software for an 08 m6 ? how can i check to see which software im running?

[jpirelli]

Originally Posted by M3DCTBT

Japan or Euro Spec DME software versions are getting flagged in all local emission databases by the EPA. Do not go through emissions testing via OBD2 with one of these in. You will be in alot of pain. Ask me how I know

Wow. More details please. PM me if it's better.