Firmware/Software Versions

[absoluteis350]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

It seems it's a general trend that some owners are willing to take that risk, even if small, of bricking an $$$ ECU... but it's possible that the guys that charge for it may know something we don't... And hence why they say it's safe and I bet they give a written warranty. And for those that want to DIY, be ready for many unpredictable things that can happen. A fellow had his car in transport mode while doing it... This is not coding "easy entry" or ASD off! Better know the risks ahead then blindly diving in

Dude.. this isn't black magic.. it's software. If you flash it wrong, you just flash it back to your backup/original configuration. It isn't like the dealer is going to do anything different to fix a bad flash. The ECU doesn't run on dealer pixie magic dust. It's software. Not a big deal.

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by absoluteis350

Dude.. this isn't black magic.. it's software. If you flash it wrong, you just flash it back to your backup/original configuration. It isn't like the dealer is going to do anything different to fix a bad flash. The ECU doesn't run on dealer pixie magic dust. It's software. Not a big deal.

I appreciate your optimism and views, I tend to over analyze things. My point was specific to people who are flashing ECUs without having adequate power supply, not just the flashing operation which carries its own risks.

Please read the countless threads where people's cars were in transport mode and only because of special super nice super patient super knowledgeable person that they got out of their mess, or the others that flatbed their cars to the dealers and paid few hundred $. Those stories aren't here but they are not a myth and are a reality. I am not saying all hell will break loose but you need to be careful when flashing your car's ECUs. It is not upgrading an iPhone iOS operation...

If you have updated your F8x I-step successfully numerous times, then I invite you over to the DIY section to volunteer your experiences and knowledge that would definitely help future DIYers. As a matter of fact I am still researching the risk in flashing one of the most troublesome ECU, FEM_GW using Esys/ENET for our cars, it would be greatly appreciated if you have any pointers ? Respectfully.

[Bluex]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

I appreciate your optimism and views, I tend to over analyze things. My point was specific to people who are flashing ECUs without having adequate power supply, not just the flashing operation which carries its own risks.

Please read the countless threads where people's cars were in transport mode and only because of special super nice super patient super knowledgeable person that they got out of their mess, or the others that flatbed their cars to the dealers and paid few hundred $. Those stories aren't here but they are not a myth and are a reality. I am not saying all hell will break loose but you need to be careful when flashing your car's ECUs. It is not upgrading an iPhone iOS operation...

If you have updated your F8x I-step successfully numerous times, then I invite you over to the DIY section to volunteer your experiences and knowledge that would definitely help future DIYers. As a matter of fact I am still researching the risk in flashing one of the most troublesome ECU, FEM_GW using Esys/ENET for our cars, it would be greatly appreciated if you have any pointers ? Respectfully.

Agreed with your perspective.

I don't disagree with the perspective of absoluteis350 either. Yes it is only software and it all can be fixed.

But coming from 20 years in IT, everything can be fixed (with moderate preparation and backups), that's not the point. It comes down to how much of a pain in the ass, how long, and how expensive it is to fix.

We tend to want our software updates to go smoothly and uneventfully

I much prefer the conservative viewpoint when it comes to flashing my ECU

[neo871]

Originally Posted by aboulfad

You are welcome, and if it's any consolation, given your car's sw is one of the oldest reported in this thread, you may experience the most improvements like going from a Motorola AMPS cell phone to an iPhone 6S+ (just kidding)

i will report back when I'll have it done

I see that the newest in your list is 58.2, but actually the latest one is 58.3, correct?

[aboulfad]

Originally Posted by neo871

i will report back when I'll have it done
I see that the newest in your list is 58.2, but actually the latest one is 58.3, correct?

Correct, Master didn't have the ISTA/P 58.3 I-step overview. I'll update my post above.

[sandjam]

My car is arriving in port on Friday. It has a build date of Apr27th 2016. Lets say for example it DOES have the latest version installed. The first thing I want to do is code the Euro LED Headlights. That coding requires changing the VO and the updating then ECU's to their factory settings. My question is, where do the ECU's get those factory settings from? The software on the ECU's themselves or from the ESYS software? If from ESYS wouldn't I be losing the latest update revisions if I had older ESYS files? Or am I totally off base?

[mephiska]

Originally Posted by sandjam

My car is arriving in port on Friday. It has a build date of Apr27th 2016. Lets say for example it DOES have the latest version installed. The first thing I want to do is code the Euro LED Headlights. That coding requires changing the VO and the updating then ECU's to their factory settings. My question is, where do the ECU's get those factory settings from? The software on the ECU's themselves or from the ESYS software? If from ESYS wouldn't I be losing the latest update revisions if I had older ESYS files? Or am I totally off base?

If you are going to VO code properly you should be reading all the current settings off your ECUs and modify that. You won't be coding old settings that didn't come from your car onto it.

[sandjam]

Originally Posted by mephiska

If you are going to VO code properly you should be reading all the current settings off your ECUs and modify that. You won't be coding old settings that didn't come from your car onto it.

Ok, so what you are saying is the factory default settings come from the car not the ESYS software files?

So if I am on the latest version when my car arrives then I change the VO and recode the ECU's to their defaults for the new VO, it would be resetting the ECU's to those latest defaults based on the version my car came with?

[philthy84]

Going for my 1 year service next Thursday and hopefully my SA will update my firmware. I'm sure my firmware is one of the older ones, my M4's build week was in early April last year. I wish I could check what the exact firmware number is, I tried the USB export profile thing suggested earlier in this thread but my BMW USB key fob gift is not being read by my iDrive after reformatting it to exFAT and FAT32. Will try again later with another USB stick since the BMW key fob USB was not working.

[brian30tw]

I think someone mentioned this possibility already, but I don't remember seeing anybody with an actual confirmation:

Has anybody paid their dealer to perform this upgrade (i.e., just truthfully told their SA what they wanted and paid for it, instead of trying to have it covered under warranty)? If so, how much did it cost, and what were the charges for (just the hourly rate?).

It seems like it could be worth it for some of us with older builds. I certainly wouldn't pay for every single upgrade, but this one seems particularly meaty.

Thanks,
Brian

[///M///]

Originally Posted by brian30tw

I think someone mentioned this possibility already, but I don't remember seeing anybody with an actual confirmation:

Has anybody paid their dealer to perform this upgrade (i.e., just truthfully told their SA what they wanted and paid for it, instead of trying to have it covered under warranty)? If so, how much did it cost, and what were the charges for (just the hourly rate?).

It seems like it could be worth it for some of us with older builds. I certainly wouldn't pay for every single upgrade, but this one seems particularly meaty.

Thanks,
Brian

You don't want it to be hourly with the dealer. They have some ridiculous hourly rates.

[brian30tw]

Originally Posted by ///M///

You don't want it to be hourly with the dealer. They have some ridiculous hourly rates.

Agreed! Just curious how they would try to charge for it.

[al3xander]

Originally Posted by brian30tw

Agreed! Just curious how they would try to charge for it.

1 hour labor charge to update

[MNoob]

Originally Posted by al3xander

1 hour labor charge to update

For under $200, it's worth it.

[Bluex]

Originally Posted by al3xander

1 hour labor charge to update

Really? Is this true? Some have stated it took upwards of 5 hours to complete the 58.3 update.

Just curious.

[al3xander]

Originally Posted by Bluex

Really? Is this true? Some have stated it took upwards of 5 hours to complete the 58.3 update.

Just curious.

Its very possible it will take that long but the dealer will just charge you 1 hours labor to do it. Atleast my shop will. The technician has to pull the car into the bay and set up the programming and then let the vehicle sit while the new firmware is being uploaded. If your dealer tries to ask for more than 1 hour id shop around

[brian30tw]

Originally Posted by al3xander

Its very possible it will take that long but the dealer will just charge you 1 hours labor to do it. Atleast my shop will. The technician has to pull the car into the bay and set up the programming and then let the vehicle sit while the new firmware is being uploaded. If your dealer tries to ask for more than 1 hour id shop around

Awesome, thank you for that! I am definitely going to ask about it when I'm in for my next oil change this summer.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by al3xander

Its very possible it will take that long but the dealer will just charge you 1 hours labor to do it. Atleast my shop will. The technician has to pull the car into the bay and set up the programming and then let the vehicle sit while the new firmware is being uploaded. If your dealer tries to ask for more than 1 hour id shop around

Yeah but as long as it occupies a bay, they are likely to charge the time for it.

[mdemon]

Originally Posted by brian30tw

I think someone mentioned this possibility already, but I don't remember seeing anybody with an actual confirmation:

Has anybody paid their dealer to perform this upgrade (i.e., just truthfully told their SA what they wanted and paid for it, instead of trying to have it covered under warranty)? If so, how much did it cost, and what were the charges for (just the hourly rate?).

It seems like it could be worth it for some of us with older builds. I certainly wouldn't pay for every single upgrade, but this one seems particularly meaty.

Thanks,
Brian

My dealer has asked for $205 for performing the "infamous" update.

[jm600rr]

Originally Posted by brian30tw

I think someone mentioned this possibility already, but I don't remember seeing anybody with an actual confirmation:

Has anybody paid their dealer to perform this upgrade (i.e., just truthfully told their SA what they wanted and paid for it, instead of trying to have it covered under warranty)? If so, how much did it cost, and what were the charges for (just the hourly rate?).

It seems like it could be worth it for some of us with older builds. I certainly wouldn't pay for every single upgrade, but this one seems particularly meaty.

Thanks,
Brian

Mine wanted $225

[BigSky702]

Originally Posted by jm600rr

Mine wanted $225

Originally Posted by mdemon

My dealer has asked for $205 for performing the "infamous" update.

Are either of you going to pay for it???

[mdemon]

Originally Posted by BigSky702

Are either of you going to pay for it???

No. I just told him what can you do for a brother?

His reply: Call you after work!!

I'll keep you guys posted!