PPK in cars built after march 2012

[Ejpatch]

Anyone with new cars been able to install their performance kit yet? I'm still waiting and have not heard anything.

[sochermit]

The last I heard, May 30, was that it would be available in July.

[Diver]

Still wondering why this is happening.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by Diver

Still wondering why this is happening.

I know isn't it the same engine??

[Diver]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

I know isn't it the same engine??

It's the same engine. I have a feeling that some of the DME coding or hardware was changed to make tampering more difficult. This is because it was reported the PPK flash would not take and that there was a hack to get it to take. This also raises the question as to whether any other tune is is impacted whether it is a flash like Dinan or a sensor intercept like JB4.

[NickZ135i]

I ordered my car at the end of March, went into production 1st week of April and took delivery Jun 1st. I had them preinstall the PPK before I took delivery....... Is it possible it "didn't take"???? I have no non-PPK car to compare to.

[Ejpatch]

Good question I pre- ordered mine also and they told me it could not be installed yet when I picked it up

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by Diver

It's the same engine. I have a feeling that some of the DME coding or hardware was changed to make tampering more difficult.

Yes, different DME with a higher level of encryption. I know several UK owners of newer 135i (post this Feb/Mar date) have been turned away by some of the UK tuners as they can't bench flash these new DME.....(yet)

[AndrewCowley]

Well since the 135is is supposed to come from the factory with the performance kit installed, it seems obvious this problem will get sorted. Just a matter of time.

[Diver]

I wonder if the new encryption locks out the Dinan flash for the N55.

Somewhere I saw a memo from BMW saying their objectives in designing the N55 DME included making it more difficult to apply tunes, and to make tunes easier to detect. They are concerned engine failures from abuse often happen after the vehicle is returned to stock condition and resold as CPO. I would also think the issue could lower residual values.

This isn't the first time a DME upgrade defeated a tune. For a while there was a gadget that only had to be connected to the MAF sensor. A DME upgrade rendered it useless. Those who sell tunes claim codes can be cleared. Service departments say tunes can be detected. Who do you believe?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Diver

I wonder if the new encryption locks out the Dinan flash for the N55.

Somewhere I saw a memo from BMW saying their objectives in designing the N55 DME included making it more difficult to apply tunes, and to make tunes easier to detect. They are concerned engine failures from abuse often happen after the vehicle is returned to stock condition and resold as CPO. I would also think the issue could lower residual values.

BMW also did this with the N54. The HPFP SW update(the one that cylces the LPFP when you open or unlock the car) also loads anti-tuner SW so that most tunes do not work anymore. Most of the German tuners know how to get around this. I am sure in time it will be the same for the N55.

Remember the JB+ for the N55's. At first they worked just like on the N54 engine. Then a few months into the N55 builds... the JB+ stopped working. I think the product was pulled from the market(quietly). That was due to BMW anti-tuner SW loaded post factory build, ie SW update when the cars came in for service. They are getting good at limiting our fun.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by AndrewCowley

Well since the 135is is supposed to come from the factory with the performance kit installed, it seems obvious this problem will get sorted. Just a matter of time.

+1.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by NickZ135i

I ordered my car at the end of March, went into production 1st week of April and took delivery Jun 1st. I had them preinstall the PPK before I took delivery....... Is it possible it "didn't take"???? I have no non-PPK car to compare to.

I think your best bet is to have a dealer read your SW level. Your VIN should be flagged as having a PPK installed too. Maybe look for the stickers under the hood.

I suppose you could also have your dyno'd or maybe hook up a boost gauge and read your boost pressure. Stock is 8.7 psi I believe. PPK should be a few psi more.

Dack

[Nugget]

I think a stock N55 peaks at 9.9psi.

[StarzM3]

I just picked up a new 2012 335i vert, M sport and took it to the local Dinan dealer in hopes of getting a Stage 2 tune today. Turns out they changed the encryption for cars built after March 2012, and they haven't cracked the code yet. Spoke with Dinan and they said they have the new code, and are expecting to get a car to experiment on shortly. He said it could take a few days to a few months, depending on how hard it is to reverse engineer. I was pretty bummed to say the least! Even the BMW PPK won't work right now.

[Ejpatch]

So annoying this is ,because I pre paid the $980 and I keep hearing check back over and over

[Golden3ye]

i cant think of a reason why they would want to prevent after market tunes. that just makes your product undesirable to a large group of consumers. real bad for buisness

I can only think they want to save themselves from spending money doing warranty work on cars that were abused by aftermarket tunes. Then why not just focus their efforts on upping tune detection rather than eliminating the ability to tune?

[sochermit]

Just heard from my dealer about the fix before installing the PPK1. "He said he hasn't heard of any change in the July anticipated dates for the update". He being the shop foreman. Looks funny as they appear to have been able to install the PPK1 in the 2013 models.

[Ejpatch]

Originally Posted by sochermit

Just heard from my dealer about the fix before installing the PPK1. "He said he hasn't heard of any change in the July anticipated dates for the update". He being the shop foreman. Looks funny as they appear to have been able to install the PPK1 in the 2013 models.

Are you saying it is going to be ready in July?

[sochermit]

Originally Posted by Ejpatch

Are you saying it is going to be ready in July?

My understanding was the fix, or whatever, will be available in July and then they can install the PPK1. They did not, will not, provide any further information.

[Diver]

Originally Posted by Golden3ye

i cant think of a reason why they would want to prevent after market tunes. that just makes your product undesirable to a large group of consumers. real bad for buisness

I can only think they want to save themselves from spending money doing warranty work on cars that were abused by aftermarket tunes. Then why not just focus their efforts on upping tune detection rather than eliminating the ability to tune?

See post #10.

[StarzM3]

Just an update, I was able to get the PPK installed at United BMW in Roswell, GA on my new 2012 135i. I've had it since Tuesday, and it's great so far!