BMW Performance Brakes Installation

[Drawn05]

Hi

I purchased a few of the BMWP items from the US and now have the task of getting them installed.

The Performance Brake Kit has me a bit perflexed though, as it appears it requires the dealer to upgrade the software which means I cant really DIY.

Has anyone else in aus had the perf. brakes installed, and if so, how much did you pay? (so I can suss out a fair price).

[Lucky1]

I bought the kit and haven't installed it yet. In speaking with people who have the impression I got is that the traction control (DSC/DTC) has to be reprogrammed to adapt to the larger rotors. It makes me believe you should be able to install it at your favourite garage mechanic for less and then take it to the dealership to have them reprogram it. You can get quotes from the dealer ahead of time to see how much the reprogramming alone would cost and then decide what you want to do.

In other words I don't think the reprogramming is necessary for the brakes to function and the car to be driveable, just do so with the DTC/DSC off until that system is reprogrammed.

[MikeVictor]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

just do so with the DTC/DSC off until that system is reprogrammed.

[BMWRX]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

just do so with the DTC/DSC off until that system is reprogrammed.

I'm not so sure about that. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable can fill us in but to me I don't know why larger rotors would affect your traction control.

[Drawn05]

The information sheet that came with it says-

"The DSC regulating system been recoded to the 17" BMW performance brake system. If a series brake system is retrofitted, your vehicle will require further recoding"

So the way I see it, there is a definite difference between a software update and re-coding, as the latter can be done with OBD tools at home. Am I correct in assuming that?

[andrew@southernBM]

pppffftt, as if,

Never heard of that before, i havent reprogrammed my brake system for my performance brakes, i'll follow up though. Rotors are the same size....

[E92325i]

Originally Posted by andrew@southernBM

pppffftt, as if,

Never heard of that before, i havent reprogrammed my brake system for my performance brakes, i'll follow up though. Rotors are the same size....

Aren't the 135i brakes exactly the same as the bmw performance brakes just with different discs (cross drilled/slotted) on the performance brakes?

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by E92325i

Aren't the 135i brakes exactly the same as the bmw performance brakes just with different discs (cross drilled/slotted) on the performance brakes?

except that the OP has a 125i

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by Drawn05

The information sheet that came with it says-

"The DSC regulating system been recoded to the 17" BMW performance brake system. If a series brake system is retrofitted, your vehicle will require further recoding"

So the way I see it, there is a definite difference between a software update and re-coding, as the latter can be done with OBD tools at home. Am I correct in assuming that?

symantics with the words "programming" and "coding" as used here in the forum.

First. the reason why the car needs to be "retrofitted" a.k.a. coded, is to tell the car that it now has a different brake system and that changes should be made to the bias and the abs/dsc/dtc inorder to incorporate the caliper. It also changes the VO which is the vehicle order, this is like the cars DNA. This is done so that any further "programming" or "coding" takes into account that you have the brake system on the car and does not revert it back to stock.

When you retrofit or code a car, the station that does this ALSO MUST AND WILL update any level of softwear and PROGRAM your car accordingly. There is no way around this. Its automatic.

Is it possible to code your car without programming???.... yes, espically if you were recently in the shop for some recall and everything is up to date. In my experience, cars get programmed in some manner.

When i did my car..It was Brand new... 1,500 miles.. Performance Brake was retrofitted ( coded) .... DME / Transmission control unit / DSC / and heating and airconditioning were all PROGRAMMED...

so you see its all really symantics... and no it cant be done with OBD scanners or the such.

I hope this helps..

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

symantics with the words "programming" and "coding" as used here in the forum.

First. the reason why the car needs to be "retrofitted" a.k.a. coded, is to tell the car that it now has a different brake system and that changes should be made to the bias and the abs/dsc/dtc inorder to incorporate the caliper. It also changes the VO which is the vehicle order, this is like the cars DNA. This is done so that any further "programming" or "coding" takes into account that you have the brake system on the car and does not revert it back to stock.

When you retrofit or code a car, the station that does this ALSO MUST AND WILL update any level of softwear and PROGRAM your car accordingly. There is no way around this. Its automatic.

Is it possible to code your car without programming???.... yes, espically if you were recently in the shop for some recall and everything is up to date. In my experience, cars get programmed in some manner.

When i did my car..It was Brand new... 1,500 miles.. Performance Brake was retrofitted ( coded) .... DME / Transmission control unit / DSC / and heating and airconditioning were all PROGRAMMED...

so you see its all really symantics... and no it cant be done with OBD scanners or the such.

I hope this helps..

Will your dealer tell you about the incidental re-coding, and specifically what was done? For instance, why was your HVAC system "programmed?"

And any idea if the vehicle order will remain consistent from one country to another? For example, in a couple of weeks I'm having an Alpine HiFi System retrofitted by my dealer in Spain. This requires a recode, I believe for changes to the head-unit. A few months later I will return (with my car) to the US. Will the US dealer network be aware of this re-coding? Might they accidentally revert the car to stock specs by inadvertently "coding over" this re-code?

I realize I may be getting some of the terms mixed up (coding vs programming) but I think I'm being clear enough. Let me know if not. Anyway, any insight?

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

Will your dealer tell you about the incidental re-coding, and specifically what was done? For instance, why was your HVAC system "programmed?"
One would have to ask for the printout.. it would be attached to the work order. I would ask for it when dropping off the car, as the paperwork goes a different direction than you pick up invoice. in all truthfullness other than us wierdos, normal customers do not care what was done as long as it all works.. Like i siad... BMW decides if there is some patch that is needed.. it could be the smallest little detail like mixing flap angle, or temp setting adjustment... who knows.. I have no idea why, and i say no change.

And any idea if the vehicle order will remain consistent from one country to another? For example, in a couple of weeks I'm having an Alpine HiFi System retrofitted by my dealer in Spain. This requires a recode, I believe for changes to the head-unit. A few months later I will return (with my car) to the US. Will the US dealer network be aware of this re-coding? Might they accidentally revert the car to stock specs by inadvertently "coding over" this re-code? The VO stays "in the car" It will follow you whereever you go.

I realize I may be getting some of the terms mixed up (coding vs programming) but I think I'm being clear enough. Let me know if not. Anyway, any insight?

crystal clear.. wow .. thats one hell of a retrofit to TopHiFi. cost like 5.0 hrs in usa to do plus parts ??? what are they charging you if you dont mind me asking.. Ive never seen it done..

[Bimmer-Bob]

They quoted me 260 euro, tax inclusive. That's about $360 (and about $10 more than it was last week!). That's just for the labor. I paid about $500 for the kit online from Schmiedmann, a Danish BMW specialist. That also included the tweeter covers, which must be ordered separately.

Anyway, the labor is supposed to be 2.0 hours, plus some additional time if needed for troubleshooting, plus whatever is required for programming (I think they usually charge an hour for this). I tried attaching the instructions from BMW FYI, but I think it's over the size limit. It seems about half the time I attach anything it doesn't work out. Anyway, if you want to PM me an email address I'd be happy to send you the file.

I'm not sure if a US dealer would do this job, as the kit is not sold in the US. No idea if BMWNA would support the programming, most importantly.

As for the kit itself, it's not quite up to TopHiFi specs, from what I understand. No Logic7 or anything, I don't think. I think it's more like HiFi, but hopefully a little better. On the 3er forum another member peeled off one of the part labels from the tweeter and found another label with part numbers underneath which corresponded to the TopHiFi tweeters, so I don't know what's going on - I don't think it translates directly to any one of BMW's stock systems.

As far as "asking for the printout," is that something I can do later? Like maybe get a summary of everything all at once off of the key fob or whatever? Trying to explain to my Spanish SA that I want a copy of the work order has about a 50/50 chance of working out...

Anyway, thanks for the info.

For the price, it's probably not the most cost effective thing vs going aftermarket, but it's plug and play and OEM, which counts for something IMO.

[Drawn05]

Thanks for the info. Im going to install at home anyway this weekend; even though replacing brakes is my least favourite task, i'm not paying $1200 for it. I will just get BMW to recode it.

Originally Posted by DriveHard

symantics with the words "programming" and "coding" as used here in the forum.

First. the reason why the car needs to be "retrofitted" a.k.a. coded, is to tell the car that it now has a different brake system and that changes should be made to the bias and the abs/dsc/dtc inorder to incorporate the caliper. It also changes the VO which is the vehicle order, this is like the cars DNA. This is done so that any further "programming" or "coding" takes into account that you have the brake system on the car and does not revert it back to stock.

When you retrofit or code a car, the station that does this ALSO MUST AND WILL update any level of softwear and PROGRAM your car accordingly. There is no way around this. Its automatic.

Is it possible to code your car without programming???.... yes, espically if you were recently in the shop for some recall and everything is up to date. In my experience, cars get programmed in some manner.

When i did my car..It was Brand new... 1,500 miles.. Performance Brake was retrofitted ( coded) .... DME / Transmission control unit / DSC / and heating and airconditioning were all PROGRAMMED...

so you see its all really symantics... and no it cant be done with OBD scanners or the such.

I hope this helps..

[E92325i]

Originally Posted by sparoz

except that the OP has a 125i

Yes i noticed that the op has a 125i but i was referring to Andrew's 135i. A 135i which has performance brakes installed should not theoretically need this "reprogramming" (if it exists) as it is running the exact same caliper and disc size as stock...

[andrew@southernBM]

ah my mistake, i didn't realise he had a 125i

[Drawn05]

Originally Posted by E92325i

Yes i noticed that the op has a 125i but i was referring to Andrew's 135i. A 135i which has performance brakes installed should not theoretically need this "reprogramming" (if it exists) as it is running the exact same caliper and disc size as stock...

The info sheet doesnt specify a difference nor does it identify which vehicles it is applicable to, which I assume means it applies to all 1 series by default.

Does anyone actually have the installation instructions? (if they even exist).

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

They quoted me 260 euro, tax inclusive. That's about $360 (and about $10 more than it was last week!). That's just for the labor. I paid about $500 for the kit online from Schmiedmann, a Danish BMW specialist. That also included the tweeter covers, which must be ordered separately.

Anyway, the labor is supposed to be 2.0 hours, plus some additional time if needed for troubleshooting, plus whatever is required for programming (I think they usually charge an hour for this). I tried attaching the instructions from BMW FYI, but I think it's over the size limit. It seems about half the time I attach anything it doesn't work out. Anyway, if you want to PM me an email address I'd be happy to send you the file.

I'm not sure if a US dealer would do this job, as the kit is not sold in the US. No idea if BMWNA would support the programming, most importantly.


As for the kit itself, it's not quite up to TopHiFi specs, from what I understand. No Logic7 or anything, I don't think. I think it's more like HiFi, but hopefully a little better. On the 3er forum another member peeled off one of the part labels from the tweeter and found another label with part numbers underneath which corresponded to the TopHiFi tweeters, so I don't know what's going on - I don't think it translates directly to any one of BMW's stock systems.

As far as "asking for the printout," is that something I can do later? Like maybe get a summary of everything all at once off of the key fob or whatever? Trying to explain to my Spanish SA that I want a copy of the work order has about a 50/50 chance of working out...

Anyway, thanks for the info.

For the price, it's probably not the most cost effective thing vs going aftermarket, but it's plug and play and OEM, which counts for something IMO.

BMW's installation instructions and their related "estimated installation time" have been know to be a little optimistic.. I have found them to be at least .5 to 1.0 off from reality, not counting the most basic installations like mirror caps or something. I have the file or at least i could get it.. how do you think i know all of this worthless information but thanks for the thought.

Just tell your SA that you need a copy of the "FINAL REPORT" from their PROGRAMMING STATION


Good Luck.. Hope it sounds as good as you want it to.. Adios

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by Drawn05

The info sheet doesnt specify a difference nor does it identify which vehicles it is applicable to, which I assume means it applies to all 1 series by default.

Does anyone actually have the installation instructions? (if they even exist).

Gonna see if this works:

OHHHH It worked !!!! well there you go.. hope it opens for you let me know if it doesn't

[Drawn05]

Cheers for that, that will come in handy.

I notice that it doesnt mention the 135i at all, so I assume there must be other install documents for the 135/335? Or they arent meant to be installed on 135's or more than likely they are exactly the same as the stock ones (except the colour?).

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by Drawn05

Cheers for that, that will come in handy.

I notice that it doesnt mention the 135i at all, so I assume there must be other install documents for the 135/335? Or they arent meant to be installed on 135's or more than likely they are exactly the same as the stock ones (except the colour?).

Ill look for i35 specific.. stand by

by the part # 34110443865 135i BBK there are no seperate install instructions.. ??? I dont know why.. but i tried..

[andrew@southernBM]

For the # 34110443865 135i BBK

How much does it cost you landed here? I'm interested to compare local costs, they have come back recently.

Does the overseas Performance brake kit come with Performance rear rotors, or did you buy the kit with the stock rear rotors in the box? The kits i sell, i include the dimpled rear rotors.

I'd be keen to know.

[Drawn05]

The kit I have only has the standard rear rotors, though the perf. cross drilled ones can be picked up for US$190.

The total cost for my kit landed was $1150