ESS Tune - 1M

[sparoz]

I have received my Direct Flash Kit today from SouthernBM today! Andrew is great to deal with, and helped me with other questions too, which I realised afterwards he doesn't even stock!

Here are some notes for the tune:

After loading the software, and the compulsory flash to the latest firmware, I plugged in the device into the car and read my ECU. The reading took about one hour, which was very "interesting" as I done it parking on the side of the road (during my tea break ).

I am very impressed with ESS service. I sent them the file around 5pm, and I received my tune file by 6:30pm! I was not expecting the file overnight as it was 1:30am their time when they send the tune back!

After visiting 3D babies and something to eat, I proceed to upload the file back on the device. For some reason, the USB didn't connect initially, but I suspect it is something to do with the virtual machine. After a little play with the VM settings, finally got it reconnected and the mod uploaded to the device.

Sorry for the tease but watch this space for my initial review of the tune tomorrow...

Tomorrow... (today)
Woke up this morning, first thing and I plugged the unit in to flash the ECU. As soon everything started, I was alarmed by various checklights - tyre pressure, traction control, and some unknown checks that I don't regconise start displaying on the nav display; the priming sound we get every time we unlock the car was on non-stop!! I was thinking it must be the way it is, and went and put some eggs on before I head back to the car, and started catching up the forum.

After a few minutes, I went back to the car and checked the progress, and it had ticked over and the writing was done. I was starting to get a bit worried as everything is still on dash and the priming (or just the ECU fan?) was still on. Clicked through the menus on the flash with the okays, and the required communication, and the writing is completed, and the fan stopped, and left with only the tyre pressure fault warning.

First thing I did was start the car - it started! The tyre pressure fault is also gone now too! Now satisfied that the car is okay... it is time for some eggs...

1hr later... driving to work...
Traffic? Enough cars around that I can't do a 2-3-4 pull
M button working? Checked
Power delivery? Smoother than stock
Drivability? Better than stock especially in non M mode
Response? Same as stock if not better in M mode. Better than stock in non-M mode
Most improved feature? the car just keeps pulling right through the rev range!
Why would you want it? if you track the car, or love spirited driving
Reason not to get it? if you buy the car for the M badge and you never go pass 4k rpm.

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

why ess over procede/jb4?

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

why ess over procede/jb4?

ess is 1M/is specific and maintain the functionality of the M button, and response. Procede and jb4 at the moment basically makes the 1M engine behaves like any other n54 with their tune, but probably with more aggressive mapping due to better cooling on the 1M.

The advantage of the flash is that I can flash back anytime before I go to the dealership if I choose to. ESS has also been reported to be one of the better 1M tunes with its smooth delivery.

[m 135]

Hi mate,i got the ESS tune for my v8 x6 and found the product and service to be top notch,very smooth and impressive tune,you should be happy with it,very handy to be able to go back to original file by sitting in the car,plug in and download,first tune i have done,bought it straight from the web site and they sent it out fed-ex straight away,even got a discount with a promo they had at the time,lets see how you go.

[RaihaX]

Keep us posted

[Zuzu]

Ok Steve. It's tomorrow. Waiting

[sparoz]

Small update .

[Alpine*]

Originally Posted by sparoz

Small update .

Finished your eggs yet?. c'mon

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by AlpineM3E92

Finished your eggs yet?. c'mon

Oh, I am on to my Jasmine tea now . Normally I would have my Nespresso (ran out of capsules), or my special brew of English Breakfast Tea Hong Kong style (couldn't be bothered).

[alik01]

Originally Posted by sparoz

Oh, I am on to my Jasmine tea now . Normally I would have my Nespresso (ran out of capsules), or my special brew of English Breakfast Tea Hong Kong style (couldn't be bothered).

For God's sake!

Can't be that good, if you're not skipping your breakfast!

I do enjoy my Jasmine Tea in the morning. Camomile in the evening.

[ansch]

so how do you like your eggs cooked?




go for a drive already!

[Alpine*]

This rate Andrew will have done ours, made a vid and added it to his website before you get done with your bloody cuppa tea.

[sparoz]

Just updated!

Originally Posted by alik01

For God's sake!

Can't be that good, if you're not skipping your breakfast!

I do enjoy my Jasmine Tea in the morning. Camomile in the evening.

I had Camomile last night - probably that's why I am so relax about it in the morning. i think it will be big improvement in tracking, because you can probably hold a gear down rather than shifting on some corners. Delivery is smooth, and if anything and improvement in stock so feathering throttle.

Can't really tell with lag at the moment because i realised the way I tested the car yesterday and today was different. Yesterday, I gave it a dab and look for the response time of the engine, and today I was flooring it looking for how quickly it gets to power.

Originally Posted by ansch

so how do you like your eggs cooked?

go for a drive already!

Medium - 11.5 minutes. You read too much manga.

Originally Posted by AlpineM3E92

This rate Andrew will have done ours, made a vid and added it to his website before you get done with your bloody cuppa tea.

No, I have beat him to it. Are you still getting the akra done on Friday?

Originally Posted by ianf2002

This could be a concern that the ESS takes ages to upload maps?

Questions:
- how long does the map upload take?
- does the handheld have batteries, or does power come from the OBD-II port?

10-15 minutes - I set the flash on, went and cook some eggs, and it's ready just before my eggs are ready.

It is power from OBD-II port, so make sure your headlight and running light is set to off when you flash. The main concern is really the first read, which takes 50 minutes. They warned that you should have it on a charger whenever you flash, but I realised I had my running lights on half way through, and I am okay .

[alik01]

This sounds very encouraging Steve - please post up your thoughts on the power delivery when going a little hard - especially not under the lingering effects of Camomile tea!

I never thought I'd say this but I'm now tempted - damn you. Can you email me price please?

Thanks.

[m 135]

The great part of this tune for turbo cars is it does reduce most of the turbo=lag you may have,so besides the power aspect you get better driveability which is one of ESS strong points compared to other tunes.

[Alpine*]

Originally Posted by alik01

This sounds very encouraging Steve - please post up your thoughts on the power delivery when going a little hard - especially not under the lingering effects of Camomile tea!

I never thought I'd say this but I'm now tempted - damn you. Can you email me price please?

Thanks.

FROM ANDREW ON THE 1M mod thread.


1M Direct Flash from ESS.
I'm doing them for $1200 installed or shipped.

More details here
__________________
Andrew Brien
www.southernbm.com.au
andrew@southernbm.com.au
2 Elna Crt Moorabbin
03)9555-4049

[RaihaX]

good news for the 1M crew!

[Zuzu]

[BBK]

Originally Posted by m 135

The great part of this tune for turbo cars is it does reduce most of the turbo=lag you may have,so besides the power aspect you get better driveability which is one of ESS strong points compared to other tunes.

I don't really think you can say the 1M or 135i has much (if any) turbo lag to begin with? With torque coming in at as little as 1500rpm, getting it much lower wouldn't really be much of a priority.

[05C4R]

when you say smoother do you mean less brutal or less sudden power increase at about 3500revs, has it changed the power band to be more even up to and past the 3500 rev point where it really picks up

drivability in m mode is better, is this just more power at the pedal cos the throttle response in stock m mode would be hard to beat

[Zuzu]

I had very little lag on my 135i until I installed the JB, then zero lag..

The 1M is a totally different kettle of fish.. NO LAG..

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by BBK

I don't really think you can say the 1M or 135i has much (if any) turbo lag to begin with? With torque coming in at as little as 1500rpm, getting it much lower wouldn't really be much of a priority.

+1 1M even had less turbo lag to 135i, and I am still undecided if the tune making it more laggy or not.