Flash options for 2012 locked n55 DME

[drwillb]

I'm currently running a JB4 iso with 5.14 firmware. Although this latest update has smoothed things a little bit, I still get surging and stuttering at unpredictable times.

I know MHD, through several vendors, is working on unlocking the DME for flashing but this seems to be a very slow process, especially since the F series and its variants are a hot item.

So, what's out there?
MHD, someday?
ESS, what happened to them?
Dinan, yes, they're overpriced.
PTF, seems they're out of the e82 game
PPK, dealer installed.
Motiv, looks like they can do it.
GIAC, early leaders but I can't get their website open.

Another consideration is the fact that the DME has to be pulled and mailed out to the vendor, unless you happen to live near one. This makes the dealer PPK more attractive.

What else?

[Joe@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by drwillb

I'm currently running a JB4 iso with 5.14 firmware. Although this latest update has smoothed things a little bit, I still get surging and stuttering at unpredictable times.

I know MHD, through several vendors, is working on unlocking the DME for flashing but this seems to be a very slow process, especially since the F series and its variants are a hot item.

So, what's out there?
MHD, someday?
ESS, what happened to them?
Dinan, yes, they're overpriced.
PTF, seems they're out of the e82 game
PPK, dealer installed.
Motiv, looks like they can do it.

Another consideration is the fact that the DME has to be pulled and mailed out to the vendor, unless you happen to live near one. This makes the dealer PPK more attractive.

What else?

What's the production date of your 135?

[drwillb]

My car is 5/2012. I'm one of the unfortunate.

Wish I'd known that detail when I bought it. No regrets, just have to work through this.

Joe, If I buy a PPK kit and have the red envelope in hand, would you be able to remote flash?

[fly_inverted]

I have an 03/2012 build with PPK and JB4 5.14.

The PPK doesn't fix the poor behaviour.

[Joe@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by fly_inverted

I have an 03/2012 build with PPK and JB4 5.14.

The PPK doesn't fix the poor behaviour.

Have you tried resetting adaptions with either JB4 or BMW Standard Tools?

EDIT: Also, do you know what software version of the PPK you have installed? There was a release within the past year that corrected most of the issues everyone was having.

[drwillb]

Stay tuned.......there is an upcoming solution I was just made aware of.

[Xer0449]

Originally Posted by drwillb

Stay tuned.......there is an upcoming solution I was just made aware of.

Mind sharing with the rest of the class?

[drwillb]

I think the person doing it would prefer to make the announcement when he's ready. I'm an end-user not the tuner.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Joe@TopGearSolutions

Have you tried resetting adaptions with either JB4 or BMW Standard Tools?

EDIT: Also, do you know what software version of the PPK you have installed? There was a release within the past year that corrected most of the issues everyone was having.

There are software versions of the PPK? As in outside of the versions that may be tied to model year? I had my PPK done at the dealer before your services were available.

[Dackelone]

I believe Giac also offers a flash sw tune for the N55.

http://www.giacusa.com/

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=846599

[drwillb]

Dackel, thanks for info, I'll add to the OP.

However, I'll be able to drive to a shop to have the new option I mentioned rather than mailing out my DME. That's +++ for me.

[Cavpilot2k]

There's also Dinan Stage 2. I don't want to turn this thread into a debate on it - the pros and cons have been debated endlessly elsewhere.

In a nut shell, more power than the PPK and super reliable, but it's one of the most expensive options, so many will argue it's not worth it and you can get more power out of a JB4 for less than half the money (I think it's going for around $1200 right now).

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k

There's also Dinan Stage 2. I don't want to turn this thread into a debate on it - the pros and cons have been debated endlessly elsewhere.

In a nut shell, more power than the PPK and super reliable, but it's one of the most expensive options, so many will argue it's not worth it and you can get more power out of a JB4 for less than half the money (I think it's going for around $1200 right now).

Ditto. Happy with my Dinan stage 2 as well... would buy it again.

[fly_inverted]

Originally Posted by Joe@TopGearSolutions

Have you tried resetting adaptions with either JB4 or BMW Standard Tools?

EDIT: Also, do you know what software version of the PPK you have installed? There was a release within the past year that corrected most of the issues everyone was having.

Reset via JB4 = Yes
Even cleaned the MAF sensor on the stock intake.
PPK was installed around June 2013. No idea on version.

[drwillb]

Joe, thanks for the reset tip. I did it this morning and the car was a whole different animal on the way to work.

On JB4 iso v. 5.14 its menu 1 item 7 through the steering wheel.

I had dialed back gas pedal aggression quite a bit (down to 1500) just to get the car to behave prior to doing the reset. I'll try dialing that back up to see what happens. (menu 11 on JB4)

........but I still want a BEF

[Joe@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

There are software versions of the PPK? As in outside of the versions that may be tied to model year? I had my PPK done at the dealer before your services were available.

Yes, PPK is a firmware version that's flashed onto the DME. I'm wondering if the dealer initially flashed the PPK, if someone else can update it to a later version without worrying about the FSC that plagues the over 02/2012 crowd.

[smrtypants44]

I'm in the same boat as you. I come from the vw world so im not afraid of bench flashing my dme but id like to be able to take it somewhere to get done, and i want the ability to go stage 2 (dp) in the future.

I also dont have the m sport package so i cant even get ppk. And ive tried jb4 a couple times and I havent been impressed with how jerky and unreliable the power is.

[drwillb]

Originally Posted by smrtypants44

.....ive tried jb4 a couple times and I havent been impressed with how jerky and unreliable the power is.

I'm starting to like my JB4 more now and I think doing the stack over BEF will give great results.

The problem with JB4 is the extremely high need to go on boards to troubleshoot to try to get it to play nice. There's no real manual and the posted setup instructions are just to get it going. There's no real step by step dial-in instructions.

I think the BEF will bring the baseline performance closer to JB4 levels so that it then has less noticeable impact on power delivery and it will feel smoother across the RPM range.

I thank Joe@topgear again for suggesting the reset. Between that and dialing back on menu 11 I now have much better, consistent power.

........but I still want a BEF

[fly_inverted]

Last time I did the reset, the positive effects only lasted a couple of days before the car returned to usual behaviour.
I'll do a reset for the drive home today and see how it goes over the coming week.

[PeteA]

Get a custom bench flash. You will pay the same as a Dinan II and achieve results specific to your vehicle, modifications, fuel use, environment etc.; EDIT - Any professional tuner can do this with master flashing tools like byeshooter, dimsport, cmd or alientech.

That, or wait for MHD. Leave Dinan for stock turbos.

[Xer0449]

Originally Posted by PeteA

Get a custom bench flash. You will pay the same as a Dinan II and achieve results specific to your vehicle, modifications, fuel use, environment etc.; EDIT - Any professional tuner can do this with master flashing tools like byeshooter, dimsport, cmd or alientech.

That, or wait for MHD. Leave Dinan for stock turbos.

Nobody seems to be advertising that it's even available. I've only 'heard' of some places offering it, but nobody who's stepped up and said "I got my MED1762 DME pro tuned by XYZ" AFAICT.

[PeteA]

My advise would be to research your area for a local tuner with any of the master devices I listed above and also knowledge about how application is structured.

Not everyone builds cars for forums or advertises. You will find some seriously talented people if you hunt for them.