Important Update - Power loss after DME Reprogram on N55 2011 135i

[jobe1k]

Hey guys,

This is an update from my previous thread - http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=638072

For those of you who had your DME updated through SIB 12-22-10 campaign, there is a follow up to address the throttle response issue on SIB 12-22-11.

I've been working with a guy from Road and Track and here's the response from BMW regarding the latest update:

Hi Joe,

BMW PR got back to me and they had this to say.

The Service Information Bulletin 12-22-10 has been followed up with an SIB 12-22-11. The exact wording of the e-mail is below. Sounds like it’s just a calibration issue.

"Referencing your question about "noticeable turbo lag, loss of low end power and muted exhaust", the SIB that you referenced identified the issue and a subsequent SIB was issued to address any delayed throttle response due to DME software calibration with improved DME software.

Best,
-Shaun

Shaun M. Bailey
ASSOCIATE ENGINEERING EDITOR
Road & Track
1499 Monrovia Avenue
Newport Beach, California 92663

[NYC6]

Also, Anyone experiencing symptoms after a BMW SW 'update" should read this and jump in.

http://www.autospies.com/news/Have-A...-Pissed-58306/

[KingOfJericho]

Nobody has jumped in on that thread since Oct 2010...

[Mark16q]

Any indication if this s/w update applies to the N54 as well?

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by jobe1k

Hey guys,

This is an update from my previous thread - http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=638072

For those of you who had your DME updated through SIB 12-22-10 campaign, there is a follow up to address the throttle response issue on SIB 12-22-11.

I've been working with a guy from Road and Track and here's the response from BMW regarding the latest update:

Hi Joe,

BMW PR got back to me and they had this to say.

The Service Information Bulletin 12-22-10 has been followed up with an SIB 12-22-11. The exact wording of the e-mail is below. Sounds like it’s just a calibration issue.

"Referencing your question about "noticeable turbo lag, loss of low end power and muted exhaust", the SIB that you referenced identified the issue and a subsequent SIB was issued to address any delayed throttle response due to DME software calibration with improved DME software.

Best,
-Shaun

Shaun M. Bailey
ASSOCIATE ENGINEERING EDITOR
Road & Track
1499 Monrovia Avenue
Newport Beach, California 92663

When do you plan to have the dealer reprogram it with this new SIB? Looking forward to the results.

[jobe1k]

I just left a message with the service rep...Hopefully soon as possible. This "new" SW update can't be more than two weeks old as I took my car in little over a week ago and they didn't mention the latest offering. I'll keep post the results as soon as I can.

[jobe1k]

Mark16q, I'm not sure if this update is N55 specific or not but it affects both the E8x and E9x models. I'd call the dealership and ask...

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by jobe1k

I just left a message with the service rep...Hopefully soon as possible. This "new" SW update can't be more than two weeks old as I took my car in little over a week ago and they didn't mention the latest offering. I'll keep post the results as soon as I can.

Thanks for your efforts on this jobe1k. I'll be checking with my service rep about it. I've got whatever they were building in Oct '11.

[Section147]

Never wise to assume, I know, but I'm guessing the odds are good that any
N55s being built right now would ship with the SIB 12-22-11 already done?

[new2the3]

Anyone know if this is for the n54 too?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Section147

Never wise to assume, I know, but I'm guessing the odds are good that any
N55s being built right now would ship with the SIB 12-22-11 already done?

See the other thread on this "power loss issue" for an update. Seems that this SIB 12-22-11 that R&T gave him - concerns fuel evap systems for an N63 motors. Nothing to do with an N54 or N55 motor.

Here is DriveHard's update...

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...9&postcount=40


Dackel

[jobe1k]

Taking my car in for service next Thursday to get a re-flash...I'll update after I get the car back.

[jobe1k]

Got my car back. They reprogrammed with the latest software. Can't really tell at the moment if it did anything or not because I haven't really pushed it yet...Will update if anything significant happens...

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by jobe1k

Got my car back. They reprogrammed with the latest software. Can't really tell at the moment if it did anything or not because I haven't really pushed it yet...Will update if anything significant happens...

Just give it a few days. It took me a few to feel/notice the (new)lag. I mostly noticed it while driving slow... say in traffic... then when wanting to squirt thru a gap... you notice how much more you have to press down on the gas pedal.

[MPBK]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Just give it a few days. It took me a few to feel/notice the (new)lag. I mostly noticed it while driving slow... say in traffic... then when wanting to squirt thru a gap... you notice how much more you have to press down on the gas pedal.

I noticed the lag today while trying to squirt thru a gap.
It's not a matter of how much you press on the pedal. It's a timing thing. You can floor it but the car doesn't respond quickly enough. In normal situations that's barely noticeable, but in an emergency situation, as the gap is quickly closing on you, the issue is apparent.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by MPBK

I noticed the lag today while trying to squirt thru a gap.
It's not a matter of how much you press on the pedal. It's a timing thing. You can floor it but the car doesn't respond quickly enough. In normal situations that's barely noticeable, but in an emergency situation, as the gap is quickly closing on you, the issue is apparent.

Welcome to the Club - buddy.

[dtwyim]

So, I assume there is no fix to the original update?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by dtwyim

So, I assume there is no fix to the original update?

The only "fix" is to have the tech enable the WG adaptation, which means when they download the new SW... the WG's will be closed more of the time and your engine will have slightly more noise at idle(like the original SW did before this latest update).

Have the update done with the WG adpatation is more involved. Its akin to going into advance mode when doing a Windows update! lol

But truthfully... I feel that the only REAL solution is to get a tune. Either one from BMW (PPK1 or PPK2) or one from the aftermarket tuners. That is what made me get a flash tune from one of the German tuners over here. I knew eventually I would get a tune... but BMW's SW update just made me get one sooner than I had thought I would.

My car with it's flash tune has no lag - now! It did when I got BMW's update last year though.

[Jbiancolli]

Lease is up in 11 months. BMW has lost a customer

[lamboworld]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The only "fix" is to have the tech enable the WG adaptation, which means when they download the new SW... the WG's will be closed more of the time and your engine will have slightly more noise at idle(like the original SW did before this latest update).

Have the update done with the WG adpatation is more involved. Its akin to going into advance mode when doing a Windows update! lol

But truthfully... I feel that the only REAL solution is to get a tune. Either one from BMW (PPK1 or PPK2) or one from the aftermarket tuners. That is what made me get a flash tune from one of the German tuners over here. I knew eventually I would get a tune... but BMW's SW update just made me get one sooner than I had thought I would.

My car with it's flash tune has no lag - now! It did when I got BMW's update last year though.

Dackleone,

I remember that you posted some time ago about how to find out what DME version is currently loaded. Can you remind me about how to do this?

Also, what is the preferable software version from BMW that will make the most power.

I am running Cobb Stage 2 with bolts on's so I am not sure that this matters but I think that BMW updated my software the last time I took my car in for service, when I specifically ask them not to mess with it.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by lamboworld

Dackleone,

I remember that you posted some time ago about how to find out what DME version is currently loaded. Can you remind me about how to do this?

Also, what is the preferable software version from BMW that will make the most power.

I am running Cobb Stage 2 with bolts on's so I am not sure that this matters but I think that BMW updated my software the last time I took my car in for service, when I specifically ask them not to mess with it.

I think the best SW level is probably one that your car left the BMW factory with. It seems like when you have your car flashed at the dealer they hvae different SW flashes to detune the power and "fix" some mechinal issues (like bad rattling wastegates or turbos) by special SW flash. Ofcourse these new SW flashes also seem to take that snappy throttle response and power we love from our 135i's. I personally think it is borderline criminal how BMW can change so dramatically how our car's run/drive by the way for a simple SW flash. And they don't tell us what all has changed in thier "latest and greatest" SW flash level.



I still have not found out a way for us to check/read what SW flash level we have loaded on our DME.

Way back when... I specualted that you could go into the radio hidden menu and look up the car's SW level. Or even when you "hack" or unlock the instrument pannel hidden menu. But those codes serial numbers have nothing to do with the SW flash level. You can not even see what flash level you have using the BT tool. Only can BMW dealer tell you(IF your lucky!) what SW level flash you have loaded on your car's DME.


Here is that video I posted way back when...

[MPBK]

^^ Did you change anything in that video? What?