Power loss after DME Reprogram on N55 2011 135i

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by ianf

The latest DME (Nov 2011) has moved back to yellow triangle, no longer skidding car.

Yes, that is what I heard too. But it still has the new SW that includes added "lag".

[Clovef]

Originally Posted by jobe1k

Ok, so I got in touch with the local service department trying to sort this out and he told me he doesn't know exactly what the DME reprogram did to my car and got a suspicious feeling he was trying to sidestep my inquiry. So I can assume two things:
A. The service representative really does not have a clue as to what the recall is all about (which I have a hard time believing).
B. There's something BMW is not telling us......

I hate being a conspiracy theorist but this is super annoying..........

B is almost certainly true but I would bet A is too. BMW is not going to tell their dealerships or service advisers they are detuning the cars as it would get out and they would get eaten up. I hope this wakes them up some and I hope road and track cranks up the heat on them.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by jobe1k

Best,
-Shaun
Shaun M. Bailey
ASSOCIATE ENGINEERING EDITOR

That's cool. Been reading that mag for, oh, like 20 years now. Would be sweet if it went somewhere.

[2012_135i]

Originally Posted by ianf

The latest DME (Nov 2011) has moved back to yellow triangle, no longer skidding car. Mine had the skidding car after April 2011 update, went in for a Xenon warranty with SW update in November. Now back to yellow triangle.... no lag issue.

My car is an October '11 build I took delivery of a month ago. I've got the skidding car and arrows pointing to low tires. It feels slower, with less kick, than than cars I test drove at the Dealership in August. Since I don't have the yellow triangle, do I presume that I've got what you had before your November update?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by 2012_135i

My car is an October '11 build I took delivery of a month ago. I've got the skidding car and arrows pointing to low tires. It feels slower, with less kick, than than cars I test drove at the Dealership in August. Since I don't have the yellow triangle, do I presume that I've got what you had before your November update?

I would ask your dealer to update your SW and make sure they click(activate) WG adaptation - so you don't get the laggy SW.

Or buy the PPK1 (SW only) or get a tune(if you don't care about a warranty). IF I was you I would get the PPK1 (aka BMW's own tune) +20 Hp. I think this is really the only way to insure you keep the great throttle response the 135i has. It should be a crime how BMW is detuning our cars. Can you imagine in a few years when they can do all these "updates" via a sat link! THATS when we will all go crazy for a way around BMW playing games with our car's engine tune.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Can you imagine in a few years when they can do all these "updates" via a sat link! THATS when we will all go crazy for a way around BMW playing games with our car's engine tune.

If that's case then this is probably going to be my last modern BMW. Even though my dealer took care my me the whole ordeal left a sour taste in my mouth that a company would detune a "performance" car that is not cheap. Plus I'm still in love with older ones like the E39 and E46.

[Canyon Carver]

UPDATE:

I took the car in Saturday (First time) for a scheduled maintenance and had an excellent experience. Luckily, my local dealer seems to be quite good so far.

When speaking with my SA about programming and / or reprogramming the DME, she was very sensitive to the situation and noted that other customers have come back after they noticed a change in their cars, post update. I asked them not to upgrade my DME and I don't believe they did...I also asked to find out what version of SW I am currently on, but they haven't gotten back to me on that one yet.

Unfortunately, it snowed on Sat so I couldn't really get a chance to push the car...but I don't notice any additional lag or loss of power. It seems to be just as snappy as ever.

If we really want to test this, we will need to start obtaining software versions so we can have a basis for comparison...

[jobe1k]

Just contacted Edward Loh over at Motor Trend as well (one of the first to test the 135i back in 2008). We'll see if he has any input.....

[jobe1k]

Just got a response back from Consumer Reports....Looks like a generic CS email but we'll see if someone actually looks into it....

Thank you for taking the time to contact Consumer Reports®. I want to express how much we value your choice of our products and services to help you make informed purchasing decisions.

We appreciate your writing to us suggesting a report on an ongoing BMW recall campaign. Please be assured that our readers' feedback plays a strong role in the work that we do. Because of this I have taken the liberty of personally sharing your feedback with the appropriate members of our staff for their review and future consideration.

Consumer Reports is committed to making your experience positive and informative.

Sincerely,

Peter D. Harzewski
Specialist
Customer Relations

[Diver]

The last time my 2011 135i received a DME update was a year ago. Perhaps this is because it was built early, April 2010. The last time it was serviced they said they ran a diagnostic on it. Whatever they did, the fuel economy improved and the car seems more responsive.

[jobe1k]

Hey folks,

Just got a response back from Shaun at Road and Track:

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

[jobe1k]

So all in all, either BMW doesn't know how to program their computers or they are sending out new updates to save face...You be the judge...

[NYC6]

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

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

[Dackelone]

It will be interesting to see what kind of (de)tune we get with this new SIB 12-22-11.

Maybe BMW is just gonna give out PPK.1's and not tell the customers.


Keep us updated jobe1k!

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Maybe BMW is just gonna give out PPK.1's and not tell the customers.

They should.

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by jobe1k

Hey folks,

Just got a response back from Shaun at Road and Track:

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

Can you please check the new bulletin number? 12-22-11 referes to vapor lock in N63 engines and has nothing to do with the N55 or any sort of programming for "turbo lag" etc etc...

12-22-10 was issued to address a check engine light that came on. there appears to be no update to 12-22-10 that i see ???

[Canyon Carver]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

Can you please check the new bulletin number? 12-22-11 referes to vapor lock in N63 engines and has nothing to do with the N55 or any sort of programming for "turbo lag" etc etc...

12-22-10 was issued to address a check engine light that came on. there appears to be no update to 12-22-10 that i see ???

[jobe1k]

It was the SIB number Road and Track sent over. I'll post the new one as soon as I get my car updated with the new SW...

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by jobe1k

It was the SIB number Road and Track sent over. I'll post the new one as soon as I get my car updated with the new SW...

*IF* they update your SW. I still think the only real fix is a PPK or aftermarket tune for BMW's (not so secret) detune update.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by NYC6

Sorry to hear about this issue you guys are experiencing. I would be awfully pissed if it were mine also. Is there a way to determine if ones engine was 'detuned' by BMW? Seems also criminal they could do this.
What about PPK, I had that installed recently. What would prevent them from altering that tune as well?

I was one of the first to experience this awkward software version.
Mainly it's throttle response, the increased lack of it, that's the main problem with my 2009 135i.
Overall power seems that same, meaning that acceleration is still about the same. The problem is with the greater lack of throttle response, which I an others initially felt as a "power loss". But, after some time driving the car, it's not a lack of power or "detune", it's the slower to respond throttle that sucks. In my opinion that's worse than an actual power loss.

The problem with documenting this is that, I would think, a dyno would still show the same overall power.
What we need is a test that tests throttle application and subsequent plate opening, iow, how fast is the plate responding to pedal application.
My guess is that the software fiddles with the drive by wire throttle, where a same percentage of pedal travel is delivered over a longer period of time.

I don't know why they would do this, but perhaps they wanted to slow how fast full boost kicks in. So that instead of a faster full on power boost, the same power level is given over a longer period of time, thus slowing how quickly boost will build.
This can help extend turbo life and drive train components as the forces of instant boost are slowed a bit. Maybe it was also done to help longevity of the HPFP as it doesn't have to apply full PSI as quickly.
Well, those are some of my guesses.
Still, overall the result is that my 135i doesn't feel as sharp or crisp in power delivery as it did when I first purchased it. So it does feel like a "bait and switch" for whatever reason BMW did it.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by RPM90

I don't know why they would do this, but...

I think the slow-er throttle response is a by product of the wastegate(s) being open more with this "new" SW update. Open WG's = slower boost build up = less rattles at part throttle. I think it's that simple.


Less boost = less power = detune (in my book).

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

It will be interesting to see what kind of (de)tune we get with this new SIB 12-22-11.

Maybe BMW is just gonna give out PPK.1's and not tell the customers.


Keep us updated jobe1k!

This new software is good to know.
However, isn't that new software for the N55.
Is there an updated software version for our N54?

You and I have N54's and I don't recall if you've had any new versions since we last discussed this issue.
I've only has one update done and that was the one that started this whole mess for my 135i.
My car is due for maintenance and I'll be taking it in with a week.
I'll report if a new version gets applied and if so what it feels like.
I hope they fixed something.
I'm not about to pay BMW for a "performance" upgrade just so I can get my throttle response back. I already paid for performance once, and I'd just like it to be like it was.