[Red-i]

fwiw, BM3 can also let you know (before you attempt flashing) if the flash will work with your current software revision. I asked them because I haven't purchased bm3 yet, but want to check if i can simply flash, or if i will need to bench unlock first.

I think this also means that anyone who has bm3 and flashes back to stock for anything at the dealer should make note of the vehicle IDs after, just in case it's been updated.

this was their reply:

Serge proTUNING Freaks commented:

Thank you for reaching out to us, as well for your interest in bootmod3. We do have support for your car, however, you might have the latest software update. What you can do if you have the OBD2 ENET cable is connect the car to the laptop and start the bootmod3 OBD Agent.

Log into your account and then proceed to the activation page (a license is not needed for this). Send us a screenshot of the software vehicle IDs, and we will be able to confirm support 100%.

Best,
Serge

[visionaut]

Originally Posted by Red-i

fwiw, BM3 can also let you know (before you attempt flashing) if the flash will work with your current software revision. I asked them because I haven't purchased bm3 yet, but want to check if i can simply flash, or if i will need to bench unlock first.
…
Send us a screenshot of the software vehicle IDs, and we will be able to confirm support 100%.

In MHD you can check it in the app from the main Tune screen. Connect and click the Unlock Check button…
.

[Hokkien_Teochew]

So I just ran into this problem yesterday and now my car won’t start. I’m new to tuning and don’t understand it very well. But I basically went in for an ac issue and they did something to my dme and suspicion of engine tuning.

I went home and tried reflashing it back to Stage 1 and kept failing at 3%. Got all the errors OP listed along with 6 others. OP mentioned bench unlocking the dme but I don’t know what that is or how to get it done. Can someone explain please? Thanks in advance

[Hokkien_Teochew]

Originally Posted by B58junky

Yup, you'd think it would be different since you pay tens of thousands for the car smh.

Can I ask what bench unlocking means and what did you end up doing to fix your car? I have the same issue right now and it keeps failing at 3%.

[Hokkien_Teochew]

Hi. I went into the dealership for the same ac issue and they did something to me dme. I tried flashing and it keeps failing at 3%. Can I asked how you fixed this? I’m new to tuning and don’t know what bench unlocking means. Thanks

[Hokkien_Teochew]

Can you link me the post? I went into for the same issue and now I am having issue with my dme and my car can’t start and keeps failing at 3%

[gameson]

Bench unlocking means they take out the car ecu and unlocked the ecu outside the car. Hence it’s called bench unlocking since it’s done on the bench, not in the car.

[Hein Jockins]

Originally Posted by Hokkien_Teochew

Can you link me the post? I went into for the same issue and now I am having issue with my dme and my car can’t start and keeps failing at 3%

My DME also required a bench unlock. Basically, a shop will remove your cars computer and "unlock" it, so it can be flashed. Depending on your city, it's likely you'd have to remove the DME and mail it to someone. I'm shipping mine next week to Kies Motorsports in New Jersey to do this. If you live in a larger city, it's likely some of the more experienced tuning shops have this capability but most don't.

This video from Kies explains how to remove the DME and might answer other questions:

[Eschmacher]

Anyone know which istep level this started at? I have full ilevel 2018 something I was planning on flashing my car with, just want to make sure I'm not going to end up stuck with an un-flashable dme after.

[capt_slow]

Originally Posted by Eschmacher

Anyone know which istep level this started at? I have full ilevel 2018 something I was planning on flashing my car with, just want to make sure I'm not going to end up stuck with an un-flashable dme after.

See this post

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

All flash-based tunes, it's due to a new bootloader used in 19-03-5xx or higher. You can check your ISTEP level in VCM in esys.

We can unlock DMEs in house if needed.

[visionaut]

Originally Posted by Eschmacher

Anyone know which istep level this started at? I have full ilevel 2018 something I was planning on flashing my car with, just want to make sure I'm not going to end up stuck with an un-flashable dme after.

If you’re in an N55 F-series, you should be safe. It’s the newer B58 engines (and such) that’ll get locked with the newer iStep levels. I was flashed to F020-21-03-545 this past summer. The BootLoader technical unit (BTLD) included was updated step/version 19DC-001.069.002. I was flashed to MHD prior, and confirmed in MHD that it was still unlocked afterwards, BEFORE reflashing. (I verified it wouldn’t be locked prior).

[Eschmacher]

Originally Posted by capt_slow

See this post

Originally Posted by visionaut

If you’re in an N55 F-series, you should be safe. It’s the newer B58 engines (and such) that’ll get locked with the newer iStep levels. I was flashed to F020-21-03-545 this past summer. The BootLoader technical unit (BTLD) included was updated step/version 19DC-001.069.002. I was flashed to MHD prior, and confirmed in MHD that it was still unlocked afterwards, BEFORE reflashing. (I verified it wouldn’t be locked prior).

Thank you both!

[j2dad5389]

Old thread but I thought DME's were a hardware thing not a software thing? Asking cause i'm about to get some work done on my car and they have to update everything they said. Want to avoid for this very reason

[DreamerJoe]

Originally Posted by j2dad5389

Old thread but I thought DME's were a hardware thing not a software thing? Asking cause i'm about to get some work done on my car and they have to update everything they said. Want to avoid for this very reason

It is a software thing, but the bench unlock requires direct access and removal iirc. Usually it’s when the cars are newer, what car do you have?

[j2dad5389]

Originally Posted by DreamerJoe

It is a software thing, but the bench unlock requires direct access and removal iirc. Usually it’s when the cars are newer, what car do you have?

Check my thread here: https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...7#post30961497

Long story short I'm stock but able to do bench unlock cause im pre 2020 build date on the DME. 2020 M340. Don't want them to make it so I have to do a FEMTO unlock. But also not sure if it's even possible since I thought it was a hardware thing for the DME. AKA, I didn't think/know bmw can make a pre 2020 DME turn into a post one needing the Femto. If that makes sense lol

I just want to have the option to still bench unlock and tune is all once my warranty is up.

[DreamerJoe]

Yea, the only thing hardware related is the stuff they need to kinda remove to access the DME, but it is a software thing, a little more labor is all

[oem.plus_440gc]

So my understanding is it is a physically different DME post june 2020 (or whatever that specific cutoff is). If they do software updates on your pre 2020 DME, you'll likely need another bench unlock. If they replace the DME itself with a new 2020+ DME, you'll likely need a FEMTO unlock.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by j2dad5389

i'm about to get some work done on my car and they have to update everything they said. Want to avoid for this very reason

Knowing that they'd update my software, erasing all my coding, even if I told them not to is why I walked away from my last two years of the pre-paid maintenance. Even worse, that updating would have removed many of the coding options, so I wouldn't be able to re-code them. Should I ever have a repair that I can't handle myself I'll go to an Indy.

[j2dad5389]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Knowing that they'd update my software, erasing all my coding, even if I told them not to is why I walked away from my last two years of the pre-paid maintenance. Even worse, that updating would have removed many of the coding options, so I wouldn't be able to re-code them. Should I ever have a repair that I can't handle myself I'll go to an Indy.

What do you mean erased your coding options? Like through bimmercode?

[Billfitz]

Yes. It's well documented that dealer software 'upgrading' will erase any coding, and remove some coding options. The number of blinks with a partial turn signal, for instance.