[DapDonut]

Does anyone know of any recent updates regarding tuners cracking the new DME encryption that stopped flash tunes over OBD2? I have a 2018 BMW 340XI, and my DME is locked like many others. Bench unlock is possible for me, but isn't a realistic option. I really want an MHD or BM3 tune for the car, and I hope either of them can crack this new DME software soon.

[eluded]

I heard there was a company in Russia that was able to unlock them but I assume that's off the table now

[mike@x-ph.com]

Its best to get a JB4 for now, its not going to be any time soon

[DapDonut]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Its best to get a JB4 for now, its not going to be any time soon

Why do you say that? I'm just curious. I would really prefer to stay away from JB4. They just seem far inferior from a flash tune.

[eluded]

Originally Posted by DapDonut

Why do you say that? I'm just curious. I would really prefer to stay away from JB4. They just seem far inferior from a flash tune.

A company in Russia was cracking the ECU. Not sure that's a viable solution now.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by DapDonut

Why do you say that? I'm just curious. I would prefer to stay away from JB4. They seem far inferior from a flash tune.

I have not seen any hopeful updates for a flash tune to be available any time soon without messing with the ECU. In my opinion, it's not worth it yet.

I had the same decision on my G82, and I went with the JB4. Very happy with the results. If an OBD flash tune is available in a few years, I will try, but im not keeping the car stock for years.

[oem.plus_440gc]

I'm in the same boat waiting for them to be able to flash unlock the DME. Actually bought a BM3 license on black friday with hopes it would be unlocked by now.

Since I don't plan on doing any bolt-ons and sticking with stage 1, I picked up a used JB+ to use in the meantime to get a bit more power. Whenever BM3 unlocks the DME, I can always sell the JB+ for what I paid, and then be able to flash the car.

TBH, in my case it works out for now. I'm still under factory warranty until October, and then CPO warranty until the 2023. So with JB+, easy enough to unplug if I need to take the car in for service.

[oem.plus_440gc]

Saw PTF on instagram post that "CustomROM now available for all bench-locked Gen1 B58 and B48 F-series vehicles". I've seen the term bench-unlocked, but not bench-locked. I'm assuming this isn't giving people with the locked DME the ability to flash tune? Just trying to understand what "bench-locked" is referring to.

[DapDonut]

Originally Posted by oem.plus_440gc

Saw PTF on instagram post that "CustomROM now available for all bench-locked Gen1 B58 and B48 F-series vehicles". I've seen the term bench-unlocked, but not bench-locked. I'm assuming this isn't giving people with the locked DME the ability to flash tune? Just trying to understand what "bench-locked" is referring to.

Can you link the insta post?

[oem.plus_440gc]

Originally Posted by DapDonut

Can you link the insta post?

Added screenshot of the post.

[oem.plus_440gc]

Well for anyone else wondering, I reached out to PTF customer support and was told "No, if your DME is locked for direct flashing you still need to take the DME out and bench-unlock it." So not sure what they meant in that instagram post, but its not what we were hoping for.

[DapDonut]

Originally Posted by oem.plus_440gc

Well for anyone else wondering, I reached out to PTF customer support and was told "No, if your DME is locked for direct flashing you still need to take the DME out and bench-unlock it." So not sure what they meant in that instagram post, but its not what we were hoping for.

Damn (((

[dmanb2b]

Can we stop confusing DMEs produced after June 2020, with the older DMEs? If you have a DME made before June 2020 and it has been locked by the dealer, a $200 bench unlock is all that's needed. Newer DME's, yes outside of the FEMTO/Russia option, choices if any are very limited....for the time being

[oem.plus_440gc]

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

Can we stop confusing DMEs produced after June 2020, with the older DMEs? If you have a DME made before June 2020 and it has been locked by the dealer, a $200 bench unlock is all that's needed. Newer DME's, yes outside of the FEMTO/Russia option, choices if any are very limited....for the time being

The price isn't the problem for me. Its the fact that having to send it out and not have a car for a few days at a minimum is the problem.

I've also seen in a few places people bench unlocking and still bricking the DME when trying to flash which leads to more costs and more downtime.

I'm not complaining about it still being locked, as the car is plenty fun on stock power especially being that I've only had the car a few months. Just would be nice to know that when I do want to flash tune the car, there is a solution available without having to remove my DME, mail it off, pay money (on top of the license/tunes/cables/etc.) and wait to get it back and having no car in the meantime. And if I do want any warranty work done I'll have to go through the whole process again.

I just had most of my front suspension replaced under warranty and they absolutely updated/refreshed my software. All of the coding i had done prior to this work was undone. So even if I want to use the warranty I have, I'll have to bench unlock every time.

Just trying to keep this thread updated with any information that's available.

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by oem.plus_440gc

The price isn't the problem for me. Its the fact that having to send it out and not have a car for a few days at a minimum is the problem.

I've also seen in a few places people bench unlocking and still bricking the DME when trying to flash which leads to more costs and more downtime.

I'm not complaining about it still being locked, as the car is plenty fun on stock power especially being that I've only had the car a few months. Just would be nice to know that when I do want to flash tune the car, there is a solution available without having to remove my DME, mail it off, pay money (on top of the license/tunes/cables/etc.) and wait to get it back and having no car in the meantime. And if I do want any warranty work done I'll have to go through the whole process again.

I just had most of my front suspension replaced under warranty and they absolutely updated/refreshed my software. All of the coding i had done prior to this work was undone. So even if I want to use the warranty I have, I'll have to bench unlock every time.

Just trying to keep this thread updated with any information that's available.

Warranty and tuning don't mix, so stay away from the dealer if you want to be dme tuned. BMW has clearly shifted focus post VW dieselgate and is doing everything they can to stop aftermarket dme modification. So if tuning is something you want, just stay away or become friends with your SA and make sure they do not touch the OBD port during service.

Twisted tuning is fairly local to NJ, depending on where you are at. There are plenty of independent BMW shops that support the enthusiast community and maintenance.

[blacksapphire440i]

how you know if your car is locked or not? asking for a friend

[oem.plus_440gc]

Originally Posted by blacksapphire440i

how you know if your car is locked or not? asking for a friend

You can either send your DME codes to PTF support email or you can use the MHD app and it will show you right there if you are able to flash or if you are locked.

Kern417 on youtube has the video showing it.

[Wires]

Originally Posted by blacksapphire440i

how you know if your car is locked or not? asking for a friend

Thought I saw a thread that you could download the MG Flasher app, and it would give you a yes or no before pulling the pin and buying the tune.

[Wires]

Did anyone actual crack the existing DME? Feels a lot like yesteryears where someone from Nagravision leaked the encryption keys for the their satellite cards. Once in the wild, it was a walk in the part now you have the "lottery numbers" for the draw. Or a patent expiry occurred, so it becomes public domain knowledge.

Just a bit odd that one day nobody can tune these and the next day a bunch of vendors have the ability.

[Red-i]

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

Warranty and tuning don't mix, so stay away from the dealer if you want to be dme tuned. BMW has clearly shifted focus post VW dieselgate and is doing everything they can to stop aftermarket dme modification. So if tuning is something you want, just stay away or become friends with your SA and make sure they do not touch the OBD port during service.

Twisted tuning is fairly local to NJ, depending on where you are at. There are plenty of independent BMW shops that support the enthusiast community and maintenance.

Depends what the warranty is for. If it's for suspension work, or for the HU, or anything unrelated to drivetrain and turbo, it would still be covered.

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by Red-i

Depends what the warranty is for. If it's for suspension work, or for the HU, or anything unrelated to drivetrain and turbo, it would still be covered.

Understood, which is why I mentioned the SA and obd plug in. I wouldn't even trust headunit work at this point. If they plug into the car and ISTA scans for all system status and recognizes the dme software is outdated, it's likely getting updated.

[Info@mad-us.com]

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

Understood, which is why I mentioned the SA and obd plug in. I wouldn't even trust headunit work at this point. If they plug into the car and ISTA scans for all system status and recognizes the dme software is outdated, it's likely getting updated.

Tire pressure is low gotta update your dme.