Auto transmission software frustration

[jeffbebe 1559]

Not to be confused with auto erotic asphyxiation.

Okay... Long story short... I've ruled out a manual conversion already so don't want to hear about that. Really like the sound (and price) of Dinan's performance software upgrade for the 540 transmission. In particular, firmer and faster shifting coupled with being able to maintain selected gear regardless of speed, would make a huge improvement to the fun factor.

I also found a tuner in the UK who can flash the EGS - CA Automotive - but here's where the frustration starts...

The guy at CA Automotive is adamant that the software for my transmission cannot be programmed to hold a gear but can do everything else for a similar price and is happy to flash my EGS remotely via Teamviewer.

The guy at Dinan stands by their claims that they can programme it to hold the gear (apart from when you press the kick down button) but says they can't (or won't) flash the EGS remotely, so I'd have to send it to the States for mapping.

Don't think I've really got a question... I'm just a bit annoyed. What to do....?

[BM WORLD 1283]

have you tried , gavin or ross at bm workshop , can they do it there ??

[jeffbebe 1559]

Yep, no one I've spoken to in NZ seems to have any idea about transmission s/w mapping.

[Apex 693]

Manual conversion.

[jeffbebe 1559]

Manual conversion.

Read the OP, Graham.

[Apex 693]

I did

Is the transmission's ECU independent from other ECU's and is it specific to the your car?

If not you could probably buy a second hand unit and have it shipped stateside for a bench tune.

[jake1829 119]

Do you know if the alpina guys did a software change for their 540's? (TCU flash)

I'm running the alpina TCU flash on my car - i just provided Gavin/Ross the flash file/link and had them do it for me -

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20991&highlight=alpina

[jeffbebe 1559]

I did

Is the transmission's ECU independent from other ECU's and is it specific to the your car?

If not you could probably buy a second hand unit and have it shipped stateside for a bench tune.

Yeah, already thought of that. Was hoping to just buy a cheapie on eBay in the States and ship straight to Dinan. Unfortunately, the EGS has to be coded to the vehicle VIN when it's in the car. Rang BMWorkshop about doing that and they had no idea how... Maybe someone else does?

EDIT: Yes, TCU is separate.

Do you know if the alpina guys did a software change for their 540's? (TCU flash)

I'm running the alpina TCU flash on my car - i just provided Gavin/Ross the flash file/link and had them do it for me -

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20991&highlight=alpina

Not sure... Where did you get the Alpina flash from and what were the changes to stock?

EDIT: A quick search is inconclusive Suresh. It looks like the B10 540i had a different s/w package - but by the same taken it looks like it also had a different gearbox.

Edited October 23, 2013 by jeffbebe

[jake1829 119]

Yeah, already thought of that. Was hoping to just buy a cheapie on eBay in the States and ship straight to Dinan. Unfortunately, the EGS has to be coded to the vehicle VIN when it's in the car. Rang BMWorkshop about doing that and they had no idea how... Maybe someone else does?

EDIT: Yes, TCU is separate.

Not sure... Where did you get the Alpina flash from and what were the changes to stock?

EDIT: A quick search is inconclusive Suresh. It looks like the B10 540i had a different s/w package - but by the same taken it looks like it also had a different gearbox.

Ah bugger they changed the hardware

It was just a software change on my model the alpina guys did - flash was soo much better then stock - sport and manual modes actually put a big smile back on my face

"transmission run smoother, gear change will be more precise and crisp, rev match downshift is unbelievable, rev limiter is increased and overall driveability is increased. You will have a new indicator for gear selection in D mode which display D1, D2, D3 ,D4, D5 and in DS mode you will see S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and the same for the M mode. This single flash will make the car change gears more refined and crisp. You will no longer feel the lurching when the tranny shifts and it goes through the gears without even the slightest hesitation"

[jeffbebe 1559]

Okay, further research shows they did use the same gearbox with switch-tronic controls (pre flappy paddles) on the steering wheel. Looking at the 0-60mph times I'd say it almost certainly has different software to the stock ZF box in my car. How did you get hold of the Alpina s/w on your car, Suresh?

[elmarco 56]

You should talk to Joe (EuroSurgeon). He may be able to do something locally....

[jake1829 119]

Pretty much all the AT owners of the 335i had complaints about the AT software - even on my test drive it made some weird gear changes while driving -

then someone tipped off someone in the US that inside the spdaten software ( i think its like the software all bmw shops use for diagnosing/writing for bmw cars) that this file was basically the alpina software to be used for the transmission

basically got the info out of the forums from the US - might pay to troll through the forums in the US and see if this was ever done for your model

[jeffbebe 1559]

Done a lot of reading on the Alpina and BMW boards and opinion seems pretty divided over whether Alpina just upgraded the software or replaced some of the transmission hardware as well. Guess the only way to find out would be direct from Alpina but I can't imagine they'd share the s/w with a non-Alpina car.

[Phil-540i 166]

Put a manual in it. Sell it & buy a less shiny car with a manual box factory fitted - M5 sorta thing.

Fix broken tiptronic action.../ find S button on trans, or is E39 540 not as 'clever' as E34..........??

In terms of 'fun factor' - how hard are you driving this poor thing that its really gonna make a difference...........??? If 'Mum' is warming up the passenger seat while you are having this much 'fun', theres high odds she would probably be slapping you silly while reaching for a barf bag.........

Not to be confused with auto erotic asphyxiation.

I dunno, didn't we yarn last week bout you & google searches - 'Google is NOT always your friend..............' :D

[jeffbebe 1559]

Seems like an absurd amount of effort for an uncertain and mediocre result.

Frankly if its not a DSG or DCT type gearbox why would you bother it will still only be a souped up slush box.

In your opinion. Although I prefer manuals, since it's not an option, I'm keen to do what I can to improve the shifts and fun from the auto box I have got within the budget I have. Anyway, I don't mind the auto transmission in my car and I like being able to accelerate hard through the changes.

Nor do I see the point of posts like yours, and it's certainly not the first I've seen you make unhelpful posts like this (invariably regarding your disdain for non-manual cars). Having such a black and white view about anything is narrow minded and doesn't add to the discussion.

Put a manual in it. Sell it & buy a less shiny car with a manual box factory fitted - M5 sorta thing.

Fix broken tiptronic action.../ find S button on trans, or is E39 540 not as 'clever' as E34..........??

In terms of 'fun factor' - how hard are you driving this poor thing that its really gonna make a difference...........??? If 'Mum' is warming up the passenger seat while you are having this much 'fun', theres high odds she would probably be slapping you silly while reaching for a barf bag.........

I dunno, didn't we yarn last week bout you & google searches - 'Google is NOT always your friend..............' :D

If I could afford an M5 do you think I'd be looking at a $300 s/w update?! I don't drive it that hard but it does get the occasional workout but what's wrong with wanting to make it better and more fun? Isn't that why we're all here?

Edited October 23, 2013 by jeffbebe

[BreakMyWindow 1874]

[hybrid 1043]

To clear up any confusion.

Mapping ECUs = changing map tables, maybe toggling on or off VMAX or RPM limit tables. This is "just" playing around with maps to gain more power or other desired results on a dyno. Dyno tuners pay (big money) for map overlay files which show them where and what the map tables are on an ECU. They also have specialist BDM hardware to reprogram the chipsets on board (not through the OBDII connector) Because of this most dyno tuners (let alone BMW specific tuners) will actually go in and fiddle with the functions of the ECU, and only adjust map tables.

ECU Function engineering = Changing the program side of the ECU (not only map tables). This is something i'm trying to get into as its quite advanced. With a need to learn Motorola base programming and machine code, companies like Dinan employee highly skilled automotive programmers to edit and recreate new functions inside of an ECU. Dinan wont do it remotely because of risk of having their software copied in the transfer process. Atleast if you send your EGS away to them they have control to write the software to your EGS themselves. They will most likely also lock it to your VIN number too (I would if I were them)

ECU Configuration change = The most basic, is changing the factory configuration on your BMW computers to enable or disable factory functions of your vehicle. This is used when adding or removing retrofits to your vehicle.

Reflashing ECUs = When you upload a new binary to your ECU that has no configuration or coding. This is used to change factory software to another factory specific version allowing things like a country specific de-catted firmware etc to be uploaded. You can get in a lot of trouble here if you dont know what your doing. ECUs do have a flash counter than even the biggest nerds are only just figuring out how to defeat. But not easily.

Jooles, hate to say it .. but you may just have to be without your EGS for a few weeks while they do the work. The guy in the UK will be saying you cant because he hasn't worked out how to program shift hold into the EGS. I don't blame him its pretty advance stuff. Dinan will have the funding and access to the right people to get it done.

[jeffbebe 1559]

Thanks Josh. Great to have a proper explanation of what's going on! So my best options are to:

1) Send the EGS away and do a lot of walking for a month

2) Pick up a secondhand EGS - recode to my VIN (not sure how easy/expensive this is to do) and send that away to Dinan and be able to use the car

Edited October 23, 2013 by jeffbebe

[Phil-540i 166]

I'm only taking the mickey a bit Jooles......................you know that. I think it'll be interesting to see what the difference is afterwards. Personally, I think really good autos are far better than manuals these-days. What I do detest as a transmission though, is a CVT - I find them horrible to drive.

[jeffbebe 1559]

Is that for me? You shouldn't have!!!

[hybrid 1043]

Thanks Josh. Great to have a proper explanation of what's going on! So my best options are to:

1) Send the EGS away and do a lot of walking for a month

2) Pick up a secondhand EGS - recode to my VIN (not sure how easy/expensive this is to do) and send that away to Dinan and be able to use the car

The second hand one sounds like a good option. Test it works first in your car obviously before sending it away. Will be the best because if you get sick of it or want to swap it back .. you have that option.

[jeffbebe 1559]

Yes, know anyone who can code an EGS to a new VIN?

[BreakMyWindow 1874]

Yes, know anyone who can code an EGS to a new VIN?

I'll be installing all the required s'ware for programming and diagnosing the e39 on an old laptop I've found in the next couple of weeks. Diagnostic cable is on order too. I'll let you know if it's possible.

[jeffbebe 1559]

Thanks Martin.

[Allanw 1071]

Yes, know anyone who can code an EGS to a new VIN?

I'm assuming that coding it AFTER the software upgrade won't affect the data.

I'd be tempted to code it to the car, and leave it fitted (since it's now in there), while sending YOUR one to the US of A. then swap back. You can hten change abck and forth willynilly