[pr0gi]

Did BimmerCode become pointless? After my last oil change, I decided to code some of the stuff back, and to my surprise, most of them couldn't be found again. The one I'm missing most is locking the car with the engine running without a horn signal and the automatic turning on of the passenger seat heating under a set outside temperature. I guess I can ask the dealer to code them for me, but I've already paid for BimmerCode, so why not use it?

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by pr0gi

Did BimmerCode become pointless?

It depends…you give no model year/build date info & we don’t know if you’ve done any software updates…but newer BMWs have been designed to lock out coding. And BMW has also put out software updates that can lock out previously codeable features. If you’ve done the latter, then you may have sabotaged your coding abilities.

BMW software updates from March 2023 (03/2023) onwards have significantly restricted the ability to customize vehicles using third-party coding apps like BimmerCode. These updates, often referred to as "NCD secure coding 2.0," lock down specific ECU modules (such as the BDM Body Domain Module) to prevent unauthorized changes.

Key Details of the Coding Lockdown

• The "Lockout" Update: Updates from 03/2023, 11/2023, and later versions (including 2024/2025 releases) have progressively locked out owner-level coding.
• Affected Features: Popular customizations that are now commonly blocked include disabling the Auto Start/Stop (ASS) function and changing default driving modes.
• 2023/2024+ Models: New vehicles, including the U11 X1/X2 and new X7, often come with these restrictions directly from the factory, making them uncodeable for certain features.
• Dealer Updates: Taking a vehicle to a dealership for service typically results in an update to the latest software version, which wipes all previous customizations and applies the lock.
• Active Sound Design (ASD): Coding out the synthetic engine noise (ASD) has also become increasingly difficult or impossible on newer, updated firmware.

[pr0gi]

I believe mine is a July 2023 build M40i. I guess it was updated after the service...oh well. I will ask the dealer next time if they can code it for me.

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

It depends…you give no model year/build date info & we don’t know if you’ve done any software updates…but newer BMWs have been designed to lock out coding. And BMW has also put out software updates that can lock out previously codeable features. If you’ve done the latter, then you may have sabotaged your coding abilities.

[i][indent] BMW software updates from March 2023 (03/2023) onwards have significantly restricted the ability to customize vehicles using third-party coding apps like BimmerCode. These updates, often referred to as "NCD secure coding 2.0," lock down specific ECU modules (such as the BDM Body Domain Module) to prevent unauthorized changes.

Key Details of the Coding Lockdown[list][*]The "Lockout" Update: Updates from 03/2023, 11/2023, and later versions (including 2024/2025 releases) have progressively locked out owner-level coding.[*]Affected Features: Popular customizations that are now commonly blocked include disabling the Auto Start/Stop (ASS) function and changing default driving modes.[*]2023/2024+ Models: New vehicles, including the U11 X1/X2 and new X7, often come with these restrictions directly from the factory, making them uncodeable for certain features.[*]Dealer Updates: Taking a vehicle to a dealership for service typically results in an update to the latest software version, which wipes all previous customizations and applies the lock.[*]Active Sound Design (ASD): Coding out the synthetic engine noise (ASD) has also become increasingly difficult or impossible on [...]

I believe mine is a July 2023 build M40i. I guess it was updated after the service...oh well. I will ask the dealer next time if they can code it for me.

[glennbk]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

It depends…you give no model year/build date info & we don’t know if you’ve done any software updates…but newer BMWs have been designed to lock out coding. And BMW has also put out software updates that can lock out previously codeable features. If you’ve done the latter, then you may have sabotaged your coding abilities.

BMW software updates from March 2023 (03/2023) onwards have significantly restricted the ability to customize vehicles using third-party coding apps like BimmerCode. These updates, often referred to as "NCD secure coding 2.0," lock down specific ECU modules (such as the BDM Body Domain Module) to prevent unauthorized changes.

Key Details of the Coding Lockdown

• The "Lockout" Update: Updates from 03/2023, 11/2023, and later versions (including 2024/2025 releases) have progressively locked out owner-level coding.
• Affected Features: Popular customizations that are now commonly blocked include disabling the Auto Start/Stop (ASS) function and changing default driving modes.
• 2023/2024+ Models: New vehicles, including the U11 X1/X2 and new X7, often come with these restrictions directly from the factory, making them uncodeable for certain features.
• Dealer Updates: Taking a vehicle to a dealership for service typically results in an update to the latest software version, which wipes all previous customizations and applies the lock.
• Active Sound Design (ASD): Coding out the synthetic engine noise (ASD) has also become increasingly difficult or impossible on newer, updated firmware.

2023 X3 M40i. Auto Start Stop has disappeared. Any word if BimmerCode is remodulating the software to get around this improvement?

[bocabimmer]

Originally Posted by glennbk

2023 X3 M40i. Auto Start Stop has disappeared. Any word if BimmerCode is remodulating the software to get around this improvement?

My gut tells me that it’s more that BMW removed the coding value or programming that would allow for that option to even exist.

[glennbk]

Originally Posted by glennbk

2023 X3 M40i. Auto Start Stop has disappeared. Any word if BimmerCode is remodulating the software to get around this improvement?

From BimmerCode
Dear Customer,

As of I-Level 23-3, disabling the Auto Start Stop feature via coding is no longer possible on BMW petrol models – the control unit ignores any such changes, even if transmitted successfully.

As a workaround, set the default driving mode to SPORT INDIVIDUAL using BimmerCode and configure this driving mode according to your preferences. In this mode, Auto Start Stop is disabled by default.
--
Kind regards / Schöne Grüße
Stephan Gauch

[smass]

I have i-level 23-3 and I can still code auto stop start. But I have a 2018 with an ECU that BMW did not lock (confirmed by MHD app). The issue is what Qsilver7 said above. The ECUs on the later builds were locked with I-level updates.

[Qsilver7]

BMW has added an on/off selection designed into iDrive...but I forget which version. What I do remember is that forum members that discovered it say that they can SWIPE up (or down) and it brings a menu up on the iDrive screen where there's a selection to turn ASS on or off.

[glennbk]

I'm just frustrated. I want my ASS off. It has limited fuel savings and am concerned about reliability.

https://bimmercode.app/cars/g01/#start-stop-function

[guitarman1]

[QUOTE=glennbk;32695718]I'm just frustrated. I want my ASS off. It has limited fuel savings and am concerned about reliability.



Do this. It works beautifully.

As a workaround, set the default driving mode to SPORT INDIVIDUAL using BimmerCode and configure this driving mode according to your preferences. In this mode, Auto Start Stop is disabled by default.

[glennbk]

[QUOTE=guitarman1;32695772]

Originally Posted by glennbk

I'm just frustrated. I want my ASS off. It has limited fuel savings and am concerned about reliability.



Do this. It works beautifully.

As a workaround, set the default driving mode to SPORT INDIVIDUAL using BimmerCode and configure this driving mode according to your preferences. In this mode, Auto Start Stop is disabled by default.

I'm just wondering when BMW will eliminate that too.

[sdiver68]

To be fair, it's probably not BMW's choice to eliminate ASS defeat. Most likely government bureaucrats who increasingly clamp down on any powertrain mods.

[TJay74]

Originally Posted by pr0gi

I believe mine is a July 2023 build M40i. I guess it was updated after the service...oh well. I will ask the dealer next time if they can code it for me.




I believe mine is a July 2023 build M40i. I guess it was updated after the service...oh well. I will ask the dealer next time if they can code it for me.

Dealerships can not making coding changes. They also wont even if they could due to liability issues. If it cant be done via 3rd party apps then you wont be able to make the coding changes.

[Hugo L.]

To be clear : does that only affect models built after a certain date, or any model-year models whose system was updated by the dealer after 2023, during an oil change for instance?

I have a 2021, and have had a couple of services since purchasing it in 2024, and my coding changes are still there.

[g11hoonigan]

Originally Posted by glennbk

I'm just frustrated. I want my ASS off. It has limited fuel savings and am concerned about reliability.

https://bimmercode.app/cars/g01/#start-stop-function

Just curious - don't you have the option to remember the last setting? That's how I set mine up as I don't see an option to disable and I don't want to default to Sport either.

[X3rd Time Is a Charm]

Originally Posted by Hugo L.

To be clear : does that only affect models built after a certain date, or any model-year models whose system was updated by the dealer after 2023, during an oil change for instance?

I have a 2021, and have had a couple of services since purchasing it in 2024, and my coding changes are still there.

I’m pretty sure it has to do with what modules you are doing the coding in .
Say like when the dealer does a software update it’s usually being done to the head unit. If the coding you did was in a different module then the update doesn’t effect your coding in those modules . At least I’m pretty sure that’s how it was the last time my Idrive was updated, I have a MY18 30i . Some of the stuff I had to recode and others I didn’t .

[bocabimmer]

Originally Posted by g11hoonigan

Just curious - don't you have the option to remember the last setting? That's how I set mine up as I don't see an option to disable and I don't want to default to Sport either.

That was an option… until a 2024 update which BMW took that away. For anything after that you have to use the sport mode method.

Honestly I thought it would stink, but now I actually like being in sport individual all the time.