[justmill]

Originally Posted by cookiesowns

• instrument cluster doesn't crash anymore if you use the konami code on the M buttons for loud starts

What's the konami code for loud starts?

[LloydP]

Originally Posted by justmill

What's the konami code for loud starts?

up up down down left right left right B A

[justmill]

Originally Posted by LloydP

up up down down left right left right B A

You forgot start at the end.

[Young04]

Originally Posted by justmill

You forgot start at the end.

SELECT start!!!

[spta97]

Originally Posted by LloydP

up up down down left right left right B A

[justmill]

The sad thing is I'm old enough to have actually used that code on the NES version of Contra.

[pluckydks]

Originally Posted by allinon72

They will schedule you an appointment with the BMW Genius and pretend they have no idea what istep is. Seriously.

Lol, I don't doubt it

[cookiesowns]

Originally Posted by justmill

What's the konami code for loud starts?

I have my M2 button programmed to be S+, sport sport, DSC off.

Previously if i did the combo of Ignition on -> dbl press M2 right when i jump in the car, and before i start the engine the instrument cluster will reboot almost every time.

[voyagergab]

Originally Posted by cookiesowns

Hi,

Those that know me around forums know I do quite a bit of work on my own cars including coding and BMW ISTEP updates. Following the trend that I started on people getting ISTEP updates on their older M2's, I decided to give updating to the 2021 March update a try out solely for being able to code in full screen apple carplay without needing "hacks or backdoors".

That definitely was fulfilled, however not among other excitement and improvements in the car. I've let the car adapted already, so other than longer term adaptations on the transmission, it's safe to say none of this is placebo.

TLDR: Updated from 2020-March to 2021-March vehicle software, X3M much improved. OBD unlock not affected

The car feels more refined overall, maybe a tiny bit less edgy, but overall it improves the driving experience.

Big key improvements

• Lane keep & ACC now behaves like you would expect, pingpong is much less, and car is much more reactive on corners.. no more "uhh is the car going to follow this corner?"
• Lane keep now works during the day where there's less contrast on lane markings
• Delay from a slow rolling start <1mph but not stopped is fixed, no more hesitation or a small clunk if you roll into power a hair too quick for the transmission to react
• instrument cluster doesn't crash anymore if you use the konami code on the M buttons for loud starts
• car doesn't seem to always want to idle high when the cats are cold
• idrive much more responsive
• Suspension damping feels a bit more controlled
• Shifts seem more buttery
• Only con here is.. steering feels different.. unsure if it's better or worse. There's a bit of off center lightness now, but when loaded up it feels better. I think BMW tried to make it feel more natural, but I've grown to enjoy EPS steering with a tight on center feel.. will need to give it a bit more miles to really know. Sport+ seems to be slightly more usable

Appreciate the info.

I also noticed on my new 20 x3m that the transmission downshifting seems much more laggy compared to my previous 18 X3 M40i even in sport modes.

And then in sport modes it forgets to upshift one you're cruising.

Wonder if this istep fixes these.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Would a 2021 X3 M comp currently being built already have this upgraded as standard... ? Or is this iDrive 6 specific... ?

With the amount of money we pay for these nice machines, we shouldn't have to ask for this stuff huh. Wouldn't you agree...

[cookiesowns]

Originally Posted by Kevin_The_Clean1

Would a 2021 X3 M comp currently being built already have this upgraded as standard... ? Or is this iDrive 6 specific... ?

With the amount of money we pay for these nice machines, we shouldn't have to ask for this stuff huh. Wouldn't you agree...

I never did an intermediary step with newer 2020 firmware ( would be installed on 2021s built early this year and last year ) but I suspect 2021s will get most if not all of the improvements i mentioned.

[ZTZ1010]

I had this update done remotely by one of the more prominent coders (Henwee on IG). Took about an hour start to finish and cost about $180. I did full screen CarPlay separately myself. I have noticed incremental improvements similar to those OP described, but I can't say they have been as substantial in my eyes. Given the low cost, I'd still say it was worthwhile. Keep in mind if you're coded, you'll have to recode. My BM3 flash was unaffected.

I'd be hesitant to have the dealer do it if you're concerned about preserving OBD unlock capabilities unless you have a good relationship with your SA. I expect they will simultaneously update DME software (if you have an update) which means no more flashy flash.

[strohw]

Originally Posted by ZTZ1010

. I expect they will simultaneously update DME software (if you have an update) which means no more flashy flash.

You could still have that bench unlocked.

[ZTZ1010]

Originally Posted by strohw

You could still have that bench unlocked.

Nope. Post June 2020 DME software cannot be bench unlocked.

[forza1976]

Asked my SA to run my VIN to see if I qualify for this 9/2019 build. No dice, he said no software updates show up for mine outside a navigation maps update. Bummer...

[voyagergab]

Originally Posted by ZTZ1010

Nope. Post June 2020 DME software cannot be bench unlocked.

Can you please clarify which vehicle would get their DME locked? I have a 2020 x3m built in sep 2019.

[strohw]

Originally Posted by ZTZ1010

Nope. Post June 2020 DME software cannot be bench unlocked.

I think you may be confusing how it works. The June 2020 encryption change for the Bosch ECU can not be unlocked. The ECU's prior to this do not get the updated encrypted boot loaders, they're just locked. Someone else can then unlock them again which means you have to go to a tuner or ship out your ECU. If a dealer update locked the ECU when it was originally unlocked then it can be unlocked again.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by cookiesowns

...Updated from 2020-March to 2021-March vehicle software, X3M much improved... The car feels more refined overall, maybe a tiny bit less edgy, but overall it improves the driving experience...

Thanks for sharing, cookiesowns . Always learning something new on the Forums, and admit I had to look up the acronym to even find out what it stands for [ISTA-P (Integrated Service Technical Application Programming)]. Turns out both of our X3MCs need this so have them scheduled for the near future (both were late 2019 builds). Happy to pay the $180 to get us current from a programming standpoint. Will be interesting to see if we can tell a difference.

[serpentine]

Had my winters swapped out today. Inquired about this, and they said there’s no software update and that I need to talk to BMW Genius in sales.

I also tried the phone route, and they said the tech connected no problem.

Candidly I have no idea about how BMW pushes out their software so I didn’t press further.

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by serpentine

Had my winters swapped out today. Inquired about this, and they said there’s no software update and that I need to talk to BMW Genius in sales.

I also tried the phone route, and they said the tech connected no problem.

Candidly I have no idea about how BMW pushes out their software so I didn’t press further.

The simple answer is, they don't push it out unless it is a major safety issue. Which is almost never. And that's about the only way you'll get them to do it, if you insist that some type of safety related issue is happening. Like the gauge cluster going blank.

[Midtown2020]

Suspension improvement appeals to me!
Lane keep assist and ACC improvements would be welcome, as well as ability to code full screen CarPlay.

[Michael19887]

Interesting to see about this software update including a fix for the transmission jerking right after starting to go back in reverse. I took my car in for this to the dealer a few months back, and they told me it was normal for an M car. Might be worth a phone call again.