"PSA: Latest version of ISTA (4.24.x) now auto-flags cars with “aftermarket software”

Alias1431 · 07-24-2020, 11:21 AM

https://old.reddit.com/r/BmwTech/com...now_autoflags/

"I just had my 2018 G30 540i serviced to get one of the DRLs replaced due to it going out.

My SA just called me and said that when they plugged the car to scan it for faults, ISTA automatically flagged my car as having had aftermarket flash (BM3). I did re-flash and re-lock the DME with the stock tune before taking it in. He also told me that ISTA used to not do that and they’d have to dig for it and would only flag it if you were being a dick about it and trying to fight for a warranty repair when clearly the tune caused the issue. However, now it seems like ISTA is auto-flagging anytime you scan the car similar to how VAG does it with their VCDS/VAG-COM software.

Fortunately, he did mention that the rest of my CPO warranty not related to power-train is still intact and thankfully the headlight replacement is covered (it was a $6k repair!!!). Also, since my dealer is super chill with mods, he also told me he’d fight for it if the issue was clearly not caused by the tune.

In any case, I knew what I was getting into (pay to play), so I am not surprised... just thought I’d share, so others deciding if they wanted to do a tune would be aware they’d be losing their power train warranty."

Alias1431 · 07-24-2020, 11:25 AM

Bummer.

BMWZ4 · 07-24-2020, 02:11 PM

Yeah, read about this yesterday

BMW can now easily detect tunes?
https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1742168

Alias1431 · 07-24-2020, 07:18 PM

The thread you linked claims they can also detect coding. That is troubling.

msg617 · 07-24-2020, 10:39 PM

It's all software. Trivial to detect alterations, if you want to.

sinbad4 · 07-24-2020, 11:15 PM

I use my JB4+ I switch it to stock tune anytime I take it to the dealer. I think this is a strong plus for anyone considering flash tune vs piggyback system.

freshxdough · 07-25-2020, 01:42 AM

BMW has always been able to tell if a vehicle has been tuned or not. It just depends on how far they want to go into the vehicle data. Most times they don't need to know that. But maybe BMW is wanting to make it clear that tuning is not going to be tolerated. Now during the vehicle test there's a window that pops up stating suspected engine tuning and to perform the test plan for suspected engine tuning.

Alias1431 · 07-25-2020, 02:09 AM

What's the test plan?

freshxdough · 07-25-2020, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alias1431

What's the test plan?

"perform the test plan for (suspected engine tuning)."

SO8 · 07-25-2020, 01:01 PM

I've scanned my car for fault codes just out of interest .... but would never do anything in warranty ... even coding !
It is slightly concerning if they can see I have looked for fault codes that they think I've mapped it when I haven't ... unless they can see when fault codes have been removed outside of their network as that could indicate a reflash.
They can look as deep as they like into mine, it is standard, and always has been, even if I would like another 50bhp

My understanding from work in collision investigation is they can tell huge amounts if they want to and 'FASTA' data has been mentioned which is mainly for studying trends re faults, etc, can be looked into if they wish to see if std parameters have been exceeded. There is a story somewhere re an M5 warranty claim where the guy was told after he bought it and had a fault, that it had been mapped. There was a delay but the Fasta data showed it was done before his ownership so they sorted his claim as the mapping was not in his ownership.

Other than this mysterious Fasta data there are modules in the car which record a lot more than many would want. This applies to all cars these days, not just BMW's but some manufacturers are a lot more 'with it' than others and, I would suggest, BMW is one of those.

Alias1431 · 07-25-2020, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshxdough

"perform the test plan for (suspected engine tuning)."

Lol, yes, but what is it?

freshxdough · 07-25-2020, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alias1431

Quote:

Originally Posted by freshxdough

"perform the test plan for (suspected engine tuning)."

lol, yes, but what is it?

suspected engine tuning

Alias1431 · 07-25-2020, 05:41 PM

What's the test plan? What's the test/routine/procedure? Where do they say to look/what data is collected? That stuff.

freshxdough · 07-26-2020, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alias1431

What's the test plan? What's the test/routine/procedure? Where do they say to look/what data is collected? That stuff.

You'll have to ask BMW.

It's literally just a test plan. You perform it and it runs a test and then it's done. Boom.

Alias1431 · 07-26-2020, 02:20 AM

Ah, gotcha.

383vett · 07-26-2020, 10:32 AM

Most manufacturers are cracking down on ecm tuning. They are all tightening their belts and not covering blown drivetrain parts under modded vehicles is one of them.

Ravenous666 · 07-26-2020, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alias1431

What's the test plan? What's the test/routine/procedure? Where do they say to look/what data is collected? That stuff.

Usually they look for boost pressure peaks or torque values in the transmission. There is so many data logged, you can tell for sure a car was tuned even when the tuning software or module is removed.

clivem2 · 07-26-2020, 12:22 PM

The BMW sport display...I gather power values are saved. If it’s recorded say 450bhp then that’s a bit of a telltail...

freshxdough · 07-26-2020, 12:32 PM

DME flash count is the simplest way. If the DME was flashed and the I level never changed, then obviously it wasn't the dealer that did it.

07-24-2020, 11:21 AM	#1
Alias1431 Lieutenant Colonel 795 Rep 1,959 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	"PSA: Latest version of ISTA (4.24.x) now auto-flags cars with “aftermarket software” https://old.reddit.com/r/BmwTech/com...now_autoflags/ "I just had my 2018 G30 540i serviced to get one of the DRLs replaced due to it going out. My SA just called me and said that when they plugged the car to scan it for faults, ISTA automatically flagged my car as having had aftermarket flash (BM3). I did re-flash and re-lock the DME with the stock tune before taking it in. He also told me that ISTA used to not do that and they’d have to dig for it and would only flag it if you were being a dick about it and trying to fight for a warranty repair when clearly the tune caused the issue. However, now it seems like ISTA is auto-flagging anytime you scan the car similar to how VAG does it with their VCDS/VAG-COM software. Fortunately, he did mention that the rest of my CPO warranty not related to power-train is still intact and thankfully the headlight replacement is covered (it was a $6k repair!!!). Also, since my dealer is super chill with mods, he also told me he’d fight for it if the issue was clearly not caused by the tune. In any case, I knew what I was getting into (pay to play), so I am not surprised... just thought I’d share, so others deciding if they wanted to do a tune would be aware they’d be losing their power train warranty."
	Appreciate 3 AcidLotus34.50 BuddhaTB150.00 kevinkay271.50 Tweet Quote

07-24-2020, 11:25 AM	#2
Alias1431 Lieutenant Colonel 795 Rep 1,959 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	Bummer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-24-2020, 02:11 PM	#3
BMWZ4 Major General 1910 Rep 5,103 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Yeah, read about this yesterday BMW can now easily detect tunes? https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1742168 __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
	Appreciate 1 Alias1431795.00 Quote

07-24-2020, 07:18 PM	#4
Alias1431 Lieutenant Colonel 795 Rep 1,959 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	The thread you linked claims they can also detect coding. That is troubling.
	Appreciate 1 BMWZ41909.50 Quote

07-24-2020, 10:39 PM	#5
msg617 Private 51 Rep 90 Posts Drives: X3 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	It's all software. Trivial to detect alterations, if you want to.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-24-2020, 11:15 PM	#6
sinbad4 Captain 783 Rep 911 Posts Drives: 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: MN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	I use my JB4+ I switch it to stock tune anytime I take it to the dealer. I think this is a strong plus for anyone considering flash tune vs piggyback system. __________________ • 2020 BMW X3 M40i Graphite : ZDA/ZDB/ZPX/718M/2VF/2T4/3KA/3AC/688/6NW/3AC
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2020, 01:42 AM	#7
freshxdough BMW Elite Master Tech \| HV Gen 5 \| HV Specialist 3511 Rep 4,208 Posts Drives: 2024 iX 50 \| 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	BMW has always been able to tell if a vehicle has been tuned or not. It just depends on how far they want to go into the vehicle data. Most times they don't need to know that. But maybe BMW is wanting to make it clear that tuning is not going to be tolerated. Now during the vehicle test there's a window that pops up stating suspected engine tuning and to perform the test plan for suspected engine tuning.
	Appreciate 1 AlexFL7837.00 Quote

07-25-2020, 02:09 AM	#8
Alias1431 Lieutenant Colonel 795 Rep 1,959 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	What's the test plan?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2020, 01:01 PM	#10
SO8 Major 243 Rep 1,205 Posts Drives: BMW G42 M240i xdrive Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	I've scanned my car for fault codes just out of interest .... but would never do anything in warranty ... even coding ! It is slightly concerning if they can see I have looked for fault codes that they think I've mapped it when I haven't ... unless they can see when fault codes have been removed outside of their network as that could indicate a reflash. They can look as deep as they like into mine, it is standard, and always has been, even if I would like another 50bhp My understanding from work in collision investigation is they can tell huge amounts if they want to and 'FASTA' data has been mentioned which is mainly for studying trends re faults, etc, can be looked into if they wish to see if std parameters have been exceeded. There is a story somewhere re an M5 warranty claim where the guy was told after he bought it and had a fault, that it had been mapped. There was a delay but the Fasta data showed it was done before his ownership so they sorted his claim as the mapping was not in his ownership. Other than this mysterious Fasta data there are modules in the car which record a lot more than many would want. This applies to all cars these days, not just BMW's but some manufacturers are a lot more 'with it' than others and, I would suggest, BMW is one of those.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-25-2020, 05:41 PM	#13
Alias1431 Lieutenant Colonel 795 Rep 1,959 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	What's the test plan? What's the test/routine/procedure? Where do they say to look/what data is collected? That stuff.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-26-2020, 02:20 AM	#15
Alias1431 Lieutenant Colonel 795 Rep 1,959 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: May 2019 Location: Washington iTrader: (0)	Ah, gotcha.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-26-2020, 10:32 AM	#16
383vett Major 626 Rep 1,044 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i, 2012 X3 Xdrive35 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Moraga, California iTrader: (0)	Most manufacturers are cracking down on ecm tuning. They are all tightening their belts and not covering blown drivetrain parts under modded vehicles is one of them. __________________ 2016 Z06 Vette, 10.53@132 1984 Vette, 406, 10.23@131 2021 SQ5
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-26-2020, 12:22 PM	#18
clivem2 Colonel 541 Rep 2,073 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	The BMW sport display...I gather power values are saved. If it’s recorded say 450bhp then that’s a bit of a telltail... __________________ Current: G01 M40i Silver / Tartufo Previous: E30 318iS, E39 520i 523i 523i, E46 vert 330i 330i, E93 vert 335i, F25 30D 35D
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-26-2020, 12:32 PM	#19
freshxdough BMW Elite Master Tech \| HV Gen 5 \| HV Specialist 3511 Rep 4,208 Posts Drives: 2024 iX 50 \| 2020 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	DME flash count is the simplest way. If the DME was flashed and the I level never changed, then obviously it wasn't the dealer that did it.
	Appreciate 1 BMWZ41909.50 Quote