[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Parnishka

i have bm3 st1, so I got mine reflashed back to stock and relocked dme around 350 miles ago. so you say they don't flag you regarding warranty? I just making sure cause don't want to take a risk if it's gonna get fucked up after update and lose warranty u know.

A software update will wipe flash tune.

[new2the3]

I got flashed today for the emissions recall. I assumed this would update my istep software but after the service it still shows I'm on version 11/2019. Any advice?

[Parnishka]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

A software update will wipe flash tune.

what's that mean? my question is if I'm gonna be flagged? I already flashed it back to stock. I will obviously flash it back to st1.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Parnishka

what's that mean? my question is if I'm gonna be flagged? I already flashed it back to stock. I will obviously flash it back to st1.

Yes. Even if you flash back to stock the moment the car has a vehicle test done (whether for diagnosis or programming) will pop a message stating "suspicion of engine tuning". Fault will stay with vehicle and FASTA will be sent to BMW as does every vehicle test. Now your vehicle will always have a flag essentially on that session stating engine tuning. Even if you program the car there's still fault code for suspicion of engine tuning. This has been known for about a year now. People still somehow think they can get around it with flash tunes. And lots of people on forums have misinformation about tuning and flashing back to stock to try and be undetected.

Pay to play. If you get caught be ready to pay out of pocket for power train repairs when your power train warranty is void.

[boi222]

Did the update myself after a few weeks of researching… suspension is improved but it is not night and day difference … it is more of subtle and refined improvement

[Parnishka]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

Yes. Even if you flash back to stock the moment the car has a vehicle test done (whether for diagnosis or programming) will pop a message stating "suspicion of engine tuning". Fault will stay with vehicle and FASTA will be sent to BMW as does every vehicle test. Now your vehicle will always have a flag essentially on that session stating engine tuning. Even if you program the car there's still fault code for suspicion of engine tuning. This has been known for about a year now. People still somehow think they can get around it with flash tunes. And lots of people on forums have misinformation about tuning and flashing back to stock to try and be undetected.

Pay to play. If you get caught be ready to pay out of pocket for power train repairs when your power train warranty is void.

couple threads below smone said he did update and nothing was recognized and SA didn't say anything to him. so where is the truth I don't know. pay to play I agree but if there is a chance to make some improvement with no issue so why not. I just want to be safe. other then that car drives great with no problems.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Parnishka

couple threads below smone said he did update and nothing was recognized and SA didn't say anything to him. so where is the truth I don't know. pay to play I agree but if there is a chance to make some improvement with no issue so why not. I just want to be safe. other then that car drives great with no problems.

Still could be some missed communication between the tech who did the update and the service advisor communicating to the customer. I'm a tech at the dealer and have dealt with several tuned cars in the past year. Depends on the situation and the reason for the car coming in. Each dealer deals with it in their own way.

[Michael19887]

Got the update and no jerk/hesitation right after takeoff since. Hopefully it did address that and it is not because of warmer weather. Very much appreciate the suspension/transmission updates as others have noted. One thing that I've noticed that no one has mentioned - my HVAC fans are blowing with a lot less strength as a result of the update. I would say about 50% less strength than before. I had to keep the HVAC on max cool for an entire drive yesterday in 80 degrees and the HVAC could barely keep up, when I used to be able to use auto on 70 with a lower fan speed. Anyone else notice this/any ideas? Maybe it's an iDrive setting I am missing?

[spta97]

Originally Posted by Michael19887

Got the update and no jerk/hesitation right after takeoff since. Hopefully it did address that and it is not because of warmer weather. Very much appreciate the suspension/transmission updates as others have noted. One thing that I've noticed that no one has mentioned - my HVAC fans are blowing with a lot less strength as a result of the update. I would say about 50% less strength than before. I had to keep the HVAC on max cool for an entire drive yesterday in 80 degrees and the HVAC could barely keep up, when I used to be able to use auto on 70 with a lower fan speed. Anyone else notice this/any ideas? Maybe it's an iDrive setting I am missing?

Do you have it in auto mode? The X3 uses manual fan control for auto...never understood why.

I'm kind of holding back to wait for things like this - often updates fix certain stuff but break others.

Curious what other people say.

[Michael19887]

I used to keep the fan speed setting somewhere in the middle but now need to press the "max ac" button or lower the temp and Keep the fan closer to the highest setting to cool the vehicle

[spta97]

Originally Posted by Michael19887

I used to keep the fan speed setting somewhere in the middle but now need to press the "max ac" button or lower the temp and Keep the fan closer to the highest setting to cool the vehicle

This doesn't sound good - interested to hear what others think.

I use the full blast on the initial cool, but after that the X3 does a great job at low speed to keep the temp down.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by Michael19887

Got the update and no jerk/hesitation right after takeoff since. Hopefully it did address that and it is not because of warmer weather. Very much appreciate the suspension/transmission updates as others have noted. One thing that I've noticed that no one has mentioned - my HVAC fans are blowing with a lot less strength as a result of the update. I would say about 50% less strength than before. I had to keep the HVAC on max cool for an entire drive yesterday in 80 degrees and the HVAC could barely keep up, when I used to be able to use auto on 70 with a lower fan speed. Anyone else notice this/any ideas? Maybe it's an iDrive setting I am missing?

Be sure to go into the iDrive climate setting and make sure the vents are on the cool setting.

Also note on "auto", the fan setting controls the range of speeds, not a specific speed. If you like air blowing all the time, increase it. If you like little fan after a cool down, decrease it. To manually control the fan speed, disengage auto and you have full control over the fan speed.

I believe re-engaging "auto" selects thevent uses, but you can select that with the "3 bars" button while "auto" remains for fan and temp.

PS: All that being said, I don't think the X3M cools down as fast as other BMWs I've been in.

PPS: Be sure to check the rear seat setting and make sure its not trying to blow warm air! That happened to me last fall. I might have to check if "sync" includes the rear seat settings as well....

[Sarg33]

Originally Posted by richard in NC

PPS: Be sure to check the rear seat setting and make sure its not trying to blow warm air! That happened to me last fall. I might have to check if "sync" includes the rear seat settings as well....

Yes, the SYNC button controls the front passenger and rear settings as well.

SYNC program

Concept: The following settings of the driver's side can be transferred to the front-passenger side and the rear:
▷ Temperature.
▷ Air distribution.

Switching on/off
Press the button. The LED is illuminated with the SYNC program switched on.

The program is switched off automatically if the settings on the front passenger side or in the rear are changed.

[allinon72]

Just dropped my car off for a 7:30am appointment for this update. I can't wait to get a phone call at 7:35am "there is no update."

[JP30]

I am going to try and get this updated when I go into the dealer for 1200 break in service.
I have noticed the lane keep assist is not consistent, anything else I can mention to try and get this done? And how do I present this, "I heard that there is an istep update to address this"

[RoWoX3M]

Originally Posted by allinon72

Just dropped my car off for a 7:30am appointment for this update. I can't wait to get a phone call at 7:35am "there is no update."

:

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by allinon72

Just dropped my car off for a 7:30am appointment for this update. I can't wait to get a phone call at 7:35am "there is no update."

Bonne Chance...

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by JP30

I am going to try and get this updated when I go into the dealer for 1200 break in service.
I have noticed the lane keep assist is not consistent, anything else I can mention to try and get this done? And how do I present this, "I heard that there is an istep update to address this"

Doesn't your back up camera go blank from time to time...

[gotstocks]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

A software update will wipe flash tune.

This specific iStep update will wipe my flash tune? Just checking so I know what to expect. I'm not even going to bother flashing back to stock, since they can tell anyway. I'd rather not have to reinstall the tune. Thank you.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by gotstocks

This specific iStep update will wipe my flash tune? Just checking so I know what to expect. I'm not even going to bother flashing back to stock, since they can tell anyway. I'd rather not have to reinstall the tune. Thank you.

A software update will wipe a tune when it programs the DME. And pretty much every single update there is a DME update which will result in your tune being wiped.

[GreatAvalon]

Anyone else have any input on the A/C thing?

Wonder if this update fixes the dimming screen and instrument cluster with tinted windows - anyone noticed an improvement on that front?

Mine is going to dealer in a couple days for something else and trying to figure out if I should have the update applied then or hold off and let any gremlins surfaced (like the potential A/C thing)

[Parnishka]

Originally Posted by gotstocks

This specific iStep update will wipe my flash tune? Just checking so I know what to expect. I'm not even going to bother flashing back to stock, since they can tell anyway. I'd rather not have to reinstall the tune. Thank you.

it takes 7mins to flash a car, what's the problem with it? biggest concern is not to get flagged.