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M2 Technical Topics > N55 Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust / Bolt-ons / Tuning > Latest ISTEP update transformed the car

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      07-29-2017, 02:27 AM   #1
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Latest ISTEP update transformed the car

So I just finished installing the latest ISTEP integration (firmware) on my car. It was done with ESYS in one full swoop I went from a late 2016 build to v61.4

Many modules were updated. Including FEM_GW as well as the DME and DSC and GHAS (differential)

I haven’t driven the car in Euro MDM yet but on regular MDM the car is much less intrusive when it comes to DSC kicking in. In addition it feels like the diff works slightly better to balance the power out. As if it’s way smoother on lock and unlock, putting down power better.

Steering fees a bit tighter and there’s less dampening so you feel more road which is great. Haven’t tried F87CS mode just yet.

The most notable change is the responsiveness of the motor, now it feels like it just pulls, and the transition between shifts is much smoother. The throttle is way more responsive and the wastegate has also seem to be adjusted to where the car feels like it makes boost quicker. Then the pops and bangs man, sport and sport + sounds closer to the hidden traction mode. Pops and bangs are way louder.

Apple car play also seems to be more responsive, when quickly shifting between ignition modes it used to kick the phone off and it won’t reconnect until after the car goes into sleep mode. Now it re connects after a brief wait and the interface is much more responsive.

Overall it’s worth a shot to get the dealer to update, if anything well worth the $150 dealers usually charge.

PS: if anyone wants this done to their car I can help ya out given that you’re around the OC area. You’re just gonna need a spare car or a battery supply in order to give it constant power

Update 2: It seems that under certain circumstances the car goes into the ZCP/GTS Startup roar mode.. I still can't find a way to get it to reliably do it, but it's happened more than a few times already.
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Last edited by cookiesowns; 07-31-2017 at 11:22 PM..
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      07-30-2017, 05:40 PM   #2
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Never heard of so many changes done for a firmware update. If all of this is true, then it should get some mention in the media.
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      07-30-2017, 06:05 PM   #3
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This is interesting, is there a tutorial on how to do it with ESYS?

I take it the SP-Daten/PsdZData files cover all cars, EUDM and USDM?

Last edited by DoZZa; 07-30-2017 at 06:25 PM..
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      07-30-2017, 07:22 PM   #4
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What do I ask for at the dealer? Can they all do this?
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      07-30-2017, 07:45 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by six-n-twins53 View Post
What do I ask for at the dealer? Can they all do this?
Yes, all BMW dealers can do this as they all use the ISTA diagnostic and programming system tools. Ask for the i-level update and they will likely charge you perhaps $150, and the car probably needs to stay overnight because of their extremely slow (technically dated) update system.

However, if you can find a problem with the car, then it's free. Car software updates are not provided by BMW under warranty without reason. The car needs to either have an ISTA/D diganosis indicating a problem with the car that requires new firmware, or an active TSB (Technical Service Bulletin ) that requires new firmware to resolve.

Last edited by zenmaster; 07-30-2017 at 07:51 PM..
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      07-31-2017, 07:34 AM   #6
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I'm definitely skeptical that the car performs noticeably different after a software update. However, if true, this could be a move by BMW to keep the 2018 competitive with its rivals like the rs3.
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      07-31-2017, 08:18 AM   #7
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Dropping my car off at the dealer tomorrow for service. Gonna check it this.
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      07-31-2017, 11:31 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stefan View Post
I'm definitely skeptical that the car performs noticeably different after a software update. However, if true, this could be a move by BMW to keep the 2018 competitive with its rivals like the rs3.
Skeptical of what?
Especially after a LCI the software usually takes a big step and have done so for the last couple of generations. I always try to get the latest software after a LCI.
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      07-31-2017, 06:14 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twin fed View Post
Dropping my car off at the dealer tomorrow for service. Gonna check it this.
Let us know how it goes
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      07-31-2017, 08:18 PM   #10
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I would pay $150 just for the improved road feel alone.
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      07-31-2017, 11:18 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DoZZa View Post
This is interesting, is there a tutorial on how to do it with ESYS?

I take it the SP-Daten/PsdZData files cover all cars, EUDM and USDM?
It's fairly easy, just remember to only check the necessary items when finalizing the TAL Calculation. I recommend doing everything in one fell swoop and make sure the VCM is updated with the latest I-STEP

Yes, you need Full PSDZ V61.4

Also, I updated the original post, but it seems that the ZCP/GTS startup roar is in the latest I-STEP... I can't figure out a way to do it every time just yet... but it caught me off guard a few times already/
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      08-01-2017, 08:41 AM   #12
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I doubt that nothing more than the adaption values were deleted and the car 're-learned' a driving style now... which is you pushing it harder.
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      08-01-2017, 10:29 AM   #13
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And I thought m2 startup roar is way better than ZCP, no?

Mine is a MY2017, not sure if that makes a difference though.
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      08-01-2017, 11:54 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by metrickid
Quote:
Originally Posted by stefan View Post
I'm definitely skeptical that the car performs noticeably different after a software update. However, if true, this could be a move by BMW to keep the 2018 competitive with its rivals like the rs3.
Skeptical of what?
Especially after a LCI the software usually takes a big step and have done so for the last couple of generations. I always try to get the latest software after a LCI.
Not really. Most of the time these so called "dramatic" changes after a service and software update are purely placebo affect supported by adaptation values changing.
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      08-01-2017, 01:12 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stefan View Post
Not really. Most of the time these so called "dramatic" changes after a service and software update are purely placebo affect supported by adaptation values changing.
The steering isn’t adapting and was improved a lot on my F30. So was the power delivery (smoother) and how the gearbox behaved. If you back to back test two cars you could feel the difference so no placebo or anything.

I don’t think anyone expect it to feel like a new car, more like a refinement that can definitely be felt.
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      08-01-2017, 06:43 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanWRT View Post
And I thought m2 startup roar is way better than ZCP, no?

Mine is a MY2017, not sure if that makes a difference though.
Mine was always somewhat tame.. but after the update... the roar is way more aggressive.

What was your production date and do you know your current I-STEP?
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      08-01-2017, 08:38 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cookiesowns View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SeanWRT View Post
And I thought m2 startup roar is way better than ZCP, no?

Mine is a MY2017, not sure if that makes a difference though.
Mine was always somewhat tame.. but after the update... the roar is way more aggressive.

What was your production date and do you know your current I-STEP?
It's a Aug 2016 build. I don't know how to check I-Step
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      08-02-2017, 08:46 AM   #18
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Can't Bimmercode read the i-level value under the VCM (Vehicle Configuration Management) Module?
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      08-02-2017, 02:09 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zenmaster View Post
Can't Bimmercode read the i-level value under the VCM (Vehicle Configuration Management) Module?
Isn't this the same as going in My Vehicle -> (Forgot if you go in iDrive or from here just scroll down to software update) -> Show Current Version


My 2017 shows a 5.xx.xx type version number.
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      08-02-2017, 05:55 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stilakazam View Post
Isn't this the same as going in My Vehicle -> (Forgot if you go in iDrive or from here just scroll down to software update) -> Show Current Version


My 2017 shows a 5.xx.xx type version number.
No totally different. That shows you the version numbers for the TELEMATICS box. ( COMBOX )

There's a way to get your NBT version and you can cross reference to I-STEP, but the easiest way is to throw it up on ISTA+, or get a print out of the dealer key read with ISPA Next
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      08-02-2017, 06:26 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cookiesowns View Post
No totally different. That shows you the version numbers for the TELEMATICS box. ( COMBOX )

There's a way to get your NBT version and you can cross reference to I-STEP, but the easiest way is to throw it up on ISTA+, or get a print out of the dealer key read with ISPA Next
Ahh ok thanks for the info. Any way to grab that with bimmercode or bimmerlink?
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      08-02-2017, 08:07 PM   #22
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Would my tune be affected if I do this update?
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