[DEFL]

Hi all,

I've got a 2018-8 M2C F87 (ISTEP 18-07-530) and for a while now have been happily using bootmod3. A few days ago I wanted to remove the GTS startup noise and BM failed to flash properly. Now the DME is screwed up/won't start/won't flash to stock and reports itself as locked. Still working with PTF guys which were pretty epic when I installed it so I'm hoping we can get out of this one alive as well

Anyways, now that we're grounded I started wondering about the exact bits and bobs of this locking out. So can anyone confirm the following:

• Apparently since 2019-03 (ISTEP 19-03-5**) you need a bench unlock.
  
• F87's built since ~2020-07 are locked with different hardware and really cannot be unlocked.
  
• If you have an older DME than the new one from 2020-07 it cannot be locked as that depends on the hardware, at worst you can require a bench unlock if you flash a more modern bootloader.
  
• MHD's lock report also says something similar for my car "HW: 0000300001E0001, ECU build date: 2018.06.07. No unlock needed, you can directly flash the car with MHD."
  
• When I first flashed Bootmod3 to the car BM3 car warned that I needed a bench unlock (which I know I would not), and there was the option to igore that warning. I didn't flash and asked support, the repsonse was "You are one of the very few people that did the right thing. Most people continue and brick their vehicles." so something odd has to be going on there. Does anyone have more details on this?
  

Is there anyone who actually update a pre-2020 F87 to something recent like ISTEP 21-11-510 and kept Bootmod3? Any notes on what to expect?

Thanks in advance!

[DriftKr6l]

Subscribing.

Also in a side note, anyone know what is done exactly to "unlock" the ecu? Is it flashed with different software? Or is there a command that is run to unlock?

[Enabled]

If you didn't update the ecu to newer flash, it can be OBD unlocked over OBD again.
I help recover failed flashes on BM3 all the time.

[Enabled]

Originally Posted by DriftKr6l

Subscribing.

Also in a side note, anyone know what is done exactly to "unlock" the ecu? Is it flashed with different software? Or is there a command that is run to unlock?

A patch is loaded to the bootloader section of the software, and forced onto the ecu. The patch instructs the ecu to bypass self checks for unsigned (unapproved) data.

[Enabled]

Originally Posted by Enabled

If you didn't update the ecu to newer flash, it can be OBD unlocked over OBD again.
I help recover failed flashes on BM3 all the time.

NOTE, if they update your ecu, they totally screwed you over and you'll have to get a bench unlock.
This moment is critical if you want to recover with an easy unlockable ecu. It has to be done right.

[DriftKr6l]

Originally Posted by Enabled

A patch is loaded to the bootloader section of the software, and forced onto the ecu. The patch instructs the ecu to bypass self checks for unsigned (unapproved) data.

Let's say for example you have hook ups at the dealer, is this something that a BMW tech can also do? Or is this an aftermarket hack?

[Enabled]

Originally Posted by DriftKr6l

Let's say for example you have hook ups at the dealer, is this something that a BMW tech can also do? Or is this an aftermarket hack?

No, BMW techs can't do that at all.

Dealers and the dealer techs have a very limited capacity even for normal programming.
This is from the aftermarket.

[DriftKr6l]

Originally Posted by Enabled

No, BMW techs can't do that at all.

Dealers and the dealer techs have a very limited capacity even for normal programming.
This is from the aftermarket.

Got it, thx

[beezyM2C]

Originally Posted by DEFL

Hi all,

I've got a 2018-8 M2C F87 (ISTEP 18-07-530) and for a while now have been happily using bootmod3. A few days ago I wanted to remove the GTS startup noise and BM failed to flash properly. Now the DME is screwed up/won't start/won't flash to stock and reports itself as locked. Still working with PTF guys which were pretty epic when I installed it so I'm hoping we can get out of this one alive as well

Anyways, now that we're grounded I started wondering about the exact bits and bobs of this locking out. So can anyone confirm the following:

• Apparently since 2019-03 (ISTEP 19-03-5**) you need a bench unlock.
  
• F87's built since ~2020-07 are locked with different hardware and really cannot be unlocked.
  
• If you have an older DME than the new one from 2020-07 it cannot be locked as that depends on the hardware, at worst you can require a bench unlock if you flash a more modern bootloader.
  
• MHD's lock report also says something similar for my car "HW: 0000300001E0001, ECU build date: 2018.06.07. No unlock needed, you can directly flash the car with MHD."
  
• When I first flashed Bootmod3 to the car BM3 car warned that I needed a bench unlock (which I know I would not), and there was the option to igore that warning. I didn't flash and asked support, the repsonse was "You are one of the very few people that did the right thing. Most people continue and brick their vehicles." so something odd has to be going on there. Does anyone have more details on this?
  

Is there anyone who actually update a pre-2020 F87 to something recent like ISTEP 21-11-510 and kept Bootmod3? Any notes on what to expect?

Thanks in advance!

Pretty sure you're dead in the water as I am going thru exact same things. Enabled has the solution

My shipment was 19-7-530
And also my current and last is thst as well but when my failed I guess they wipped out the bootloader as well PTF that is. So it's looking like I'm gonna have to pull dme $$$$ and send it $$$ to have enabled fix $$$$$

I'm glad this is happening more so that it can get properly dealt with by PTF and others warned.


And everyone that's gonna chime in with battery charger/seatbelt/ needs to be etc etc. i had flashed fine before and even after without etc

[MTWO]

Originally Posted by Enabled

If you didn't update the ecu to newer flash, it can be OBD unlocked over OBD again.
I help recover failed flashes on BM3 all the time.

BM3 support can help anyone recover from any situation. They’re so quick to do it too. People ignore the warning and proceed to flash on locked DMEs and even with that warning in place and ignoring it, if BM3 support is emailed they help. I can’t speak more highly of their after sales support on the product. Its unlike every car company I’ve ever dealt with by far.

[chmura]

Any update on this OP?

[beezyM2C]

Originally Posted by MTWO

BM3 support can help anyone recover from any situation. They're so quick to do it too. People ignore the warning and proceed to flash on locked DMEs and even with that warning in place and ignoring it, if BM3 support is emailed they help. I can't speak more highly of their after sales support on the product. Its unlike every car company I've ever dealt with by far.

They didn't help me in any aspect aside from not taking forever. I received copy paste responses at first telling me that my DME needed to be unlocked etc even though In my ticket i more then explained specifics. Then I was asked who bench unlocked my ecu. Well ptf did lol.was hoping they would step up and pay for shipping etc but nothing