[Ryan1234]

From what I understand the ECUs were locked as of 06/20 production date. It's getting difficult to find a decent 2019 M2C in the spec I'm looking for, but there are a couple of 2020s that I might check out. How can I confirm that the ECU isn't locked - can I run the VIN through somewhere to see the exact production date?

[Ryan1234]

Following up on this, every 2020 M2C that I run through realoem puts production around mid 2019. If 05/20 is when the ECU gets locked, am I safe to assume that it's really just late 2021s that are affected?

[BigKutta]

As far as I know, ECUs got locked mid to late 2019 calendar year, so I think most 2020 model years in the US are ECU locked

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Ryan1234

Following up on this, every 2020 M2C that I run through realoem puts production around mid 2019. If 05/20 is when the ECU gets locked, am I safe to assume that it's really just late 2021s that are affected?

Did people finally figure out 2019 is the year to have?

[DadVibes]

From my understanding, the situation is this...

Early - Mid 2019 models: Unlocked ECU's
Late 2019 - June 2020 models: ECU's can be bench unlocked
Post-June 2020 production models: No unlock options available

[mark.ant]

From what I've heard if it was built pre October 2020 then you are good to go. I could be wrong though as I can't seem to get a consistent answer anywhere.

[///MFrankie]

So are you guys saying that the 2020 and newer ones can't even be bench unlocked by a tuner?

[DadVibes]

These answers are all over the place.

Originally Posted by ///MFrankie

So are you guys saying that the 2020 and newer ones can't even be bench unlocked by a tuner?

From what I understand, based off a considerable amount of reading, 2020 models that were built prior to 6/2020 CAN be bench unlocked. Anything built after that, cannot.

A local buddy has a 2020 M2C (pre-6/2020) with a bench unlocked DME, running a full CarBahn tune (not a piggyback).

[akkando]

Originally Posted by DadVibes

These answers are all over the place.

From what I understand, based off a considerable amount of reading, 2020 models that were built prior to 6/2020 CAN be bench unlocked. Anything built after that, cannot.

A local buddy has a 2020 M2C (pre-6/2020) with a bench unlocked DME, running a full CarBahn tune (not a piggyback).

From my recollection it's a bit fuzzier than that. It depends on when the DME was made. If I recall there are some July and maybe August built cars with older DME that can be tuned, but most got the new DME ava can't. It didn't sound like there was an exact cut off date where they switched exclusively to the new DME. It was luck of the draw when they reached into the parts bin until all the old units were used up.

[shahano]

Mine is 09/2020 production and ECU was locked. Replaced the ECU with a 2019 M2C ECU which allowed me to tune it. That’s the only way for cars built after 06/2020.

[Ryan1234]

Originally Posted by shahano

Mine is 09/2020 production and ECU was locked. Replaced the ECU with a 2019 M2C ECU which allowed me to tune it. That’s the only way for cars built after 06/2020.

Interesting. What did that entail? Can you just order one from a dealer with a 2019 VIN?

[nismosao]

Originally Posted by Ryan1234

Interesting. What did that entail? Can you just order one from a dealer with a 2019 VIN?

Subscribed to this.

[Atreyu03]

I have M2C from may 2020 delivery, it has an unlocked ECU. I guess it depends on when exactly the car was produced.

[happyjack]

Originally Posted by Ryan1234

Interesting. What did that entail? Can you just order one from a dealer with a 2019 VIN?

Originally Posted by nismosao

Subscribed to this.

there's another big thread on here somewhere...maybe in the S55 forum...that talks about finding the tuneable ECUs. from what i've gathered, there are shops that seek out the pre-2020 wrecked / salvage cars and buy the ECUs. i don't believe ther's any way to order a new one.


edit: start reading from here: https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...p#post28851809

looks like forum member @myxero can help.

[bbadillo]

Originally Posted by Atreyu03

I have M2C from may 2020 delivery, it has an unlocked ECU. I guess it depends on when exactly the car was produced.

How exactly does one find out the production year.

[rogeroger]

Originally Posted by bbadillo

How exactly does one find out the production year.

You can find out from your vin. Put it in https://mdecoder.com/ and you should be able to see your cars manufactured month and year.

[bbadillo]

Originally Posted by rogeroger

You can find out from your vin. Put it in https://mdecoder.com/ and you should be able to see your cars manufactured month and year.

Thank you. I just got my m and was going to use our forums to find a tune. Something soft. Like extra 25 or so. Nothing crazy. Mostly to get more mpg.

[bbadillo]

Originally Posted by rogeroger

You can find out from your vin. Put it in https://mdecoder.com/ and you should be able to see your cars manufactured month and year.

August 2019.

[Darien335is]

September 2019. Does that mean locked or
Unlocked?

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by Darien335is

September 2019. Does that mean locked or
Unlocked?

From what I've read, locked.

[MooMooM2]

Not looking to tune but looks like mine is 2019/05 so it should be unlocked which is nice to know for if I ever do decide to tune it or for resale value

[DadVibes]

Originally Posted by Darien335is

September 2019. Does that mean locked or
Unlocked?

Originally Posted by allinon72

From what I've read, locked.

But to be clear, 09/2019 can still be bench unlocked. It's the post-06/2020 cars that can't be unlocked, at all.

I think that's where a lot of confusion comes from. As I understand it, there are three variations to consider...

1) Unlocked (Early - Mid 2019),
2) Locked but unlock-able (Mid/late 2019 - mid-2020)
3) Completely unlock-able (mid-2020 onwards)

Mine has a March, 2020 build date and from my understanding I can send my ECU in to be bench unlocked, allowing me to flash tunes as I wish.

That said, the most odd thing, to me, is that the new G8X M3/M4 ECU's have supposedly already been cracked and are tune-able. But for some reason the 06/2020 and onwards M2 ECU's still aren't cracked, with seemingly no light at the end of the tunnel. As if they were just completely given up on.