[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Ah man... I had to go in last month for CarPlay issues and odd noises coming from the driver's tweeter, so they suspected the stereo headunit software was to blame. They said they updated the software to see if it would fix it... It happened to be the one year service date too.

Was hoping it was just a module they updated, but I just downloaded my profile and though my car's a July 2018 build, it says my ISTEP is:

F020-19-07-520

Which takes the cake as far as the latest version out there it looks like, according to OP. And I'm probably screwed should I decide to do anything...

Unfortunately yes. For any warranty work, first thing is BMW technicians just plug the car in and press "go", no choice of modules to update, just do the lot.

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Unfortunately yes. For any warranty work, first thing is BMW technicians just plug the car in and press "go", no choice of modules to update, just do the lot.

Realistically, what are the chances of getting firmware restored to a prior version? Probably close to zero, unless you've got proof the newest is causing problems, I'm guessing?

I wish it was as simple as the Media software, where you go into iDrive, and there's a nice little option called Revert to prior version or something like that!

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteM2

You can have your software "downgraded" to a prior version.

I purposely got mine upgraded to the "Locked to OBD DME" version and then is was downgraded. Admittedly a dealer cannot do it even if they wanted to.

I'm just curious what happens when you go in for a scheduled service and the service dept. workstation at the dealership shows a different istep than the one on your car?

[M2C_PLUS]

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

I'm just curious what happens when you go in for a scheduled service and the service dept. workstation at the dealership shows a different istep than the one on your car?

I can put the latest software back on if I wanted............but why would you take a tuned car back to a dealer?

Because lets be honest, the only reason the latest "OBD tune" locked software is a drama to some is because they want to tune their car.

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteM2

I can put the latest software back on if I wanted............but why would you take a tuned car back to a dealer?

Because lets be honest, the only reason the latest "OBD tune" locked software is a drama to some is because they want to tune their car.

The only reason I'd take a tuned car back to the dealer is to maintain the warranty service interval. There is still some warranty in tact even if they find out you tuned the car. I suppose you could take the car to a 3rd party mechanic that is BMW certified, that would solve the problem.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

The only reason I'd take a tuned car back to the dealer is to maintain the warranty service interval.

In the EU there is no need to have any dealer servicing whatsoever to maintain warranty. As long as service schedule is met and the parts used meet manufacturer spec that's all that is required.

Mine will never go back to BMW for servicing. As I learned with my 335i tourer having all quality independant servicing kept the car in better condition and actually increased the resale value...

[VIERsr]

Originally Posted by doughboy

In the EU there is no need to have any dealer servicing whatsoever to maintain warranty. As long as service schedule is met and the parts used meet manufacturer spec that's all that is required.

Mine will never go back to BMW for servicing. As I learned with my 335i tourer having all quality independant servicing kept the car in better condition and actually increased the resale value...

Apparently not everywhere in Europe.
Here we have an additional warranty offered by Bmw Italy for 2 years more than the legal 2 years warranty and you will keep the additional warranty only if you have all your services at BMW dealers. In addition, your used car will be evaluated more because again Bmw Italy will offer an official warranty covering used cars like the new ones (BMW Premium Selection program, 2 or 4 years of coverage depending on the age of the car), but only if the car had all the services at BMW dealers.
If you don't have services at the dealer you only have a 2 years of legal warranty and your car will never enter the Premium Selection program, with loss of value on resale. Same as Porsche Approved.
I know it sucks, but it's worth it.

[doughboy]

Yeah Ok so there's a bit of bribery there for perceived 'extra' benefits.

But you still have your 2 year warranty regardless of servicing as EU law.

Lucky in UK we get 3 year basic warranty from BMW UK regardless of servicing.

If you want then to pay for extended bmw warranty after year 3 then you have to use dealer service going forward.

I would never sell this car back to BMW anyway who will always give you a terrible deal. I'll sell it privately to an enthusiast who understands the value of proper maintenance rather than worthless stamps from a dealer...

[CallumM2C]

So if you get your ECU downgraded to an older version to allow it to be re-mapped with a tune and then you get a BMW service and they update your software - Do you also lose the tune or just the ability to re-tune?

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by CallumM2C

So if you get your ECU downgraded to an older version to allow it to be re-mapped with a tune and then you get a BMW service and they update your software - Do you also lose the tune or just the ability to re-tune?

All tunes and any coding of relevant modules will be gone, overwritten with new standard software and settings...

[CallumM2C]

mmmm that’s not good! 😝

[twboy1999]

i just checked mine

delivered in sept 2018.

just did an annual service
they didnt update the software. it is still
- Version F020-18-07-530 = July 2018

[doughboy]

Remembered to check mine when it was on ISTA+ at the weekend.

Still on F020-18-07-547 since factory build..

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by doughboy

Remembered to check mine when it was on ISTA+ at the weekend.

Still on F020-18-07-547 since factory build..

How do you get that print out? SA?

[doughboy]

No I have full dealer ISTA on a laptop at home, downloaded off the web.

Diagnostics at home FTW!

After coding or mapping I always run diagnostics to check for any faults or error logs. There are literally hundreds of possible faults that don't show any dash light so you'd never know without software.

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by doughboy

No I have full dealer ISTA on a laptop at home, downloaded off the web.

Diagnostics at home FTW!

After coding or mapping I always run diagnostics to check for any faults or error logs. There are literally hundreds of possible faults that don't show any dash light so you'd never know without software.

Thank you!

[fordnox]

New Software on mine

F020-19-07-539

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by fordnox

New Software on mine

F020-19-07-539

But we don't know if this involves a DME update. Maybe they just changed some minor module.

The ISTEP is the "whole car" version. A bit like a windows 10 update to "1903", you don't know which bits they changed without further investigation....

There are 23 (approx i recall) individual control modules in the M2C, a change to anyone of those will results in a new ISTEP version.

[fordnox]

ah i see...my service man told me that a new dme software is included.. because my car was there for fixing missfires

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by fordnox

ah i see...my service man told me that a new dme software is included.. because my car was there for fixing missfires

Ah ok. That's useful info

[ChrisK]

I just had my car in for an oil change, and no updates required. It seems like EU cars are getting all the updates. I'm sure it has something to do with the OP.

[doughboy]

The updates are for lots of modules, not just the DME, so they will be for the US too, but just not compulsory. They won't do it during an oil change, as they won't get paid for it.

If you went in for some warranty work for example, for sure they would update the car then as stage 1 of warranty claims is "ensure software is up to date". And they'll get paid for it.

I know some EU countries are calling it a "recall" and insisting on doing it.

In the UK its just classed as a "quality enhancement" so you can still opt out (like I did).