[David1]

Originally Posted by Shieldze1025

I know this, I don't have a phone connected to the BT, and I don't pay for the BMW assist, but it had it originally. Maybe it runs through this still.

Anyway, I don't want to get off topic too much. No one out there has any concrete info about the original post?

The car does not need your cell phone for assist to function and Assist is free for 4 years ( has the car been in service for 4 years yet) with the premium pkg. Even when the free period is up, the service functionality of BMW assist is still active.

[WilliamE92]

So basically you can no longer run a tune if you want to keep your warranty.

Or does this require a software update?

[RambleJ]

Where is it? I know its around here somewhere...... Oh here it is!!

[bulldog_yyc]

remove the bmw assist fuse

[shifterboy45]

1. does the car have to ability to read and send trouble codes ?-

answer - yes, it will read and transmit a data package with any code that is check control related. now if this includes tuner codes -- highly doubtful.

2 how does the car send this information if i have no phone connected ?

the later (3rd version) of the TCU contains a phone control unit, GPS, and an actual phone chip which requires no external phone connection.. its built-in --case in point; what if your cell phone flew out the window(j/k) and you had an accident. how would Assist be notified... ? so its intergrated into the TCU, along with the auto unlock, and stolen vehicle recovery features 2007 and later with Assist.

3. is there any other information that is sent via assist?

yes there is quite a bit of data, in certain cases the control unit configuration can be read from the information sent .. just as it can if you inserted the key in the key read at the dealer. shows the I-level of the car and other pertinent data ...

4. is there a way for remote communication with the manufacturer?

currently its a one way transmission which is designed to help remind busy customers that their car is due for service ...

5. is there a way to turn this feature off ?

some one stated that you have an option to change whether the car send the data or not...

its built into the logic of the car, and i have seen no feature to inhibit the automatic transfer of service data when the CBS data dictates.. but just for giggles ill to go my car and see if this option exists on the menu -- i have a 10/08 build e92 w/I-drive Nav Sat Assist, and Bluetooth, so i will verify and correct this statement if required ...

[Glowin]

Originally Posted by e.n335

This leads me to very limited tuning options ( if you stick to warranty ):

- ECU flash. On the long term, I expect that only ECU flashes will be sold in case you can flash your car back to stock at home. An ECU flash can throw tuner codes as well, so the need for a tool to clear codes before you bring in the car is given.

Eugen

Name a flash that you KNOW throws tuner codes. I don't recall it being discussed here.

Originally Posted by e.n335

I am looking forward to the Evolve Stage III tune and the corresponding flash device, which should be available in the near future and allows flashing the ECU at home. I should receive such a beta device very soon.

So Evolve will be a home flashing solution where you can flash stock to tuned and vice versa, or just a switching program, like GIAC's? (where both the stock and tuned maps are loaded in the ECU, and the hardware just switches between them)

I find it interesting if Evolve can actually flash an ECU, to do something comparable, GIAC finds they need to have it done at their dealers.

[WilliamE92]

Originally Posted by turkish335

remove the bmw assist fuse

I like the way you think.

[TurboBimmer]

Originally Posted by Glowin

Name a flash that you KNOW throws tuner codes. I don't recall it being discussed here.



So Evolve will be a home flashing solution where you can flash stock to tuned and vice versa, or just a switching program, like GIAC's? (where both the stock and tuned maps are loaded in the ECU, and the hardware just switches between them)

I find it interesting if Evolve can actually flash an ECU, to do something comparable, GIAC finds they need to have it done at their dealers.

Not long ago, Evolve posted that they will send a software and a cable which allows to download the stock ECU file. This file is then sent to Evolve via email and they will return you the modified file back to flash your ECU.

So it's not a switching device and you can flash the car back to stock.

[chris b.]

this has always been the case. nothing new.

also its no longer called progman. its ista/p

[e.n335]

Originally Posted by Glowin

Name a flash that you KNOW throws tuner codes. I don't recall it being discussed here.



So Evolve will be a home flashing solution where you can flash stock to tuned and vice versa, or just a switching program, like GIAC's? (where both the stock and tuned maps are loaded in the ECU, and the hardware just switches between them)

I find it interesting if Evolve can actually flash an ECU, to do something comparable, GIAC finds they need to have it done at their dealers.

My current ECU flash does. It's a Noelle/Evotech variant sold by Daehler Switzerland.

However, ECU will be flashed to Progman 36.2 in the next few days.

I will switch to Evolve Stage III ( 420 BHP ) very soon.

Evolve flashing @ home procedure:

- read the ECU to the switcher ( full ECU file )
- send ECU file to Evolve (mail)
- load file got back from Evolve (mail) to the switcher
- now you can flash your ECU to the Evolve tune or the stock file ( just the delta tune / stock )

pretty easy.

Eugen

[Dr_Dirt]

Originally Posted by e.n335

My current ECU flash does. It's a Noelle/Evotech variant sold by Daehler Switzerland.

However, ECU will be flashed to Progman 36.2 in the next few days.

I will switch to Evolve Stage III ( 420 BHP ) very soon.

Evolve flashing @ home procedure:

- read the ECU to the switcher ( full ECU file )
- send ECU file to Evolve (mail)
- load file got back from Evolve (mail) to the switcher
- now you can flash your ECU to the Evolve tune or the stock file ( just the delta tune / stock )

pretty easy.

Eugen

How long does it take to pull the ecu file from the ecu?
How long does it take to write the ecu file back to the ecu?

[shifterboy45]

Originally Posted by WilliamE92

I like the way you think.

if you'd like to disable Assist - youll also disable your nav and any telecom (bluetooth included) features of your car .. its all one unit ..

[shifterboy45]

Originally Posted by jonm42

Perhaps a coincidence? When was your last oil appt? Can you imagine the sheer volume of data based on the number of cars? And exactly what network did your car use to "talk"? Were you anywhere near the dealer?

This feels like it's getting out of hand. Any lurking BMW folk care to say something? Someone with access to service bulletins?

not a coincidence --

when the car is initially programmed the dealer information is entered into the car ID infomation section. when CBS data indicates its time for service.. that information is sent to a BMW server that routes the service request to the dealer. and yes it quite a few cars ---

[bulldog_yyc]

Originally Posted by shifterboy45

if you'd like to disable Assist - youll also disable your nav and any telecom (bluetooth included) features of your car .. its all one unit ..

I knew there would be a catch
Is the SIM portion of the telematics removable?

[shifterboy45]

Originally Posted by turkish335

I knew there would be a catch
Is the SIM portion of the telematics removable?

Since the carrier is Verizon -- no there is no SIM

i hate that too... since i went from a blackberry curve, to a MOTO Droid -- no frikken SIM card

[HPIA4v2]

Next BMW will enable a feature to zap the flash back into OEM version (via BMW assist through satelite) ala Cable-TV company back in the 80's to deal with pirated boxes.

Won't that be cool

[Metro]

Originally Posted by Shieldze1025

I got the oil low warning light, and the next day got a call from my dealer to make the regular oil service appointment, so the car definitely "talks" to the dealer. My guess is the newest software upgrade just has a patch in the software code to contact the dealer if it detects a tuner code. Now whether or not they forward that on to HQ is a different story- as mentioned above, does this automatically screw you and render a BT tool useless?

I got an oil low light when driving across the country, but no one contacted me about that and I have BMW assist. My car is an 08/2006 production though, so don't know if that has anything to do with it.

[David1]

The information goes to your BMW center that you bought the car from. It is then up to the dealer to call you.

[shifterboy45]

Originally Posted by HPIA4v2

Next BMW will enable a feature to zap the flash back into OEM version (via BMW assist through satelite) ala Cable-TV company back in the 80's to deal with pirated boxes.

Won't that be cool

The intial concept design was to incorporate a system which could update the car with out a service visit, and inform the customer of impending service visits.. which would work like M$ Winslow -- i mean Windows - e.g. windows update .. you could run an ethernet cable to your garage at home, plug the car in, and bam! your car is updated..

well that did not happen, nor should it based on privacy elements..

its not a bad system, and its target is service related issues .. not a hunt for Red October... but is does collect data from the car, just as if you brought your car in for a service visit ... the first thing to be done is to read the key data to substaniate whether service is due on the car or not ..

you'll never believe how many customers used to say -- "hey WTH, you never told me it was time for service, why didnt some one call me and let me know?? (AFTER they had eclipsed their maint agreement parameters)

now running a test plan from a ICOM is totally different ..

[CaptChaos]

Big Brother is watching! Put aluminum foil over the shark fin!!!

[shifterboy45]

Originally Posted by CaptChaos

Big Brother is watching! Put aluminum foil over the shark fin!!!

[enrita]

Originally Posted by e.n335

My current ECU flash does. It's a Noelle/Evotech variant sold by Daehler Switzerland.

However, ECU will be flashed to Progman 36.2 in the next few days.

I will switch to Evolve Stage III ( 420 BHP ) very soon.

Evolve flashing @ home procedure:

- read the ECU to the switcher ( full ECU file )
- send ECU file to Evolve (mail)
- load file got back from Evolve (mail) to the switcher
- now you can flash your ECU to the Evolve tune or the stock file ( just the delta tune / stock )

pretty easy.

Eugen

VTECH flash throws tuner codes as well. Is a polish tuner that mostly does VW.
What you represent there is the exact same procedure as GIAC. GIAC has however a different business model. You need an actual code/key to unlock the flash . Without that is useless. Security and copy right i guess , thats why only a certified dealer can perform the operation. The flashloader will allow to switch which is all i need.