[RedStig]

Ill be honest, ive been searching for a while now and i still have no exact idea of what this does.

I believe it sharpens the transmission but im not 100% sure, does it make eco drive not so eco? can u select it like a jb4 or is it just a recoding?

and if its as good as it says does anyone know of anyone that does it near philly??

[mike-y]

Performance flash for the ZF trans in the 335i.

The 330/325 also have the ZF trans, but they may not be compatible. I guess it would really depend on the TCU. if the 330/325 share the same TCU, there is a possibility they could also be flashed.

but I was never able to find anything saying it worked on anything but a 335i, or anyone who was able to try it.

[RedStig]

well ive got an 08 335i with sport package 6AT. im guessing it would work in mine right?

[StevenY.]

Originally Posted by RedStig

well ive got an 08 335i with sport package 6AT. im guessing it would work in mine right?

Yeah, it should be fine. The only cars I remember not working for are the very early build 07 335s.

[gtaccord]

It is a different trans flash/tune for the 6at in the 335 as developed by Alpina for their car.

It gives you the following:

D mode (normal mode when you move the gear selector from P to D)
D mode becomes ultra conservative and seems to up shift based on speed instead of load. It shifts to 6th asap which is why many call the Alpina D mode "eco mode". Also the shifts are really smooth. Almost cvt like.

DS mode (move gear selector to left when in D)
This gives sharp aggressive shifting with very fast up and downshifts. This also holds gears longer when going up and down. This is a true sport mode

Manual Mode (use paddles while in DS mode)

User controlled sport mode. The same aspects of DS mode but you control the shifting.

In all three modes the gauge display will now read the mode and gear that the car is currently in whereas before it would just say D or DS.

The map is not user selectable. Once you flash the Alpina tune that is what you have. You can't go back to stock without getting someone to flash it back to stock.

[M.a.r.k.u.s]

it's better than stock in every way. Lots of people complain about D being grandma mode but it adapts to your driving style after a while and is actually really nice. Shits in Sport and Manual mode aren't even a comparison to stock. They're waaaaay faster.

If there was only one mod I was able to do to my car, this is still the one I'd pick over everything else.

[smithf80]

Works for 03/07 and newer.
Overall makes the transmission have smoother, faster, shifts.

[gtaccord]

Originally Posted by M.a.r.k.u.s

it's better than stock in every way. Lots of people complain about D being grandma mode but it adapts to your driving style after a while and is actually really nice. Shits in Sport and Manual mode aren't even a comparison to stock. They're waaaaay faster.

If there was only one mod I was able to do to my car, this is still the one I'd pick over everything else.

Because everyone needs faster shits.

[ryanakata]

For those complaining about drive mode, I actually love mine. Sure you will be in 6th by 40mph, but the car is butter smooth and I enjoy 29mpg. For times I want it to be a little more aggressive I just hit the manual paddles and shift it out on my own. The entire car is a whole new animal, and the rev matching on downshifts is awesome.

Faster shifts are amazing, even in D mode it seems quicker, but still smooth.

Get it!

[UKBasketball]

my friend has flashed the Alpina tune on a couple of my buddy's 335i, however he tried my car (09 328 xDrive) and the transmission wasn't compatible. I have the GM tranny

I can tell you, my friends cars that have had this done are amazing!! Almost DCT like imo

[Dark_Knight_335]

Okay so let me break it down for you- the Alpina flash is great- when it actually works properly- let me elaborate...

There have been times where it stayed in D3 at 65 mph, and other times where it stayed in D2 when I was completely stopped.

That, along with the high revs at low speeds sometimes, and the need for me to give it a "slap" into DS to D to drop a D3 in the display as it revved to a ridiculously high RPM more than once, has made me flash back to stock.

That said, without those harrowing behaviors, it was a blast to drive when the shifts did as they were supposed to at the right points.

[RedStig]

is it like an on-the-go thing to flash back or same process?

[ctglass]

How does this work with a Cobb tune? Every time I install a new Cobb map will I have to re-flash the Alpina?

[gtaccord]

No. The trans module (tcu) is flashed separately from the dme. Completely different systems.

[TitanLH8]

S mode shifts like butter....so smooth!

[mike5809]

Has anyone had any issues with factory and CPO warranty with this flash?

I was considering it but am concerned that the dealership could attribute this to a lot of transmission issues.

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by mike5809

Has anyone had any issues with factory and CPO warranty with this flash?

I was considering it but am concerned that the dealership could attribute this to a lot of transmission issues.

This was a concern for me too- took it in for two routine services - not a fark was given.

Had my issue even something else with the engine or drivetrain, perhaps it would have been different.

In any case, the inconsistency and occasionally jumpy behavior had me going back to stock within a few months. Others seem to love it though.

[srbarnes4ever]

Originally Posted by smithe90

Works for 03/07 and newer.
Overall makes the transmission have smoother, faster, shifts.

Mine is an October 06 build...why is it not compatible?

[smithf80]

Originally Posted by srbarnes4ever

Mine is an October 06 build...why is it not compatible?

It just isn't. Older version of modules I think.

[walmark]

Here is what I had to say about B3 Alpina flash after a month before I got rid of it:

Originally Posted by walmark

The alpina flash is just not for me. It really shines in "M" mode... but I barely drive like this. I'm mostly stuck in rush hour traffic, and both the D and S are awful for that. D is too weak, hitting 4th gear at 30mph while just crawling in stop and go (!) is ridiculous. Most of the time it feels like a CVT I had in an Altima once. And S is just simply too high strung, as I don't want to crawl on the beltway revving to 4k rpm either. It's probably more useful for people who get to drive more for fun on empty roads, but for me, using the car as a daily tool, it's a hinderance. Every time I drive I miss the original D mode, which while not perfect, seemed to be exactly what I needed. I really miss it.

[CombatNinja]

I had it for a while and got rid of it for the same reasons. "D" was too conservative. "DS" was nice but way too aggressive for every day, all day use. What I want is someone to flash my TCU so that the factory shift maps for "D" remain but the Alpina maps are there for "DS" and "M".

[gtaccord]

Originally Posted by walmark

Here is what I had to say about B3 Alpina flash after a month before I got rid of it:

Idk. I find alpina D mode perfect for stop and go beltway traffic although it would suck if my car still made stock power. Keep in mind that this tune was developed for the Alpina B3 which makes quite a bit more power than a stock 335. D mode is great when you have 350+ whp!