can only BMW do car software updates?

shrink · 08-23-2012, 08:29 AM

I have the classic old chesnut of the flat spot at about 3100-3200rpm on my 325i. Its brief, small and most of the time not an issue, but i do sometimes feel it, and when i do, it annoys the hell out of me.

is this something that ONLY bmw can deal with. The last garage I spoke to funilly enough said he'd never heard of that problem, and was going to charge me a diagnostic fee of £140 to find out whats wrong with the car.

I'm fairly sure nothing its wrong with the car, it just needs its software updating, so trying to work out what my options are here, short of just saying to BMW.. don't diagnose anything, just do the update!

Hotcoupe · 08-23-2012, 09:19 AM

A good BMW independent specialist with Autologic may well be able to help you.

hobo mofo · 08-23-2012, 09:22 AM

I have a 325i e90 and have not noticed any flat spots in the 5 months i've owned it. Never been updated either to my knowledge.

shrink · 08-23-2012, 09:26 AM

mines a 2005 though, so likely running on older software from the start!

yours probably has the update already applied and hence... no flat spots

wallsmk2 · 08-23-2012, 10:22 AM

Mine is updated with the latest software after an investigation into a transmission problem. The flat spot that you talk about is still there and can be frustrating when you're overtaking etc. I'd suggest someone like emaps to see if they can solve it. When I get the time I think this is what I'll do.

shrink · 08-26-2012, 05:00 PM

Well... The flat spot is gone now!!!

Had the car out for a run. Did a very spirited drive, including using the top end of fourth gear. Then I noticed that the flat spot was gone and the whole car felt more lively.

The guy I bought it from likely drove it very gently as his average mpg when I bought it was 37!!

So guess it just needed a proper hammering

Feels much more like a 325 should now

TripleBlack · 09-19-2012, 03:01 AM

Can one of you explain a little what this update would have been?
I'm in the market to update my Satnav software and I'm trying to find out if there's something else I need to update before doing the Satnav, so I can get its full benefits.

Falmouthboy · 09-19-2012, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shrink

Well... The flat spot is gone now!!!

Had the car out for a run. Did a very spirited drive, including using the top end of fourth gear. Then I noticed that the flat spot was gone and the whole car felt more lively.

The guy I bought it from likely drove it very gently as his average mpg when I bought it was 37!!

So guess it just needed a proper hammering

Feels much more like a 325 should now

Ahhh, the old 'Italian tune-up' as it's known, never fails

08-23-2012, 08:29 AM	#1
shrink Captain 19 Rep 752 Posts Drives: E90 325i SE Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Edinburgh (UK) iTrader: (2)	can only BMW do car software updates? I have the classic old chesnut of the flat spot at about 3100-3200rpm on my 325i. Its brief, small and most of the time not an issue, but i do sometimes feel it, and when i do, it annoys the hell out of me. is this something that ONLY bmw can deal with. The last garage I spoke to funilly enough said he'd never heard of that problem, and was going to charge me a diagnostic fee of £140 to find out whats wrong with the car. I'm fairly sure nothing its wrong with the car, it just needs its software updating, so trying to work out what my options are here, short of just saying to BMW.. don't diagnose anything, just do the update!
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08-23-2012, 09:19 AM	#2
Hotcoupe Major General 197 Rep 6,110 Posts Drives: Don't know yet! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List November 2008 335D ... [8.34] 2007 335D [0.00]	A good BMW independent specialist with Autologic may well be able to help you. __________________ ================================= Never argue with an idiot on the internet. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
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08-23-2012, 09:22 AM	#3
hobo mofo Captain 26 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 2007 325i e90 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: London iTrader: (1)	I have a 325i e90 and have not noticed any flat spots in the 5 months i've owned it. Never been updated either to my knowledge.
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08-23-2012, 09:26 AM	#4
shrink Captain 19 Rep 752 Posts Drives: E90 325i SE Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Edinburgh (UK) iTrader: (2)	mines a 2005 though, so likely running on older software from the start! yours probably has the update already applied and hence... no flat spots
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08-23-2012, 10:22 AM	#5
wallsmk2 Lieutenant 28 Rep 403 Posts Drives: e91 325i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: exeter iTrader: (0)	Mine is updated with the latest software after an investigation into a transmission problem. The flat spot that you talk about is still there and can be frustrating when you're overtaking etc. I'd suggest someone like emaps to see if they can solve it. When I get the time I think this is what I'll do.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-26-2012, 05:00 PM	#6
shrink Captain 19 Rep 752 Posts Drives: E90 325i SE Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Edinburgh (UK) iTrader: (2)	Well... The flat spot is gone now!!! Had the car out for a run. Did a very spirited drive, including using the top end of fourth gear. Then I noticed that the flat spot was gone and the whole car felt more lively. The guy I bought it from likely drove it very gently as his average mpg when I bought it was 37!! So guess it just needed a proper hammering Feels much more like a 325 should now
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-19-2012, 03:01 AM	#7
TripleBlack First Lieutenant 29 Rep 384 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M4 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Can one of you explain a little what this update would have been? I'm in the market to update my Satnav software and I'm trying to find out if there's something else I need to update before doing the Satnav, so I can get its full benefits.
	Appreciate 0 Quote