[rapodac]

I just picked up a 2013 e92 335i and I'm having a hard time making a decision as to what tune to go with. I just want to make sure I know all the current facts before I make a tough decision.

My initial choice was MHD until I found out my MEVD1726 DME is locked and requires removal and shipping for bench flashing/unlocking. I really want to avoid the risks involved in this process.

BM3 doesn't have an E-series platform.

I should be able to use JB4 but will have to deal with clearing downpipe check engine lights since the auto-clear feature was removed.

So it really comes down to removing/unlocking my DME for MHD for dealing with the CEL in JB4.

Do I have all the pertinent info? Any other tunes I should consider?

TIA

[9krpmrx8]

Have your DME unlocked, it's simple to remove and reinstall or have someone do it. Just take a picture of your DME plugs before you unplug them as the first two plus from the font of the vehicle can be swapped and make sure they are right before you start the car after you reinstall it.

[robrxt]

I'm in the same boat as you. I just removed my DME and sent it out to Twisted Tuning for the bench flash. Have not even install it back into the car yet. If you go this route, you can follow YouTube videos to help you remove the DME. This is a detailed one I followed from ShopLifeTV:

[robrxt]

If you do ship your DME out, you will need to purchase the job from twisted tuning and then sechedule with Justin before you can ship out the DME. And while the DME is out, the car will not be drivable. My car is not my daily so I was ok with that. Since I'm going MHD, I'm taking this time to do all of the fbo mods and some maintenance. Hoping to go stage 2+ e30 with MHD in the next couple of weeks.

[rapodac]

Originally Posted by robrxt

If you do ship your DME out, you will need to purchase the job from twisted tuning and then sechedule with Justin before you can ship out the DME. And while the DME is out, the car will not be drivable. My car is not my daily so I was ok with that. Since I'm going MHD, I'm taking this time to do all of the fbo mods and some maintenance. Hoping to go stage 2+ e30 with MHD in the next couple of weeks.

I'll probably end up doing the same thing. I have other vehicles to drive. Were they able to schedule you in pretty quick after your order?

[cranelec]

I'll probably end up doing the same thing. I have other vehicles to drive. Were they able to schedule you in pretty quick after your order?


FWIW: There are other tuners who unlock. Justin IS one of the best, he tunes across many platforms. Wedge Performance just happens to be my tuner of choice. FWIW: Wedge does the N54 OTS tunes for MHD and Justin does the N55 OTS MHD tuned. You cannot go wrong with either of them. If you can solder, there is a DIY out there if you have that kinda fortitude.

I started out with the JB4 in 2016 and thought the sudden addiction of 60 WHp was the best thing since sliced bread. Justin & Terry had some spirited debates. Eventually, Justin's arguments for going with a "flash" tune only (no piggyback JB4) were impossible to ignore.

Hope this info helps. Good Luck

Mike

[robrxt]

It was about 5 days after I ordered that I was scheduled in to ship the DME out. Depending how n what type of shipping method and where you are located...for me I used ground UPS shipping to NY from California and also used ground for the return so it took about two weeks to get it back. I just put it back into the car yesterday but haven't start it back up yet. Maybe this weekend.

[rapodac]

Originally Posted by robrxt

It was about 5 days after I ordered that I was scheduled in to ship the DME out. Depending how n what type of shipping method and where you are located...for me I used ground UPS shipping to NY from California and also used ground for the return so it took about two weeks to get it back. I just put it back into the car yesterday but haven't start it back up yet. Maybe this weekend.

Let me know how it all ends up.

Did you have jb4 before? I'd be real interested in a comparison.

[I3LaZeN]

Couldnt you get someone that does coding locally come by and unlock the DME?

[rapodac]

Originally Posted by I3LaZeN

Couldnt you get someone that does coding locally come by and unlock the DME?

I tried but no luck in Albuquerque

[Turbod]

Wedge did my unlock, great guy. He is located in Oregon while Justin is in NY so put that into consideration. I also saw Ken (Wedge) post that they no longer need to open up the DME to flash it.

Having used the JB4 by itself, with a Cobb BEF, with a MHD BEF, and MHD by itself I would recommend MHD as a standalone solution. I purchased a used JB4 before I had my DME unlocked and I'm waiting to throw the PS2 on before ditching it for MHD only.

[I3LaZeN]

Originally Posted by Turbod

Wedge did my unlock, great guy. He is located in Oregon while Justin is in NY so put that into consideration. I also saw Ken (Wedge) post that they no longer need to open up the DME to flash it.

Having used the JB4 by itself, with a Cobb BEF, with a MHD BEF, and MHD by itself I would recommend MHD as a standalone solution. I purchased a used JB4 before I had my DME unlocked and I'm waiting to throw the PS2 on before ditching it for MHD only.

Any reason why you prefer MHD standalone vs JB4 + MHD BEF?

I currently have the JB4 map 2 running with catless DP, CP, BMS Intake, and 5" FMIC.
Was thinking to do the MHD BEF next and call it a day.

[Schmidty335i]

It is super easy to bench flash your own DME honestly the hardest part is getting it open... that glue is strong as hell. I got the ktag for like 90 bucks and it took about 4 hours total to pull the DME flash it and put it back in. there is a step by step on here if you want to go that route.

[Turbod]

Originally Posted by I3LaZeN

Any reason why you prefer MHD standalone vs JB4 + MHD BEF?

I currently have the JB4 map 2 running with catless DP, CP, BMS Intake, and 5" FMIC.
Was thinking to do the MHD BEF next and call it a day.

Boost on target is inconsistent, very low throttle inputs cause the car to be jerky, the entire concept of a piggyback tune vs a flash tune. The JB4 has very limited control as it is just lying to the computer rather than adjusting parameters. The BEF makes it better but it still just doesn't make sense.

Originally Posted by Schmidty335i

It is super easy to bench flash your own DME honestly the hardest part is getting it open... that glue is strong as hell. I got the ktag for like 90 bucks and it took about 4 hours total to pull the DME flash it and put it back in. there is a step by step on here if you want to go that route.

Wedge posted a little while back that they no longer need to open the DME up. I didn't ask what their new process is but it sounds like that would save a good amount of time if they are as hard to open as you have said.

[cranelec]

"Wedge posted a little while back that they no longer need to open the DME up. I didn't ask what their new process is but it sounds like that would save a good amount of time if they are as hard to open as you have said."
If anyone could "crack" the DME unlock without having to physically open the ECU, it would be someone like Ken, Justin, etc.
IMO...This reminds me of the days of Satellite cards. This whole DME lock by BMW and encryption of the DME tables was just good business practice and a pitiful attempt at preventing their competitors from reverse engineering their intellectual property.

BMW left the front door unlocked allowing some very extraordinary people to figure out the tables.
I'm positive that more than one BMW engineer are members of various BMW forums. Just like the old days of satellite tv cards with Dave & Charlie losing revenue. DTV, DISH, BEV? eventually figured out that it was far more cost-effective to hire the extraordinary people (hackers) to eventually lock down future satellite access cards.
I'm no computer expert. However, in theory satellite cards can still be hacked by "glitching" the card and forcing the chip to dump its contents. Unfortunately, it would require an electron microscope and a more precise surgical robot than currently exists.

I'm positive that BMW's next iteration/attempt at permanently preventing access to their ECUs will be more effective.

[jlegelis]

Just remember, with a 'late' E92 (eg. 2012+, like my 2013) your HPFP will not flow like the earlier cars, and rail pressure will crash if your tune ramps boost too aggressively, throwing warnings and codes, so be prepared. An LPFP won't solve your problems - its the design of the HPFP that limits to fuel. To remedy you'll need to do an XDI HPFP or equivalent. Ask me how I know...

[robrxt]

Just an update...I put the DME back into the car. Along with it, added a catless DP, 7" hd intercooler, charge pipe, turbo outlet pipe, and oil catch can. I was able to load MHD stage 2+ OTS map. The car runs great and the extra power is noticeable from stock. I Will try the e30 mix tune next. I'm happy with MHD so far.

[Turbod]

Originally Posted by robrxt

Just an update...I put the DME back into the car. Along with it, added a catless DP, 7" hd intercooler, charge pipe, turbo outlet pipe, and oil catch can. I was able to load MHD stage 2+ OTS map. The car runs great and the extra power is noticeable from stock. I Will try the e30 mix tune next. I'm happy with MHD so far.

Remember not to flash back to stock unless you plan to bench flash MHD again. I am glad you like it.