Remote coding to upgrade to latest i-Step

[jo2134]

Does anyone know someone who can remote code update to the latest i-Step for me?

I would like to be able to code Ambient Lighting which requires the latest i-Step for newer cars (my car is a 2018)

Thanks

[CatalinP]

That is not coding and cannot be done remotely.

[jo2134]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

That is not coding and cannot be done remotely.

Thanks for the reply, do you know if this is something I can just take in to the dealer to do for me and around how much it will cost?

Thanks

[turboawd]

Your car doesn't have ambient lighting?

[jo2134]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Your car doesn't have ambient lighting?

It does, but you can't code the new colors on the newer cars unless you have the most recent i-step update which came out in the past few months.

I'd like to add colors like lilac and dynamic blue but you need to have the i-step updated so that you can set the RGB values

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

Originally Posted by jo2134

Thanks for the reply, do you know if this is something I can just take in to the dealer to do for me and around how much it will cost?

Thanks

Yes, you can. It will cost a lot, but you can always try to say that you've got software bug or something - maybe they will do it for free.

[jo2134]

I've seen something about being able to do it through E-Sys and with an external power supply for the car? Not sure how complicated it would be (only thing I've coded with E-Sys is my 6WB cluster retrofit)

[CatalinP]

Originally Posted by jo2134

Thanks for the reply, do you know if this is something I can just take in to the dealer to do for me and around how much it will cost?

Thanks

It is done by the dealer. In EU is about 100€ and it takes about 3 hours.
I would not do it anywhere else as you need the latest software, ICOM interface and a strong power source.
If anything goes wrong during updating any of the modules, you'll probably end up buying a new one.

[jo2134]

Originally Posted by CatalinP

It is done by the dealer. In EU is about 100€ and it takes about 3 hours.
I would not do it anywhere else as you need the latest software, ICOM interface and a strong power source.
If anything goes wrong during updating any of the modules, you'll probably end up buying a new one.

I've researched and found a guide that shows you can do it using a 70amp external power source hooked up to the battery and through e-sys with the latest psdzdata

I will give my local dealer a call tomorrow and if they won't do it for a reasonable price I'll attempt to update myself

[willconnect]

Originally Posted by jo2134

I've researched and found a guide that shows you can do it using a 70amp external power source hooked up to the battery and through e-sys with the latest psdzdata

I will give my local dealer a call tomorrow and if they won't do it for a reasonable price I'll attempt to update myself

Interested to know about the price quote from your dealer. Kindly let us know what the dealer said

[jo2134]

Originally Posted by willconnect

Interested to know about the price quote from your dealer. Kindly let us know what the dealer said

My local dealer said "this is not something BMW does this would be a custom modification"

Clearly some dealers don't know what they're talking about.

I'm in NYC if anyone can recommend a nearby dealer who has done something similar for them in the past.

Thank you

EDIT: Park Avenue BMW quoted me 2 hours + taxes @ $170 per hour

Looks like I'll be giving it a shot myself E-Sys and an external power source

[r33_RGSport]

It is a flashing procedure.

Technically it is do-able remotely, but you will need a strong charger and good laptop.

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

Originally Posted by jo2134

I've seen something about being able to do it through E-Sys and with an external power supply for the car? Not sure how complicated it would be (only thing I've coded with E-Sys is my 6WB cluster retrofit)

Trust me, you don't want to do it with your level of knowledge. It's basically flashing every module in the car - there are so many thing that can go wrong. Even dealers don't like to do it because of the risk.

[jo2134]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDrivingManiac

Trust me, you don't want to do it with your level of knowledge. It's basically flashing every module in the car - there are so many thing that can go wrong. Even dealers don't like to do it because of the risk.

The guide suggests that you can flash single modules (unless they have dependencies)

In this case I need to flash BDC

Do you recommend against it?

[TheUltimateDrivingManiac]

Originally Posted by jo2134

The guide suggests that you can flash single modules (unless they have dependencies)

In this case I need to flash BDC

Do you recommend against it?

BDC module is $725. I would not do it without proper equipment: ICOM + charger at least.

Try the warranty route: claim some software bug and a dealer will reflash the whole car for free.

[jo2134]

Originally Posted by TheUltimateDrivingManiac

BDC module is $725. I would not do it without proper equipment: ICOM + charger at least.

Try the warranty route: claim some software bug and a dealer will reflash the whole car for free.

According to the guide an external power source and E-Sys are enough to do it along with the latest Psdzdata

I am eager to try the dealer method now but I'm worried that if they cannot replicate the issue I claim I'm having they won't flash the car.

Any suggestions on what to say the bug is?

Thanks

[Maverik259]

did you do it?

[jo2134]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

did you do it?

Did not want to report back until all was said and done.

Long story short it did not go as planned and my HU ECU got bricked in the process.

I had to get the car taken in for service however they covered everything (warranty was not voided) and now I have the latest i-Step and am able to code Ambient lighting at least

I would not recommend upgrading the ECUs yourself unless you have done it before

The good news is that the color changing works flawlessly now

[menelaos]

So a 14-16 model would not have to go through this to see the extra colors?

[jo2134]

Originally Posted by menelaos

So a 14-16 model would not have to go through this to see the extra colors?

It depends on what i-Step version you have

[menelaos]

Originally Posted by jo2134

It depends on what i-Step version you have

Where do you determine that?

[sj22]

Originally Posted by jo2134

Did not want to report back until all was said and done.

Long story short it did not go as planned and my HU ECU got bricked in the process.

I had to get the car taken in for service however they covered everything (warranty was not voided) and now I have the latest i-Step and am able to code Ambient lighting at least

I would not recommend upgrading the ECUs yourself unless you have done it before

The good news is that the color changing works flawlessly now

I have been there done that. You didnt brick it trust me, HU takes the longest to code and often needs to be retried and done on an external battery source.

Anyways idrive not working properly often works for most dealers. otherwise $250-$300 is what i have paid to the dealer both sides of the border.