So I decided to undertake the daunting task of updating the entire car's software to the latest version.

Two years ago I decided to purchase a DrewTech Mongoose ISO/CAN J2534 cable based on the recommendation of a fellow forum user that was able to successfully use that model for a retrofit of the rear fog lights. I made the purchase originally to retrofit the bluetooth and IBOC (HD radio) modules. However, at the time, it (meaning the cable and minitechinfo.com) did not work for me. Much later, I discovered the issue was a conflict with the EDIBAS version that I had installed with NCS Expert and INPA.

This time I started this time with a clean XP 32-bit laptop and the latest DrewTech driver for the Pass Through Tool (PTT).


My goal for this update was to reduce the inconsistent throttle lag that the automatics seem to suffer from (one member reported his S was much less laggy with a recent software update).

I subscribed to minitechinfo.com (which is the mirror site to bmwtechinfo.com) that is officially hosted and provided by BMW. $30 for a 24 hour access pass. It gives you access to the service bulletins and tons of other information. Most importantly it gives you access to ISTA (Diagnostic program that replaces DIS, be warned it took like two hours to install) and ISTA/P (replaces SSS/Progman, that only took minutes to install) which allows you to retrofit, reprogram, replace modules, etc using a J2534 or an ICOM interface. The install instructions are on the site, I had to setup the computer with certain security settings in the IE control panel and install three sets of drivers.

Speaking of ICOM, if you have the extra cash, spring for an ICOM interface, I wish I did, because the update would be much faster and with NCS you can code modules on the MOST bus.


Once ISTA/P launched it started the process of reading the vehicle order and determining the list of options. It does ask you if you replaced any modules, obviously if you did check the yes box.




So you can see the car was last updated with 2.35 (v35). As of Aug 2012 BMW now is at 2.47. It was updated at the dealer for the "forgetful" window issue a couple of years ago.

The interesting part of ISTA/P is the retrofit section. I was COMPLETELY excited about the oil change interval change. I've always been baffled by the default inaccurate oil change interval length and 24 month cycle on the CBS, even though the manual says 12 months.





Sidenote: The driver school function adds DSC7 to the VO. And only required coding to the DSC/ABS module. As show here:



So the update process defaulted to updating a few modules including the DME based on my checking the retrofit for the 10k mile oil change interval. What I did was check EVERY module for update and coding. I don't have a screen shot of this process as I accidently saved over it.




Once the action plan was developed and approved the program the process moves forward, updating the software on the selected modules first and coding after the fact. Let me tell you, the car was CRAZY during this process. The error CC messages were non-stop including everything from cruise control, airbag, cruise, DSC, etc. Airbag lights were flashing, radio was power cycling for hours. And I got to hear the backup/alternative chime (on the back of the speedo unit, same place the turn signal noise comes from) during the process for the first time.

During the update process you can move around in the program and see the status:






So unlike the forum member who had a couple of issues and the MOST bus errors (like I had a couple of years ago) the ISTA/P is much smoother and works well with the PTT.

I did have a couple of issues I want to warn you about. First, it is a very slow process over the PTT. It took two hours to Program every module except the ULF. The ULF didn't even START programming for TWO MORE hours...so I thought the process crashed and tried to quit the update. BAD BAD BAD IDEA! It took TWO MORE HOURS for the process to abort. However, the BMW tech support is very responsive and helpful. So in summary unless you get an error message let the process continue to run!!! Do not become impatient like I did.

So after the process aborted, I restarted the update on the ULF module and went to bed. Five hours later the module was a 1/3 updated, but my damn battery charger kicked off for some reason stalling the process. But once voltage was restored it continued normally and successfully programmed the ULF.

It is IMPERATIVE you have a proper power supply to keep the car up at mid 14V during the entire process. My sustained current draw was around 10 amps. But that does jump if and when some of the coding and initialization of modules occurs like the windows and sunroof.


So before I started this process I added the VO options to add the permanent speed(ANVZ), remove the seat belt chime and a 8k mile oil change interval. What happened is when I selected the official offered retrofit the program removed the shorter interval and replaced with $988 (Service Interval 2). Unfortunately, that did not change my engine from 15k miles. May only apply to S. So then I went back again and recoded with the 8k VO code with the same 15k CBS reset. So that option obviously does not apply to my car. DOH!

I did confirm the official seat belt chime removal VO options DID change the coding in the ABG/SRS module exactly as the spreadsheet shows (and that I had been running for years now). And the permanent digital speed code does not work either, ISTA/P reported the option as a temperature option, not the same as what the v46 Datens reported.


So I drove the car about a hundred miles so far after the update:

• Throttle lag seems to be reduced, but I am not entirely sure.
  
• The car seems easier to driver smoother at the slow/stop speeds, it was jerky due to the throttle response.
  
• Power steering is DEFINITELY different. It is much heavier at 50+MPH, much closer to sport mode (sport mode is still a bit heavier at that speed).
  
• The DSP in the RAD2 module and/or amp was updated for sure, the radio sounds better and more powerful!!! Also, the speed control volume (GAL) is much more aggressive now, previously at a setting of 2 I never noticed it, now it is VERY noticeable at 2.
  
• So another thing I was hoping for was the auto tranny would shift into 6th gear while in sport mode (like the new models do). But that change did not occur. I do notice however, the shift pattern seems different now. This could be a result of the adaptations (but it looked like ISTA/P backed up and restored the adaptations).

Other information:

Coding modifications with NCS worked perfect with SP Datens v46.

The Mongoose may not work the more recent vehicles due to the Ethernet pin 7-8 changes.

All-in-all it was an extremely time consuming process taking many, many, many hours. No wonder dealers do not do this unless they absolutely have to. Because the process requires you to remove and reinsert the key at certain steps of the process, it requires attention.

 

You are fearless. I wouldn't have survived the anxiety and panic attacks during such an ordeal.

 

It was nerve wracking! But rewarding to know that I don't need the dealer for current updates (and not use winFPK or tool32). Being the first on here (reported at least) to use NCS was much more scary for me! I had only found one other online reference to the R56 being used with NCS.

 

As always Strobey a very informative post. Before reading this I ws considering a regular PTT, but now I am really considering the BMW Icom A,B tools at least. I have found them for what I think is a very reasonable price on the net (600 usd) for a,b,c. My problem is I don't know if I can trust a lot of these sites. Does anyone have a good suggestion of a reputable site in which to purchase these?

Again thanks for a great post.

 

This morning I drove the car again for the first time since early August and was greeted by an error message.

Let me tell you, I was *HAPPY* to see the error message!

The red low-tire indicator on the tach display now had a new graphic (the old graphic was just the tire icon) with an outline of the car with an arrow pointing to which of the tires had low air pressure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOOOOOO COOOL! Nothing worse than running around in the sub zero temps trying to figure out which tire is low. And it happens all the time to me.

 

Very cool. I need that!

 

The gearbox adaptations affect the shift time quite a bit from my experience. I usually erase them when I do get the opportunity using Tool32, as the function is not exposed in INPA.

Also the icon business, is probably only in the KOMBI module. I have updated my KOMBI safely using WinKFP and a D-CAN cable. It took about 20minutes.

Anw... Great write-up stobey! And offcourse unlike anything else you can do to the car, this thing is official!

 

Sorry to resurrect an older thread, but I had a question. Strobey, do you know if you can just simply do an all module update alone without changing programming. My programming is where I want it, I simply want to update modules to the latest datens. Background, I will be using the ICOM A+B connections in my 2009 MCS, so I will have the OBD and MOST connections made and will be using OSS. I just don't want to make any programming function changes, but want to get the latest firmware for modules.

 

I really don't think so, especially with this process. It runs through and defaults them after updating, however, unlike a couple of years ago, this new version of ISTA/P actually backs up the engine and shift adaptations along with the radio presets before programming and restores them when it finishes.

For me, it took about five minutes to get all of my coding settings back (pretty much everything is in the shared spreadsheet). I saved the trace files to compare the differences. But don't just restore the old trace files to the updated modules, there could be differences in the coding level.

 

Here I go resurrecting an old thread again. Strobes or anyone else do you know if the OSS stack is comparable with the USB D+KCAN cables others are using with NCSExpert?

 

I am downloading this tonight. I have the NCS DCan cable and will be trying it.

Update. My cable did not work.

 

If the pcb in the cable is anything but green it won't work. You will get faulty ecu. Lots of garbage cables out there. Good luck.