I jsut upgraded my software from 3.1 to 3.3 and MAN CAN I FEEL A DIFFERECNE!!
if ya'll havent done it I highly recomend it. the 0-12 is much smother and better than when i was at 3.1! and i have to do some more testing but it seems like gas milage is slightly better as well. Version 3.3 changes the timing a bit form what my mechanic said (John Roberts MINI in Dallas TX)

 

Hi Xeon,

Can you explain this a little further. Did you just take your mini to the dealer and they reprogrammed it? Is this for the ECU? Was it free? I don't understand what you are talking about so these might be stupid questions. Thanks in advance for any help clarifying.

 

Yes, more details please.

 

I'm mystified here as well, I asked a question on this board about software updates and haven't got much response ...

 

>>I jsut upgraded my software from 3.1 to 3.3 and MAN CAN I FEEL A DIFFERECNE!!
>>if ya'll havent done it I highly recomend it. the 0-12 is much smother and better than when i was at 3.1! and i have to do some more testing but it seems like gas milage is slightly better as well. Version 3.3 changes the timing a bit form what my mechanic said (John Roberts MINI in Dallas TX)

Xeon,

Curious, hod did you find out you had 3.1? Did the dealer tell you and can you find out from some self diagnostics or something?

 

???????????????????????????????

 

>>
>>Xeon,
>>
>>Curious, hod did you find out you had 3.1? Did the dealer tell you and can you find out from some self diagnostics or something?
>>
>>

There is a thread in here somewhere that discusses how to find out what version you're on. It involves pushing some buttons and turning the key on, etc.

Has anyone gotten this update that also has the pulley? I'm thinking of asking for the update when I get my suspension bolt(s) replaced. (Recall thingy)

What does 3.3 specifically fix?

-Jim

 

maybe I should call askmini I haven't talked to them this week

 

I also would like a little more info on the 3.3 upgrade.

 

>>I'm mystified here as well, I asked a question on this board about software updates and haven't got much response ...

Yes, Yes, I recall seeing this! Let's see if we can get to the bottom of what this is about. It seems dealers are confused on this question. Software? Programming? 3.1 - 3.3? What the heck does it do? Sounds performance-related. And how can we expect them to know if we don't even know what we're talking about?! OK - they only sell the darn things and SHOULD KNOW - but MINI owners seem to be well-studied on the ways of their vehicles and might be able to teach them a thing or two!

 

I searched this board and Mini2 and found many references to v 33.1 32.1 etc etc, also questions/comments about finding out what version you currently have. However, I could not find any specific information about certain combinations of buttons that would tell me what version I have.

If I didn't live 3 hours away from the nearest Mini dealer I'd go ask them. Somebody on this board knows, we just have to flush them out!

 

And if it's sheer volume of inquiry that's necessary to flush out those in the know, then consider me curious. And I'll add a few questions of my own: What build date did the factory start installing 3.3? If We can't figure out what buttons to push and when, perhaps we can figure it out by build date? And then if someone could also answer every other question that's been posted about the upgrades, that would be helpful, too

Ciao,
~Kelley

 

>>And if it's sheer volume of inquiry that's necessary to flush out those in the know, then consider me curious. And I'll add a few questions of my own: What build date did the factory start installing 3.3? If We can't figure out what buttons to push and when, perhaps we can figure it out by build date? And then if someone could also answer every other question that's been posted about the upgrades, that would be helpful, too
>>
>>Ciao,
>>~Kelley

Seems like there are lots of questions about software versions and upgrades. If you search around on MCO, there are actually quite a few posts about this, on different forums, many on the performance mod forum.

Here is what I know and have found out recently, and this might include some not widely known information, but I will also summarize the basics:

all MINIs have ECUs, which run on a particular software identified by a version number and a release number. This software can be upgraded to a newer version or even a slightly updated release of the same version, by re-programming the ECU. This applies to all MINIs, regardless whether they are a One, MC, or MCS.

Generally, the dealer may 'upgrade' your software - which means programming a later version or release of the software onto your ECU. If you just ask for an upgrade because a newer set of software is available and you would like to have it, but you don't have a particular problem for which upgraded software could be a fix, then most dealers will charge you for the labor of doing the update. If however you have a problem, and the software could potentially fix that, the update should be free within the warranty period.

These software updates are not the same as changing programmable software options such as DRL, door locking, etc.. These changes are typically also done by the dealer, but they do not change the basic software running on the ECU. The ECU software does affect engine and emissions performance amongst other things. For example, spark timing, rpm limits etc.. are mapped into the ECU software.

However, now come the caveats:

1) You cannot do an unlimited number of upgrades. For some strange reason that I do not understand, the MINI's ECUs can only be re-programmed with a new software version 13 times (so I was told by a service mechanic at a MINI dealer). So, you probably do not want to run to the dealer and get every new update when it comes out, or you may then be stuck with one after having doen a given numebr of upgrades, and might then miss out on the one that fixes a real problem.

2) A general rule is: if it ain't broke, don't fix it, and that applies to software updates as well. For example, newer releases or version of the software may fix problems that some drivers experience under certain conditions. However, the fixes may be in the form of a compromise that reduces some aspects of performance or other. For example, I have heard from several sources that the latest version of the software has some advantages, but reduces the power output compared to earlier versions. If this is the case, do you really want to update your ECU if you do not have any problems?

Cheers,
Markus

 

Thanks for the excellent information.

Does anyone know either how to tel what version of the software you have, or, based on the production date, what software was in effect at that time?

 

There is some information about what the upgrade entails Here.

Look like it fixes a surging problem for MCS and CVTs.

Bill

 

I was not having any "problems" at the time i upgraded form 3.1 to 3.3 but of course i told the service rep i was having "cold start" issues wink wink nudge nudge he aslo looked up some other codes to put down that would be key words for this upgrade :smile:

I knew i had version 3.1 because I asked the dealership when i picked her up wich version was running. 3.1 was firly recent and i had read enough peoples issues with previous versions on this board that I felt it was important that i make sure 3.1 was installed at the time i took delivery.

now for my own PERSONAL experice with version 3.3....
From what the mechanic at John ROberts said the 3.3 upgraded changed the timing. Possibly other tweaks as well, but the main reason for doing he said was timing.
The first few miles after the change the car was a bit rough as the programing adjusted but i definately feel that the 0-12 performace is better now. It simply could be my own driving has improved but i dont think so.
Also it appears that i am getting slightly (not alot but a little) better gas milage :smile:

 

pardon my ignorance, Is 0-12 performance referring to MPH? If not, what then?

 

yes the 0-12 is MPH i usee that cause i notice good performance 15MPH and above BEFORE the upgrade but allways had slow starts in 2 weeks I will be back at an AutoX track where i ccan rreally push it and see the dif.

 

First: Yes I did a search to try and find this. :smile:

Second: How do you find out what software version you're on? I know it's something goofy like hold in the trip meter while turning the key on....

-Jim

 

Just got back from my trip to the dealer to take care of the strut bolt recall. While I was there, I asked the service manager about 3.3. He told me all it was for was cold start problems. In solving that, it may be they change the timing and the fuel mix, which would account for the noticible effects people here have stated. He said if I didn't have cold start problems, not to worry about it.

 

Moorlockx,

My Cooper 5-speed is a little hesitant when cold. I need the strut bolt changed so I'll try the 3.3 update. Maybe it will fix the driveability when cold.

retroom


>>Just got back from my trip to the dealer to take care of the strut bolt recall. While I was there, I asked the service manager about 3.3. He told me all it was for was cold start problems. In solving that, it may be they change the timing and the fuel mix, which would account for the noticible effects people here have stated. He said if I didn't have cold start problems, not to worry about it.

 

I'm going to see if I can get the upgrade tomorrow. I had had the csalling prob all winter but if I let the car warm up a few minutes it would be fine. But I just got my viper airfilter today so I want them to do the upgrade before I install it so they don't blame the intake for the stalling. Not to mention it is a good excuse to go the the dealer and looks a S's!!

 

I have now seen one othre person on a local TX MINI board get the upgrade and they too noticed an increase in fuel econemy (slight 1-2 MPG) and they also feel like the MINI is a bit quickeer off the gate