I just heard from my dealer's service representative that software version 36 is going to be available at the end of November 2003. Since my car is now 1 year old, I asked about software upgrades, but was told that no changes are going to be made until version 36 comes out.

Does anyone know what this upgrade encompasses? How about which vehicles or which transmissions will be affected? Also, is there a way to check what version of software my ECU is currently running?

 

I asked my service department yesterday if they had version 35 so they could activate the rear foglights.
He responded with "Version 36 will not be available until late-November."
.......ummm, ok, that's not what I asked, but clearly version 36 has big significance!

I don't know why V36 is significant, seems that all the '04's I've driven (with V34 or V35) have no ECU programming issues anymore, so I'm not sure what's left to market. Time will tell.

 

V 36 is significant because it fixes the stumble aparently - it is also significant because it was not designed to fix the yoyo - yet is however rumored by Mini USA to "greatly reduce the effect in some cars".

I really wonder if these rumors are true - I have lost a lot of faith is anything the BMW rumor mill spits out. Can anyone confirm the yoyo is eliminated? Either it's there - or it isn't.

 

Please define "the yoyo".

Thanks.

 

version 36 is not officially available. But for people that have the stumble/yo-yo, if you complain and whine enough they will send your ecu to jersey to be flashed with v 36

 

>>Please define "the yoyo".
>>
>>Thanks.
>>


YOYO - Technical term "step acceleration" - an instability of RPM at the transition point between 1/2 throttle and WOT (wide open throttle) - in the MCS this occurs at 2800 to 4000 rpm with about 1/2 throttle. This causes the passengers to rock fore and aft a little when it happens. Only happens while rpm is increasing and when the engine is torque loaded - the effect is accentuated by going up hill (torque load) . Floor it or baby it and it won't happen.

In 2nd gear at 2800 -3000 RPM ease the throttle down (increase torque loading)and the car yoyos up to 4000 rpm - repeat for the next 4 gears and you have it as bad as me.

I get it in every gear except 1st.

Hope this helps.

 

I recently posted about an rpm problem at idle when I used the AC. I received a phone call from MINI USA informing me of an ecu update (he didn't know the version at that time). It is to be released to the dealers sometimes in Nov. According to him, it addresses (among other things) the idle/AC problem and the stumble on the MCS. I have an MC and have never had a stumble problem, but the idle problem is really annoying since I live in the deep south and use the AC about 10 months out of the year.

 

Hey folks, I've got version 31 on my MCS. No stumble or yoyo. On Friday, I'm having v 35 installed to activate the rear fog lights (can't live without 'em any longer). Q: Has anyone ever heard of a software upgrade that caused the dreaded yoyo or stumble? Is it safe to go from 31 to 35? Am I just being paranoid?

 

^^ Yes. I think many people who upgraded to 32 all of a sudden had the stumble. I'd wait until end of November and upgrade to 36

 

I'm going in for first scheduled maint. this afternoon. I'll ask about the software upgrades, and see what they say. Our 03 MCS is 11 months old (Nov 03 delivery) and has not had any software upgrades as of yet.

 

Indy-Archy,

Please post comments of your meeting with the MINI techs. It will definately influence my actions on Friday.

 

MGCMAN wrote:
<<Hey folks, I've got version 31 on my MCS. No stumble or yoyo. On Friday, I'm having v 35 installed to activate the rear fog lights (can't live without 'em any longer). Q: Has anyone ever heard of a software upgrade that caused the dreaded yoyo or stumble? Is it safe to go from 31 to 35? Am I just being paranoid?>>

MGC, please don't do it. I cannot see you being a happy camper if you're running around town with rear fog lights and a stumble. Much better with neither in my opinion. From everything we've read from people who have had upgrades done so far (not counting the new v36, which may or may not be available), they have acquired the stumble with said upgrades.

Ken

 

Ok, after reading these posts concerning the introduction of stumble when people upgraded their versions of the BMW engine management program, I checked with the technicians at the MINI dealership. According to them, the rear fog light control is a "piggyback" program, independent of the actual ECU programs that affect primary vehicle funtions. The tech recommended that as I currently have no stumble nor yo-yo with v31, not to upgrade to v35, but only add the piggyback program, which would not affect the ECU. So, I did it. Now I have rear foggies, and so far, it seems to run just like it always has. Fast and smooth. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy. :smile:

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BLUBELLE - 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley, Moss Skid Plate, Chrome Trim Interior