Drivetrain The Always Up-to-Date Thread on Tuning 2011+ (N18) MINIs
#426
Also, you just flagged yourself in the system (unless you have a very friendly service manager) for even bringing up the ECU mod. They have NEVER pulled mine, and my SM knows I mod the hell out of my cars.... Do you know how complex the system is? They do not even have the equipment to read ECUs directly. When they do a failure audit/inspection, the DME is sent to AG or Siemens for processing.
For dealer service, they use a GT1 and other tools with ISIS... Not going to go into it. What you posted just isn't true... Sorry for the rant, but people read things like that and worry over something that's not even correct.
For dealer service, they use a GT1 and other tools with ISIS... Not going to go into it. What you posted just isn't true... Sorry for the rant, but people read things like that and worry over something that's not even correct.
Last edited by Theta; 01-17-2013 at 06:43 PM.
#427
I do have a very friendly service manager. He and I have talked about modding my car as he used to have one. He has given me a lot of good advice as to where to buy stuff and what brands to use for aftermarket parts. I'm not saying what I said is true, because I know that I don't know. Haha. Just thought I'd pass that bit of info along in hopes it might help someone. That's what this board is for!
#428
I can appreciate that, and I wasn't trying to be scolding (well, too much so - lol).
The problem is that he simply told you a lie, and I don't want others that are on the fence to see that and believe that it's true.
The bottom line, as many in the know will tell you, is that the DME is certainly used to trace failures - however, it is not checked during a normal service. The GT1 and ISIS programming system they use (INP/A) will push the new updates, but unless the DME/ECU is physically altered, the ONLY method of determining the flash or modification is to send it back to the investigations team at AG or Siemens.
I've seen others in that position before, and that much is certainly true. What is not, however, is what he was saying about normal checks during service.
The problem is that he simply told you a lie, and I don't want others that are on the fence to see that and believe that it's true.
The bottom line, as many in the know will tell you, is that the DME is certainly used to trace failures - however, it is not checked during a normal service. The GT1 and ISIS programming system they use (INP/A) will push the new updates, but unless the DME/ECU is physically altered, the ONLY method of determining the flash or modification is to send it back to the investigations team at AG or Siemens.
I've seen others in that position before, and that much is certainly true. What is not, however, is what he was saying about normal checks during service.
#429
Just to let everyone know, I asked my service manager today how often the dealer pulls the ECU to check it. He told me that it is pulled every time the car is in for service and that if the software on it was changed in any way, they would know and that info would be sent to MINI.
my mini has been in 2x, once for the coolant temp sensor action and once for an included oil/filter change
for the sensor, the mechanic never went near the OBD2 port and for the oil/filter change, he used a small hand held "reader" to reset the next service mileage
in neither case did he hook up to the bmw/mini computer interface, nor did he remove the ecu
i asked the mechanic what the handheld reader was and he told me it is a tool used only to reset the OBC service settings, it is not a code reader at all
scott
#430
not at my dealer ... the shop is next to the waiting area with a glass wall in between
my mini has been in 2x, once for the coolant temp sensor action and once for an included oil/filter change
for the sensor, the mechanic never went near the OBD2 port and for the oil/filter change, he used a small hand held "reader" to reset the next service mileage
in neither case did he hook up to the bmw/mini computer interface, nor did he remove the ecu
i asked the mechanic what the handheld reader was and he told me it is a tool used only to reset the OBC service settings, it is not a code reader at all
scott
my mini has been in 2x, once for the coolant temp sensor action and once for an included oil/filter change
for the sensor, the mechanic never went near the OBD2 port and for the oil/filter change, he used a small hand held "reader" to reset the next service mileage
in neither case did he hook up to the bmw/mini computer interface, nor did he remove the ecu
i asked the mechanic what the handheld reader was and he told me it is a tool used only to reset the OBC service settings, it is not a code reader at all
scott
100% correct!
#432
#433
I can appreciate that, and I wasn't trying to be scolding (well, too much so - lol).
The problem is that he simply told you a lie, and I don't want others that are on the fence to see that and believe that it's true.
The bottom line, as many in the know will tell you, is that the DME is certainly used to trace failures - however, it is not checked during a normal service. The GT1 and ISIS programming system they use (INP/A) will push the new updates, but unless the DME/ECU is physically altered, the ONLY method of determining the flash or modification is to send it back to the investigations team at AG or Siemens.
I've seen others in that position before, and that much is certainly true. What is not, however, is what he was saying about normal checks during service.
The problem is that he simply told you a lie, and I don't want others that are on the fence to see that and believe that it's true.
The bottom line, as many in the know will tell you, is that the DME is certainly used to trace failures - however, it is not checked during a normal service. The GT1 and ISIS programming system they use (INP/A) will push the new updates, but unless the DME/ECU is physically altered, the ONLY method of determining the flash or modification is to send it back to the investigations team at AG or Siemens.
I've seen others in that position before, and that much is certainly true. What is not, however, is what he was saying about normal checks during service.
I guess the tune is still a possibility after all...
#434
I am glad you stepped in to say something. It scared me when I was told that the ECU is pulled every time. I had to at least post what I was told on here. I am still on the fence about it though. Scared that if something major breaks they'd check the ECU.
#435
The way I've always looked at the idea is as such; if you void a warranty with a tune/upgrade that causes something factory to break, it obviously can't handle the higher power level you're achieving paired with the way you drive and needs to be upgraded anyway.
I never understood the idea of trying to get broken things replaced under warranty with the same part that obviously can't handle the power. You're just going to have to upgrade it anyway. All it does is take pointless, dishonest money out of the manufacturers pocket, which is a great way to get MSRP's to go up.
I never understood the idea of trying to get broken things replaced under warranty with the same part that obviously can't handle the power. You're just going to have to upgrade it anyway. All it does is take pointless, dishonest money out of the manufacturers pocket, which is a great way to get MSRP's to go up.
#437
Jerry at NM said they can do their Stage 1 on an auto. Not their Stage 2 though. I think the trans won't handle the torque, he said.
#438
#439
#440
#441
Had my auto tuned by NM this week. Very happy with the results. To me this is what the All4 should have felt like from the factory. Well spent $$$. Jerry @ NM was awesome and vey helpful through the entire process. The surging mentioned earlier in this thread is due to the auto tranny. The tranny realizes there is more power than normal and has the ECU dump boot via the wastegate to try and compensate for the additional power. I have gotten used to the sound when it happens and I am still very happy with the tune and would give a thumbs up to NM!
#444
#446
It's not that they have to crack the Stage 2 - it's a great tune minus the issues in the factory TCM.
The problem is the torque converter in the automatic. It causes major surging (via signaling the ECU of an error), and the ECU will dump boost when it senses the transmission is being over-exerted.
It's fairly well-known that the A6 will grenade at just under 300ft/lb.
The problem is the torque converter in the automatic. It causes major surging (via signaling the ECU of an error), and the ECU will dump boost when it senses the transmission is being over-exerted.
It's fairly well-known that the A6 will grenade at just under 300ft/lb.
#447
So pretty much I should stick with a Stage 1 is what your basically saying Theta. At least until maybe the Stage 2 is corrected to manually work better with the auto transmission?
I'm just trying to understand what I am gonna do because I basically have similar mods to wzabrouski. I just wanted the FMIC but don't want to lose or not gain anything if I don't have a tune.
I'm just trying to understand what I am gonna do because I basically have similar mods to wzabrouski. I just wanted the FMIC but don't want to lose or not gain anything if I don't have a tune.
#448
The FMIC helps you to not lose power from heat, and the factory IC is small and kinda crappy. There's certainly no harm in the FMIC. You will feel a power boost with a Stage 1 and an FMIC.
Jerry should be able to set you up with what they did for me - a little better than the Stage 1, but not enough to cause boost purges.
Jerry should be able to set you up with what they did for me - a little better than the Stage 1, but not enough to cause boost purges.
#450
The FMIC helps you to not lose power from heat, and the factory IC is small and kinda crappy. There's certainly no harm in the FMIC. You will feel a power boost with a Stage 1 and an FMIC.
Jerry should be able to set you up with what they did for me - a little better than the Stage 1, but not enough to cause boost purges.
Jerry should be able to set you up with what they did for me - a little better than the Stage 1, but not enough to cause boost purges.
Theta
if an Alta vacuum controlled recirc valve is used with a tune in an automatic car, the ECU cannot electrically control it
is there another device in the turbo system besides the recirc valve that is controlled by the ECU?
just curious as i have a manual
scott