Has anyone ever sucessfully updated the DME using WinkFP?

[HardyMX]

Hi folks,

I am Hardy from Berlin, Germany. I am driving a E85 3.0 manual (2004) and I am curious about an update of my MS45.0 DME.
The internet is full of praise for such an update or the MS43 of the E46 but I cant find any experiences for the MS45.0 of the Z4.

Updating seems pretty straightforward using WinkFP but all experiences that I was able to find reference the E46 MS43.

Has anyone here ever sucessfully updated the DME using WinkFP and how did it go? I am somewhat hesitant with such little shared experiences on the web...

If someone could share his/her experiences that would be awesome.

Best,

Hardy

PS: My car is in good shape as I have replaced basically every service item (coils, plugs, rebuild DISA, rebuild Vanos, PCV valve, complete cooling system, every fluid). I also added a 3.39 differential and some Bilstein coilovers aswell as the brakes from the 3.0 SI.

PPS: My current DME version is: 7541533 (thats the "Zusammebaunummer"). Is there even a newer version. I couldn find any info on that in the web aswell...

 

[mmm-five]

What problem are you trying to solve?

As the saying goes..."if it ain't broke, don't fix it.".

 

[enuff_zed]

What problem are you trying to solve?

As the saying goes..."if it ain't broke, don't fix it.".

Agreed.
What are you hoping to achieve?

 

[HardyMX]

I don't have a "pressing" problem. Only an annoying torque dip at 4000 UPM and the feeling, that my car is down on power compared to my brothers 3.0i (although his car has heavy wheels, 50k km more on the tach and the original 3.09 diff).

And also I am intrigued because of the praise, that the DME Update of the E46 MS43 gets on the internet.

 

[perttu]

I updated my engine control firmware couple of years ago. The problem I was trying to solve at the time: with steady throttle, the car jumped forward at around 3000 rpm. After eliminating mechanical reasons first (VANOS, etc) I decided to try updating the DME. And it worked! The kangaroo effect was gone and the overall throttle response felt smoother over the rpm range. I must admit, I'm not sure if this was caused by the firmware update, or maybe just clearing the engine adaptations after the update, but I'm convinced the problem (jumping at 3000 rpm) I was trying to solve was gone after the process.

 

[enuff_zed]

There's a good point. Try clearing vanos and throttle adaptations first.

 

[HardyMX]

@perttu:

I found your thread in this forum about your DME update and it was quite encouraging. Did you hook up your car with a steady power supply or did you just go with a fully charged battery?

By the way: I asked my local dealer for a quote and the said: "We don't know if there are new versions for your DME available and what an update may cost. Please bring the car over and we will go from there. Earliest appointment: next year."

So - I'm on my own...

@enuff_zed: resetting all adaptations after the flash is a must.

 

[enuff_zed]

@enuff_zed: resetting all adaptations after the flash is a must.

Yes I know!
My point was to try resetting them first before you mess about with the DME. :wink:

 

[perttu]

I found your thread in this forum about your DME update and it was quite encouraging. Did you hook up your car with a steady power supply or did you just go with a fully charged battery?

The battery was hooked up with a charger. Flashing took about 40 minutes if I remember right. Anyway, the safest route is to first try with clearing the adaptations only, as @enuff_zed suggested.

 

[HardyMX]

Hi folks,

I just wandet to give you a quick update on the subject.
I couldnt help myself and flashed my DME today. The whole procedure was quite nervewracking as it took about 45 minutes (as perttu remembered).

I installed an SP-Daten file from 2014 (later ones had no newer data sets for the MS 45.0 DME of the E85 anyway) on my laptop, hooked up a CTEK charger and went for it.

WinkFP updated the firmware from version 7541533 to 7561468 and the difference is quite apparent.

The "flat spots" in the torque at 3k rpm and 4k rpm are gone and the car feels a lot quicker. Rev matching is also a lot easier a the car reacts quicker to the gas pedal. I am very happy with the outcome and can recommend it to everyone (if you have the nerves to withstand the procedure).

Thats again for all your support,

Hardy

 

[enuff_zed]

Hi folks,

I just wandet to give you a quick update on the subject.
I couldnt help myself and flashed my DME today. The whole procedure was quite nervewracking as it took about 45 minutes (as perttu remembered).

I installed an SP-Daten file from 2014 (later ones had no newer data sets for the MS 45.0 DME of the E85 anyway) on my laptop, hooked up a CTEK charger and went for it.

WinkFP updated the firmware from version 7541533 to 7561468 and the difference is quite apparent.

The "flat spots" in the torque at 3k rpm and 4k rpm are gone and the car feels a lot quicker. Rev matching is also a lot easier a the car reacts quicker to the gas pedal. I am very happy with the outcome and can recommend it to everyone (if you have the nerves to withstand the procedure).

Thats again for all your support,

Hardy

Thanks for letting us know it worked.
Nerve-wracking process though!

 

[perttu]

Great to hear it worked for you! :driving: