///M Engine Firmware Update?

G

gwatson

Senior member
 Aberdeenshire
Evening,

Quick question, my Z4MR is in for it's oil service at my local specialist. As part of my ongoing maintenance, I've asked them to update the engine modules. He text me me saying that it must be one hell of an update as it's 1hr 10mins to download and install the module updates.

So that got me thinking, I have a Oct 06 car, I'd interested to hear what differences there were between that and the last updates, 2008 I think. Anyone know?

G
 
My car is a 2007, asked my indie to do the same back in August / September - they told me it took about an hour and a half. Something like 27 updates. Must be something to do with the comma protocol or interface being 'ancient' by today's standards. I've never understood why applying software updates is not a standard service item...
 
Hi Bing,

He's a BMW specialist, so would do this process fairly regularly I'd imagine. So either the Z4 system is particularity slow, or BMW made some major changes to the Z4M, especially mine being a 2006.

Did you notice a difference, or are we wasting time? :) I've read it can lead to smoother running when cold and a slightly more aggressive throttle map in standard mode.

G
 
Might be a case of don't break what isn't broken so might only do it if a customer has an issue that might be fixed by an update or the customer has requested it.
I worked with someone who had a 135i. The car had an issue which was common to that engine although I have forgotten exactly what it was now. So a main dealer updated the firmware and the throttle response was rubbish afterwards (it was a workaround for the problem). The dealer was unable to roll back the changes. He managed to get some compensation from the dealer and sold the car on. So it's not always good to do.
 
Darren M said:
Might be a case of don't break what isn't broken so might only do it if a customer has an issue that might be fixed by an update or the customer has requested it.
I worked with someone who had a 135i. The car had an issue which was common to that engine although I have forgotten exactly what it was now. So a main dealer updated the firmware and the throttle response was rubbish afterwards (it was a workaround for the problem). The dealer was unable to roll back the changes. He managed to get some compensation from the dealer and sold the car on. So it's not always good to do.
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I guess that story just proves it's pays to do your research before you do go ahead. As I say, the searching I did certainly suggests the cold and over driveability is much improved..... for example.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDQQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.z4-forum.com%2Fforum%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ff%3D9%26t%3D64275&ei=MLi2VLqCKcfbaqiZgdgN&usg=AFQjCNHSx_P9eWzbGfl2irITXC9lGUkCZw&sig2=kOZiTTLJ9mCA33eXP2DtQw&bvm=bv.83640239,d.d2s

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=181&t=921628&mid=31806&i=0&nmt=Z4M+2007+Problems+at+high+speed&mid=31806
 
I wouldn't bother unless you have issues tbh, it's supposed to improve cold running was the main reason it was released.
 
AndyBeech said:
I wouldn't bother unless you have issues tbh, it's supposed to improve cold running was the main reason it was released.
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My thoughts to. Same applies to most computer software re patches. Unless the customer reports the issue the patch fixes then don't bother.

I'd hate to get mine updated and then start getting the hesitation/cutting out that other ///M owners seem to suffering with.
 
srhutch said:
AndyBeech said:
I wouldn't bother unless you have issues tbh, it's supposed to improve cold running was the main reason it was released.
Click to expand...

My thoughts to. Same applies to most computer software re patches. Unless the customer reports the issue the patch fixes then don't bother.

I'd hate to get mine updated and then start getting the hesitation/cutting out that other ///M owners seem to suffering with.
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To be fair my slight issues were the same before and after the update. Didn't notice any difference to be honest. Without knowing the full details of the update its hard to say what changed. I imagine a lot of people might have experienced improvements to throttle response and the like is more to do with the DME adaptations being reset when the update is done rather than anything to do with the contents of the actual update. But like I say without knowing the update contents I really couldn't say for sure! As they say though if it ain't broke, don't fix it :)
 
Fair enough guys. Personally, I like taking a proactive approach on these types of things, cars, phones, pc's, whatever it is. I can sleep better knowing everything is up to date :)

As for my car itself, it can be a bit of pig to drive when really cold, but any worse than my E46 m3, so hard to know if there is a problem, or more just a feature\characteristic of the S54. It's also not unusual for it to go a week without being driven, which may not help.

I had an E36 M3 Evo, S5032 engine, which drove really well even from cold, but it didn't have the appalling electronic throttle we have in our Zed's :(

I reset the throttle adaptation regularly, but I'll report back if I notice anyway.
 
The only thing that changed - noticeably - on mine was running at cold. It is quite a bit quieter and smoother. I've had the drop in revs a couple of times, but that has happened either side of the update, and not recently. Interestingly my guy said he does it to all his cars when he gets a new one.
 
gwatson said:
but it didn't have the appalling electronic throttle we have in our Zed's :(.
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What do you mean by that exactly? I find the throttle harder to modulate using small inputs than I did with my m3, which I'm assuming has the same electronic system? I've just assumed this was some kind of 'sportier' throttle map as standard with the Z compared with the m3 which has a pretty nice reaction though perhaps a bit dead on initial pick up (non-sport mode) compared with the Z. Somewhere in between would be nice, I'm thinking of getting someone to code a different throttle map and give that a try, pretty sure that's not hard.
 
TomK said:
gwatson said:
but it didn't have the appalling electronic throttle we have in our Zed's :(.
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What do you mean by that exactly? I find the throttle harder to modulate using small inputs than I did with my m3, which I'm assuming has the same electronic system? I've just assumed this was some kind of 'sportier' throttle map as standard with the Z compared with the m3 which has a pretty nice reaction though perhaps a bit dead on initial pick up (non-sport mode) compared with the Z. Somewhere in between would be nice, I'm thinking of getting someone to code a different throttle map and give that a try, pretty sure that's not hard.
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Yeah there is a bit of an issue with the modulation, as you say, somewhere in-between would be perfect. But for me, I just hate a dead floppy pedal, connected to nothing, just feels so disconnected to the rest of the car and that was the biggest disappointment for me when I bought the ///M. You can't beat the feel of opening those throttle bodies with your feet...
 
Well I have to say, just collected the car, driven it 8 miles through rush hour and the drive-ability at lower rpm is a marked improvement!! It had sat cold since 9am, so a good test. It started with no hesitation, which it sometimes did, but the major difference is how much smoother it is, not nearly as jerky in slow traffic, 1st and 2nd gear and the pickup is much better too, wondering if I did have a hesitation problems some people mention, although I never realised it at the time. I definitely wouldn't say this is a pacebo effect, it's clearly better, not a "hmmm... I think it feels better". But bear in mind, it's also just had an oil service, so that may have helped, although oil was last changed just 3000 miles ago.

Mechanic felt a difference even just moving it around the yard, but wanted to see what I thought too.

However, not convinced the throttle is any sharper like some suggested in posts I read.

All tucked up again, can't wait until it dries up and I can take it for a blast, will be another month until it moves again unfortunately :(

:driving: :driving:
 
Can't say, as it was tied in with my service and a few other maintenance items, RTAB bushes and track rod inners and ends. Although can't imagine much as it took 1hr 20mins, but he just kicked it off and walked away, so you're not paying much in labour.
 
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