[brianeck]

I have to say I honestly think that this is my new favorite mod. The tune has simultaneously made regular relaxed driving more enjoyable with smoother shifts and better gear selection intelligence, while also making spirited driving WAY more fun. I wish I did this ages ago!

I have my settings pretty much stock just with Auto Start/Stop completely turned off and Stage 2 Flash Tune at the moment. This has reopened up "comfort mode" for me when I'm just highway cruising or taking a work call from the car. I used to despise it because of the ASS when coming to a stop.

By reopening comfort mode I have also gotten my "Sport Individual" mode back as well, since I was using Bimmercode override to start the car in that basically as comfort mode to eliminate Auto Start Stop. Win Win! I can honestly say the modes are much more "pronounced" now in only the best way.

The overboost shift farts sound amazing at WOT. I have the MPE and that was a surprising addition for me. I kept flat factory settings, but that shift blurrrp is definitely way more pronounced over 4000 RPMS with a heavy foot. It sounds awesome in Sport+.

I used to basically only shift my shifter to the left into "S" when I'd immediately be going into Manual Mode, because the programming for gear selection was remarkably bad. Now it actually tends to upshift when you want it to instead of just holding gears no matter what until 3000+ RPMS, and it also downshifts way better when you're getting on the brake. I can let the car shift its own gears without rolling my eyes now on a relatively spirited drive.

Quite honestly this was a better relatively low priced mod than I expected it to be. At some point I'll try the stage 3 flash but stage 2 is plenty spicy for me while also being more comfortable. . . 2 thumbs up.

[imported_nick]

XHP disabled ASS without DME unlock?

[Rdurty2]

Originally Posted by imported_nick

XHP disabled ASS without DME unlock?

It has for years. Trans flash does not require dme unlock.

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by imported_nick

XHP disabled ASS without DME unlock?

Yeah I didn't know until I stumbled across a random post on here like 10 days ago either to be honest.

The only "issue" I ran into was with the OBD port connectors - I'm going to unlock my DME in a few weeks so I had ordered the MODE one for BM3, however that one apparently isn't capable of "initial flash" on our cars. I ended up going back after the fact and ordering the XHP adapter directly.

Just confirming I have a 2022 m340i with a DME fully locked, and XHP definitely disables ASD across ALL car modes, even ECO if you flip the ASS off "customization" toggle.

Honestly the full ASS delete alone is probably worth the price for how much I dislike it, lol. . . Then on top of that the car is just all around much more enjoyable.

The transmission feels so much snappier - it reminds me more of my favorite automatic transmission ever, which was my 2011 S4 DSG with stage 2.

It's pretty amazing how much the ZF8 can be altered through programming alone. The sheer number of parameters you can customize is nuts - I am very happy with how the stage 2 flash feels and I don't expect to customize too many of the other options - I may play around with the "stay in 2nd gear in rolling traffic button" but I definitely do not need to increase the overboost sound effects/no slip shifts because they feel and sound great already.

[m440i804]

How much?

[cyam]

I agree, have been using XHP for about a year and its made the car soooo much more drive-able.

The thing with a gearbox is that it determines the driving experience you have. In a manual you control that. In an auto, its the maps that control it.

Here you can completely control that experience.

With the BMW DEC switch you have a whole range of maps to choose from, the problem I had is could never find one I liked and was constantly switching between modes during my driving.

With XHP I reconfigured the shift points and a range of other parameters and now I have a single map that works for 90% of my driving and then I can switch to another mode I like for the other 10%.

On the track, the track mode is awesome as it pretty much drives like you would in manual mode on the track but without needing to worry about doing any manual shifting.

Plus other nice little features like completely disabling ASS and displaying the gear you are in even in D mode I really love.

I also went all in and got xdelete, so now I can switch between 100% RWD or customize my AWD - gives me total control.

Also xAutomotive who make these softwares are very helpful.

Combined with my MHD tune and downpipe the car is exactly how I'd like. Stock was great but now its customized to my preferences and driving style.

[Rdurty2]

Originally Posted by cyam

I agree, have been using XHP for about a year and its made the car soooo much more drive-able.

The thing with a gearbox is that it determines the driving experience you have. In a manual you control that. In an auto, its the maps that control it.

Here you can completely control that experience.

With the BMW DEC switch you have a whole range of maps to choose from, the problem I had is could never find one I liked and was constantly switching between modes during my driving.

With XHP I reconfigured the shift points and a range of other parameters and now I have a single map that works for 90% of my driving and then I can switch to another mode I like for the other 10%.

On the track, the track mode is awesome as it pretty much drives like you would in manual mode on the track but without needing to worry about doing any manual shifting.

Plus other nice little features like completely disabling ASS and displaying the gear you are in even in D mode I really love.

I also went all in and got xdelete, so now I can switch between 100% RWD or customize my AWD - gives me total control.

Also xAutomotive who make these softwares are very helpful.

Combined with my MHD tune and downpipe the car is exactly how I'd like. Stock was great but now its customized to my preferences and driving style.

Want to share your xHP settings?

[cyam]

Originally Posted by Rdurty2

Want to share your xHP settings?

Ok, sure. The reason I didn't get into my settings, as everyone is different and we all have our preferences. For me I was always in Sport mode, coded car to start in Sport. I would constantly toggle between Sport and Sport+ while driving. That's my default, that's how I drive.

I never use Comfort, I will sometimes use adaptive on long trips if I am cruising.

What I wanted was the downshifts to be much sooner in Sport mode. Sport + was great, but Sport + up-shifts were way too late. So I was constantly flipping.

So here are all my settings after many months of playing around. I have now been on these settings without any changes for about 6 months, and it is perfect for me.

So when you customize the "D" shift-maps, that changes ALL the D shift-maps - Comfort, Sport etc. Same with "S" - so keep that in mind. XHP have some pre-made customization's. For "D" mode I started with their "Normal" maps and modified from there, with "S" mode I started with their "Sportive +" shift-maps, which are their most aggressive and then I modified those.

I run Stage 2 which already changes the shift-points etc and does make a good improvement. So my customization's (show as a percentage) are modifications of the Stage 2 XHP maps, which are already more aggressive than stock.

So these are my settings are where I ended up. Try them for yourself, but keep in mind we are all different and want different things. That's the beauty of XHP - now WE are in control of the driving experience.

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by cyam

Ok, sure. The reason I didn't get into my settings, as everyone is different and we all have our preferences. For me I was always in Sport mode, coded car to start in Sport. I would constantly toggle between Sport and Sport+ while driving. That's my default, that's how I drive.

I never use Comfort, I will sometimes use adaptive on long trips if I am cruising.

What I wanted was the downshifts to be much sooner in Sport mode. Sport + was great, but Sport + up-shifts were way too late. So I was constantly flipping.

So here are all my settings after many months of playing around. I have now been on these settings without any changes for about 6 months, and it is perfect for me.

So when you customize the "D" shift-maps, that changes ALL the D shift-maps - Comfort, Sport etc. Same with "S" - so keep that in mind. XHP have some pre-made customization's. For "D" mode I started with their "Normal" maps and modified from there, with "S" mode I started with their "Sportive +" shift-maps, which are their most aggressive and then I modified those.

I run Stage 2 which already changes the shift-points etc and does make a good improvement. So my customization's (show as a percentage) are modifications of the Stage 2 XHP maps, which are already more aggressive than stock.

So these are my settings are where I ended up. Try them for yourself, but keep in mind we are all different and want different things. That's the beauty of XHP - now WE are in control of the driving experience.

Thanks for taking the time to post the full settings! My number 1 complaint about the factory programming was the Sport+ upshifts being wayyyyy too late. It made Sport+ undesirable for me in most situations. Now with xHP I love driving in Sport+, and I haven't yet felt the need to fine tune the custom shift points.

I have messed with a few other things - I am currently determining if I like starting in 2nd gear all the time.

[cyam]

Originally Posted by brianeck

Thanks for taking the time to post the full settings! My number 1 complaint about the factory programming was the Sport+ upshifts being wayyyyy too late. It made Sport+ undesirable for me in most situations. Now with xHP I love driving in Sport+, and I haven't yet felt the need to fine tune the custom shift points.

I have messed with a few other things - I am currently determining if I like starting in 2nd gear all the time.

Oh I left Sports+ like that and actually made it more aggressive but I only use Sport+ for when in driving very aggressive/ track. That's the purpose of Sport+, for the more extreme driving, not for everyday.

It's Sport that I use by default and adjusted that up to where I wanted it, rather than adjust Sport+ down.

I don't use the start in 2nd gear, except the Stop/G setting, then it starts in 2nd.

[coffeesleep]

Originally Posted by brianeck

Yeah I didn't know until I stumbled across a random post on here like 10 days ago either to be honest.


The transmission feels so much snappier - it reminds me more of my favorite automatic transmission ever, which was my 2011 S4 DSG with stage 2.

It's pretty amazing how much the ZF8 can be altered through programming alone. The sheer number of parameters you can customize is nuts - I am very happy with how the stage 2 flash feels and I don't expect to customize too many of the other options - I may play around with the "stay in 2nd gear in rolling traffic button" but I definitely do not need to increase the overboost sound effects/no slip shifts because they feel and sound great already.

With XHP, how similar is the experience to a DCT? Can you get it to downshift and blip while slowing to a stop? Are the downshifts crisp?
I'm actually a prospective G20 owner, loved the motor and car overall but felt a bit letdown by the tranny coming from a manual, found it a bit unresponsive and slow.

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by coffeesleep

With XHP, how similar is the experience to a DCT? Can you get it to downshift and blip while slowing to a stop? Are the downshifts crisp?
I'm actually a prospective G20 owner, loved the motor and car overall but felt a bit letdown by the tranny coming from a manual, found it a bit unresponsive and slow.

It's better, but the downshifts are not ever going to be the same as DCT. The ability of the 2 clutches to prep and drop gears is something the ZF8 is just never going to be able to mimic regardless of its programming.

I can say we're probably at least in the same solar system now after the tune. 60% as good now whereas previously it was more like 25%

I drove my buddy's x3m this weekend. The shifts are now as good as they felt in that car. I think that's a more realistic target - we can be comparable to the best tuned 8 speed autobox, but equating to a DCT is stretch.

I hope that helps a bit. 100% worth it, I'm trying to be realistic.

[coffeesleep]

Originally Posted by brianeck

It's better, but the downshifts are not ever going to be the same as DCT. The ability of the 2 clutches to prep and drop gears is something the ZF8 is just never going to be able to mimic regardless of its programming.

I can say we're probably at least in the same solar system now after the tune. 60% as good now whereas previously it was more like 25%

I drove my buddy's x3m this weekend. The shifts are now as good as they felt in that car. I think that's a more realistic target - we can be comparable to the best tuned 8 speed autobox, but equating to a DCT is stretch.

I hope that helps a bit. 100% worth it, I'm trying to be realistic.

This is helpful, thanks. So before the tune, did you find the gearbox slow, and now you don’t?

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by coffeesleep

This is helpful, thanks. So before the tune, did you find the gearbox slow, and now you don’t?

The gearbox is notably faster. The upshifts are crisp as hell, and the downshifts, most notably a kickdown double shift, are definitely faster. I'm still tweaking the custom settings now to find the best happy middle ground between "aggressive and hard" and "smooth."

[thaRizzler]

Really looking to get the most out of the car before my DME unlock next year when the factory powertrain warranty expires and like most people I've come across on the forums the ZF not in manual mode leaves something to be desired.

Any downsides to the xHP? I assume BMW can tell if the TCU has been flashed even if it's put back to stock? Any downsides so far?

[cyam]

Originally Posted by thaRizzler

Really looking to get the most out of the car before my DME unlock next year when the factory powertrain warranty expires and like most people I've come across on the forums the ZF not in manual mode leaves something to be desired.

Any downsides to the xHP? I assume BMW can tell if the TCU has been flashed even if it's put back to stock? Any downsides so far?

No BMW cannot tell you've flashed the TCU.

[MichaelNRW]

Originally Posted by cyam

No BMW cannot tell you've flashed the TCU.

Sure they can...
It´s in the FASTA data and they can tell if the TCU was unlocked and flashed.
Before your answer, yes, xHP performs an unlock on the TCU prior to flashing their software.
The dealer can´t detect this but BMW for sure can.

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by thaRizzler

Really looking to get the most out of the car before my DME unlock next year when the factory powertrain warranty expires and like most people I've come across on the forums the ZF not in manual mode leaves something to be desired.

Any downsides to the xHP? I assume BMW can tell if the TCU has been flashed even if it's put back to stock? Any downsides so far?

Very limited downsides basically - people have been running this software for a long time on many models and there are not a lot of horror stories or complaints anywhere. By my understanding, unlike something like a flash or piggy back tune on a relatively limited production engine run, the zf8 goes into LOADS of different cars across major brands and all of them tune their own settings. We're effectively modifying the "spec" of the tunable c9mponents within the zf8, so were not even necessarily putting more stress on the box than it is basically meant to handle anyway.

There are many many cars with way more factory torque that have the same transmission.

[thaRizzler]

Originally Posted by brianeck

Very limited downsides basically - people have been running this software for a long time on many models and there are not a lot of horror stories or complaints anywhere. By my understanding, unlike something like a flash or piggy back tune on a relatively limited production engine run, the zf8 goes into LOADS of different cars across major brands and all of them tune their own settings. We're effectively modifying the "spec" of the tunable c9mponents within the zf8, so were not even necessarily putting more stress on the box than it is basically meant to handle anyway.

There are many many cars with way more factory torque that have the same transmission.

That sounds great. I'm not really looking to go stage 3 or anything yet, but I feel like stage 2 or even stage 1 would be a good fit for where my car is currently at. One thing that drives me nuts about my car is not being able to turn off the auto S/S. A big reason I'm looking at XHP is they say you can turn it off. That the case?

[cyam]

Originally Posted by thaRizzler

...One thing that drives me nuts about my car is not being able to turn off the auto S/S. A big reason I'm looking at XHP is they say you can turn it off. That the case?

100% it switches ASS off altogether. You can still manually turn it back on at any time if you have the switch, otherwise you can via the xhp s/w.

* I am talking from first hand experience, on a 2020 M340ix. As far as I know it seems to work on all G20's and similar. (I haven't heard anyone that got xhp and it did not work) but that I can't be 100% sure of that first hand. On the 2020, 100%, yes.

[thaRizzler]

Guess I’m going to find out if it’s worth it or not for me first hand cheers boys

[brianeck]

Originally Posted by cyam

100% it switches ASS off altogether. You can still manually turn it back on at any time if you have the switch, otherwise you can via the xhp s/w.

* I am talking from first hand experience, on a 2020 M340ix. As far as I know it seems to work on all G20's and similar. (I haven't heard anyone that got xhp and it did not work) but that I can't be 100% sure of that first hand. On the 2020, 100%, yes.

Confirmed that it also 100% works on a 2022 M340ix that was DME locked from the factory - still works, even before an unlock of the full DME.