FEMTO Unlock

totalone · 07-27-2023, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jnasratyar

Yeah, you gotta make sure to sure off OTA updates if you unlock your ecu. It’s either gonna relock it or, in some rare cases, it’s gonna brick the whole ecu.

BM3 is the only platform rn that offers custom ROM for gen 2 cars which includes flex fuel, map switching on the fly, anti lag, and I think one or two more things I can’t remember off the top.

What does it mean custom rom?

RTPenland · 07-27-2023, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jnasratyar

I’ve never really heard of it apart from one thread on here for a guy who had a customer who it happened to and was looking for someone to unbrick it. Aside from that I’ve never heard anything of it.

Don't want to ignore your quote, just wondering if anyone knows how or why this happens? I of course have no way of knowing how prevalent an issue this is but it is happening and I'm just curious what can be done to avoid it.

ps- and please don't get me wrong I am not asking you specifically, I imagine you are as much in the dark as I am, just hoping someone somewhere can share sequence of events. As an example we know most updates will re-lock which means the DME has to back overseas, that one has been tackled, but with the brick situation I have no idea

Jnasratyar · 07-27-2023, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totalone

What does it mean custom rom?

Couldn’t tell you exactly what it is, but those are just the features I remember when looking into it.

MichaelNRW · 07-28-2023, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jnasratyar

t’s either gonna relock it or, in some rare cases, it’s gonna brick the whole ecu.

The problem mostly occurs when BMW does an update without telling your first.
When you know there´s going to be an update, you can flash back to stock or even remove the tune completely.
Flashing stock = only the map is flashed back to stock but the tune is still installed
Removing the tune = bm3 or whatever is completely removed and the ECU will be relocked
It´s not the best but probably the safest, if you know the ECU is getting an update because of a recall.

Sometimes the problem occurs after the update.
Some people don´t really think about it and try to flash the tune again with the ECU already relocked.
This can soft brick the ECU until the software is reflashed with BMW tools.

Quote:

Originally Posted by totalone

What if bmw runs their updates, does that mean ill have to pay another 1600 to unlock by block?

FEMto unlocks your ECU again for half the initial price.

davefromfla · 07-29-2023, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totalone

wtf? lol
what fuel?

Saw my friend with the Supra again yesterday and he had his dyno graphs. Runs were done on a Dynojet. I was slightly off on the outcomes. Stock baseline was 372 hp and 409 tq on 93 octane pump gas. After the Femto unlock with BM3 and AA catted downpipe it was 491 hp and 528 tq on E50 fuel. Still has stock exhaust too.

jpowers36 · 07-29-2023, 06:39 PM

That sounds about right. I made 434awhp and 470awtq on 93 octane with MG Flasher stage 2 OTS. I have MST intake, AA downpipe and Valvemaster titanium exhaust. They should be releasing some E30/E40 OTS maps soon that I’ll try out.

totalone · 07-29-2023, 10:48 PM

What I don't like about all of this, is accidental ecu locking due to updates.

How safe are the tunes? Are the pushing to the limit or its within safe boundary?

MichaelNRW · 07-30-2023, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totalone

What I don't like about all of this, is accidental ecu locking due to updates.

How safe are the tunes? Are the pushing to the limit or its within safe boundary?

Just disable the RSU in your cars data protection settings and in your MyBMW app.
The RSU needs to be done by you and is not automatically pushed to the car.

Most of the OTS tunes are very safe because they´re driven by thousand of cars and developed within safe boundaries.
Only a custom tune would bring you closer to the safe boundaries.
Or flashing a Stage 2 OTS map with the proper hardware mods, but that would be your own fault :-)
Just follow the advice of the tuners OTS maps and you´re safe.

totalone · 07-30-2023, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelNRW

Just disable the RSU in your cars data protection settings and in your MyBMW app.
The RSU needs to be done by you and is not automatically pushed to the car.

Most of the OTS tunes are very safe because they´re driven by thousand of cars and developed within safe boundaries.
Only a custom tune would bring you closer to the safe boundaries.
Or flashing a Stage 2 OTS map with the proper hardware mods, but that would be your own fault :-)
Just follow the advice of the tuners OTS maps and you´re safe.

What would be upgrades for stage1 if any? Would I need bigger intercooler or anything else?

MichaelNRW · 07-31-2023, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totalone

What would be upgrades for stage1 if any? Would I need bigger intercooler or anything else?

Stage 1 doesn´t need any hardware mods.
Just check the manuals of your preferred tuning platform.

totalone · 07-31-2023, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelNRW

Stage 1 doesn´t need any hardware mods.
Just check the manuals of your preferred tuning platform.

To be honest I wouldnt even know where to start. I was on VAG platform prior so have no knowledge of anything on BMW tuners. I will be looking for flash home features and more reliable/linear power delivery

MichaelNRW · 07-31-2023, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totalone

To be honest I wouldnt even know where to start. I was on VAG platform prior so have no knowledge of anything on BMW tuners. I will be looking for flash home features and more reliable/linear power delivery

bm3, MHD and MG-Flasher are the go to home flashers.

mondayze · 07-31-2023, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelNRW

Just disable the RSU in your cars data protection settings and in your MyBMW app.
The RSU needs to be done by you and is not automatically pushed to the car.

Most of the OTS tunes are very safe because they´re driven by thousand of cars and developed within safe boundaries.
Only a custom tune would bring you closer to the safe boundaries.
Or flashing a Stage 2 OTS map with the proper hardware mods, but that would be your own fault :-)
Just follow the advice of the tuners OTS maps and you´re safe.

Everyone should have auto updates disabled. New updates brick too many cars to be a ginny pig

Jnasratyar · 07-31-2023, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mondayze

Everyone should have auto updates disabled. New updates brick too many cars to be a ginny pig

^^
I’m not even unlocked and I turned mine off. Ever since I found out that they uncode your BimmerCode stuff and possibly even further lock the car, I just keep ‘em off.

MichaelNRW · 08-01-2023, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mondayze

Everyone should have auto updates disabled. New updates brick too many cars to be a ginny pig

There are no auto updates :-)
You always need to start the update process yourself.
It´s not like other brands where OTA updates will be installed when charging or just over night.
BMW even turned off OTA for car updates because it wasn´t working very well.
Now the only way is over the MyBMW app.

Hyperion42 · 08-03-2023, 12:35 AM

Does anyone know if with a regular unlock, no custom rom, one can switch between flash tunes? I have MHD but am not too happy about it, and want to move to bm3 or even MG flasher.

However I don't know if this needs another unlock by femto or not.

My understanding is that because only SWFK is writable, other apps should be able to erase/overwrite this section completely. Effectively wiping out the other tune. Or alternatively, if one can wipe this section with esys to clear the previous tune.

totalone · 08-03-2023, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hyperion42

Does anyone know if with a regular unlock, no custom rom, one can switch between flash tunes? I have MHD but am not too happy about it, and want to move to bm3 or even MG flasher.

However I don't know if this needs another unlock by femto or not.

My understanding is that because only SWFK is writable, other apps should be able to erase/overwrite this section completely. Effectively wiping out the other tune. Or alternatively, if one can wipe this section with esys to clear the previous tune.

I would assume you can. Coming from Audi, you can swap tunes, they just override each other. I think if you contact bm3 they will confirm this.

B58IsBetter · 08-03-2023, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryann

Where did you hear about this? I have not heard about a DME being bricked from an update.

We have one at our shop that is bricked currently. Customer took an OTA on a 2023 M340 and lo and behold, no communication with DME

BLK.G20 · 08-03-2023, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B58IsBetter

We have one at our shop that is bricked currently. Customer took an OTA on a 2023 M340 and lo and behold, no communication with DME

Are you able to pull codes? Do you guys use ISTA?

totalone · 08-03-2023, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B58IsBetter

We have one at our shop that is bricked currently. Customer took an OTA on a 2023 M340 and lo and behold, no communication with DME

cant they just sent this out to to get it unlocked again? or its mmore complicated?

MichaelNRW · 08-04-2023, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totalone

cant they just sent this out to to get it unlocked again? or its mmore complicated?

The DME needs to be accessible for FEMto to do an unlock...
Could be it´s not working if it´s already bricked.

totalone · 08-04-2023, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelNRW

The DME needs to be accessible for FEMto to do an unlock...
Could be it´s not working if it´s already bricked.

Ahh, make sense. I hope there will be a solution to this.

07-29-2023, 06:39 PM	#28
jpowers36 Lieutenant 218 Rep 410 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW M340i xDrive Join Date: May 2021 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	That sounds about right. I made 434awhp and 470awtq on 93 octane with MG Flasher stage 2 OTS. I have MST intake, AA downpipe and Valvemaster titanium exhaust. They should be releasing some E30/E40 OTS maps soon that I’ll try out. __________________ 2020 M340i xDrive - Mineral Grey Metallic/Cognac - MG Flasher Stage 2 OTS 93 \| XHP Stage 3 \| AA DP \| Valvemaster \| MST 2008 Infiniti G37S Coupe 6MT - Black/Black IG: jpowers36
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07-29-2023, 10:48 PM	#29
totalone Captain 276 Rep 829 Posts Drives: x5 e45, M440 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: PENNSYLVANIA iTrader: (0)	What I don't like about all of this, is accidental ecu locking due to updates. How safe are the tunes? Are the pushing to the limit or its within safe boundary? __________________ Current: 2022 BMW M440gc / 2022 BMW x5 45e
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08-03-2023, 12:35 AM	#38
Hyperion42 New Member 11 Rep 6 Posts Drives: G21 Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Does anyone know if with a regular unlock, no custom rom, one can switch between flash tunes? I have MHD but am not too happy about it, and want to move to bm3 or even MG flasher. However I don't know if this needs another unlock by femto or not. My understanding is that because only SWFK is writable, other apps should be able to erase/overwrite this section completely. Effectively wiping out the other tune. Or alternatively, if one can wipe this section with esys to clear the previous tune.
	Appreciate 0 Quote