[gzhou2142]

I have the 2020 m340i, and my dealership just updated my software without telling me. I saw posts about the 2021 m340i not being able to unlock the DME. Is this the case for the 2020 m340i?

[tarrant64]

My understanding is that it overwrites whatever tune was on there and relooks the DME. However, I've seen mixed messages about that people can just re-unlock it again, at least for some of the older DME's (like a 2020). There are still 2021's out there that can be unlocked, but ultimately what you need to do is have yours checked. Not everyone's situation is exactly the same (IMO).

[Rux]

I am not sure what year this is.

[chenry]

Originally Posted by Rux

I am not sure what year this is.

I think a good guess would be mid to late 2020, maybe the rare early 2021.

I say this because early 2020's can be unlocked and flashed remotely at your home using (Mission Performance, BM3, MHD), late 2020's and some rare early 2021's need to be bench unlocked then flashed (like in the video). And most all 2021's cannot be unlocked (yet)

[tarrant64]

Originally Posted by Rux

I am not sure what year this is.

And that's a big part of my point about the information out there. That video became outdated pretty quickly, or at least needed additional follow up because soon after that there was an OTA that prevents even OTA updates.

My understanding:

Most if not all 2020s can get re-locked via an OTA update from. May depend on build date before 2021 cutover. These are generally unlockable either direct or through bench-unlock.

Most if not all 2021s can get perma-locked via OTA update or come from factory that way (mine did). These are not unlockable through any methods available today. Time will likely change that.

For 2021s, earlier builds seem to have a DME that falls in with the 2020s DME. At some point BMW switched over to a newer BMW Bosch DME module or something and THAT is the one that changed the game patching security vulnerabilities that were previously used to unlock.

I don't know if that helps, makes it worse, or lands people in the same boat as before. That has been my takeaway from the numerous threads on it. Surprises me not one tuner out there (that I've seen) has concretely laid this out, especially when purchasing their tunes. Some still have 'old' information on just send it in to bench unlock without a disclaimer on the 2021 updated DMEs.

[Don76]

My understanding is that it's not the software that determines if you can unlock - it's the hardware.

The 2021 models have the new hardware which cannot (currently) be unlocked.

The exact date, as others have said, of the switchover is unclear.

My car is a 2020. It came locked from factory. My local tuner was able to unlock it. I updated (OTA) to 03/2020 which did not change the unlock status. I then updated to 07/2020 which locked the DME.

However, a trip to the local tuner and I was able to unlock.

[gzhou2142]

Thanks for the information guys. I saw a reply from a Dinan engineer in another post saying they changed the software so it can no longer be unlocked while the ecu unit itself is still the same between the 2020 and 2021 models. I'm planning on going to Alex from MP to check if he can unlock the DME on a 2020/11 update.

[EDMG20]

Originally Posted by gzhou2142

Thanks for the information guys. I saw a reply from a Dinan engineer in another post saying they changed the software so it can no longer be unlocked while the ecu unit itself is still the same between the 2020 and 2021 models. I'm planning on going to Alex from MP to check if he can unlock the DME on a 2020/11 update.

I have asked BM3 specifically about this issue. They told me even 2019 BMW G20's can be DME locked. They also said getting the DME bench unlocked will work until BMW decides to do another update and relock it. So essentially you will pay for 1 bench unlock and if it gets relocked you have to pay again and again...

[Poochie]

Originally Posted by EDMG20

I have asked BM3 specifically about this issue. They told me even 2019 BMW G20's can be DME locked. They also said getting the DME bench unlocked will work until BMW decides to do another update and relock it. So essentially you will pay for 1 bench unlock and if it gets relocked you have to pay again and again...

That royally sucks but not at all shocking; the older F-Series M4 and M2C ECU BIOS have been revised and locked since 03/2020, so it was only a matter of time before trickled down to other BMW models.

The kicker with the G-Series is that it can re-locked via the OTA software updates, so even if you avoid the franchise dealer, it's still going to catch up to you eventually.

You can't be mad at BMW, it's their way of protecting themselves from egregious powertrain warranty claims, which I'm sure they had to absorb in the past, since their previous ECUs, dating back to the E generation was so easily penetrable, so now it's fair game in protecting their bottom line.

So I guess now it's back to piggybacks or janky real-time OBD2 modules of yesteryear..

[EDMG20]

Originally Posted by Poochie

That royally sucks but not at all shocking; the older F-Series M4 and M2C ECU BIOS have been revised and locked since 03/2020, so it was only a matter of time before trickled down to other BMW models.

The kicker with the G-Series is that it can re-locked via the OTA software updates, so even if you avoid the franchise dealer, it's still going to catch up to you eventually.

You can't be mad at BMW, it's their way of protecting themselves from egregious powertrain warranty claims, which I'm sure they had to absorb in the past, since their previous ECUs, dating back to the E generation was so easily penetrable, so now it's fair game in protecting their bottom line.

So I guess now it's back to piggybacks or janky real-time OBD2 modules of yesteryear..

So true!! Well said man

[bSwiazzy]

is the jb4 an alternative on the 2021 m40is?

im asking on behalf a friend and i can't find the thread that says if its ok or not

anyone running a jb4 on the 2021 m340i or x3 m40i?

[EDMG20]

Originally Posted by bSwiazzy

is the jb4 an alternative on the 2021 m40is?

im asking on behalf a friend and i can't find the thread that says if its ok or not

anyone running a jb4 on the 2021 m340i or x3 m40i?

From what I have read online and on threads, it is but I ran a stage 2 with downpipe and it was a dream. I can't wait to run it again 1 day. I have a Jb plus installed and it's no where near the BM3 Stage 2 93 I was running..

[bSwiazzy]

Originally Posted by EDMG20

From what I have read online and on threads, it is but I ran a stage 2 with downpipe and it was a dream. I can't wait to run it again 1 day. I have a Jb plus installed and it's no where near the BM3 Stage 2 93 I was running..

ok coo my buddy just got a 2021 x3 m40i and wants to tune it but wasnt sure if the jb4 works with the mild hybrid system they be putting it

ty!

[Parry029]

So can anyone tell me, what years can you unlock the dme. Without sending it to femto.
I believe it's 2019-2020 adn early 2021??
Also what's the deadline for the production date that have the then new dme that u gotta send to femto ?

[MichaelNRW]

The DME has to be made before 06/2020 to be bench unlocked without FEMto.
Be aware that this only counts for the DME and not the car itself.
Even cars build after 06/2020 can be equipped with a pre 06/2020 DME.

[xnick101]

Originally Posted by Parry029

So can anyone tell me, what years can you unlock the dme. Without sending it to femto.
I believe it's 2019-2020 adn early 2021??
Also what's the deadline for the production date that have the then new dme that u gotta send to femto ?

Has to be produced prior to 06/2020. Software date doesnt matter. My car is unlocked and my software is on 03.2022 right now.