First post about my 4.8is (long)

[Weasel]

Originally Posted by Mujahid

Hi Weasel, please can you share a little more on the "programming with newer software". Are you talking about flash-tuning? that is replacing the entire map. Or is it just newer Dealer equipment that "tweaks" the settings. Would this be a step further than just adaptation setting?

Yes, it is a step above adaptations reset. The newer software will have whatever newer specs BMW saw fit to correct any little problems/variances they saw.

[Mujahid]

Originally Posted by marcjac

Excellent suggestions; I didn't realize my X5 was due for the Inspection II service at 60k. According to bimers.org, that would include new spark plugs and a host of diagnostics. It would be an excellent time to get the software reset and/or updated. I have tried the tranny reset procedure, which seemed to make the shifts a bit more snappy. Based on the above suggestions, I'm sure I can reclaim the lost power I feel is MIA.

Hi Marcjac, please can you explain how to do the transmission reset procedure? thank you.

[powers1]

Been waiting for Killcrap to comment on this,as the dealer programming/coding procedures there maybe different from where I am.
It is common practice at Bmw dealers,when they have a car in for any work to connect it to Diagnostics.Should diagnostics detect that there is a software update for this car,it will do it automatically and will not allow any other Diagnostic work until this is done.I am talking about not just engine but also transmission software updates.
Not sure about a 2005 4.8is ,but on a lot of Bmws ,including my 2003 X5 3.0D,after any engine /transmission software update,it will have to go through a coding procedure of all engine sensors.Alternatively to this,the dealer may request from BMW GMBH ,the original "VO" file.
At first this wasnt performed on my car and my car left the dealer with worst performance than it went in ,which I noticed straight away!The transmission was so slow in reacting to the throttle,for example!Had I not had an electrician friend at this dealer,the coding procedure would not have been carried out!Leaving the car to self adapt after God knows how many miles!
My car had only been booked for coding the Bmw alarm system I had fitted,but Diag wouldnt allow it until a software update was done!
After my experience,I wonder how many more Bmws come out with worst performance after going in for a dealer service!

[marcjac]

Hopefully this link will get you the info you need. The thread is particularly useful, IMHO! Thanks to Silver 5 for posting this. Xoutpost.com - View Single Post - Cool "Hidden" features of the E53 X5

[J.Belknap]

Originally Posted by askhao

i guess you could dyno it to see how much hp/tq it's pushing out.

Also.... throw a wideband sniffer on the tailpipe. I've always gone by .5pt leaner after the cat, but you could weld a bunghole pre-cat for testing time.

Remember, AWD Mustang Dyno only. DynoJet and Dyno Dynamics will not work with this vehicle.

edit: congrats on ownership!

[killcrap]

Originally Posted by powers1

Been waiting for Killcrap to comment on this,as the dealer programming/coding procedures there maybe different from where I am.
It is common practice at Bmw dealers,when they have a car in for any work to connect it to Diagnostics.Should diagnostics detect that there is a software update for this car,it will do it automatically and will not allow any other Diagnostic work until this is done.I am talking about not just engine but also transmission software updates.
Not sure about a 2005 4.8is ,but on a lot of Bmws ,including my 2003 X5 3.0D,after any engine /transmission software update,it will have to go through a coding procedure of all engine sensors.Alternatively to this,the dealer may request from BMW GMBH ,the original "VO" file.
At first this wasnt performed on my car and my car left the dealer with worst performance than it went in ,which I noticed straight away!The transmission was so slow in reacting to the throttle,for example!Had I not had an electrician friend at this dealer,the coding procedure would not have been carried out!Leaving the car to self adapt after God knows how many miles!
My car had only been booked for coding the Bmw alarm system I had fitted,but Diag wouldnt allow it until a software update was done!
After my experience,I wonder how many more Bmws come out with worst performance after going in for a dealer service!

Your experience is rather interesting. Seems you were lied to, or just mis-understood the operation of a BMW dealership, or its practices, or go to a weird bmw shop. Retrofitting option Code 0302 DWA only changes the ZCS code by 0000000000000800. Here is how a bmw dealership is supposed to work.
Example:

1)Customer concern, the alarm goes off by itself at times.
2)Vehicle is driven into workshop, and is attached to BMW diagnostic machine, GT-1 or ISTA.
3)During diagnosis, all diagnosable components are identified by corresponding diagnosis bus address.
4)The alarm counter is read out of the Central Body Module to determine what has set the alarm.
5)The component is checked and replaced if necessary, and then all faults are cleared with the diagnostic computer.
6)The alarm is checked for proper operation after repairs are complete.
7)The vehicle is release back to customer.


The software is never checked automaticlly for an update with BMW diagnostic machine. The GT1/ISTA will not prompt the user to update the software EVER before diagnosics are performed. There are only certain times the update of the complete vehicle software is performed on Fiber Optic Bus Equipped vehicles. E53 X5 need not apply.

Acessory Retrofit
Control Module Replacment
Test Plan GW code
Service Information Bullitin
Puma Instruction

There is no such thing as a VO for any E53 X5 vehicle. Its called a ZCS code. Only certain situations if the diagnotic software checked the Vehicle I-LEVEL, and it were lower than the correct i-level would the vehicle require a software update. But no such i-level exists on an ZCS equipped vehicle. And if the software update were required, it would not stop the user from continuing other diagnostics.

The only updateable software on a 2003 x5 3.0d is the DDE(engine managment for diesel) and EGS(transmission control automatics) All other control units require coding for proper operation.

When you installed your alarm system, the DWA software in the Body Module was not yet activated. What BMW should have done for you is to use the BMW programming machine, PROGMAN or ISTA/P to navigate to DWA, to change the ZCS code to include the operation of the Tilt/Siren, Hood Switch, and the Interior Motion Sensor. When this operation is performed, the ZCS code is changed in the LCM(lamp module), KOMBI(instrumentcluster), GM(body module), and the EWS(immoblizer system).

The engine managment system and the transmission software was not touched. If your vehicle ran badly after they performed this retrofit coding, the technican may have updated the DDE, and EGS software without notifying you, or the technican performed a complete vehicle encoding, in which all control units are coded by the option code(ZCS.) After a complete vehicle encoding, the Sunroof, and steering angle sensor values need to be reset, as well as the EGS and DDE

A complete vehicle encoding should never be performed on any i-bus vehicle(non fiber optic models.) The reasoning is there is no need to. If the DDE and EGS were updated, or coded. The DDE and EGS adaptation values(wear values) were not erased, and the new software cannot understand the old values. This also re-inforces the rule of necessity, as if you did need to update the software, you wouldnt need to waste your time clearing the adaptation values with the diagnostic machine.

If you are not equipped with the BMW scan tool to clear the adaptations, disconnecting the battery for a couple of seconds will clear them.(example would be if you replaced the throttle body, and would need to reset the adaptation values)

The only coding information for the DDE would probably be the activation of the Check Engine Lamp. In which most Euro cars do not use this function.
additional information provided regarding ZCS coding, and VO/FA

[britcon]

I went from a 5.9 Grand Cherokee with headers, exhaust, throttle body, and intake mod's to the 4.8 X5. What impressed me with the X was the power curve - punch it from standing still and it just keeps pulling hard thru the shifts all the way ! I like the fact the shift points are at redline. It is definitely faster than my Jeep, although much quieter.
I agree with your comments on sound system - pretty mundane for a vehicle in this class.

[marcjac]

Hey, Britcon:

Fascinating post; I've had 2 ZJ 5.9's. I also had a '03 WJ Overland with the 4.7HO. Like you, I'd done intake and exhaust mods as well as tranny mod and really enjoyed the pull and the exhaust sound. Now that I've had my 4.8is for a few weeks, I think perhaps the gas in the tank when I bought it was old. The car performs much better now with new gas (and some Lucas). I'm having my X pipe put on this Saturday and am anxious to hear the difference. As you said, this engine pulls all the way to redline, and it pulls HARD. With 6 speeds the gear changes come pretty quickly.

I had my XM installed, which makes a nice difference. But the sound system is still...meh.... better than some, but not what I'd expect in a $75,000 vehicle. My 5.9's had much better sound systems from the factory.

[powers1]

Originally Posted by killcrap

Your experience is rather interesting. Seems you were lied to, or just mis-understood the operation of a BMW dealership, or its practices, or go to a weird bmw shop. Retrofitting option Code 0302 DWA only changes the ZCS code by 0000000000000800. Here is how a bmw dealership is supposed to work.
Example:

1)Customer concern, the alarm goes off by itself at times.
2)Vehicle is driven into workshop, and is attached to BMW diagnostic machine, GT-1 or ISTA.
3)During diagnosis, all diagnosable components are identified by corresponding diagnosis bus address.
4)The alarm counter is read out of the Central Body Module to determine what has set the alarm.
5)The component is checked and replaced if necessary, and then all faults are cleared with the diagnostic computer.
6)The alarm is checked for proper operation after repairs are complete.
7)The vehicle is release back to customer.


The software is never checked automaticlly for an update with BMW diagnostic machine. The GT1/ISTA will not prompt the user to update the software EVER before diagnosics are performed. There are only certain times the update of the complete vehicle software is performed on Fiber Optic Bus Equipped vehicles. E53 X5 need not apply.

Acessory Retrofit
Control Module Replacment
Test Plan GW code
Service Information Bullitin
Puma Instruction

There is no such thing as a VO for any E53 X5 vehicle. Its called a ZCS code. Only certain situations if the diagnotic software checked the Vehicle I-LEVEL, and it were lower than the correct i-level would the vehicle require a software update. But no such i-level exists on an ZCS equipped vehicle. And if the software update were required, it would not stop the user from continuing other diagnostics.

The only updateable software on a 2003 x5 3.0d is the DDE(engine managment for diesel) and EGS(transmission control automatics) All other control units require coding for proper operation.

When you installed your alarm system, the DWA software in the Body Module was not yet activated. What BMW should have done for you is to use the BMW programming machine, PROGMAN or ISTA/P to navigate to DWA, to change the ZCS code to include the operation of the Tilt/Siren, Hood Switch, and the Interior Motion Sensor. When this operation is performed, the ZCS code is changed in the LCM(lamp module), KOMBI(instrumentcluster), GM(body module), and the EWS(immoblizer system).

The engine managment system and the transmission software was not touched. If your vehicle ran badly after they performed this retrofit coding, the technican may have updated the DDE, and EGS software without notifying you, or the technican performed a complete vehicle encoding, in which all control units are coded by the option code(ZCS.) After a complete vehicle encoding, the Sunroof, and steering angle sensor values need to be reset, as well as the EGS and DDE

A complete vehicle encoding should never be performed on any i-bus vehicle(non fiber optic models.) The reasoning is there is no need to. If the DDE and EGS were updated, or coded. The DDE and EGS adaptation values(wear values) were not erased, and the new software cannot understand the old values. This also re-inforces the rule of necessity, as if you did need to update the software, you wouldnt need to waste your time clearing the adaptation values with the diagnostic machine.

If you are not equipped with the BMW scan tool to clear the adaptations, disconnecting the battery for a couple of seconds will clear them.(example would be if you replaced the throttle body, and would need to reset the adaptation values)

The only coding information for the DDE would probably be the activation of the Check Engine Lamp. In which most Euro cars do not use this function.
additional information provided regarding ZCS coding, and VO/FA

Thanks for the explanation.
The work on my car was done at a main Bmw dealer!Looks like I may have been misinformed!
My car did leave the dealer with worst performance than it went in(just for alarm coding!)...after my complaint,the car was fine again!
Sorry,What I dont understand is why did my car perform badly ,if they didnt touch the engine and gearbox software?
Because they performed an unnecessary complete DDE and EGS encoding ,the new software didnt understand the old wear values and by giving me the car without clearing the adaptation values with the DIAG,my car performed badly?Why?It was only after I returned the car and they cleared the values that my cars performance was back to normal!Is this what you are saying?
Could they simply disconnected/connected battery again to clear adaptations and reset the car back to how it was before it went in?Thanks

[killcrap]

Originally Posted by powers1

Thanks for the explanation.
The work on my car was done at a main Bmw dealer!Looks like I may have been misinformed!
My car did leave the dealer with worst performance than it went in(just for alarm coding!)...after my complaint,the car was fine again!
Sorry,What I dont understand is why did my car perform badly ,if they didnt touch the engine and gearbox software?
Because they performed an unnecessary complete DDE and EGS encoding ,the new software didnt understand the old wear values and by giving me the car without clearing the adaptation values with the DIAG,my car performed badly?Why?It was only after I returned the car and they cleared the values that my cars performance was back to normal!Is this what you are saying?
Could they simply disconnected/connected battery again to clear adaptations and reset the car back to how it was before it went in?Thanks

i'm not going to waste my time answering these questions, as i cannot guess what they did. Can you guess?