There have many customer have doubts that BMW ICOM
coding their BMW 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, X, I, or BMW Mini is safe by BMW
NCS Expert or E-sys or Smart Bimmer Tool ? We’d like to say that coding
is safer than changing spark plugs or replacing brake pads on your
vehicle.
Lets check some common FAQs as bellowing :
1.Will coding features on my car void my cars warranty?
Because of the nature of coding mentioned above, coding will not void
the warranty of your car if under the factory warranty. This is because
we do not alter the vehicle to do something it was not originally
designed to do. All features enabled/disabled during the coding process
are technically already present on your vehicle, coding just flips the
switch to enable or disable it. Rest assured, a simple coding would be
all it takes to revert the changes back to stock.
2.How long will it take to code my BMW?
A typical 4-5 feature coding takes about 10-20 minutes by teamviewer
remote or VPN, and a simple one module code with two features takes
about 5 minutes. After the coding process, we verify if the changes were
accepted and the requested feature functionality is present.
3.Will coding features on my car void my cars warranty?
Because of the nature of coding mentioned above, coding will not void
the warranty of your car if the factory warranty. This is because we do
not alter the vehicle to do something it was not originally designed to
do. All features enabled/disabled during the coding process are
technically already present on your vehicle, coding just flips the
switch to enable or disable it. Rest assured, a simple coding would be
all it takes to revert the changes back to stock.
4.Will the Coding on my BMW is completely reversible?
Coding is done by using BMW factory software and a laptop which connects
to your car’s OBD2 service port. Your car’s configuration files for the
specific module to code are downloaded to the laptop and a backup is
made. After storing a backup of your car’s configuration files, we alter
the configuration file to enable or disable your desired feature. We
then upload the modified configuration file back to the car and the
coding is complete after testing for functionality. Because a backup is
made for your specific car, if at any point the customer decides to
revert back to the stock configuration, all it takes is a simple
re-upload and the change is reverted.
5.What does a typical coding session look like?
Coding your BMW begins with requesting a quote for your specific vehicle
and feature request. This does two things; it gives you a firm price
for the features you want and allows us to verify your vehicle’s ability
to receive the desired coding. If we find the feature request is
incompatible with your vehicle’s year and model, we’ll let you know,
saving you time and money. After receiving your quote, a time, date, and
location to meet are scheduled whereupon coding services are rendered.
In a normal situation, you will be asked to verify which features are
desired. The coder will then connect the coding laptop and OBD2
interface cable to the car’s service port located in the driver-side
footwell. It will typically take anywhere from 10-30 minutes to do a
code of about 3-5 features on a car. The whole time the coding tech is
working, the customer is welcome to ask questions and observe the entire
process. If by SmartBimmer tool, everything will be done automatically
with a smooth internet connection plus a BMW Enet cable 5-10mins job
done.
6.What happens if I take my car to the dealership for service and they update my BMW software?
If you take your car to the dealership or independent mechanic and for
whatever reason, they update any module’s software to a newer version,
you will lose all your customized codes and will need to code your
vehicle again.
7.What if I want to undo any coded option?
If for whatever reason you choose to have any changes we code your car
reversed for free within 48hours. And with the SmartBimmer tool you can
choose to reverse by input the same feature code to run 2nd time will be
restored back to the factory status.
8.Will you flash the Alpina B3, SMG, DME to Euro, or update x module’s software?
Most likely yes. We will update any vehicle module software except the
iDrive module (updating it can require 4+ hours). We currently offer the
E46 M3 CSL DME engine + E46 M3 CSL transmission flash for the E46 M3
with SMG II, N54 PPK, and N55 PPK, and Alpina B3 transmission flash,
among others.
9.What is the difference between coding my E series BMW’s and the new F/G series BMW’s?
BMW’s new F and G series models use a new type of connection and
software to code the vehicle. Instead of a typical K-line, or D-Can OBD2
Cable interface, the BMW F-series and G-series models use a TCP/IP
network-based OBD2 interface, called an E-SYS / Enet cable. These two
cables and associated software applications are not interchangeable
between the BMW E, F, and G series. Nevertheless, if you have no ideas
about either K DCAN cable or Enet cable and E-sys coding software, you
could simply use the SmartBimmer tool as easy as ABC to go.
10.Will Coding on my BMW alter the software of the Vehicle?
Coding your BMW does not alter the software of the Vehicle:
It’s important to note that coding your vehicle does not make any
alterations to the module’s software. We like to use the analogy of a
light switch explaining coding to the customer. By changing the settings
in the BMW modules configuration file to either aktiv or nicht-aktiv,
we essentially flip a switch to either turn the feature on or off.
Nothing but the “switch” is modified.
Most fear from coding comes from the belief that we are uploading new
software to the modules, and if a glitch happens during that firmware
upload, the module would then corrupt and be rendered defective. This
would definitely be true if we were uploading or upgrading software,
however, because we are only changing the configuration file which the
software reads and uses to control itself, there is no danger. This is
still true even if the vehicle’s battery dies, the laptop crashes or the
cable has a connection error. In the event any of those things occur,
one just needs to write a blank file back to the module and reset it
back to defaults!
Safe and easy
