E92 M3 software updates?

[AndrewD]

I just bought the white E92 M3 from Harold Wood BMW and the salesman said it will come with all the software updates.

Does anybody know what I should be looking out for:

- security update? (Does this actually disable the OBD port with ignition off or is it just a window thing?)

- anything for DCT, bluetooth, etc?

It is a 2008 DCT, EDC car and has the "pre LCI" idrive.


(By the way, I thought it was a great mix of normal car and hooligan when required, and they didn't seem to mind me turning DSC off on a damp test drive so good on them!)

Thanks for any help!

[t8cmf]

You are correct about the security update. It is a free update applied by BMW to cars that were made within a certain timeframe (2007-2011 I think). It's applied to your CAS module. It stops your windows from dropping if you put your metal key in the door lock and then turn and hold. Your windows will still drop on the key fob if you press and hold the unlock button, this is normal. It is widely believed that the OBD port is disabled by the update and that you need to have the original key in the dash slot before the car will allow you access to the OBD port.

The software update is when BMW carry out a full update on every module on the car. BMW charged me £130 for my full update although mine is a manual E92 M3 not a DCT one. I'm led to believe that the DCT box in particular responds incredibly well to the new software, it's supposed to be night and day better than the original software. I know people on forums have complained to BMW about a laggy DCT gear change and they have had the full update carried out for free. It was deemed a safety issue as some cars decided to change gear right at the point of approaching a roundabout causing some near misses.

If you plan to change your iDrive for the newer one you will need the newer software. I've fitted the new iDrive controller in mine and will be fitting the full CIC retrofit in the next week or so.

[AndrewD]

t8cmf said:

You are correct about the security update. It is a free update applied by BMW to cars that were made within a certain timeframe (2007-2011 I think). It's applied to your CAS module. It stops your windows from dropping if you put your metal key in the door lock and then turn and hold. Your windows will still drop on the key fob if you press and hold the unlock button, this is normal. It is widely believed that the OBD port is disabled by the update and that you need to have the original key in the dash slot before the car will allow you access to the OBD port.

The software update is when BMW carry out a full update on every module on the car. BMW charged me £130 for my full update although mine is a manual E92 M3 not a DCT one. I'm led to believe that the DCT box in particular responds incredibly well to the new software, it's supposed to be night and day better than the original software. I know people on forums have complained to BMW about a laggy DCT gear change and they have had the full update carried out for free. It was deemed a safety issue as some cars decided to change gear right at the point of approaching a roundabout causing some near misses.

If you plan to change your iDrive for the newer one you will need the newer software. I've fitted the new iDrive controller in mine and will be fitting the full CIC retrofit in the next week or so.

Thanks! Very helpful

[Big E 118]

I don't know how to do it but if you get your current update numbers the guys on M3Cutters will tell you if it's the latest or not. I had a 2008 M3 which I specifically asked had the updates (DCT primarily) at the time to which the dealer said yes, it's part of the Approved Used scheme.

I then asked my local dealer to check all the updates were the latest (which I would pay for!) at the first service I had to which they responded yes. Turns out they weren't and when I went from the 2008 car to the 2012 the DCT was a world apart, all down to having the latest software!