E90 with MHD tune

E90 with MHD tune

Author
Discussion

crusty

Original Poster:

752 posts

220 months

Friday 13th October 2017
quotequote all
I have a 335i and am very interested in flashing the ECU with the MHD tune.

I have no experience of this and don't own an android device or have a cable etc. I previously tried a JB4 with mixed results

Can someone who has done this, please advise me in idiot level language, what bits I need, where to get them from, and likely costs.

I am based near Brighton, if someone is local and could help out

Many thanks

Smuler

2,286 posts

139 months

Friday 13th October 2017
quotequote all
crusty said:
I have a 335i and am very interested in flashing the ECU with the MHD tune.

I have no experience of this and don't own an android device or have a cable etc. I previously tried a JB4 with mixed results

Can someone who has done this, please advise me in idiot level language, what bits I need, where to get them from, and likely costs.

I am based near Brighton, if someone is local and could help out

Many thanks
I'd be pm this guy, I've watched his threads over on e90 post when I had a 335i and I'm certain he did MHD.
He's very knowledgable.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=...

crusty

Original Poster:

752 posts

220 months

Friday 13th October 2017
quotequote all
Thanks, have sent him a pm

Dannbodge

2,165 posts

121 months

Friday 13th October 2017
quotequote all
Smuler said:
I'd be pm this guy, I've watched his threads over on e90 post when I had a 335i and I'm certain he did MHD.
He's very knowledgable.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/profile.asp?h=...
Thanks for the recommendation.

I haven't MHD'd mine yet though. Still yet to actually do it

Dannbodge

2,165 posts

121 months

Friday 13th October 2017
quotequote all
My advice would be to jump over into E90post.com.
All of the information you need is on there.

There are a couple of "verified" D Can cables from people like cableshack and bmcables etc.

Process is pretty easy. Get the app and buy the maps, flasher license and logging license.
Get a cable, plug it in and away you go.

Cost wise the app licenses come to about £150 and cables can be anywhere from £10 to £50.

I've not done mine as it's fast enough for how much I currently drive it but there is a lot on E90post about it.

Edited by Dannbodge on Friday 13th October 17:42

Smuler

2,286 posts

139 months

Friday 13th October 2017
quotequote all
Oops , sorry Dann. Was sure you were advising people to MHD wink

Smokey32

359 posts

93 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
Its very easy, just make sure you get a good quality cable. Got mine from cableshack the D-Can Diagnostic Package 37.99.

Just make sure on your first flash you use a battery charger as it takes a while, and put the device in aeroplane mode.

Ive flashed mine about 10 times lol.

lostmotel

156 posts

135 months

Monday 23rd October 2017
quotequote all
Get a bottle of wine and read this http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109...

On top of a cable and battery charger you will also need a USB on the go adapter - Maplin do these, they're a little more expensive than eBay specials, but they work rather than being hit and miss.

When you do the first flash, it will back up the stock .bin file to the storage on the phone. Make a further backup of this! The first flash takes about 20-30 minutes as it rewrites the full DME firmware (BMW speak for engine ECU). This is where you need the charger as noted above. FYI opening doors interrupts the flash, so wind the window down, and from outside the car set the flash going, leaving the phone/tablet on the seat. Then you're not stuck in the car for half an hour (!)

The maps come in stages, with the Stage 1 pack you also get the Stage 1+ maps which need an intercooler. The Mishimoto intercooler is the best bet as it fits with no adaptations. The maps are then further subdivided into octane rating. There are other nice options like linear throttle map.

Do beware that the maps up the boost significantly, and also give you the option of undoing the BMW wastegate rattle fix which gives much better throttle response. The main issue with this is it will show up anything that's wrong with the engine, so rattly wastegates, leaky vacuum lines, failing boost solenoids, cracked charge pipes, shot coil packs, injectors on their way out, spark plugs that need changing, etc... Buy the logging module for MHD and it should help track down any issues.

Even with Stage 1 98 octane it's fast - it pulls really hard. Stage 1+ looks like would a happy place to be, as heat soak starts to set in after a few runs up through the rev range. In my view the Stage 2 maps (which need catless downpipes and an intake system) probably push the turbos too hard. At the boost demanded (something like 18psi) they're starting to get inefficient.

crusty

Original Poster:

752 posts

220 months

Tuesday 24th October 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for that info, really useful

I currently only have apple products, so will need to buy an Android device just for this.

I am after something cheap off of ebay, any recommendations?

Smokey32

359 posts

93 months

Tuesday 24th October 2017
quotequote all
lostmotel said:
Get a bottle of wine and read this http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109...

On top of a cable and battery charger you will also need a USB on the go adapter - Maplin do these, they're a little more expensive than eBay specials, but they work rather than being hit and miss.

When you do the first flash, it will back up the stock .bin file to the storage on the phone. Make a further backup of this! The first flash takes about 20-30 minutes as it rewrites the full DME firmware (BMW speak for engine ECU). This is where you need the charger as noted above. FYI opening doors interrupts the flash, so wind the window down, and from outside the car set the flash going, leaving the phone/tablet on the seat. Then you're not stuck in the car for half an hour (!)

The maps come in stages, with the Stage 1 pack you also get the Stage 1+ maps which need an intercooler. The Mishimoto intercooler is the best bet as it fits with no adaptations. The maps are then further subdivided into octane rating. There are other nice options like linear throttle map.

Do beware that the maps up the boost significantly, and also give you the option of undoing the BMW wastegate rattle fix which gives much better throttle response. The main issue with this is it will show up anything that's wrong with the engine, so rattly wastegates, leaky vacuum lines, failing boost solenoids, cracked charge pipes, shot coil packs, injectors on their way out, spark plugs that need changing, etc... Buy the logging module for MHD and it should help track down any issues.

Even with Stage 1 98 octane it's fast - it pulls really hard. Stage 1+ looks like would a happy place to be, as heat soak starts to set in after a few runs up through the rev range. In my view the Stage 2 maps (which need catless downpipes and an intake system) probably push the turbos too hard. At the boost demanded (something like 18psi) they're starting to get inefficient.
They don't push the turbo's too hard. I think on the logs when I was Stage 2+ it was maxing at 17.5 PSI. The stock snails can take more than that. Stage 1 is 12-13PSI AFAIK.

The trouble with the maps is there just generic maps. They are good for the price, but id always recommend a custom remap if your FBO i.e Stage 2+. For Just a map think MHD stage 1 is great.

BTW iam at 455bhp at just 18.6 PSI tapering down to 16PSI. That's the difference from a proper tune.