[Luckdragon]

Is there a factory tune for 550i?
Thanks

[430Scud]

Originally Posted by Luckdragon

Is there a factory tune for 550i?
Thanks

By factory, you mean offerred by BMW? No.

[Chappers 71]

Have a look at AC Schnitzer performance upgrades. Expensive though but if you can afford a 2023 M550i....

Link below.

https://www.google.com/url?q=https:/...Rk5USrOyAFbw_L

[23109VC]

Originally Posted by Luckdragon

Is there a factory tune for 550i?
Thanks

Yes, it’s called the M5… 😜

[Antec800]

I’m surprised no one has been able to tune the 20+ m550

[G30M550i]

Unfortunately, the only way to tune these cars is to physically send the ECM to FEMTO in Finland for the unlock and then the ECM can be tuned using an OTS tune or custom tune.

The only other option would be a piggyback (ie; JB4, Dinan, etc).

[WretchedRefuse]

Originally Posted by Antec800

I’m surprised no one has been able to tune the 20+ m550

Technically, they became un-tunable only in 2021. The 2020 is still a sweet spot because it has the beefier 523 hp stock engine but can still be tuned. Hopefully soon the procedure for unlocking 2021+ will become more widely available.

[Manley00]

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

Technically, they became un-tunable only in 2021. The 2020 is still a sweet spot because it has the beefier 523 hp stock engine but can still be tuned. Hopefully soon the procedure for unlocking 2021+ will become more widely available.

I wish that was the case! I bought a 20 specifically for this reason. I believed anything built 7/19 would be good to go tuning wise. Apparently there are VERY FEW 20s that aren’t also locked. I’m being lazy though, there is a team out of Dallas Texas that will crack them for us. I need to make the journey over to get it done. The JB4 has served me well thus far though. I just know a custom tune would be that much better.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by 23109VC

Yes, it’s called the M5… 😜

[WretchedRefuse]

Originally Posted by Manley00

I wish that was the case! I bought a 20 specifically for this reason. I believed anything built 7/19 would be good to go tuning wise. Apparently there are VERY FEW 20s that aren’t also locked. I’m being lazy though, there is a team out of Dallas Texas that will crack them for us. I need to make the journey over to get it done. The JB4 has served me well thus far though. I just know a custom tune would be that much better.

When you say "locked" I assume you mean the software lock included with all I-Step levels since 2019 that can be bench unlocked by any shop equipped to do so. Just remember that if you've had your DME unlocked and then your dealership updates your I-Step, you will need it bench unlocked again.

[Manley00]

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

When you say "locked" I assume you mean the software lock included with all I-Step levels since 2019 that can be bench unlocked by any shop equipped to do so. Just remember that if you've had your DME unlocked and then your dealership updates your I-Step, you will need it bench unlocked again.

So 21 and newer can not be bench unlocked?

[Duta569]

Originally Posted by Manley00

So 21 and newer can not be bench unlocked?

Yes but they have to go to femto in Finland. As far as I know, nobody in the US has figured out the new ECU.

[WretchedRefuse]

To summarize:

1. All G30's through MY2020 that have had their I-step updated since 2019 are "software" locked and can be bench unlocked by a shop equipped to do so. A subsequent I-step upgrade would re-apply the "software" lock, requiring another bench unlock before tuning.
2. All G30's MY2021 and later are "hardware" locked and currently their DME(s) must be removed and shipped to Finland in order to unlock them. I'm not sure if a subsequent I-step upgrade would re-apply the "hardware" lock and/or the "software" lock.

Note that the OTA or Remote Software Update is an I-Step upgrade, so be sure to disable that if you've had your DME unlocked. However, automatic map updates are not I-Step upgrades and may be freely applied.

Clear as mud?

[Manley00]

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

To summarize:

1. All G30's through MY2020 that have had their I-step updated since 2019 are "software" locked and can be bench unlocked by a shop equipped to do so. A subsequent I-step upgrade would re-apply the "software" lock, requiring another bench unlock before tuning.
2. All G30's MY2021 and later are "hardware" locked and currently their DME(s) must be removed and shipped to Finland in order to unlock them. I'm not sure if a subsequent I-step upgrade would re-apply the "hardware" lock and/or the "software" lock.

Note that the OTA or Remote Software Update is an I-Step upgrade, so be sure to disable that if you've had your DME unlocked. However, automatic map updates are not I-Step upgrades and may be freely applied.

Clear as mud?

Crystal- had no idea the difference. Glad I have the option to “software” unlock if I so chose. I’m sure most were under the assumption locked or not, regardless of software or hardware= same thing. Glad you cleared that up! Thanks! 😁

[WretchedRefuse]

Well, "hardware" and "software" are really over-simplifications of what's actually happening but hopefully they suffice to highlight the difference between the types of locks. FWIW, I have BM3 Stage 1 on my MY2020 and haven't looked back since flashing it.

[Manley00]

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

Well, "hardware" and "software" are really over-simplifications of what's actually happening but hopefully they suffice to highlight the difference between the types of locks. FWIW, I have BM3 Stage 1 on my MY2020 and haven't looked back since flashing it.

Well damn! Now we are talking! Did you run anything prior to that? Currently have the JB4. I’ve tuned everything I own- so this piggyback stuff just doesn’t “feel” the same. I’ve spent countless hours over multiple vehicles data logging for remote tunes. Kinda sad I haven’t had that experience in one of the fastest things I’ve owned.

I told myself no downpipes…. Then found out I could get the bench unlock in Dallas. Figure if I’m going to do it, I will get the DP too.

Tell me more! There aren’t many on here running BM3 on the 20. Seeing strong number on the JB4, I would have to assume the BM3 is faster though.

[Antec800]

I see a bunch of new m5s getting tuned has anyone sent there dme out to get unlocked yet?

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

To summarize:

1. All G30's through MY2020 that have had their I-step updated since 2019 are "software" locked and can be bench unlocked by a shop equipped to do so. A subsequent I-step upgrade would re-apply the "software" lock, requiring another bench unlock before tuning.
2. All G30's MY2021 and later are "hardware" locked and currently their DME(s) must be removed and shipped to Finland in order to unlock them. I'm not sure if a subsequent I-step upgrade would re-apply the "hardware" lock and/or the "software" lock.

Note that the OTA or Remote Software Update is an I-Step upgrade, so be sure to disable that if you've had your DME unlocked. However, automatic map updates are not I-Step upgrades and may be freely applied.

Clear as mud?

I was told by my local speed shop that MY2020 M550's are DME locked if the build date is from July 2019 and up. 2020's built from June 2019 and earlier are not locked. My car was built in July 2019 and is locked. They checked.

[Manley00]

Originally Posted by HerkHealer

I was told by my local speed shop that MY2020 M550's are DME locked if the build date is from July 2019 and up. 2020's built from June 2019 and earlier are not locked. My car was built in July 2019 and is locked. They checked.

Exact same build… all though it can be bench unlocked. Which what they are saying the 21 and newer can not. So I “guess” we are lucky lol

[HerkHealer]

Originally Posted by Manley00

Exact same build… all though it can be bench unlocked. Which what they are saying the 21 and newer can not. So I “guess” we are lucky lol

I was told that my car is DME "locked" for certain.
These guys also build 2,000 HP Supras, Lambos, Ferraris, etc.
So I believe them. The owner did tell me that a DME unlock should be coming this year. But he also told me that last summer. So who knows.........

[choppedliver]

Originally Posted by Manley00

Exact same build… all though it can be bench unlocked. Which what they are saying the 21 and newer can not. So I “guess” we are lucky lol

My local tuner shop says the break point between MY's is June 30th. My car is early June and we will see if it is DME locked shortly. Likely only a bench unlock needed which would be cheaper/easier.

[WretchedRefuse]

My vehicle production date was August 2019 and my DME was bench unlocked to flash BM3. I think that the June/July date is referring to the DME build rather than the vehicle build, so mine must have been prior to that.

I don't launch my car very often but can say that Stage 1 is definitely a big jump in performance. I don't have much interest in doing downpipes and Stage 2 since the gain isn't very much. For me, the next step would be bigger turbos and a custom tune.