Can the dealer recode my entire car?

rallycobra · 08-02-2018, 10:04 PM

I just purchased a 2 owner 2008 e92 M3 without satellite radio but it has prep. I will do the physical install of a sirius receiver. The dealer will code the car for the sat radio. I know that the car has been previously coded since it shows a digital speedometer. I don't think a software update has been done, and I think the latest is a v241 for the S65 motor that improves performance.

If I bring it to the dealer, do they recode all of the modules? Should I ask for it? Is there an easy way to tell engine software revision?
The car is all stock, but it was coded by the first owner. If it isn't broken don't fix it?

ctuna · 08-02-2018, 11:20 PM

Chances are they will write over any custom coding you have.
As far as I know you have to have Ista d or Inpa to read the i-level of the car .

Bimmertech use to have some good deals on Sat Modules
and they would code it remotely.

smass · 08-03-2018, 08:43 AM

Software update/i-level and coding are 2 different things. Take your key to the dealer and ask for a key read. That will pop a screen that shows the software version/i-level your car is on. If you are on older software, they can update it for 1-2 hours of labor. The actual process may take 8 hours. It will update, and default to factory settings, all modules that have a software update available.

Coding for sat is a different process where the option is added to the configuration files of your car. I think the way the dealer does this will default modules to factory settings for modules that need to be changed to add the sat option. An independent coder would not default these settings.

ISTA+ will show you your current i-level and is an excellent diagnostic code reader for our cars. The same cable used for ISTA+ is also be used for coding.

08-02-2018, 10:04 PM	#1
rallycobra Private First Class 14 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Central NJ iTrader: (1)	Can the dealer recode my entire car? I just purchased a 2 owner 2008 e92 M3 without satellite radio but it has prep. I will do the physical install of a sirius receiver. The dealer will code the car for the sat radio. I know that the car has been previously coded since it shows a digital speedometer. I don't think a software update has been done, and I think the latest is a v241 for the S65 motor that improves performance. If I bring it to the dealer, do they recode all of the modules? Should I ask for it? Is there an easy way to tell engine software revision? The car is all stock, but it was coded by the first owner. If it isn't broken don't fix it?
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08-02-2018, 11:20 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,104 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Chances are they will write over any custom coding you have. As far as I know you have to have Ista d or Inpa to read the i-level of the car . Bimmertech use to have some good deals on Sat Modules and they would code it remotely.
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08-03-2018, 08:43 AM	#3
smass Lieutenant Colonel 398 Rep 1,579 Posts Drives: 06 325i - 10 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 E90 335i [0.00] 2016 F15 35i [0.00] 2003 E53 3.0 [0.00] 2006 E90 325i [0.00]	Software update/i-level and coding are 2 different things. Take your key to the dealer and ask for a key read. That will pop a screen that shows the software version/i-level your car is on. If you are on older software, they can update it for 1-2 hours of labor. The actual process may take 8 hours. It will update, and default to factory settings, all modules that have a software update available. Coding for sat is a different process where the option is added to the configuration files of your car. I think the way the dealer does this will default modules to factory settings for modules that need to be changed to add the sat option. An independent coder would not default these settings. ISTA+ will show you your current i-level and is an excellent diagnostic code reader for our cars. The same cable used for ISTA+ is also be used for coding.
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