[MegaModder]

First post. Thought I'd use it to share my experience with a first real mod, the Cobb AP v3 tune, the inevitable Unsupported ROM issue, and dealing with my dealer for SB120912 and ISTA 2.53.

Short version is (1) bought Cobb, (2) ROM not supported, (3) warranty updated, (4) Cobb installed, (5) big immediate power gains, (6) big grins and big thumbs up.

Before all that, I have to say a huge thanks to all here for posting so much great information about all the available tunes and DME/ROM issues and resolutions. I found a ton of unbiased posts about the JB4 and Vishnu and Cobb tunes and how to deal with flashing older ROM cars.

Long version. The car is a used 2011 (but new to me) black sedan with oyster interior 335 AT slush box, M-SPORT package, and 20k miles. The only mods I've done so far have been black grilles, "performance" shift knob/boot and a high flow panel filter.

I ordered the Cobb AP v3 (direct from Cobb for $730 with discount and free shipping) not knowing if my ROM was supported. A gamble. Got it yesterday. Like most it seems, I discovered in the first 5 minutes that my ROM version was unsupported. Not unrecognized, I wish, at least if it's unrecognized you can store and upload your ROM and get a new firmware version. But there are 2 ROM versions that are totally unsupported and it seems like most cars have the old code. I tried updating the Cobb with their latest BETA firmware but it still would not install. I decided to try to get my on-board ROM version updated by my dealer before returning the tune.

I researched the ROM upgrade process here, thanks to all, printed service bulletin 120912 and made an appointment for "fluctuating RPMs and stalling". It's not easy to get warranty work for a problem they can't see and a problem that throws no codes . I tried not to sound like I knew too much but also I tried not to sound like I was totally in the dark either. Somewhere in between seemed to work for me. I told them a story about RPMs going up and down and stalling but very infrequently and not reproducible. I gave them the print out and said I had heard SB 120912 worked for a lot of people like me.

They spent a few hours running diagnostics via the ODB2 port and a network cable, said they found an "unfavorable DME version" situation and the next day (today) they encoded the car with ISTA P 2.53.3. The car ran great after the update, it idled a little lower and smoother and maybe it even pulled a bit harder. The update is good all the way around if you can get it.

I got home and plugged in the Cobb. I installed the Stage 1 Aggressive map since I use 93 all the time. Installed no problems in about 15 minutes. First impression was "wow". I've done a lot of mods on a lot of cars and this was the biggest single bolt-on seat-of-the-pants improvement I can remember. The power hits much harder and earlier and pulls harder and longer. Drive-ability seems totally unchanged. You can tell there is a lot more power coming out of the turbo(s) and it now shows 15.5 to 16.5 psi on the gauges during on WOT runs. Lag seems generally unchanged but the switch from no boost to boost is much more noticeable. It's a big hard "whack" instead of a long steady pull and it gets to the red line much quicker now.

There are new traction issues too. Lots of new wheel-spin off the line and I got some nice wheel-spin in Manual going into 2nd for the first time ever and that was on a 90 degree day on relatively new OEM tires. So two big thumbs up to E90Post, Cobb on TwinPower turbos, and good old SB120912.

[LGCubana]

Originally Posted by SuperGriggy

First post. ...
I ordered the Cobb AP v3 (direct from Cobb for $730 with discount and free shipping) ...

Nice to here, as I'm doing the same to my 2011 335i next week.

How did you get the unit for $730 ?

[Johnny Boost]

Thanks for the write up OP

[snaimpally]

If unsure about your ROM, buying direct from Cobb is a good idea because Cobb offers a 30 day money back guarantee. So if your ROM is unsupported and your dealer won't upgrade your ROM for whatever reason, you can send it back for a refund.

[Johnny Boost]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

If unsure about your ROM, buying direct from Cobb is a good idea because Cobb offers a 30 day money back guarantee. So if your ROM is unsupported and your dealer won't upgrade your ROM for whatever reason, you can send it back for a refund.

There are also 3rd party shops that can update your DME. It also depends what DME version you have. I would not assume that you need to update it. I had an unrecognized ROM and all I had to do was send my ROM info to cobb support and they came out with beta firmware within 24 hours.

[g2BMW]

where did you find a print version for the service bulletin?

[MegaModder]

Originally Posted by g2BMW

where did you find a print version for the service bulletin?

I found a copy using Google but it was not something you could print. I did a full screen capture and pasted the images into a Word doc and printed it in color so it would look legit. I have posted the Word doc to my website to download here: http://www.hotiron.com/BMW.N55.SB.120912.doc It is really just 3 JPG images in a DOC file format.

[MegaModder]

Originally Posted by Johnny Boost

I had an unrecognized ROM and all I had to do was send my ROM info to cobb support and they came out with beta firmware within 24 hours.

Yeah, that's not so bad. I would have liked to get the "Unrecognized ROM" error, in my situation it was the "Unsupported ROM" error message. Not something they will support and you can't get to the "dump your ROM" screen. I think you are stuck with either get the update somehow or return the tune.

[MegaModder]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

. . . buying direct from Cobb is a good idea because Cobb offers a 30 day money back guarantee. . .

That was my thinking exactly. You can get it from TopGear Solutions for $100 off the $895 list price but they clearly state all sales are final and no returns so I trusted in the 30 Day Guarantee direct from the manufacturer.

[MegaModder]

Originally Posted by LGCubana

. . . how did you get the unit for $730 ?

Thanks! I called them and sent a photograph of my old (retired) military ID and got 15% off. Cobb was great on the phone and through their support tickets. Very helpful and responsive. I had a good experience dealing with Drew and John there.

[MUFASA1]

Originally Posted by Johnny Boost

There are also 3rd party shops that can update your DME. It also depends what DME version you have. I would not assume that you need to update it. I had an unrecognized ROM and all I had to do was send my ROM info to cobb support and they came out with beta firmware within 24 hours.

There are two ROMS that COBB completely does not support because the ECU can hang during flashing I have one like that and the TSB is the main solution. I got screwed bcoz my dumb ass installed downpipes before the tune and so dealer couldn't risk doing it even if unpaid him. Congrats OP enjoy

[MegaModder]

The gauges mode shows 15.5 psi to 16.5 psi average peak boot on repeated WOT runs. It showed 19.5 psi peak boost a couple times. Is that possible with the Cobb AP aggressive map and basically a stock motor (stock plastic charge pipe, stock downpipe, and high flow drop-in style panel filter).

[Subaru335i]

No that is just from throttle closure. The MAP sensor is pre throttle body so your motor actually isn't seeing that much boost. Take a log and plot what your boost looks like for a whole pull not just peak values from a guage.

[Johnny Boost]

Originally Posted by MUFASA1

There are two ROMS that COBB completely does not support because the ECU can hang during flashing I have one like that and the TSB is the main solution. I got screwed bcoz my dumb ass installed downpipes before the tune and so dealer couldn't risk doing it even if unpaid him. Congrats OP enjoy

Ya exactly. What I was saying is that you should make sure that you have one of those two ROMs. Because if you don't, Cobb support may be able to help you.

[Johnny Boost]

Originally Posted by LGCubana

Nice to here, as I'm doing the same to my 2011 335i next week.

How did you get the unit for $730 ?

N54tuning has them for $785 right now shipped.

[MegaModder]

Originally Posted by Johnny Boost

N54tuning has them for $785 right now shipped.

$110 instant savings is even better than TopGear Solutions. Nice.