Few quick questions on MHD

[Matticus91]

I've been running a JB4 but I'm getting pretty sick of the peaky powerband and the process to install/remove it.

For those with an MHD and a warranty, have you ever had any issues with a claim or dealership? I know the MHD flashes are visible and my concern is it will void my warranty...

Second question - anyone with a 2012/2013 car that requires the bench flash, can you provide some details on this? Who did it, what did it cost, etc.

Any input appreciated!

[zx10guy]

As far as I know, MHD hasn't been able to unlock our "special" DMEs yet. I've been following the development of the N55 MHD tune and got cold feet when I read about a person who had problems with flashing his DME. To couple that incident with them still trying to figure out how to unlock our DMEs, made me go the Dinan route.

As I told you, BMW of Rockville is part of the greater BMW chain of dealers under Priority One. This includes Towson and Bel Air. Towson is an authorized Dinan dealer/installer. So chances are BMW of Rockville won't even blink an eye if you go in there with a Dinan tune. But the cost of the Dinan tune is way more than it was when they were running the special now.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

As far as I know, MHD hasn't been able to unlock our "special" DMEs yet. I've been following the development of the N55 MHD tune and got cold feet when I read about a person who had problems with flashing his DME. To couple that incident with them still trying to figure out how to unlock our DMEs, made me go the Dinan route.

As I told you, BMW of Rockville is part of the greater BMW chain of dealers under Priority One. This includes Towson and Bel Air. Towson is an authorized Dinan dealer/installer. So chances are BMW of Rockville won't even blink an eye if you go in there with a Dinan tune. But the cost of the Dinan tune is way more than it was when they were running the special now.

That price is really still more than I'd like to pay... I really like the features of the MHD it just seems to be a gamble.

Still seems accurate:
JB4 = undetectable, cheap uneven power
MHD = fun noises decent power risky tune
Dinan = expensive as shit, even powerband and warranty safe

[1and1]

I'm sure you two have seen the following already, but for other N55 folks who wander thru and aren't up to speed the following is from MHD's N55 page-

Vehicle equipped with a MEVD1726 DME (built dating from around 03-2012) need a once time DME removal and bench flash to allow OBD flashing.


Q: How can I determine if the DME is directly flashable or needs a one time bench flash?

A: got to http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select and enter the last 7 digits of your VIN in serial number. Click Browse parts the ENGINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and check both CONTROL UNITS > MEVD1726 section. If the it says "No parts found matching your car." you have a MEVD172 which is directly flashable.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by 1and1

I'm sure you two have seen the following already, but for other N55 folks who wander thru and aren't up to speed the following is from MHD's N55 page-

Yes. I have and it's pretty much a 100% certainty if you have a 2013 model, you have that "special" DME. But I did check for chagrins and found that I have that "special" DME.

[Matticus91]

Yep all 2013 cars have it, that's the whole reason for the bench flash

[xQx]

So, it doesn't help if you can't flash your ECU, but I found the JB4's peaky power was smoothed out heaps with the JB4 Back End Flash (done via MHD).

JB4 gives you a level of safety, and the ability to go to meth that you don't get with straight MHD. I've got bluetooth gauges which I recon are much better than the MHD + ODBII Cable.

But according to the MHD FAQ you just need to get a bench flash, isn't that as easy as dropping into the nearest aftermarket BMW tuner?
(I'm genuinely interested - I thought it was like a $100 - $200 once-off job)

[1and1]

MHD Tuning Some N55 questions here for ya!

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by xQx

So, it doesn't help if you can't flash your ECU, but I found the JB4's peaky power was smoothed out heaps with the JB4 Back End Flash (done via MHD).

JB4 gives you a level of safety, and the ability to go to meth that you don't get with straight MHD. I've got bluetooth gauges which I recon are much better than the MHD + ODBII Cable.

But according to the MHD FAQ you just need to get a bench flash, isn't that as easy as dropping into the nearest aftermarket BMW tuner?
(I'm genuinely interested - I thought it was like a $100 - $200 once-off job)

I'm honestly not sure on price, but that does sound about what I'd expect. However my main concern is the change in flash records in the event of a warranty claim, especially if it wasn't done by a BMW shop.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by xQx

So, it doesn't help if you can't flash your ECU, but I found the JB4's peaky power was smoothed out heaps with the JB4 Back End Flash (done via MHD).

JB4 gives you a level of safety, and the ability to go to meth that you don't get with straight MHD. I've got bluetooth gauges which I recon are much better than the MHD + ODBII Cable.

But according to the MHD FAQ you just need to get a bench flash, isn't that as easy as dropping into the nearest aftermarket BMW tuner?
(I'm genuinely interested - I thought it was like a $100 - $200 once-off job)

Yes, the FAQ states a one time initial bench flash is needed. But they haven't worked out the bugs in getting that done yet. They were able to unlock a locked DME and were able to only flash it once. They're working on why their unlock procedure didn't work.

[1and1]

Doesn't apply to me or my N54, but curious how the other earlier N55's with the DME's that don't need to be bench flashed are behaving?

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by 1and1

Doesn't apply to me or my N54, but curious how the other earlier N55's with the DME's that don't need to be bench flashed are behaving?

For the most part fine. But I did read of one person who had an issue flashing his DME and ended up bricking it. Turned out to be a collision of things and a software bug. But reading about this issue along with them having difficulties working out the unlocking of the locked DMEs, made me go a different route.

[MHD Tuning]

Originally Posted by xQx

So, it doesn't help if you can't flash your ECU, but I found the JB4's peaky power was smoothed out heaps with the JB4 Back End Flash (done via MHD).

JB4 gives you a level of safety, and the ability to go to meth that you don't get with straight MHD. I've got bluetooth gauges which I recon are much better than the MHD + ODBII Cable.

But according to the MHD FAQ you just need to get a bench flash, isn't that as easy as dropping into the nearest aftermarket BMW tuner?
(I'm genuinely interested - I thought it was like a $100 - $200 once-off job)

Several JB4 safeties are in palce because the DME is blinded and that disables the DME own safeties. You can use meth flash only with a simple stand alone meth controller.

Originally Posted by zx10guy

For the most part fine. But I did read of one person who had an issue flashing his DME and ended up bricking it. Turned out to be a collision of things and a software bug. But reading about this issue along with them having difficulties working out the unlocking of the locked DMEs, made me go a different route.

One person had an issue in the early beta phase with a very specific, n55 specific course of events (manipulations with ignition off), we ended up fixing the DME ourselves and fixed this corner case in the app months ago.