US spec engine software vs European one!

[Obrfso]

Hi guys,


I decided to share my knowledge about these two softwares because last week i experienced some problems with my m3. While driving check engine light came on and when i read the codes, it was written Torque Manager Monitor. My car was totally standard and i had original us spec software fitted. The guys from service suggested to put newest eu spec software in order to get rid of light.

They upgraded me with standard but newest eu spec software. and here it is:

WOW!!! there is such a significant difference!!! the car now revs much quicker and its way faster..!! the traction control flashes very often as previously it was not noticeable on dry road.

I strongly recommend to you to do the upgrade if you have a us spec car!!

[edwinm3]

I'm pretty sure they just updated you with the latest sw that everyone else is getting. Maybe one of the tuners here can chime in

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Obrfso

Hi guys,


I decided to share my knowledge about these two softwares because last week i experienced some problems with my m3. While driving check engine light came on and when i read the codes, it was written Torque Manager Monitor. My car was totally standard and i had original us spec software fitted. The guys from service suggested to put newest eu spec software in order to get rid of light.

They upgraded me with standard but newest eu spec software. and here it is:

WOW!!! there is such a significant difference!!! the car now revs much quicker and its way faster..!! the traction control flashes very often as previously it was not noticeable on dry road.

I strongly recommend to you to do the upgrade if you have a us spec car!!

Is it really a US vs EU software thing? Or maybe it is simply that you got flashed with a more recent version of the software ?

[Obrfso]

I had US spec software for sure! they called me and asked me whether i want newest EU spec software instead of mine... i agreed and they changed it!!

[blankstar43]

Originally Posted by Obrfso

I had US spec software for sure! they called me and asked me whether i want newest EU spec software instead of mine... i agreed and they changed it!!

sooo what US version did you have??

[CanAutM3]

I got info from someone quite knowledgable on the topic. In his opinion, there is very little difference between Euro and US software, mostly emissions related.

[Vic311]

Its well established that software updates do nothing to make the car "faster".

Purely pyschological.

[Obrfso]

i honestly think guys you are not correct. Faster meaning that the car has got more bhp and accelerates faster. There are many aspects which differ between Us and Eu. One of them is petrol. The quality and octan figures differ in the US and are much worse than in Europe. As a result it is logical that the EU software can be more powerful as the quality of petrol is better and as a result higher performance can be undertaken from m3.

There is no psychology in it, i am sure what i am writing.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Obrfso

i honestly think guys you are not correct. Faster meaning that the car has got more bhp and accelerates faster. There are many aspects which differ between Us and Eu. One of them is petrol. The quality and octan figures differ in the US and are much worse than in Europe. As a result it is logical that the EU software can be more powerful as the quality of petrol is better and as a result higher performance can be undertaken from m3.

There is no psychology in it, i am sure what i am writing.

The quality of fuel and octane ratings available in North America are very similar to Europe. Don't get fooled by RON and AKI designations...

I am not saying your impressions are wrong. When I got my car flashed to a newer software version, it felt noticeably quicker. Even my wife said she could feel it from the passenger seat. I beleive that your impression of increased performance is related to a newer software version rather than a EU vs US thing.

[Jon@Bimmersport Automotive]

Originally Posted by Obrfso

i honestly think guys you are not correct. Faster meaning that the car has got more bhp and accelerates faster. There are many aspects which differ between Us and Eu. One of them is petrol. The quality and octan figures differ in the US and are much worse than in Europe. As a result it is logical that the EU software can be more powerful as the quality of petrol is better and as a result higher performance can be undertaken from m3.

There is no psychology in it, i am sure what i am writing.

Could be the fact all adaptations were cleared or placebo depending on how out of date you are (80E>240E or 231E>240E for example), the ECU software *may* be the same since the cats are the same. Earlier model cars like E46 M3 had different cats, so in turn different software I'd assume.

Would be best to hear it from a software engineer.....*paging* Mike Benvo.

Fuel ratings may be similar, but quality is much different and additives. For example BMW LL04 oil is reported OK to use with EU grade gas in petrol cars....however in NA it should ONLY be used in Diesel vehicles, not gas engines. It is a service bulletin by BMW.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Jon@Bimmersport Automotive

Would be best to hear it from a software engineer.....*paging* Mike Benvo.

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I got info from someone quite knowledgable on the topic. In his opinion, there is very little difference between Euro and US software, mostly emissions related.

Mike is the person I was refering to

Quote:

Have tested euro sw vs us software and its basically the same.

Main difference is emissions stuff like DMTL. Very minimal vanos changes.

The guy may have been updated from an old version of US to a new version of Euro or something like that.

And to my knowledge, dealers don't have a choice which software they load. It goes according to the vehicle order/VIN

[sycd]

Somehow I doubt that a US dealership would go through the trouble of flashing you to anything but what your car is supposed to get in the US.

They probably just upgraded you to the latest vanilla US-spec software rev and gave you some BS about European software to make you feel special

[Jon@Bimmersport Automotive]

Originally Posted by sycd

Somehow I doubt that a US dealership would go through the trouble of flashing you to anything but what your car is supposed to get in the US.

They probably just upgraded you to the latest vanilla US-spec software rev and gave you some BS about European software to make you feel special

I think its a US spec car in Germany from his details.

[sycd]

Originally Posted by Jon@Bimmersport Automotive

I think its a US spec car in Germany from his details.

Oh missed that *facepalm*. Going back under my rock

[Obrfso]

Yes its a US spec but i am located in Germany. I have got the newest EU software, not the new US one..

And It works way better....

[SYZ]

It's probably software adaptations that were cleared when you did the reflash.