[Berzerker]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Yes, that is my question. You confused me above by discussing a cheap tablet and leaving it in your car and I was wondering why you would do that instead of just installing it on your phone. I guess a tablet would be easier to read.

ProTool is Android-only, they may have an iPhone so probably to solve that problem they keep their tablet in the car so it's always available, I guess?

[F87source]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Yes, that is my question. You confused me above by discussing a cheap tablet and leaving it in your car and I was wondering why you would do that instead of just installing it on your phone. I guess a tablet would be easier to read.

I use a tablet for gauges because it is bigger and easier to see, I also have protool on my phone but I prefer to just have a dedicated tablet for only car things.

[DomEDG]

If this is a stupid question apologies but you mention that it can not flash Ecu’s so I’m curious as to what exactly that means you can not do.

What would be an example of flashing over coding simply updating for newer software or flashing Ecu being a term commonly used for getting the car mapped?

Thanks in advance

[F87source]

Originally Posted by DomEDG

If this is a stupid question apologies but you mention that it can not flash Ecu’s so I’m curious as to what exactly that means you can not do.

What would be an example of flashing over coding simply updating for newer software or flashing Ecu being a term commonly used for getting the car mapped?

Thanks in advance

So what I mean by that is updating an ECU's software (ECU = electronic control module, and DME = Digital motor electronics and this is the engine computer that we traditionally refer to as ECU but for bmw's it's DME) to a newer version. You can do the entire car at once in what is know as an ISTEP or I level update, and this is not possible with protocol. You'd need esys or ISTA to do that, and this is one of the few things protocol cannot do that esys can.

[DomEDG]

Originally Posted by F87source

So what I mean by that is updating an ECU's software (ECU = electronic control module, and DME = Digital motor electronics and this is the engine computer that we traditionally refer to as ECU but for bmw's it's DME) to a newer version. You can do the entire car at once in what is know as an ISTEP or I level update, and this is not possible with protocol. You'd need esys or ISTA to do that, and this is one of the few things protocol cannot do that esys can.

Thank you for the reply, just out of curiosity then how many updates or what would you gain through updates on a 2018 m240i

[F87source]

Originally Posted by DomEDG

Thank you for the reply, just out of curiosity then how many updates or what would you gain through updates on a 2018 m240i

I'm not sure, for example on my 2017 m2 with a 2016 build date and 2016 software, when I moved to 2020 software I got a bunch of features that I didn't have before. For example m2cs steering coding, m2cs diff coding, m2cs dsc coding. And that by itself was worth the upgrade for me.

But to upgrade the software it's critical you have a very good microprocessor controller power supply capable of maintaining above 13.7v and capable of delivering 20amps+ (probably 30amps min is best) the entire flashing process or you'll brick the car of it dies during the flash.

[TitanNut88]

What would be a good battery charger?

[F87source]

Originally Posted by TitanNut88

What would be a good battery charger?

What would your goals be?

For simple coding sessions that are really quick, you can do them on a fully charged and healthy battery without any issues and without needing a battery charger.

For slightly longer coding sessions (or initally flashing an obd2 tune whenever the G series gets that) maybe 1 hr - 1 hr 30 mins TOPS, with a fully charged healthy battery and the low beams off and all interior lights off, climate control off etc. Then it is ok to use a CTEK MUS 7002 in supply mode which puts out 7 amps at 13.6 V. This will take an edge off the battery which should be consuming around 20 amps when the car is being coded, so you will be able to make it through those sessions safely.

For anything longer like flashing a new istep then you will need a good quality microprocessor controlled power supply capable of 40+ amps at like 14v. There was a whole thread about this on bimmerfest for what is required to flash an istep. You can also make your own out of a server power supply.

[TitanNut88]

Also, can a “normal” G80 M3 Competition xDrive be flashed with the CS gearbox/transmission, DSC and steering using Protool?

[F87source]

Originally Posted by TitanNut88

Also, can a “normal” G80 M3 Competition xDrive be flashed with the CS gearbox/transmission, DSC and steering using Protool?

If the required parts are shared and your ISTEP is new enough to support it then likely yes.

[TitanNut88]

Originally Posted by F87source

If the required parts are shared and your ISTEP is new enough to support it then likely yes.

If someone could post kind of a tutorial it would be fine. I tried to follow the F87 tutorial of the first post but, of course, the options looks completely different. Also, I am not getting the “expert” button.
Thanks in advance!

[F87source]

Originally Posted by TitanNut88

If someone could post kind of a tutorial it would be fine. I tried to follow the F87 tutorial of the first post but, of course, the options looks completely different. Also, I am not getting the “expert” button.
Thanks in advance!

Contact the protool team, they'll probably be able to help.

[pyo]

Originally Posted by F87source

If the required parts are shared and your ISTEP is new enough to support it then likely yes.

Protools can only code, it cannot flash. They repeatedly state this on their Facebook group support.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by pyo

Protools can only code, it cannot flash. They repeatedly state this on their Facebook group support.

I'm well aware of that. But nothing I stated in the post you quoted was incorrect.

If your ISTEP is new enough and supports the coding, then you can enable it.

[vasillalov]

I wouldn't bother with Protool. I have a master license and its a crapshoot even with just coding. Literally half of the modules can't even be coded with it.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

I wouldn't bother with Protool. I have a master license and its a crapshoot even with just coding. Literally half of the modules can't even be coded with it.

As the cars get older protool will add more functionality, that's just how it is with newer cars - they take time to develop. Just like how the G series doesn't even have proper OBD2 flash tuning yet.

[pyo]

Originally Posted by TitanNut88

Also, can a “normal” G80 M3 Competition xDrive be flashed with the CS gearbox/transmission, DSC and steering using Protool?

Originally Posted by F87source

I'm well aware of that. But nothing I stated in the post you quoted was incorrect.

If your ISTEP is new enough and supports the coding, then you can enable it.

Meant to quote this poster. Just wanted to make it clear no flashing with Protools. You state it in your OP

[F87source]

Originally Posted by pyo

Meant to quote this poster. Just wanted to make it clear no flashing with Protools. You state it in your OP

Most people use flashing and coding synonymously because of tuning. So when they're talking about anything but the ISTEP they generally mean coding.

[TitanNut88]

Honestly, I asked for flashing but I have no idea if the CS settings are actually coded or flashed, that’s why I asked.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by TitanNut88

Honestly, I asked for flashing but I have no idea if the CS settings are actually coded or flashed, that’s why I asked.

It's coded

Unless your ISTEP is too old in which you will need to flash a new one first, but protool can't do that.