[mattssi]

I've been trying to understand what I'm buying before I buy - the PTF site and documentation has bunch of broken links so it has been less than helpful.

Anyway, this is what I think all of this means.

Any "custom" ROM has all the fancy features that aren't built into the vehicle from the factory (map switching, etc.).

For BM3, they have a standard ROM and custom ROM offering (I'm told anyway)
For MHD, the standard rom is called "MHD Flasher License", the custom ROM is called "MHD+" or "MHD Super Tuning License"

I emailed BM3 and they told me that the "custom ROM option is there to bring the price down for users who do not care for the extra options". That sounds like the opposite of what I expect. Also, I don't even see an option for a non-custom ROM on their site.

I know this is simple, but I can't find a straight-forward answer. Ultimately, I want my base M3 to be able to take advantage of the no-lift-shift on MHD or (soon) BM3.

Thanks for the help!

[SwankPeRFection]

Originally Posted by mattssi

Ultimately, I want my base M3 to be able to take advantage of the no-lift-shift on MHD or (soon) BM3.

Thanks for the help!

Then you want custom ROM options. You may not use them all, but they’ll be there if you want them. Better to have and not need than to need and not have. Remember, FEMTO unlock and reflashing of base ROM behavior isn’t cheap and super fast, so there’s no reason not to go custom and end up sending it back for it later again for more money. Current BM3 isn’t worth it based on what they said the new version will do. Either wait for that or MHD now. Your choice.

[mattssi]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

Then you want custom ROM options. You may not use them all, but they’ll be there if you want them. Better to have and not need than to need and not have. Remember, FEMTO unlock and reflashing of base ROM behavior isn’t cheap and super fast, so there’s no reason not to go custom and end up sending it back for it later again for more money. Current BM3 isn’t worth it based on what they said the new version will do. Either wait for that or MHD now. Your choice.

Thanks for that. This is where I get a little confused...

So, the custom ROM is what ONLY femto can do (aside from the unlocking)? I was thinking if BM3 or MHD came up with a new ROM, I would be able to update it on my own. Similar to flashing a new map.

Damn. If that is true, I'm with you. JordanTuned has loved MHD, plus they have the no-lift-shift feature already! Not that I am doing anything close to that best of a ride.

[mattssi]

I also agree - why would you NOT flash a custom ROM? I can't find which part of the process is cheaper when you go the standard route vs custom.

[blackdm]

Originally Posted by mattssi

Thanks for that. This is where I get a little confused...

So, the custom ROM is what ONLY femto can do (aside from the unlocking)? I was thinking if BM3 or MHD came up with a new ROM, I would be able to update it on my own. Similar to flashing a new map.

Damn. If that is true, I'm with you. JordanTuned has loved MHD, plus they have the no-lift-shift feature already! Not that I am doing anything close to that best of a ride.

What is the no-lift-shift feature

[mattssi]

Originally Posted by blackdm

What is the no-lift-shift feature

Allows you to stay on the throttle (floored) and only have to manipulate the clutch and shifter during shifts. Allows you to keep the boost up between shifts.

[blackdm]

Originally Posted by mattssi

Allows you to stay on the throttle (floored) and only have to manipulate the clutch and shifter during shifts. Allows you to keep the boost up between shifts.

Is this a manual transmission only feature?

[SwankPeRFection]

Originally Posted by mattssi

Thanks for that. This is where I get a little confused...

So, the custom ROM is what ONLY femto can do (aside from the unlocking)? I was thinking if BM3 or MHD came up with a new ROM, I would be able to update it on my own. Similar to flashing a new map.

Damn. If that is true, I'm with you. JordanTuned has loved MHD, plus they have the no-lift-shift feature already! Not that I am doing anything close to that best of a ride.

Some things have to shift around in the layout of the DME memory in order for those new features to work. Because of this, it’s that low level change that has to be done by FEMTO. It’s a base functionality thing. Think of it like building a new bookcase. The maps that BM3 builds or tuners build is just books that go in it, but they’re in a specific layout that must match the expected layout of that bookcase in order to work. This is why BM3 requires a rebuild of map calibrations (even stock BMW maps) in order for the car to run. The format/layout has to change to match the new DME layout and memory calls.

[SwankPeRFection]

Originally Posted by blackdm

Is this a manual transmission only feature?

Yes.

[mattssi]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

Some things have to shift around in the layout of the DME memory in order for those new features to work. Because of this, it’s that low level change that has to be done by FEMTO. It’s a base functionality thing. Think of it like building a new bookcase. The maps that BM3 builds or tuners build is just books that go in it, but they’re in a specific layout that must match the expected layout of that bookcase in order to work. This is why BM3 requires a rebuild of map calibrations (even stock BMW maps) in order for the car to run. The format/layout has to change to match the new DME layout and memory calls.

Nice, thank you!

[mike@x-ph.com]

I don't know if things have changed since the last time I flashed my DME, but the price for the unlock from Femto is the same as the regular flash or the custom ROM.

Custom rom allows additional features like the multimap and flex-fuel, among others. it's a bm3 specific feature, not Femto related

If you are doing the flash, you might as well do the custom rom instead of the regular flash. I dont know why they even offer the regular flash since the custom rom is better in every way with 0 drawbacks and its the same price

[SwankPeRFection]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Custom rom allows additional features like the multimap and flex-fuel, among others. it's a bm3 specific feature, not Femto related

I don’t think a non-custom ROM unlock is still available, but when it was, you could not run the additional feature maps unless you resent the DME back to FEMTO to bench it again. There’s some low level rewrites that have to take place that can’t be done by just the calibration change that BM3’s flashes do. So, while they are a BM3 feature, the base “unlock AND functionality layout” still requires FEMTO to make happen. Just like the additional stuff they’re adding in the new version will require resending the DMEs back to FEMTO for another update.

[mattssi]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

I don’t think a non-custom ROM unlock is still available, but when it was, you could not run the additional feature maps unless you resent the DME back to FEMTO to bench it again. There’s some low level rewrites that have to take place that can’t be done by just the calibration change that BM3’s flashes do. So, while they are a BM3 feature, the base “unlock AND functionality layout” still requires FEMTO to make happen. Just like the additional stuff they’re adding in the new version will require resending the DMEs back to FEMTO for another update.

Wow! There is another gold mine to be had for sure if anyone can figure this out state-side. It’s a crazy expensive endeavor to keep your ROMs updated. Albeit, I have no idea at which frequency those occur.

[chris3g]

The technical limitation here is because femto unlock is not providing full unrestricted access to the DME. the femto unlock only allows the end-user to flash the calibration area of the DME. CustomROM and mhd+ features are in the binary code part of the DME software and that is only writable by femto while they physically have your DME, so they need to apply it for you and likewise they need it shipped back again to apply any updates to that area. On pre-2020 unlocked units you can just flash all of that stuff yourself.

[SwankPeRFection]

^^^^ I can’t believe nobody this side of the pond hasn’t sniffed out the protocol interface of the BMW tools flash process during a full flash of a DME with actual dealer tools.

I almost feel like nothing has been done because if we make it an easier process for everyone, BMW might be pushed to lock stuff down even more. Maybe now it’s just difficult enough where some don’t want to bother with the downtime and cost, whereas if it was faster or even possible at home, more would do it.

[yoandry]

Originally Posted by SwankPeRFection

whereas if it was faster or even possible at home, more would do it.

Oh me waiting at home for that to happen lol