BMW Updated Software: Turbo Lag

[Nemesis335i]

In November of 2008, Autoblog.com ran an article about a free software update for early 335 owners.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/18/bmw-finally-acknowledges-turbo-lag-will-update-software/

I'll be taking my car in for service soon and wanted to see if anyone has taken advantage of this software update and what their thoughts are on it.

BMW North America Statement:

"In an effort to address specific noise concerns, BMW updated the turbocharged engine software on 335i/xi and 535i/xi models built from June 2006 through March 2008. The updated software causes a small amount of increased "turbocharger lag" under certain circumstances and, while not substantial, the lag may be perceptible to the most sensitive BMW drivers. X6, 135i, and 3 Series/5 Series vehicles from March 2008 production onward are not affected. Release of the new software to restore the original turbocharger response is planned for January 2009, and it will be available for vehicles produced from September 2007 through March 2008 when they are brought to an authorized BMW center for a repair which requires a programming update. Clients with vehicles produced from June 2006 through September 2007 may request installation of the January 2009 software update. Clients who get this update should understand that there is a possibility of slightly increased engine noise levels under certain circumstances."

[Bandit335]

I hope this isn't just a false reason to get the update so as to lower the low end torque that has BMW worried about the longevity of the turbo engines. I remember someone posting a while back about getting a similar update, which made the car seem much slower. It reduced the torque at low revs so that there wouldn't be as much load on the engine.

[Beer Goggles]

This was to address the complaints. After the update I noticed the change and the sound difference. I'm almost at my year service and I'll ask to have it done.

[Bandit335]

This was to address the complaints. After the update I noticed the change and the sound difference. I'm almost at my year service and I'll ask to have it done.


So this will be a second update on the same issue? Did the first update make it worse? My car was produced in Sept 07 as a 2008 model and I'm not sure whether to ask for the update. Everything seems okay as far as I can tell.

[mryakan]

So this will be a second update on the same issue? Did the first update make it worse? My car was produced in Sept 07 as a 2008 model and I'm not sure whether to ask for the update. Everything seems okay as far as I can tell.
Yes, if I understand correctly, the 1st one was to fix some rattling noise reported by many but it introduced some benign lag that many others started complaining about. So I guess now they are offering to eliminate the lag and give you the noise back :shifty.

[Beer Goggles]

I had the first update where I felt a change in response and actually sound. I hear a buzz and rattle during acceleration that they didn't address, nothing serious but when I go back in I'll ask about the new update and see what's up with my little buzzer.

[Bandit335]

So in my case I will not ask for one. I guess don't fix it if it ain't broken sort of thing.

[Beer Goggles]

Well when you bring it in for service it was an automatic update. So maybe they will give you the option of not having it.

[SAM67]

After reading the first sentence of BMW NA's statement, I (mis)interpreted it to mean that BMW was installing the software to correct the noise issue (which also induced turbo lag) at the factory for cars built between June 2006 and March 2008 (my 335i is a 3/08 build). I contacted the Service Director at my dealership who explained that this only effects BMW owners who had the software update installed by dealers to address specific noise complaints...or some other repair that required a reflash of the car's software. If the dealership hasn't done an update, the vehicle does not have the software that "fixes" the noise issue and creates the lag.

Sorry if I'm stating the obvious but I wanted to share this info just in case anyone was confused (like me) and thought they needed the Jan 2009 software updated based solely on their car's build date.

[Beer Goggles]

The software update was the V29 or something that is pretty well documented on the other site.

[RambleJ335]

I was just in for my service and I did not get the new update, nor do I want it.. I have a Sep 07 build but im also a fan of the if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Do I have turbo lag or don't I have turbo lag or is it the throttle response.. I don't know.. but what I do know is that my car runs fine and I can still juice on most cars on the road.

[sundancewind]

I have recently had an upload of the latest Progman version V32.1.0.2 .

I got my 2009 335xi E92 delivered to me on Dec 23rd 2008.
It's build completion date was Nov 17th 2008 and it then was promptly shipped to Montreal.

When it was delivered the voice activation system function was not working. I decided to take it anyways and return in the new year to have it looked at.

After only 400 miles of driving , I returned last week to have the voice activation system looked at by the dealer/service dept.

During these 400 miles I really not discern a turbo lag issue, however I was driving it very modestly due break in period and the unbelievable amount of snow we have had in January.

The service department took 7 days to figure out and correct my issue.
It required a new CIC ( computer) install and a complete software upload.
I now have the newest version of Progman installed V32.1.0.2. and with it came a very pleasant surprise.:)

I can now hear a nice engine growl as I accelerate, kind of like I have the golf tee mod. There is also a noticeable difference in acceleration sensitivity. I guess I did have turbo lag but was not able to compare it to anything.

[Bandit335]

I have recently had an upload of the latest Progman version V32.1.0.2 .

I got my 2009 335xi E92 delivered to me on Dec 23rd 2008.
It's build completion date was Nov 17th 2008 and it then was promptly shipped to Montreal.

When it was delivered the voice activation system function was not working. I decided to take it anyways and return in the new year to have it looked at.

After only 400 miles of driving , I returned last week to have the voice activation system looked at by the dealer/service dept.

During these 400 miles I really not discern a turbo lag issue, however I was driving it very modestly due break in period and the unbelievable amount of snow we have had in January.

The service department took 7 days to figure out and correct my issue.
It required a new CIC ( computer) install and a complete software upload.
I now have the newest version of Progman installed V32.1.0.2. and with it came a very pleasant surprise.:)

I can now hear a nice engine growl as I accelerate, kind of like I have the golf tee mod. There is also a noticeable difference in acceleration sensitivity. I guess I did have turbo lag but was not able to compare it to anything.


It sounds like a good outcome. Why wouldn't they just update every e92 335 if it's a net improvement. From the threads above I was thinking my Sept 07 build didn't require an update but upon reading about your outcome I'm not so sure anymore.

[drgrey]

Just read in "Roundel", the mag for the BMWCCA, that there is an unannounced "upgrade" for the engine computer that affects how much boost the turbos produce and when it comes on-much later that the advertised 1400 RPM. Apparently there is a factory fault that affects the wastegates which requires this modification to the computer. The problem is-as was reported- that the mod badly affects perfomance There is supposed to be a more recent mod that restores performance, but I don't know by how much. My '08 335i convert has 7800 mi and will soon be going in for its first service, It runs perfectly now and I love the way it drives. I don't want or need any mod to the computer.

Has anyone else had this problem or knowledge of the issue. I'd appreciate any info or suggestions before I take my car in. Many thanks,

Howard

[azhrei]

I would also be interested in hearing about this. In particular, which models are supposed to need the "upgrade".

[derbim]

I might have been one of the first. My 07 335i manual starting making a rattling noise upon mild de-acceleration with clutch depressed. Sounded as though something was loose. Initial diagnosis was that the waste-gates were rattling, this caused by vacuum hose(s) being pinched as they were routed too close to exhaust, and heat may have been causing a crimping. Since the waste gates are operated via vacuum....seemed a sensible solution. Re-routing the hoses did not however, fix the rattle. After another visit to dealer, got the software upgrade.....I have no noticeable turbo lag. If I do, it is so inconsequential as to not be readily noticeable, at least not as noteworthy as the waste-gate rattle, which sounded a lot like the heat baffles on the cats were falling off, or both license plates were dragging on the pavement. My dealer, in Solon, Ohio, really stuck with the problem until fixed. I was informed that they could not re-install or retro fit earlier software versions, and I have not pursued the veracity of that comment. Vehicle has 51k, gets 32 on the highway and 28 in the city, and runs like it just robbed a bank.

[Bandit335]

I took my car in for service and was told no upgrades, recalls etc... were offered for my car, a 2008 335 coupe with Sept 07 build date. I mentioned to the SA about the upgrade and told him the car seems fine, so he said don't mess with it then. It was like they never heard of it and had to check the computer for recalls on my particlular car. But I don't know how else it's supposed to feel since I never had any upgaded software nor any other issues. I don't really push the car hard so I wouldn't know if it did need an upgrade. I kind of agreed with the SA on the don't mess with it if it ain't broken, but curious to see where this goes and if there actually is an upgrade for my car that will make it run even better within factory parameters.

[bigj91]

If its not broke dont mess with it. Test drive an 09 version of your car and wot it, and then compare to your car.

[sundancewind]

If its not broke dont mess with it. Test drive an 09 version of your car and wot it, and then compare to your car.

I thought having an 09 car I had the latest software ( build date Nov 2008) but I was mistaken. Due to my voice activation system not working they had to upload a later version and yes I did notice a difference in both accelerator sensitivity and turbo sound. I am very happy with what has been uploaded.

[91M5]

Vehicle has 51k, gets 32 on the highway and 28 in the city, and runs like it just robbed a bank.

How do you get that kind of gas mileage? I get 18 in pure city driving and got about 26 on the highway at a steady 80mph driving the car up from Los Angeles.

[mryakan]

How do you get that kind of gas mileage? I get 18 in pure city driving and got about 26 on the highway at a steady 80mph driving the car up from Los Angeles.
I guess what some people call city driving is different from what other come to expect as city driving and to be honest there is no way to compare. I mean it all depends on how many stop lights/traffic lights are on your commute, the average stop duration and the average distance/speed between those stops. For example, city driving in Manhattan is no way like city driving on southern California city streets, heck those streets are better/wider than the highways in the east.
That being said, my commute here is brutal on gas, lots of traffic lights that stay forever on red and not enough highway driving to make up the difference, so now in the winter , I am averaging just shy of 20mpg on my 323.

[91M5]

This guy's car is an awd 335i. Maybe they have 94 octane or something in Canada.

[IS300E30]

How can you check to see what software version you have? I have a 2008 335i with I-Drive. How do I check as I just got my first service and since then I do feel some turbo lag. I sure hope they didnt add the turbo lag software. How do I check this please?

Bump...Please help :)

Bump...Please help :)

[Bandit335]

How can you check to see what software version you have? I have a 2008 335i with I-Drive. How do I check as I just got my first service and since then I do feel some turbo lag. I sure hope they didnt add the turbo lag software. How do I check this please?

Bump...Please help :)

Bump...Please help :)


How about asking the dealer that worked on your car.

[IS300E30]

Oh, I thought I could just see in the options of my I-Drive? Am I incorrect? I would actually have to bring it in to the dealership to know my software version?

[IS300E30]

Bump^ please assist

[andre335]

OK ...Well here's the "latest" on this issue. Would love just some input from you more tech minded guys here.

Have a 2007 335 E90 ...Sept 06 build (thats relevant). So I took it in to the shop for a check engine light (No Noises!) Well they said it was sending a false alarm so they were going to reprogram the car to eliminate that false alarm. WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS! This is how I got the above mentioned update. So when I picked the car up the light was off and all of a sudden I now have turbo lag! Absolutely unacceptable! There was never any kind of discernable lag on my 335 ...so back to the dealer I go ...I explained to the SA that the car was just "reprogrammed" and now I have lag. He told me he'd never heard of anything like that after an update(of course why would he he only works there why should he know anything) and that we should have someone drive it to see if they can feel it....out comes the shop foreman with a BMW Bulletin that states that after the update "some" customers may complain of turbo lag (accompanied by the usual bs about how the lag is so minor its only felt by the most sensetive of BMW drivers). One thing is Im not a sensative BMW driver but when my foot hits the floor and I can watch a movie between my foot hitting the floor and the turbos kicking in then thats some serious lag. In the past, I kid you not, there was NO LAG at all. That particular aspect is one of the wonderful features of this engine. SO bottom line DO NOT UPGRADE YOUR SOFTWARE! Unless you like lag. Someone said it best this upgrade should be called "The Turbo Lag Update"!

Anyway ...whats worse is that talking to these guys Im not even sure they know what the hell they need to do to correctly retrofit the wastegate valve! (Which is the cause of the lag) Theyre telling me they have to basically re-install the old programming which is total BS and not at all what the bulletin says to do to in order to eliminate the lag. What the bulletin says is that for my build they basically need to reconfigure the wastegate valve to the old specs. BINGO! But sometimes there's so much BS that comes out of these guys mouths when they dont know what the H they're talking about that all it does is confuse both of you. And thats what Im dealing with. I have the feeling these guys are just going to re-install the same update they already updated it with ...and give me the car back with the same lag and say that they fixed it! Damn if you guys have a good dealer please be thankful because you could be dealing with the morons that Im dealing with.

In anycase I do not recommend this update...AND if you hear a rattle from the wastegates learn to live with it! Because the alternative is a programmed castration of your 335. Reversable only if they know what the hell theyre doing which they probably dont if they stuck you with this update in the first place.

[Beer Goggles]

YOu don't have a choice on the update, it's a recall. And yes it added lag...and on mine....added rattle.

[andre335]

Thanks for the response Beer.

So its a recall? Ok well that helps. However you may not know that as of today there is a legit fix for the lag which is in the case of my build is to recalibrate the wastegate back to original specs, via programming. In the case of Sept 07 - March 08 builds it would be to install another update which basically does the same thing. And thats not what Ive been told ..thats what Im reading right off of a BMW bulletin that the shop foreman had in his hand. So maybe there is some resolution for you with that.

Now lets just hope that THEY are following the bulletin he had in his hand, which I doubt because I live in Florida ...and they just dont do things the right way in Florida!

[Beer Goggles]

I just had mine in again for service an mentioned the rattle, which I hear very loud in 2nd accelerating from under 2k up. The service guy was cool and said the new ones rattle even more at start up...although my complaint wasn't at start up.

[IS300E30]

OK ...Well here's the "latest" on this issue. Would love just some input from you more tech minded guys here.

Have a 2007 335 E90 ...Sept 06 build (thats relevant). So I took it in to the shop for a check engine light (No Noises!) Well they said it was sending a false alarm so they were going to reprogram the car to eliminate that false alarm. WHAT A MISTAKE THAT WAS! This is how I got the above mentioned update. So when I picked the car up the light was off and all of a sudden I now have turbo lag! Absolutely unacceptable! There was never any kind of discernable lag on my 335 ...so back to the dealer I go ...I explained to the SA that the car was just "reprogrammed" and now I have lag. He told me he'd never heard of anything like that after an update(of course why would he he only works there why should he know anything) and that we should have someone drive it to see if they can feel it....out comes the shop foreman with a BMW Bulletin that states that after the update "some" customers may complain of turbo lag (accompanied by the usual bs about how the lag is so minor its only felt by the most sensetive of BMW drivers). One thing is Im not a sensative BMW driver but when my foot hits the floor and I can watch a movie between my foot hitting the floor and the turbos kicking in then thats some serious lag. In the past, I kid you not, there was NO LAG at all. That particular aspect is one of the wonderful features of this engine. SO bottom line DO NOT UPGRADE YOUR SOFTWARE! Unless you like lag. Someone said it best this upgrade should be called "The Turbo Lag Update"!

Anyway ...whats worse is that talking to these guys Im not even sure they know what the hell they need to do to correctly retrofit the wastegate valve! (Which is the cause of the lag) Theyre telling me they have to basically re-install the old programming which is total BS and not at all what the bulletin says to do to in order to eliminate the lag. What the bulletin says is that for my build they basically need to reconfigure the wastegate valve to the old specs. BINGO! But sometimes there's so much BS that comes out of these guys mouths when they dont know what the H they're talking about that all it does is confuse both of you. And thats what Im dealing with. I have the feeling these guys are just going to re-install the same update they already updated it with ...and give me the car back with the same lag and say that they fixed it! Damn if you guys have a good dealer please be thankful because you could be dealing with the morons that Im dealing with.

In anycase I do not recommend this update...AND if you hear a rattle from the wastegates learn to live with it! Because the alternative is a programmed castration of your 335. Reversable only if they know what the hell theyre doing which they probably dont if they stuck you with this update in the first place.

I feel your pain. If you want to trade performance for good service then it is easy to do. Get a Lexus :)