With BimmerTech, you can always code at home using a USB or in a 15-minute remote coding session. Our support staff is available if you need any guidance.
In This Article...
What is programming and coding for BMW iDrive?
BMW iDrive coding, in its simplest form, entails modifying your car’s software in order to unlock new functions or modify how existing ones function. Most of the time, such capabilities are already included into your iDrive by BMW; all that needs to be done is for coding to enable them. iDrive is already built to accommodate a rear view camera in cars that come equipped with one from the factory, therefore activating a retrofit kit merely involves unlocking those software capabilities. One example of such code is to activate an aftermarket backup camera.
What this app does
Using BimmerCode, you may access secret functions and modify your BMW or MINI by coding the control units in the vehicle.
Use the iDrive system to let your passengers watch movies while you drive, or turn on the digital speed display on the instrument panel. Do you want to turn off Active Sound Design or the Auto Start/Stop feature? With the BimmerCode app, you can code this and much more independently.
On https://bimmercode.app/cars, you can discover a comprehensive list of the vehicles and options that are supported.
ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES To use BimmerCode, an OBD adapter must be among those that are supported. Please visit https://bimmercode.app/adapters for further details.
What BMW features can I program?
- confirmation of lock/unlock sound. Set the audio confirmation of the car’s lock/unlock status to on or off.
- acoustical lock confirmation checkbox selected.
- length of the confirmation sound.
- frequency of confirmation sound.
- Volume of the confirmation tone
Where can I get my BMW code?
Look for your BMW color code label under the driver’s door jam or under the hood of your vehicle. The areas that are most likely are: under the hood on the driver’s side. close to the strut towers
BMW ISTA software: what is it?
Integrated Service Technical Application/Programming is known as ISTA/P. The previous SSS Progman programming software was superseded by dealer-level diagnostic software. All coded, programmed, and enable-dependent control modules in BMW automobiles are processed largely using ISTA/P.
The proper usage of ISTA/P to program and code your BMW car is demonstrated in a video instruction made by BMW Doctor. View it in the following video:
You can diagnose, calibrate, read and remove memory faults, read the battery register, and code and program the majority of the BMW vehicle modules with the aid of a K+DCAN or ENET cable.
ICOM interfaces should be utilized with ISTA/P. For BMW vehicles manufactured prior to June 2001, you will need the ICOM A, ICOM B, and ICOM C to cover all of your vehicle modules.
The following safety measures must be taken when programming with ISTA/P:
- Always abide by the guidelines and requirements stated in ISTA/P.
- Keep your car’s ignition turned on.
- Keep the link between your car, the workshop network, and the car interface intact.
- To avoid overheating the lighting in the luggage compartment, always seal the boot lid after using the compartment.
- While programming, you should not use your vehicle in any way other than as directed by ISTA/P.
You can obtain remote coding assistance for a flat price here: https://bit.ly/RemoteCodingAssistance if you need help with your BMW code and programming.
Can BMW be tuned with BimmerCode?
Yes, they stay out of the way. ECU tuning is done with BM3, while other automobile modules are programmed with BimmerCode. I suppose that BM3 and BimmerCode are simply making the identical coding changes to that particular item in that module for common features like ASD. They do not interfer, indeed.
Car coding: Is it legal?
As you can see, figuring out if car code is legal is not always simple. Basically, as long as you do not break any applicable laws, automobile coding is legal.
However, even if the car coding is legal, you could still experience unfavorable effects. When the insurance company interprets automobile coding as a breach of contract and refuses to pay benefits, this is an illustration of this. Or if certain codings render your warranty invalid.
Before coding your car, we advise you to see if you are in violation of any laws or contractual obligations in order to prevent legal repercussions.
WHERE DO I INSTALL BimmerCode?
- Start the vehicle’s ignition or, in the case of G Series vehicles, the diagnostic mode (press the start button in the car three times in quick succession without pushing the brake or clutch pedal).
- The OBD port in your car’s footwell on the driver’s side is where you should connect the adapter.
- On your iOS or Android device, turn on Airplane mode.
- On the iOS or Android smartphone, enable WiFi.
- On the iOS or Android smartphone, access the WiFi settings and join the aV-LINKa network.
- Check the settings of the aAdaptera in the BimmerCode app to see if aVgate iCar WiFi is chosen.
- Click aConnecta from the start menu.
- If CarPlay is enabled, turn it off in the iOS settings.
- Disconnect any extra Bluetooth connections as well as the Bluetooth connection to the iDrive system.
- Connect the adapter to the OBD port in the driver-side footwell.
- On the iOS device, turn on Airplane mode.
- The iOS device should be Bluetooth enabled.
- Open the BimmerCode app and verify that the settings have the appropriate adapter type chosen.
- On the Android handset, turn on Airplane mode.
- the Android device’s Bluetooth should be enabled.
- On the Android device, access the Bluetooth settings and pair the adapter.
I want to utilize BimmerCode code, but how?
Your car can be coded in one of two ways: The expert mode is designed for seasoned users who are familiar with coding and have specific knowledge, while the basic mode makes it simple and convenient for you to code the most common coding alternatives. Generally speaking, expert mode is not necessary, and basic mode offers all often used choices.
- As stated in the chapter “Connecting,” connect to the vehicle.
- Tap aConnecta to select your car type from the list that is provided.
- A list of all supported control units is then provided when the control units in the car have been identified.
- A control unit can be chosen from the list.
- Make the necessary modifications to the chosen control unit. A list of the supported coding choices for your car may be found here.
- To begin the coding process, tap aCodea.
- When the code is complete, a success message is presented.
Incorrect use of expert mode can result in major issues with the vehicle. Use of this function is at your own risk and is only meant for seasoned users with specialized understanding.
- Selecting aExpert mode will activate the expert mode.
- Make the necessary modifications to the chosen control unit.
- There is no need to be concerned, even though the car may indicate problems after coding. This is very normal, and if you turn the ignition on and off again after a little while, the faults will go away.
- You might need to reset the time and restore user-defined settings on the iDrive system in the car, depending on the control unit.
- The average consumption is reset when the instrument cluster is coded, therefore the remaining range may show an odd figure. The situation will return to normal after a few driving cycles.
- After instrument cluster coding, the outside temperature reading can show an odd value. In time, this will return to normal.
Please follow these steps if a coding problem occurs:
- Restart the iOS or Android device and the adapter after cutting off the connection (disconnect and reconnect).
- Open BimmerCode and establish a connection as instructed in the aConnectinga chapter. In order to prevent outside intervention during coding and prevent issues, kindly adhere to following directions precisely.
- Choose the particular control unit. A red dot is used to indicate erroneous coding data.
- Utilize a backup as suggested in the chapter aBackupsa to restore the coding data.
Can the iDrive controller be upgraded?
iDrive touch retrofit This 650i can be converted to iDrive Touch using a single kit because it already has NBT iDrive (Navigation Professional). If it lacked NBT iDrive, BimmerTech also provides a retrofit kit for it.
What functions does BimmerCode’s complete version have?
With BimmerCode, you may unlock secret functions and modify your car to your tastes by coding the control units in your BMW or Mini.
On https://bimmercode.app, you can discover a comprehensive list of the supported vehicles and choices.
ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES To use BimmerCode, an OBD adapter must be among those that are supported. Please visit https://bimmercode.app for additional details.
Worth buying BimmerCode?
I’ve set up the auto start/stop, modified the air recirculation settings, deleted the startup display warning, and added an additional exhaust noise setting to the menu.
And because I start the engine before fastening my seatbelt, the seat belt sound warning at startup irritated me. Since there was no other way, I emailed Bimmercode about it. They asked me to submit a support ticket, and the next day I was accepted to test a beta version that did away with the chime. With personalized support, everything operated flawlessly and quickly. They are worth every penny and I cannot praise them enough.
But because I didn’t read their website carefully and bought an OBD adapter that wasn’t entirely functioning, it ended up costing me more than I had anticipated. As a result, I now have multiple adapters.
What distinguishes BimmerCode from BimmerLink?
Seats, lighting, windows, and other features are handled by BimmerCode, while diagnostics are handled by BimmerLink (battery registration, clearing faults, pulling trouble codes, etc.). They coincide with the ASD feature by coincidence, but only BimmerLink can code out burbles and open/close valves.