Question about coding

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Pjotr Marchenko

New member
Joined
Dec 6, 2024
Messages
2
Hi everyone. This is my first time on your site. I have been driving BMW i3 Rex (2016) since 2020. I have been doing diagnostics using ISTA+, but I tried to do coding using NCS Expert, but I can't find my car body. If you know, please let me know the best way to change some functions in a BMW i3.
 
The BimmerCode smartphone app used with an OBD to WiFi or Bluetooth adapter is very easy to use for many modifications. For modifications not included in its standard mode, an expert mode accesses the raw coding parameter information.

However, BimmerCode doesn't support all types of coding (e.g., vehicle order (VO) coding). It might not be able to access parameters that control the behaviors of all electronic modules.

The BMW Windows app E-Sys would provide full coding coverage, but it can be difficult to install and use. Only pirated versions are available to those who aren't BMW mechanics. BimmerUtility can apparently make E-Sys easier to use or can be used on its own for many functions.
 
The BimmerCode smartphone app used with an OBD to WiFi or Bluetooth adapter is very easy to use for many modifications. For modifications not included in its standard mode, an expert mode accesses the raw coding parameter information.

However, BimmerCode doesn't support all types of coding (e.g., vehicle order (VO) coding). It might not be able to access parameters that control the behaviors of all electronic modules.

The BMW Windows app E-Sys would provide full coding coverage, but it can be difficult to install and use. Only pirated versions are available to those who aren't BMW mechanics. BimmerUtility can apparently make E-Sys easier to use or can be used on its own for many functions.
You wouldn't happen to be able to point me to a recent post/link/instructions for ista would you? I have a laptop I would like to deicate to it, but everytime I search, i just end up with dead links or shady websites trying to charge me for someone elses software...
 
If coding is your goal, ISTA isn't your tool. It's diagnostic and repair software.

I have a torrent file, BMW ISTA 4.39.20 [12.2022].torrent, that downloads a standalone version of ISTA 4.39.20 that's recent enough to work with our 2021 i3. However, all of these ISTA downloads are pirated copies which could contain malware, so scan any download for malware before executing anything. I had previously downloaded another ISTA 4.39.20 distribution from mega.nz, but I couldn't get it to work correctly. However, I'm a Mac guy who doesn't know or want to know Windows, so maybe someone else could have made this work.

Whatever you download, note that a huge data file, v4.39.20_PSdZData.7z (113 GB compressed), is included. Apparently, this is needed only if one intends to program an i3, but that requires an expensive ICOM cable and a 12V power supply to prevent the 12V battery from fully discharging during programming. If you want ISTA only for diagnosis, don't download v4.39.20_PSdZData.7z.

This potentially sketchy Website seems to have the ISTA version that I successfully installed as well as installation instructions, etc. Use a Web browser that can translate this Website from Russian to English. Good luck!
 
However, all of these ISTA downloads are pirated copies which could contain malware, so scan any download for malware before executing anything.
Sound advice, but IMO a more cautious approach would be to run it inside a virtual machine in - for example - Virtualbox, or one of the similar virtualisation tools.

It's surprisingly easy to do - essentially you install a virtual copy of (say) Windows in Virtualbox, and then install your (possibly) suspect software on that - it completely isolates it from the rest of your PC/Mac. So any malware present has very little opportunity to spread any further - the only remaining risk is that it might use the network interface in the virtual machine to "probe" your local network - which should not represent any significant risk (depending to an extent of what else is on your network).

I've done this in the past, running a virtual copy of Windows inside a PC that's natively running Linux. It's a pretty safe way to run unknown/untrusted software.
 
I get my ISTA update files from BimmerScene.com https://www.bimmerscene.com/index.php They seem to be the only free site to download ISTA (don't pay for it!).

Note that a full install of Windows 10/11 plus ISTA plus the programming files will take 500-600gb. I'm also a Mac guy and have an dedicated older 8th gen intel laptop that I use exclusively for ISTA.

Adding this as a point of reference, I went to perform an I-level update on my 2018 i3 Rex. Current I-level is 24-03 and target I-level would be 24-11. The only module that needed an update was the headunit so I opted not to bother with it. It appears that any significant updates to the i3 have stopped since 2022.
 
Sound advice, but IMO a more cautious approach would be to run it inside a virtual machine in - for example - Virtualbox, or one of the similar virtualisation tools.
I run only ISTA on a Windows partition that I created on an old Intel MacBook using Bootcamp. Since installing Windows, I've never connected this Windows partition to the Internet. I don't think that the standalone version of ISTA needs an Internet connection because it's unauthorized by BMW so probably couldn't connect to BMW's servers.

If I ran other software and needed an Internet connection, virtualization would be a great option.
 
Thank you friends for your support. I had problems after installing ISTA 4.39 too, but then reinstalled earlier version of ISTA 4.26 and everything worked fine. I am fully satisfied with the diagnostics. It was these results that prompted me to change some options in order to feel more confident in dealing with i3. Truth be told, I have fallen in love with this car, sometimes catching myself thinking that I don't want to leave it after a trip.
 
Adding this as a point of reference, I went to perform an I-level update on my 2018 i3 Rex. Current I-level is 24-03 and target I-level would be 24-11. The only module that needed an update was the headunit so I opted not to bother with it. It appears that any significant updates to the i3 have stopped since 2022.
Does an i-level update require an Internet connection or is all the software to be installed in the huge data file? Is an ICOM cable and a 12V power supply required to apply an i-step increase?

To be able to increase the i-level to 24-11, I assume that you must have a very recent ISTA version or maybe just a very recent data file version. Which versions do you have?

I have version 4.39.20 for both ISTA and the data file although I don't have enough free space on my old 12" MacBook to install the data file.

Thanks for the info about i3 updates. I was wondering whether BMW was continuing to update i3 system software even though the last model was manufactured more than 2 years ago. I now feel that I001-22-11-550 on our 2021 i3 is recent enough.
 
I get my ISTA update files from BimmerScene.com https://www.bimmerscene.com/index.php They seem to be the only free site to download ISTA (don't pay for it!).

Note that a full install of Windows 10/11 plus ISTA plus the programming files will take 500-600gb. I'm also a Mac guy and have an dedicated older 8th gen intel laptop that I use exclusively for ISTA.

Adding this as a point of reference, I went to perform an I-level update on my 2018 i3 Rex. Current I-level is 24-03 and target I-level would be 24-11. The only module that needed an update was the headunit so I opted not to bother with it. It appears that any significant updates to the i3 have stopped since 2022.

Thank you, would you be able to link to the post/version you are using successfully? And do you need the ICOM to update i-level, or does an ENET cable work?
 
Does an i-level update require an Internet connection or is all the software to be installed in the huge data file? Is an ICOM cable and a 12V power supply required to apply an i-step increase?

To be able to increase the i-level to 24-11, I assume that you must have a very recent ISTA version or maybe just a very recent data file version. Which versions do you have?

I have version 4.39.20 for both ISTA and the data file although I don't have enough free space on my old 12" MacBook to install the data file.

Thanks for the info about i3 updates. I was wondering whether BMW was continuing to update i3 system software even though the last model was manufactured more than 2 years ago. I now feel that I001-22-11-550 on our 2021 i3 is recent enough.
No network connection is required, all the updates are in the SLP files. I use an ICOM I bought from AliExpress (knockoff) for about $200 a few years ago. I also use a 13.8V 30A power supply I bought off Amazon to keep the voltage above 13.1v for programming.

I use ISTA 4.39.20 (the last non licensed version) and the latest SLP (for programming) files are 4.50.40.

I think when I went from 22-?? or 23-?? to 24-03 (my current version), the only updates were to program/code the HeadUnit (HU-H2) and code the LIM. Strange that the LIM didn't need new programming only a coding change, maybe for Telsa Supercharger compatibility?

My recent ISTA session going from 24-03 to 24-11 only had an update to program/code the HeadUnit. It's my guess since the ID6 is used in many BMW models, the update may only address an issue in a different model. The HeadUnit programming takes the longest, about 45 minutes for it alone. The other modules usually only take a few minutes each. So I opted not to do the update this time around. I'll check again for 25-03.
 
No network connection is required, all the updates are in the SLP files. I use an ICOM I bought from AliExpress (knockoff) for about $200 a few years ago. I also use a 13.8V 30A power supply I bought off Amazon to keep the voltage above 13.1v for programming.

I use ISTA 4.39.20 (the last non licensed version) and the latest SLP (for programming) files are 4.50.40.

I think when I went from 22-?? or 23-?? to 24-03 (my current version), the only updates were to program/code the HeadUnit (HU-H2) and code the LIM. Strange that the LIM didn't need new programming only a coding change, maybe for Telsa Supercharger compatibility?

My recent ISTA session going from 24-03 to 24-11 only had an update to program/code the HeadUnit. It's my guess since the ID6 is used in many BMW models, the update may only address an issue in a different model. The HeadUnit programming takes the longest, about 45 minutes for it alone. The other modules usually only take a few minutes each. So I opted not to do the update this time around. I'll check again for 25-03.
Thanks for your detailed explanation!

I've read than an ICOM and power supply are required for programming which aren't worth the cost to me with only our low-mileage, reliable 2021 i3 to potentially work on. My inexpensive Ethernet cable works fine and a power supply isn't needed for diagnostic work. I won't buy an external SSD for my MacBook to make room for the SLP because I won't need it. Living on a small, isolated island, I'll never need to charge at a Tesla Supercharger, so our i3 probably doesn't need the LIM update or an i-level later than it has.

Meanwhile, a couple of local 60 Ah i3's are experiencing strange symptoms: one, apparently significant charge level decreases while parked and the other, apparently sudden, continuing, rapid usable battery pack capacity loss. The market values of these i3's are low enough that an expensive dealer repair could exceed their market values, so the owners are loath to take their i3's to the local BMW dealer but don't know what else to do. Maybe ISTA would provide some clues if I can learn how to use it.
 
Thanks for your detailed explanation!

I've read than an ICOM and power supply are required for programming which aren't worth the cost to me with only our low-mileage, reliable 2021 i3 to potentially work on. My inexpensive Ethernet cable works fine and a power supply isn't needed for diagnostic work. I won't buy an external SSD for my MacBook to make room for the SLP because I won't need it. Living on a small, isolated island, I'll never need to charge at a Tesla Supercharger, so our i3 probably doesn't need the LIM update or an i-level later than it has.

Meanwhile, a couple of local 60 Ah i3's are experiencing strange symptoms: one, apparently significant charge level decreases while parked and the other, apparently sudden, continuing, rapid usable battery pack capacity loss. The market values of these i3's are low enough that an expensive dealer repair could exceed their market values, so the owners are loath to take their i3's to the local BMW dealer but don't know what else to do. Maybe ISTA would provide some clues if I can learn how to use it.
:) Did they check for an overcharging 12v battery.
I use an ICOM knockoff. Never tried an ENET cable.
Thanks, I want to say the recommendation is your setup, ICOM+PS because the data throughput is too high to rely on the standard obd2 when programming.
 
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