Active Autowerke M5 ECU Upgrade

TOPSUPRA · 14th December 2005, 18:04

To anyone that may be interested I dropped my car off at Active Autowerke 3 days ago to get the ECU reprogramed. So far they have been able to remove the speed limiter along with making some changes on the ECU. The first day they did extensive dyno testing on the stock car, then yesterday they worked on the program, and Im heading there now to see how the reprogramed ECU dose on the dyno.....I will post pics and results later this evening...Jay.S

bernhtp · 14th December 2005, 18:07

It would be interesting if they could fix the LC with access to a European version.

rayt · 14th December 2005, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOPSUPRA

To anyone that may be interested I dropped my car off at Active Autowerke 3 days ago to get the ECU reprogramed. So far they have been able to remove the speed limiter along with making some changes on the ECU. The first day they did extensive dyno testing on the stock car, then yesterday they worked on the program, and Im heading there now to see how the reprogramed ECU dose on the dyno.....I will post pics and results later this evening...Jay.S

Yes - please post pics. Curious, I know that this technically invalidates warranty.. in reality - does it ?. do you know ?. If it does, what areas does it invalidate ?.. everything ?

Also, how much did it cost ?

Gustav · 14th December 2005, 18:08

Wow, very interesting. Please tell us more. Maybe compare the dyno result with a E39 M5 standard ON THE SAME DAY and as close as possible in time for reference?

TOPSUPRA · 14th December 2005, 18:10

Thats a good question, I will ask about the LC when get I there today...Jay.S

TOPSUPRA · 15th December 2005, 02:59

UPDATE.....I went today to check the status and as I mentioned earlier they have removed the speed limiter, and for the greater part of the day they have been working on the ECU with various programs.

As for the launch control they are also working on that, but they mentioned that SMG ECU may control the launch control and not the main ECU that controls the motor.....But they should have more info tomorrow. Also they want to run the car with the stock factory program and with the Active program one after the other as close as possible in time for reference so they can have a more accurate idea of the gains.....

As for the factory warranty issue they said you would be just fine as long as you don't go and tell the dealer you had the ECU upgraded, from what I understand there is no way for the dealer to know that the ECU was reprogramed...

I know they have several other cars waiting to get dynoed but so far my car has been sitting on the dyno and they intend to have this complete in the next day or two....What Im also waiting to see dynoed is an E39 that they just completed with a Vortec supercharger, and I heard them start the car yesterday and it looks and sounds very stealth, should make some good power.....I will post more info tomorrow....Jay.S

gnk2727 · 15th December 2005, 03:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOPSUPRA

UPDATE.....I went today to check the status and as I mentioned earlier they have removed the speed limiter, and for the greater part of the day they have been working on the ECU with various programs.

As for the launch control they are also working on that, but they mentioned that SMG ECU may control the launch control and not the main ECU that controls the motor.....But they should have more info tomorrow. Also they want to run the car with the stock factory program and with the Active program one after the other as close as possible in time for reference so they can have a more accurate idea of the gains.....

As for the factory warranty issue they said you would be just fine as long as you don't go and tell the dealer you had the ECU upgraded, from what I understand there is no way for the dealer to know that the ECU was reprogramed...

I know they have several other cars waiting to get dynoed but so far my car has been sitting on the dyno and they intend to have this complete in the next day or two....What Im also waiting to see dynoed is an E39 that they just completed with a Vortec supercharger, and I heard them start the car yesterday and it looks and sounds very stealth, should make some good power.....I will post more info tomorrow....Jay.S

If you dont tell the dealer you have software, if they flash your ecu you will lose the software........

M3Racer · 15th December 2005, 03:12

Just wanted to chime and recommend Active. Some of you may not be familiar with them, but they are a well established BMW tuner...mostly involved in the development of their own proprietary products. They are the foremost supercharger experts for BMWs in general (more of a specialty than it would be for Dinan).

I am also acquainted with the Hugh's (owners of Active) thru their involvement in BMW CCA Club Racing where they sponsor/support my good buddy and competitor. The car (race prepared e36 M3) set track records in class at nearly every event this year and won most of the races it entered.

Anyway, if there is a tuner out there I'd have confidence in, it would be Active. I'll likely have them do some tuning for me in January...

TOPSUPRA · 15th December 2005, 03:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3Racer

Just wanted to chime and recommend Active. Some of you may not be familiar with them, but they are a well established BMW tuner...mostly involved in the development of their own proprietary products. They are the foremost supercharger experts for BMWs in general (more of a specialty than it would be for Dinan).

I am also acquainted with the Hugh's (owners of Active) thru their involvement in BMW CCA Club Racing where they sponsor/support my good buddy and competitor. The car (race prepared e36 M3) set track records in class at nearly every event this year and won most of the races it entered.

Anyway, if there is a tuner out there I'd have confidence in, it would be Active. I'll likely have them do some tuning for me in January...

I agree M3racer, I have known the guys from Active Auto for the past 10 years from a business relationship and personal level......I have total and complete faith in there ability with BMW's, they have a fantastic facility, and they do lots of R and D before releasing any product to the public, and there fit and finish is excellent on all there products. Also they do a lot of BMW race car tuning, and a part of there facility is completely dedicated to tuning....

Also gnk272 I will ask them if they would be willing to reprogram the ECU in the event that they dealer flashes your ECU....

gnk2727 · 15th December 2005, 03:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by TOPSUPRA

I agree M3racer, I have known the guys from Active Auto for the past 10 years from a business relationship and personal level......I have total and complete faith in there ability with BMW's, they have a fantastic facility, and they do lots of R and D before releasing any product to the public, and there fit and finish is excellent on all there products. Also they do a lot of BMW race car tuning, and a part of there facility is completely dedicated to tuning....

Also gnk272 I will ask them if they would be willing to reprogram the ECU in the event that they dealer flashes your ECU....

All you have to do is tell the dealer the car is "chipped". They can do normal updates and perform service bulletins without erasing your software. Additionally, if the car is here in US and the dealer tells you they are voiding your warranty or wont perform warranty work all you have to do is bring up magnusson-moss.
They have to prove the software caused something else to break.