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NEW E-FLASH w/ SMG Capability Group Buy

12K views 72 replies 24 participants last post by  WickedBMW 
#1 ·
We will be doing a group buy on the new ESS E-flash Stage 1 tune for the M5 and the M6.

There are several good things about the new E-Flash. You will have diagnostic capabilities for your car, it is SMG compatible so customers can opt to do the SMG tune and the new software is encrypted so the files cannot be copied or stolen by others.

The group buy price is $895 for the first 20 customers. Current RPi customers will also receive free ground shipping.
 
#2 ·
That sucks as I just ordered one from ESS like an hour ago for full price.:sad1:
 
#3 ·
Eloy -

Is the e-flash the portable tune device?

I already have the ESS Device with software and smg software. I had to send out my ecu for the smg software.
So now you are saying that the portable device can load the ESS SMG Software, now ecu send-out for SMG is no longer necessary?

If the above is correct: is it possible to get a new smg software file to have the power button permanently on, or to have the car start-up in S instead of D?
 
#6 ·
Eloy -

Is the e-flash the portable tune device?

I already have the ESS Device with software and smg software. I had to send out my ecu for the smg software.
So now you are saying that the portable device can load the ESS SMG Software, now ecu send-out for SMG is no longer necessary?

If the above is correct: is it possible to get a new smg software file to have the power button permanently on, or to have the car start-up in S instead of D?
The E-Flash is different than the Direct Flash. Do you have the direct flash or e-flash cable?
 
#5 ·
Thanks very much, now that is awesome service. Can wait to get the new tune.
 
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#12 ·
The ECU tuning software is the same, the delivery method is upgraded and it also includes SMG programming ability available shortly as well as full engine diagnostics and code clearing. We are working on a data logging upgrade for the E-Flash system and possibly a customer selectable RPM and top speed limit as well, just in case jr takes the beast for a ride. The OBD2->USB link cable will remain the same as we add new features. New features will simply be a software update available through email.
 
#13 · (Edited)
The e-flash is an upgrade as far as features, etc. It is also more cost effective since the DF had to be manufactured. I am still using the DF here and it works great for me. The only limitation I have is that it does not have the diagnostic capabilities of the EF nor does it have the ability to communicate with the TCU. I also love the fact that the new encryption in the software stops people from trying to steal the tune, modifying it, then calling it their own.


Here is the groupbuy list. Since this IS a GB, when we get to the 10th person, we will honor the price and start having them shipped.


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
10.
etc.
 
#14 ·
The e-flash is an upgrade as far as features, etc. It is also more cost effective since the DF had to be manufactured. I am still using the DF here and it works great for me. The only limitation I have is that it does not have the diagnostic capabilities of the EF nor does it have the ability to communicate with the TCU. I also love the fact that the new encryption in the software stops people from trying to steal the tune, modifying it, then calling it their own.


Here is the groupbuy list. Since this IS a GB, when we get to the 10th person, we will honor the price and start having them shipped.


1. gdalton
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
10.
etc.
thanks
 
#20 · (Edited)
1. gdalton
2. donniesd
3.Axvel
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
10.


So I just Got the ESS stage 1 tune from RPI, is this smg eurotune? For faster shifts and 4k LC

because if this is both together ess tune + smg then I just paid more for just the tune. please advise.
 
#24 ·
Sorry what's the difference between the SMG tune and the SMG3? I'm confused
 
#25 ·
I think it's the ESS ECU tune for cars with SMG transmissions, that's a option on ESS web manual or SMG transmissions.
 
#28 · (Edited)
SMG3 is the SMG system used on the E6x M5/M6. SMG2 is E46 M3 and SMG1 is E36 M3 3.2 Euro.

The SMG3 software is separately available, and can shortly be delivered through the E-Flash software delivery system so if you have this and want to get the SMG3 performance software from ESS it is a simple email update to your E-Flash system and you can upload it yourself.

If you do not have the E-Flash system and want the ESS performance SMG software for your M5/M6, the TCU must be sent in like before.
 
#29 ·
I see. What's the difference between the SMG3 software and the SMG3 performance software? Are they like stages of the tune? So the SMG3 Performance Software has even better shifts than that of the SMG3 Software?
 
#36 ·
@ bsze the origional post was for a 'ESS E-flash Stage 1 tune' which is compatable with the smg tune. Can you explain why its a bad deal as I'm confused. I was in the market for a ess or evolve enging tune, I'm not really interested in a smg tune.
Thanks for your input.
It seems like mont M5 people already have an engine tune and are now getting a SMG tune while us M6 are playing mod catch up or am I missing something.
Thanks
 
#37 ·
I believe bsze is referring to the $699 that ESS charges for the SMG tune which is separate from this E-Flash Stage 1 tune.
 
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#38 ·
The Eflash cable allows you to communicate with the ECU/DME as well as the TCU. This does not mean that if you buy the ESS performance tune, you get the TCU/SMG tune. This just means that you will have the ability to purchase the SMG tune without having to take your TCU out of the car like our past customers had to do.
 
#41 ·
Can you tell us what the differences are? I think most people, including myself, thougth it was the same hence the comments earlier about why ESS would be charging for this when a lot of people have found out how to do it for free on their own now.
 
#67 · (Edited)
See the post below that was posted earlier in this thread.


Also, from the email you quoted by ESS, they said their tune is a modified version of the Euro smg tune. Do you want them to describe exactly how it's modified other than what they posted about the faster shift speed for S5 and S6?

I'm not taking sides but it seems simple to me. Vodyk discovered a DIY for the Euro SMG; ESS supposedly has a modified version of this that they charge $695 to have done. Unless you can prove that theirs is exactly the same as the regular Euro SMG, then there's really no argument except for maybe if the modifications they made are really worth $695. Another thing to note is that companies used to charge (or probably still do) $1K for this programming. Singh Autosport was one. Not sure if they still charge and at what price point.
 
#43 ·
I think the ESS SMG tune has faster downshifts than the Euro SMG Tune also. I've been driving with the ESS SMG tune now for almost 2 years and I got an opportunity to drive a car equiped with the Euro SMG Tune, there was a huge difference in the fastness and especially the smoothness in S-5 and S-6 modes with the ESS tune, and to me there was a noticable difference in downshift speed as well.

Additionally, I don't know about the Euro SMG tune, but with the ESS SMG tune, the S modes have memory. Meaning that if I shut off the car in S-1 mode then when I start the car up again, it will start up in S-1 Mode. If I shut it off in S-5 mode, it will start back up in S-5 mode. I don't think that the Euro SMG Tune does that. Unless someone can prove me wrong. It's a very convienent feature from the stock tune, not having to hit the shift button twice to put it in S-5 mode, every time I start the car up. :cool2:
 
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