Will the BiM-COM software work on the E39 series cars? 528i, 530i, and
540i?

Hello scartboy,
Monday, March 28, 2005, 12:32:28 PM, you wrote:

> I've seen a screenshot with E36 and E46 in the menu column.
> Will these model ranges be in the first release?

no.  certainly not in the initial betas.

they're there because we are developing some of the modules necessary
to support the E36 and E46 (to start) and we're making sure the "look
and feel" of the tree interface works like we want it to.
--
Best regards,
  rich                            mailto:rich@...

I've seen a screenshot with E36 and E46 in the menu column.

Will these model ranges be in the first release?

I use VAG-COM almost daily and other diag tools for BMW on a daily
basis too.  I look forward to having BiM-COM in our workshop soon.

Gerard O'Sullivan, Cork, Ireland

will the software be able to code new modules like bc2 units or
speedos
sorry if this is a basic question as i am not familiar with Vag Com
and any idea of when this will be ready????

No way.   We don't do this on VW's either.

When a diagnostic session goes wrong, the ECU reverts to normal
operation.   When a flash-update session goes wrong, you've got a dead
ECU.

Now you want us to reflash ECU's on some customer's PC, which has god
only knows what other software installed on it, and a battery apt to die
half way through?   I don't think so!    That's a sure way to have a lot
of customers complaining that our software "killed" their ECU.

FWIW, ECU's on 1996 and newer cars are covered under an 8-year, 80,000
mile federal emissions warranty.   You may want to point this out to
your dealer.

-Uwe-



Kris wrote:
>
>
> I'm curious as to whether the BiM-COM will be able to upgrade the DME
> on the E46.
>
> On the performance-package equipped 330i, there was a rough idle issue
> that was addressed by a new DME version(/firmware?) (v39.2).  They are
> now up to v40.1 (as I understand it) which helps solve a power dip
> around 4000rpm due to the intake resonance valve change-over.
>
> Assuming one could get their hands on the software, will the BiM-COM
> be able to perform these updates?  This seems like it would be *huge*.
>  The dealers are happy to charge you for their time once you're out of
> warranty.

I assume that BiM-COM goes the same way as VAG-COM, that's what Uwe and
Rich have mentioned more than once. So according to that, I think
BiM-COM would not get a EEPROM read/write capability.

Sebastian

OpenOBD.org



Kris wrote:
>
>
> I'm curious as to whether the BiM-COM will be able to upgrade the DME
> on the E46.
>
> On the performance-package equipped 330i, there was a rough idle issue
> that was addressed by a new DME version(/firmware?) (v39.2).  They are
> now up to v40.1 (as I understand it) which helps solve a power dip
> around 4000rpm due to the intake resonance valve change-over.
>
> Assuming one could get their hands on the software, will the BiM-COM
> be able to perform these updates?  This seems like it would be *huge*.
>  The dealers are happy to charge you for their time once you're out of
> warranty.

I'm curious as to whether the BiM-COM will be able to upgrade the DME
on the E46.

On the performance-package equipped 330i, there was a rough idle issue
that was addressed by a new DME version(/firmware?) (v39.2).  They are
now up to v40.1 (as I understand it) which helps solve a power dip
around 4000rpm due to the intake resonance valve change-over.

Assuming one could get their hands on the software, will the BiM-COM
be able to perform these updates?  This seems like it would be *huge*.
  The dealers are happy to charge you for their time once you're out of
warranty.

Rich,

Thank you.  I will take that as a positive response.

While the diagnostic capabilities of a scan tool are invaluable for
troubleshooting problems, everyone here knows they have also become
necessary for normal maintenance (which can greatly reduce the
number of those aforementioned problems).  I already have a pressure
brake bleeder that I've used on my other cars, so my hope is that
BiM-COM will make that tool useful on my MINI as well.

I'll stay tuned.

      - Matt


--- In BiM-COM@yahoogroups.com, rich herzog <rich@r...> wrote:
> Hello mkaufer1,
> Friday, February 18, 2005, 5:17:52 PM, you wrote:
>
> > ... I do
> > have a question about the functionality of the software,
though.
> > Specifically, will it be able to execute the brake bleeding
routine
> > that exercises the ABS and traction control modules?
>
> "we do not comment on unreleased products" so i'll say what i
can...
>
> the track record of the Ross-Tech philosophy regarding product
> functionality has been well-established with the VAG-COM line.
> early versions (especially those labelled 'beta') are more
rudimentary
> but over time, functionality rivalling and surpassing the factory
> tools evolves.
>
> Uwe has not mentioned to me any forthcoming changes to the Ross-
Tech
> software support policy, which as always been 1) free defect (bug)
fixes
> forever, 2) feature updates free for one year from purchase.  in
fact,
> Ross-Tech has never yet charged for a software update and while we
do
> not guarantee this will continue forever, we do specify one year.
>
> it's always our goal to make useful products; if a bit of
> functionality is needed in the user community and it can be done
via
> the diagnostic port, you can pretty much count it being on
somebody's
> "to-do" list...
> --
> Best regards,
>  rich                            mailto:rich@R...

On Wed, 2005-02-23 at 15:05 -0600, Paul L Fisher wrote:
> Actually, I'd buy it today if all it did was reset the oil change and
> service lights on my 2000 M Roadster. I can wait for the enhancements.
> Here's the issue. I just got my 1st BMW and I'll be damned if I'm
> going to
> the dealer for an oil change. Luckily it isn't due quite yet but I'd
> hate to
> spend $100 on a reset tool and then BiM-COM comes out a little later
> and I
> have to buy it for the other reasons and I've wasted the $100.
>
> Paul L Fisher
>
> 2000 M Roadster.

I know with E36 it's just a paperclip trick to reset service lights.  My
small mechanic has a tool to do it.  I don't know if you necessarily
need a full scantool type interface for that 2000 roadster.  For 2001+
you might even be able to do it with an OBDII tool.

Thanks,
Mark

Actually, I'd buy it today if all it did was reset the oil change and
service lights on my 2000 M Roadster. I can wait for the enhancements.
Here's the issue. I just got my 1st BMW and I'll be damned if I'm going to
the dealer for an oil change. Luckily it isn't due quite yet but I'd hate to
spend $100 on a reset tool and then BiM-COM comes out a little later and I
have to buy it for the other reasons and I've wasted the $100.

Paul L Fisher

2000 M Roadster.

-----Original Message-----
From: nrubenstein@... [mailto:nrubenstein@...]
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 2:59 PM
To: BiM-COM@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [BiM-COM] BiM-COM Functionality


Heck, I'd bet there are quite a few people who would pay good money JUST
for a product that bleeds the brakes.

I know that that is almost half of why I want BIM-COM for my E46es.

Nick
'99 323i and '04 M3




Yahoo! Groups Links

Heck, I'd bet there are quite a few people who would pay good money JUST
for a product that bleeds the brakes.

I know that that is almost half of why I want BIM-COM for my E46es.

Nick
'99 323i and '04 M3

Hello mkaufer1,
Friday, February 18, 2005, 5:17:52 PM, you wrote:

> ... I do
> have a question about the functionality of the software, though.
> Specifically, will it be able to execute the brake bleeding routine
> that exercises the ABS and traction control modules?

"we do not comment on unreleased products" so i'll say what i can...

the track record of the Ross-Tech philosophy regarding product
functionality has been well-established with the VAG-COM line.
early versions (especially those labelled 'beta') are more rudimentary
but over time, functionality rivalling and surpassing the factory
tools evolves.

Uwe has not mentioned to me any forthcoming changes to the Ross-Tech
software support policy, which as always been 1) free defect (bug) fixes
forever, 2) feature updates free for one year from purchase.  in fact,
Ross-Tech has never yet charged for a software update and while we do
not guarantee this will continue forever, we do specify one year.

it's always our goal to make useful products; if a bit of
functionality is needed in the user community and it can be done via
the diagnostic port, you can pretty much count it being on somebody's
"to-do" list...
--
Best regards,
  rich                            mailto:rich@...

I own a 2003 MINI Cooper S that is rapidly approaching the end of
its warranty, so I'm looking forward to your BiM-COM release.  I do
have a question about the functionality of the software, though.
Specifically, will it be able to execute the brake bleeding routine
that exercises the ABS and traction control modules?  I really hate
the idea of paying the dealer to do something as simple as a brake
fluid flush or basic brake repair.

      Thank you.

           - Matt Kaufer

Hello Nicholas,
Tuesday, February 8, 2005, 1:23:51 PM, you wrote:

> I guess that all I can really say here is OUCH.

it's not as bad as it seems.

the majority of the "work" in developing BiM-COM has been the
architecture of the framework.  since we know that all the modules in
all the cars are unique, we had to develop an architecture that
allowed us to develop and deploy individual modules individually.

it's like the motherboard of a computer.  once you've developed the
framework into which individual modules can be plugged, developing an
individual circuit board is not as big a deal.

so you will not see nearly as big a lead time to a set of E46
functionality as there has been to deploying the Mini first article.

and the cleaner and more stable the Mini product is (less support...)
the faster i can get to work coding up E46 modules.

> Out of curiosity, will you be able/willing to do a staggered release for the
> E46, so that as you develop support for a given year, or the majority of a
> given year you'll release the software?

we want to deploy stuff as fast as it is useful.  i expect that means
we'll be able to support everything in at least one popular trim level
when a chassis type is available.
--
Best regards,
  rich                            mailto:rich@...

I guess that all I can really say here is OUCH.

Out of curiosity, will you be able/willing to do a staggered release for the
E46, so that as you develop support for a given year, or the majority of a
given year you'll release the software?

Thanks for the update/clarification,
Nick

-----Original Message-----
From: Uwe Ross [mailto:Uwe@...]
Sent: Tuesday, 08 February, 2005 1:09 PM
To: BiM-COM@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [BiM-COM] Deposit


OK, there's some miscomunication here.   At the present time, the
BiM-COM stuff is only working with Mini Coopers, the R50/R53 chassis.

The big hassle with BMW is that (unlike VW) there is NO standarization
of the data at the applications layer between different families of
control modules.    This means we effectively have to write a speperate
program for each family of control module, and there are hundreds of
them.   Right now, we've got roughly 20 of them for the modules in the
Mini-Coopers.   Very few of these are used in other BMW models.   So at
the moment, the only thing we can talk to in your E46's would likely be
the ABS/DSC and the Xenons (which appear at least in our 02 325i to be
the same as in the Mini).

However, E46 is next on our list.

-Uwe-

OK, there's some miscomunication here.   At the present time, the
BiM-COM stuff is only working with Mini Coopers, the R50/R53 chassis.

The big hassle with BMW is that (unlike VW) there is NO standarization
of the data at the applications layer between different families of
control modules.    This means we effectively have to write a speperate
program for each family of control module, and there are hundreds of
them.   Right now, we've got roughly 20 of them for the modules in the
Mini-Coopers.   Very few of these are used in other BMW models.   So at
the moment, the only thing we can talk to in your E46's would likely be
the ABS/DSC and the Xenons (which appear at least in our 02 325i to be
the same as in the Mini).

However, E46 is next on our list.

-Uwe-


Nicholas S. Rubenstein wrote:
> So I saw something that said "soon," and that you've got a version that's
> ready except that it doesn't work on '05 models.  Is there any reason that
> you can't release a version for the vast majority of us who don't have an
> '05?  I know it's always nice to release a perfect product, and I guess you
> guys might be concerned that the developed state of VAG COM makes it more
> important to release a mature product, but I know I'd be MORE than happy to
> buy into a public alpha or beta.
>
> Nick
> '04 M3
> '99 323i
> (spends too much money on cars)

Hello Nicholas,
Tuesday, February 8, 2005, 12:43:44 PM, you wrote:

> So I saw something that said "soon," and that you've got a version that's
> ready except that it doesn't work on '05 models.  Is there any reason that
> you can't release a version for the vast majority of us who don't have an
> '05?

the first product will still support Mini only; this has not changed.
i've finished coding the '05 support for that.

>   I know it's always nice to release a perfect product, and I guess you
> guys might be concerned that the developed state of VAG COM makes it more
> important to release a mature product, but I know I'd be MORE than happy to
> buy into a public alpha or beta.

thanks for your support.  we're as anxious to get this out as you are
to have it :-) ...

> '04 M3
> '99 323i
--
Best regards,
  rich                            mailto:rich@...

So I saw something that said "soon," and that you've got a version that's
ready except that it doesn't work on '05 models.  Is there any reason that
you can't release a version for the vast majority of us who don't have an
'05?  I know it's always nice to release a perfect product, and I guess you
guys might be concerned that the developed state of VAG COM makes it more
important to release a mature product, but I know I'd be MORE than happy to
buy into a public alpha or beta.

Nick
'04 M3
'99 323i
(spends too much money on cars)

That's very kind of you, but we absolutely do not accept money for any
product we're not ready to ship.

-Uwe-


> BiM-COM guys:
>
> Would you be interested in accepting a deposit for the E46 product?
>
> Even if I have to wait a year, I'd be willing to contribute $100 to
> help pay for your time (I assume this will be 1/3rd-1/4th of the final
> sale price?).  Of course, I'm also making this offer so that I could
> be one of the first to try it out :).

BiM-COM guys:

Would you be interested in accepting a deposit for the E46 product?

Even if I have to wait a year, I'd be willing to contribute $100 to
help pay for your time (I assume this will be 1/3rd-1/4th of the final
sale price?).  Of course, I'm also making this offer so that I could
be one of the first to try it out :).

Me too! I just bought VAG-COM for my 2 TDI's and I will need Bim-COM for my
2000 M Roadster soon!!!

-----Original Message-----
From: Tim locke [mailto:timlocke@...]
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2005 5:30 AM
To: BiM-COM@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [BiM-COM] RE: release date


Excellent news....but how long after that might the first real BMW release
be? (The E46.)  This year sometime?
About 1/2 the E46s in North America are out of warranty now and your work
may be a big alternative to continuing to use a BMW dealer. In my last year
as an Audi owner (2000), my local dealership had 1 genuine VW-Audi machine
to get the data for warranty claims and every tech had a laptop with VAG-COM
to actually do the work.

Anticipating...

Tim Locke



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Yahoo! Groups Links

Excellent news....but how long after that might the first real BMW release
be? (The E46.)  This year sometime?
About 1/2 the E46s in North America are out of warranty now and your work
may be a big alternative to continuing to use a BMW dealer. In my last year
as an Audi owner (2000), my local dealership had 1 genuine VW-Audi machine
to get the data for warranty claims and every tech had a laptop with VAG-COM
to actually do the work.

Anticipating...

Tim Locke



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My mailbox is protected by iHateSpam, the #1-rated spam buster.
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Hello profpatpending2000,
Wednesday, February 2, 2005, 2:20:32 PM, you wrote:

> well guys i know everybody asks the same question but is there a
> release date will it be this year or next year?
> i do understand there is a lot of work in something like this,
> even a good guess will do?

definitely this year.  and soon.

i can disclose this much: our last stage of pre-beta in-house testing
revealed some minor incompatibilities with the '05 cars that we had
not been able to previously test.  rather than release a product that
we knew would be incompatible with available new cars, we're
implementing a bit of code that had always been on the "to-do" list
(so it is not a big surprise - we've been planning for it) but it got
bumped up the priority scale a bit.

i'm busy typing like a demon getting that implemented everywhere it
needs to be; it's looking good.
--
Best regards,
  rich                            mailto:rich@...

well guys i know everybody asks the same question but is there a
release date will it be this year or next year?
i do understand there is a lot of work in something like this,
even a good guess will do?

I just wanted to publicly thank you guys for developing this
project.  I am looking forward to when the E46 version of the product
is made available.  I know there are many E46 enthusiasts that would
be very interested in this product and I will make sure that I spread
the word about this project.  I read about this on one of the BMW
forums I frequent and I know there is great excitement about this.
Put me down for one unit the moment it comes out for the E46.

Thanks,

Santiago

If you're looking for Beta Testers.  Look no further!
--
Bill Clark
wwclarkATgmailDOTcom

Yes, we managed to make VAG-COM work on control modules we've never seen
and which don't exist in North America.   That's because VW uses the
same "application layer" in their protocols, regardless of control module.

BMW does not do that.  The "application layer" of the protocols is
different for different control modules.   This means it is almost
impossible for us to write support for a control module we don't have.
    Yes, in the long run, we will be looking for BMW diesel control
modules, but right now, it would be premature.

Remember, the first release of BiM-COM will be for Mini-Cooper only.
After that, we plan to work on E46.

-Uwe-

un oarecare wrote:
>
> I am sure about that! But you managed to sell Vag-com
> to many guys in Europe and thought that is in your
> concern to make a product for us too, as it was vag
> for tdi.
>
> If I send you a Diesel ECU will be that helpful?
>
> Thanks and regards,
> Liviu
>
>
> --- Uwe Ross <Uwe@...> wrote:
>
>
>>Not in the near term.   BMW doesn't sell any Diesels
>>in the US, and
>>isn't likely to any time soon.
>>
>>-Uwe-
>>
>>
>>
>>>Hi Rich,
>>>
>>>Will BiM-COM be able to deal with the Diesel
>>
>>models?
>>
>>>Happy new year!
>>>
>>>Liviu

I am sure about that! But you managed to sell Vag-com
to many guys in Europe and thought that is in your
concern to make a product for us too, as it was vag
for tdi.

If I send you a Diesel ECU will be that helpful?

Thanks and regards,
Liviu


--- Uwe Ross <Uwe@...> wrote:

> Not in the near term.   BMW doesn't sell any Diesels
> in the US, and
> isn't likely to any time soon.
>
> -Uwe-
>
>
> > Hi Rich,
> >
> > Will BiM-COM be able to deal with the Diesel
> models?
> >
> > Happy new year!
> >
> > Liviu
>




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Not in the near term.   BMW doesn't sell any Diesels in the US, and
isn't likely to any time soon.

-Uwe-


> Hi Rich,
>
> Will BiM-COM be able to deal with the Diesel models?
>
> Happy new year!
>
> Liviu

Hi Rich,

Will BiM-COM be able to deal with the Diesel models?

Happy new year!

Liviu


--- rich herzog <rich@...> wrote:

> andrejcool,
> Thursday, December 23, 2004, 8:40:39 AM, you wrote:
>
> > Is there any chance to know in which phase of
> development (from 1 to
> > 5) is BiM-COM right now. :-)
>
> i don't know the phases by numbers, and as a matter
> of policy, "we do
> not comment on unannounced products."  and Uwe would
> have my head if
> -i- announced anything -- as the owner of the
> company, that falls to
> him.
>
> similarly, i am not at liberty to discuss the few
> remaining issues to
> be addressed prior to release.  Uwe and i have both
> been in this
> industry long enough to know that even though
> everything seems like
> it's coming together perfectly, this stuff is
> complicated enough that
> there is a *possibility* that something that
> *should* work won't, and
> there's something about Murphy's Laws that says the
> closer you are to
> release, the more challenging that last issue will
> be to resolve.  and
> we're conservative enough that we're not going to
> make a prediction
> (promise) we don't *know* we can keep.
>
> so -- let me just say "Happy New Year!"
> -=-=-=-=-=-=-
> Regards,
>  rich -+- mailto:rich@...
>
>




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