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      08-14-2015, 10:07 AM   #1
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Transmission/TCU Alpina Reflash Thread, Flash Options, DIY Instructions, etc.

Instead of burying this info in one of the other threads, I decided to make a new one with some additional options for transmission flashing.

Anyone with a cable and BMW standard tools/WinKFP up and running can do this. I followed these instructions when flashing mine:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=873746

It's very doable. I had just figured out how to code (thanks improvius)...so I was intimidated by the whole process, but it went pretty smoothly.

Here are some of the maps available for flashing to your 6 speed autos...

Quote:
7601492 (stock flash)

7603527 (BMW 2011 Trans Flash)
-No gear indicator (D1, S1)
-D shift rpm raised slightly (1800-2000) compared to Alpina B3
-Downshift rev match not like Alpina but better then others
-6800rpm shift

7615835 (Alpina B3 trans flash)
-Gear indicator (D1, S1)
-D shift rpm relatively low
-S mode shift rpm 2800-3000
-Great rev match downshifting
-7000rpm shift

7603537 ("Old / Alternate" Alpina B3 trans flash)
-same as 7615835 except:
-smoother
-slightly higher RPM D mode upshifts

7603541 (Euro Sport Flash)
-no gear indicator in Drive but you get the S1, S2 in S mode / M1, M2 in M Mode
-S mode bit more aggressive than stock
-D drives just like the stock

7601494 (US Sport Flash)
-D mode feels stock
-S mode stays in gear longer than the B3, Shifts at about 3300 - 3500
-M mode is more impressive than the B3 at shifts
I used the '537 and I really, really love it.

The car drives SO much better, in any mode. Really, really impressed with it.

If you're thinking about it, don't hesitate. If you're local to Philly, I can do it for you too.

It's factory BMW software no warranty concerns at all.
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Last edited by PrematureApex; 08-14-2015 at 04:35 PM..
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      08-14-2015, 03:15 PM   #2
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Thanks for this! I've been thinking about doing this and some coding if possible since I got the car but just haven't gotten around to sitting down and figuring out exactly what to install. Do you have any links for good guides on setting up INPA, NCSexpert and WinKFP that you used?

Have you done any coding changes as well?
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      08-14-2015, 04:33 PM   #3
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PM'd you what I got from improvius. Although, IIRC, I did use an English version of NCSexpert I found links to on autoprofessionals.com
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'02 S54 M3 (500/500 GC/Koni)
'08 N54 135 (JB4, DCI, BMW PS/Bilstein B6s, H&R M3 FSB, Strongflex FCABs)
'14 N55 X1 (JB4, BMS DP, BMS Intake, Alpina TCU reflash, H&R Sports, Bilstein B6s, E93 M3 RSB, Strongflex FCABs, baby seat)
'08 N54 535xi touring (Bilstein B6s, Downpipes, MHD tune, baby seat)
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      08-15-2015, 10:16 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrematureApex View Post
PM'd you what I got from improvius. Although, IIRC, I did use an English version of NCSexpert I found links to on autoprofessionals.com
Thanks again! Will update how it goes once I get the cable.
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      08-15-2015, 02:00 PM   #5
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Nice. And to answer your other questions, I've done the basics...seatbelt chimes, gongs, lawyer screen, digital speedo...and I removed the TPMS system and added the wheel-speed based system. No more dash lights and no more wheel speed sensors, forever!
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'02 S54 M3 (500/500 GC/Koni)
'08 N54 135 (JB4, DCI, BMW PS/Bilstein B6s, H&R M3 FSB, Strongflex FCABs)
'14 N55 X1 (JB4, BMS DP, BMS Intake, Alpina TCU reflash, H&R Sports, Bilstein B6s, E93 M3 RSB, Strongflex FCABs, baby seat)
'08 N54 535xi touring (Bilstein B6s, Downpipes, MHD tune, baby seat)
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      02-10-2016, 10:25 AM   #6
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I wish there was an Alpina flash for the 8spd ZF.
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      02-10-2016, 10:47 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WolfGTI View Post
I wish there was an Alpina flash for the 8spd ZF.
Greedy!

Yours is already so much nicer than ours. So much...
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'14 N55 X1 (JB4, BMS DP, BMS Intake, Alpina TCU reflash, H&R Sports, Bilstein B6s, E93 M3 RSB, Strongflex FCABs, baby seat)
'08 N54 535xi touring (Bilstein B6s, Downpipes, MHD tune, baby seat)
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      02-10-2016, 12:40 PM   #8
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Not greedy at all - I am not looking for 400hp or anything like that - just looking for a little more fun! How is mine so much nicer?
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      02-10-2016, 01:15 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WolfGTI View Post
Not greedy at all - I am not looking for 400hp or anything like that - just looking for a little more fun! How is mine so much nicer?
I just meant the transmission. The 8 speed is in another world compared to the old 6 speed in terms of performance. Can't believe BMW cheaped out on it.
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'08 N54 535xi touring (Bilstein B6s, Downpipes, MHD tune, baby seat)
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      02-10-2016, 01:34 PM   #10
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Gotcha!

Quote:
Originally Posted by PrematureApex View Post
I just meant the transmission. The 8 speed is in another world compared to the old 6 speed in terms of performance. Can't believe BMW cheaped out on it.
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      02-10-2016, 04:30 PM   #11
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I may or may not have this right, but I read that the 8 speed wouldn't fit in the N55 X1 due to limited space, that is why they stuck with the older 6 speed.
And not sure if the close ratios of the 8 speed would work well with the stock single turbo anyways as the power falls off in the top rpm range.
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      02-10-2016, 05:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mwtrogus View Post
I may or may not have this right, but I read that the 8 speed wouldn't fit in the N55 X1 due to limited space, that is why they stuck with the older 6 speed.
And not sure if the close ratios of the 8 speed would work well with the stock single turbo anyways as the power falls off in the top rpm range.
Could be true regarding the fitment, but I never heard that before. Always heard it was down to cost.

Don't the N55 and N20 sit right up against the firewall? I thought the N55 just extended farther forward?

Regarding the gearing...

The rest of the N55 cars got the 8 speed. Technically speaking, it doesn't matter where the power falls off, a gearing advantage is a gearing advantage.

I'd be interested to see where you read that.

I'd be more inclined to believe it if they just said fitment, the second they blatantly lie about gearing, I'd question it all.

The car is all E90 xdrive underneath, what makes that trans not in the X1? But it fits in the 2series?
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'14 N55 X1 (JB4, BMS DP, BMS Intake, Alpina TCU reflash, H&R Sports, Bilstein B6s, E93 M3 RSB, Strongflex FCABs, baby seat)
'08 N54 535xi touring (Bilstein B6s, Downpipes, MHD tune, baby seat)
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      05-07-2016, 07:00 AM   #13
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Alpina flash breaks reversing sideview mirror tilt?

Lurker posting for the first time here.

I flashed 7603537 a few months back and although I didn't notice it for a bit afterwards, I think it was what caused my right wing mirror auto-tilt-down-when-reversing to stop working. The mirror continues working normally otherwise (e.g tilting down using the D-pad in the driver armrest). Since I haven't seen this discussed in any of the numerous Alpina threads around the tubes, it makes me think something other than Alpina may have caused the problem. Can any other flashers () in here confirm on their cars?

As long as I'm here, my opinion on the mod otherwise is positive although I'm not as enthusiastic as some seem to be. I really only notice differences in sport mode where the much higher shift point and rev downshifting is much appreciated. I mostly drive in sport now whereas I seldom bothered before. The flashing process isn't difficult. I'd say even if it turns out to have broken my mirror tilt and the other Alpina versions or some other trick doesn't fix it, I'll prob still keep Alpina.
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      05-07-2016, 08:39 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coeeconomou View Post
Lurker posting for the first time here.

I flashed 7603537 a few months back and although I didn't notice it for a bit afterwards, I think it was what caused my right wing mirror auto-tilt-down-when-reversing to stop working. The mirror continues working normally otherwise (e.g tilting down using the D-pad in the driver armrest). Since I haven't seen this discussed in any of the numerous Alpina threads around the tubes, it makes me think something other than Alpina may have caused the problem. Can any other flashers () in here confirm on their cars?

As long as I'm here, my opinion on the mod otherwise is positive although I'm not as enthusiastic as some seem to be. I really only notice differences in sport mode where the much higher shift point and rev downshifting is much appreciated. I mostly drive in sport now whereas I seldom bothered before. The flashing process isn't difficult. I'd say even if it turns out to have broken my mirror tilt and the other Alpina versions or some other trick doesn't fix it, I'll prob still keep Alpina.
The real place these Alpina tunes shine is in S + Manual mode. At full throttle it will bang off shifts a lot faster and harsher, which makes the driving enjoyment go waaaay up for me.

D + Manual doesn't produce the same effect I've found, but it still faster than it was before.

Driving around in just Sport auto mode always seems funky to me, never really found a good use for it unless you're on a track and don't know when to use the paddle shifters.
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      05-07-2016, 09:02 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by burnout8488 View Post
The real place these Alpina tunes shine is in S + Manual mode. At full throttle it will bang off shifts a lot faster and harsher, which makes the driving enjoyment go waaaay up for me.

D + Manual doesn't produce the same effect I've found, but it still faster than it was before.

Driving around in just Sport auto mode always seems funky to me, never really found a good use for it unless you're on a track and don't know when to use the paddle shifters.
burn, does your sideview auto tilt in reverse still work? If so, which Alpina version did you use?
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      05-07-2016, 01:53 PM   #16
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The mirror tilts down on reverse if the selector is on the driver's mirror. Is yours there?
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      05-08-2016, 07:14 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by d1saster View Post
The mirror tilts down on reverse if the selector is on the driver's mirror. Is yours there?
Well done! That was it. Selector was set to passenger side...changing it to driver re-enabled auto tilt. Alpina is vindicated. Guess I oughta read the owners manual for myself some time. Big props to d1...
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      05-09-2016, 08:47 AM   #18
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For redundancy, mine still works too. :-)
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      08-30-2016, 05:36 PM   #19
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Edited: created a new thread with my question. Not relevant to this thread

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      09-06-2016, 08:42 PM   #20
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So will this flash help smooth out that "turbo lag" hesitation off idle?

If Dinan can get that sport+ chip out for the n55 and this flash, it could be a cheap fix...
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      09-23-2016, 04:10 PM   #21
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PrematureApex,

Do you know if this cable will work?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...3qsaAu_K8P8HAQ

Also, can I do this with windows 10 operating system?
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      09-24-2016, 06:33 AM   #22
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@Sonny: I haven't noticed the flash to have affected throttle response or the engine in any way at all. My understanding and experience is that it exclusively intervenes in tranny behavior.

@Levin: That looks like a garden variety OBDII cable whereas I think for cables to be BMW INPA compatible they need additional embedded electronics. I got a cheapie INPA cable off eBay and it works 100%. I'll try to link to a similar eBay item but I guess not all of us have URL posting privileges here.

In theory the software should be able to run on Win10. I used Win7 no problem. Did you try web searching for posts about it? I bet somebody's been down that road already and may have posted about it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Best-...QAAOSwt6ZWVDc4
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