Update car software?

[1eyebandit]

Hello, I have a new to me 2014 650i convertible, I was scanning my car with ISTA+. I see an update available, it looks like my car have a 2018 version and there's a 2021 version. Do anyone have the 2021 version on their car? are there any know issues with updating. I took some pics from ISTA.

TIA

[peoe]

I updated mine without issues. I used ESys though but I hear updating with ISTA works just fine.
Make sure your battery is fully charged and use a good charger during the update as it can take some time.

[scubachris]

hi.
just be aware that all bmw dme s (ecu) are locked from the factory on cars with build dates from june 2020 onwards.
in the picture it shows your dme will be updated by the new software version update.this is likely to lock your dme..which is not a problem as long as you dont want the car remapping..
im not 100% on this,but i am pretty sure.

there are a very few tuners that can unlock the locked dme s.

[1eyebandit]

Originally Posted by peoe

I updated mine without issues. I used ESys though but I hear updating with ISTA works just fine.
Make sure your battery is fully charged and use a good charger during the update as it can take some time.

Thanks PEOE, What kind of charger do you use?

[1eyebandit]

Originally Posted by scubachris

hi.
just be aware that all bmw dme s (ecu) are locked from the factory on cars with build dates from june 2020 onwards.
in the picture it shows your dme will be updated by the new software version update.this is likely to lock your dme..which is not a problem as long as you dont want the car remapping..
im not 100% on this,but i am pretty sure.

there are a very few tuners that can unlock the locked dme s.

So if I was planning to get a tune in the future I shouldn't update?

[scubachris]

if you do want to remap or tune your car then it will not be possible if the dme is locked..
i know of several 2017 to 2020 bmws that had a software update after june 2020,,including over the air updates that locked the dme.
if you google locked bmw dme or ecu from 2020 there is a lot of information about it.
there was one company that claimed to be able to unlock them called femto but they are in russia or eastern block...there are a couple of other tuners who claim they can unlock them but 90% of tuners still say they cant unlock them.

please just do a little research before updating your dme.