Active Autowerke ECU flash version 1.5

[sge92]

Just thought I would share my initial impressions of the new AA ECU software (version 1.5) which was recently released. Had the initial flash (version 1) done earlier in the summer through Bimmersport Automotive in Mississauga. John and Charlie are great guys and have been excellent to deal with. I received the updated flash 2 weeks ago, free of charge. As with the initial flash, it was a simple download throught the OBD port, which takes about 1 hour. Bimmersport has in-house equipment to perform flashes without removing ECU and shipping to AA. Huge bonus in terms of convenience and peace of mind (this was the reason I went with AA in the first place). Car can be flashed back to stock if needed (included in price of initial flash).

My Car: '08 E92 6MT; AA ECU flash v.1.5; AA under-drive crank pulley; MS air filter

Software Features: All of the features of previous version are maintained, including 4000 RPM launch control and cold start rough idle remap.

Driveability: No problems at all and no change in driveability vs initial version. As before, cold start idle is smooth, significantly improving driveability compared with stock. Fuel consumption is unchanged from stock and version 1. I drive the car moderately aggressively sometimes and very aggressively most of the time and have maintained 13.5L/100km doing approx. 2/3 highway and 1/3 city driving.

Power: I haven't dyno'd the car, nor do I plan to, but the car pulls noticeably harder between 5000 rpm and redline. Peak power is probably about the same, but there is more power over a broader rpm range compared to version 1. I would say Omar's description of more power under the curve is accurate. Yesterday I was able to open her up on a long highway onramp, where I was easily doing 10km/h faster than I normally do before having to let off (I'm not posting the actual speed for fear that it may be used against me in a court of law!)

Recommendation: For anyone considering an ECU flash, particularly if you live in the GTA, this is a no brainer. There is a noticeable difference in power between versions 1 and 1.5, as there was going from stock to version 1. Anyone going from stock to version 1.5 should notice a dramatic improvement. My car is a daily driver (in the summer) and I have not experienced any issues with regards to driveability or reliability. The car was at the dealership this summer for routine servicing with no questions asked. The combination of ease of installation, complete reversibility, noticeable power gains and "stealth" factor make this a very worthwile mod IMO. My suggestion to anyone looking to mod their car for the first time would be to start with an air filter, just because it's dirt cheap, easy to install yourself and yields minor but proven power gains. The next step would definitely be the AA ECU flash.

[attila]

Thanks,
Great review! I got the "version 1" from AA and planning to get this new version!

[SlammedR8]

nice review!!
im going in for the upgrade on Friday afternoon!

[m34jlp]

no idea the technical differences, but i agree that there is more power between 5k and redline.

[sge92]

Don't know the specifics of 1.0 vs 1.5. Perhaps Omar can chime in?

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

What are the technical differences between version 1.0 and version 1.5?

I'd be curious to know this too, but I dont know how much info they will release.

[Omar@ActiveAutowerke]

Good to see Johnny and the Bimmersport team took care of you.

The technical differences are limited for the most part, we did a great amount of testing throughout the Summer and made a few changes based on information we learned through that and or FI program on the E9X M. Changes are geared more towards individuals with exhaust modifications but will benefit everyone.

FYI Bimmersport can now accommodate customers in Canada who would like to ship their ECU to them...

p.s. We are running a short special for a few customers that may be interested in the 1.5 upgrade. Send me a PM for pricing, etc.


note: There is no increased rev limiter for E9X M.

[MIKEYBMW1]

I have just had UK CO EVOLVE remap my car and all it did was give 417bhp only 5bhp more than it ran as standard and they also fitted a remus race exhaust ,whats going on ?

[Jaypod]

Thanks for the write up - i will get mine done when the boys at bimmersport install the AA exhaust!

[sge92]

Originally Posted by

[B

note: There is no increased rev limiter for E9X M.[/B]

Good to know. I've never actually tested that feature out, but rather was going by the info on AA's website. Original post edited.

[sparkyg]

Originally Posted by Active Autowerke

FYI Bimmersport can now accommodate customers in Canada who would like to ship their ECU to them...

Thx Omar, great news for us Canucks, I will want to up mine to the 1.5 but maybe in the spring. Winter will soon be upon us.

[Omar@ActiveAutowerke]

Originally Posted by sparkyg

Thx Omar, great news for us Canucks, I will want to up mine to the 1.5 but maybe in the spring. Winter will soon be upon us.

[M3 Montreal]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

What are the technical differences between version 1.0 and version 1.5?

Much more gains for those without cats and full exhaust (from what Im told).

As much as 12 to 15 added whp and 15 wtq on 1.5 for someone with full bolt ons.

[SlammedR8]

Originally Posted by M3 Montreal

Much more gains for those without cats and full exhaust (from what Im told).

As much as 12 to 15 added whp and 15 wtq on 1.5 for someone with full bolt ons.

I dont think your going to gain 12-15 hp if you already have v1.
because v1 was advertised as giving 12-15 hp as well. so if this v1.5 is gonna give another 12-15 hp. that would mean that the ECU upgrade itself gives us 24-30hp. I highly doubt it. not from just an ECU upgrade.

[SoCalM3Mang]

Originally Posted by slammedm3

I dont think your going to gain 12-15 hp if you already have v1.
because v1 was advertised as giving 12-15 hp as well. so if this v1.5 is gonna give another 12-15 hp. that would mean that the ECU upgrade itself gives us 24-30hp. I highly doubt it. not from just an ECU upgrade.

This is rather interesting I might add.

Think about it for a second.

Singh Motorsports and Power Chip have been claiming 22-30HP increases with Full Exhausts.

My buddy "MWorld" here on the forums has the Full RPI Exhaust(which itself is ridiculously fast)and absolutely raves about the power increase he's seen/felt since getting the Singh Motorsport tune about 4 weeks ago. He says it's made it a different car.

So now I'm wondering if their tunes were just a bit ahead of the original tuners for the car and now everybody (AA included)is catching up?

The big question for me (and why I love the original AA tune) is whether or not it will cause a CEL? No code issues with V1 whatsoever.

So Omar....answer a couple of questions for me if you don't mind.

If someone(ME)has your Pulleys, SSK and Variant One Tune combined with an Axle Back Exhaust(RPI), MS Filter and RPI Scoop, what kind of additional HP/TQ increase could we/I reasonably expect over current?

Also, would it be wise to add the Fabspeed X-Pipe/HFC's before adding 1.5 to maximize power gain across the board in combination with everything else?

Thanks bro!

[ScheerSpeed]

1.5 is better!

[schnell325]

Hmmm...I'll have to send Omar a PM!

[Jon@Bimmersport Automotive]

Thanks Ray, I'm glad your pleased with the service/product. As Omar mentioned, we are able to load ECU's without the vehicle being here. For those interested in software in Canada (especially Ontario) no one can compare to the service, convience and peace of mind that Bimmersport Automotive and AA Tuning is offering.

[Omar@ActiveAutowerke]

Originally Posted by SoCalM3Mang

This is rather interesting I might add.

Think about it for a second.

Singh Motorsports and Power Chip have been claiming 22-30HP increases with Full Exhausts.

My buddy "MWorld" here on the forums has the Full RPI Exhaust(which itself is ridiculously fast)and absolutely raves about the power increase he's seen/felt since getting the Singh Motorsport tune about 4 weeks ago. He says it's made it a different car.

So now I'm wondering if their tunes were just a bit ahead of the original tuners for the car and now everybody (AA included)is catching up?

The big question for me (and why I love the original AA tune) is whether or not it will cause a CEL? No code issues with V1 whatsoever.

So Omar....answer a couple of questions for me if you don't mind.

If someone(ME)has your Pulleys, SSK and Variant One Tune combined with an Axle Back Exhaust(RPI), MS Filter and RPI Scoop, what kind of additional HP/TQ increase could we/I reasonably expect over current?

Also, would it be wise to add the Fabspeed X-Pipe/HFC's before adding 1.5 to maximize power gain across the board in combination with everything else?

Thanks bro!

I am not claiming 25-30 rwhp from a NA tune alone, that is absurd. We made a few changes in the tune which have resulted in gains in the mid range and anincreases towards redline depending on your mods.

As far as how much HP you should expect that varies by car, all I can tell you is that there will be an increase...

Lately there has been too much hype with NA tunes, if they are done properly the majority of them should be within 5 HP of each other.

[Omar@ActiveAutowerke]

Originally Posted by ScheerSpeed

1.5 is better!

[SoCalM3Mang]

Originally Posted by Active Autowerke

I am not claiming 25-30 rwhp from a NA tune alone, that is absurd. We made a few changes in the tune which have resulted in gains in the mid range and anincreases towards redline depending on your mods.

As far as how much HP you should expect that varies by car, all I can tell you is that there will be an increase...

Lately there has been too much hype with NA tunes, if they are done properly the majority of them should be within 5 HP of each other.

Thanks for your reply Omar.

But I've spoken with 4 different people who have gotten the Singh Tune and they rave about it. I drove one of their cars and I was blown away.

I assume this kind of increase would only come from a full Catless exhaust but what do I know?

I just wish you could re-do my tune locally in So Cal? I don't want to send my ECU across the country by Fed-Ex. Way too much risk IMO.

Anybody that could offer a solution for West Coast folks with the current AA V1 tune?

Thanks.

[STALKER]

Does the tune get rid of the secondary O2 sensors(I believe that is correct) so you don't get a CEL light with aftermarket mid pipes that relocate the cats?