DCT GTS Software Upgrade

[SYZ]

Tonight I had Alex over at Alpine update my DCT transmission software with the BMW GTS DCT software. Let me first say that Alex was very helpful and responsive to my emails over the past couple weeks when I was first inquiring about coding and DCT software. He does all the software loading remotely; he just ships out a cable to interact with your computer along with a flash drive to load the proper software onto your computer as well. Shipping is more than reasonable; he charged $5 to ship the loaner cable out and I believe the shipping label stated that it cost more than he even charged... so no dumb shipping markups is always a nice start...

Onto the actual DCT software, my first impressions are that the software update fixed the issues that the stock software suffered from. Perhaps others may or may not have found these issues annoying, but the original software was slightly jerky/clunky when downshifting coming to a stop. The GTS software has smoothed this issue out. Additionally, the gear engagement after selection occurs quicker than before i.e. selecting reverse there is no lag.

Pushing over once on the shifter now engages D2 instead of S3. So two nudges will engage manual mode, and yes, it does remember your S setting from the previous time. So if you like to always have it in S5 like I do, it will keep that setting instead of defaulting to S3 like before. D mode seems to always default to D2 when restarting the car however. There might be an option to change this in the iDrive, but I haven't looked yet.

The biggest difference is certainly the clutch speed at high RPMs. Stock software always seemed to slip the clutch a bit the higher up in the RPMs you were. It almost seemed like the DCT would shift/engage faster when short shifting at 5500RPMs rather than when winding it out to redline. Now with the GTS software, it shifts faster than before. No more noticeable clutch slip up top, it just grabs and goes. I'm happy with it.

What's probably even better about this is the price that Alex loaded the software up for me for. I had some coding done by him at the same time (lights, DVD inMotion, remove gongs, Euro MDM) for a fantastic price ($60!!!) and decided to spring for the DCT software as well. Well, Alex is such a great guy that he only charges $60 to update your DCT software to GTS software. I think that's one of the best values floating around in the M3 aftermarket right now.

If any of you guys were thinking about doing this upgrade, just do it already. $60 is a no-brainer.




1 MONTH UPDATE 8/15/13

I wanted to update you guys on a software change Alex just performed for me today. He mentioned in the thread here that there are a few GTS files available out there, and my initial review was for one of them, albeit, not for the most aggressive one. Well, I opted to go with a more aggressive file after Alex offered it up to me a few weeks ago. This file consists of 100ms shifts, the fastest the standard (non GTS) DCT can go.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO PROGRAM LAUNCH CONTROL DOWN TO 4500 or 3500, MY CHOICE.

Here was my text to Alex after I gave it a spin around the block and freeway:

"Fucking badass. Don't know how else to describe it. You rock."

It's that good. When testing, it was 110 degrees out and road temps were probably in the 130's. The E93 was still able to chirp gears all through 4th on S5 setting. I couldn't believe it. This is the real deal. If you like throwing hundreds of dollars away, by all means go with another vendor that charges more for probably the same thing. The first update I got I was very happy with. This version, I'm blown away at the value Alex is offering. Major props to you Alex.

One last thing I want to mention is that Alex has never gave me the impression that the services and files that he provides are unsafe for our cars. He has actually educated me about the dangers of some of the coding services I was originally requesting and therefore the reasons why he would not offer that type of coding. I respect that and it makes me feel confident in the safety and legitimacy of the other performance files like the DCT software he offers.

[okusa]

Is that the same software that others are selling for $1,000?

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by okusa

Is that the same software that others are selling for $1,000?

I don't know definitively. But I'm sure one can make an educated guess about it.

[okusa]

Sounds like one of those if it sounds too good to be true...situations

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by okusa

Sounds like one of those if it sounds too good to be true...situations

Ok. Believe what you want. DCT is updated to BMW's GTS software. Alex just charges $60 to provide you with the file, and upload it to your car. He does not claim to be installing "his" software.

[Longboarder]

Seriously $60? Alex can you stop by and chime in as to what all the benefits are? I'm sure you will have quite a few new customers.

[Alex@Alpine]

Thanks guys, I never had a large price tag with any of my services. When coding was $300-$1000, my prices have been the same. The benefits of the DCT update is as the op stated, I could not have said it better myself, I am sure he will add more as he racks up some more miles. Only thing I can add is that reverse engages almost right away. Much appreciate the review Dan.

[Leonardo629]

Alex,

Can I do the software upgrade myself if I already have an ESS OBDII cable? Or do I need to visit you?

[dozaiya]

Originally Posted by okusa

Sounds like one of those if it sounds too good to be true...situations

not really too good to be true
since evolve is going to give it out for free

[edwinm3]

Originally Posted by Alex@Alpine

Thanks guys, I never had a large price tag with any of my services. When coding was $300-$1000, my prices have been the same. The benefits of the DCT update is as the op stated, I could not have said it better myself, I am sure he will add more as he racks up some more miles. Only thing I can add is that reverse engages almost right away. Much appreciate the review Dan.

Hi Alex,
What do I have to do to buy this s/w from you? Pls provide me with the details and payment info so we can move forward, I really wanna do this.
Thanks
Edwin

[Alex@Alpine]

Originally Posted by Leonardo629

Alex,

Can I do the software upgrade myself if I already have an ESS OBDII cable? Or do I need to visit you?

That would not work, their cable is made to work with their software. You would have to come down, if your in walnut, you are only about 30 miles from me.

[Alex@Alpine]

Originally Posted by edwinm3

Hi Alex,
What do I have to do to buy this s/w from you? Pls provide me with the details and payment info so we can move forward, I really wanna do this.
Thanks
Edwin

I do not sell software, this is not what you think. It's not simple select and load, you can ask the OP the process we went through to load it.

Please PM for more details guys.

[edwinm3]

Originally Posted by Alex@Alpine

I do not sell software, this is not what you think. It's not simple select and load, you can ask the OP the process we went through to load it.

Please PM for more details guys.

I'm confused

[okusa]

Originally Posted by dozaiya

not really too good to be true
since evolve is going to give it out for free

Impressive!

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by Alex@Alpine

I do not sell software, this is not what you think. It's not simple select and load, you can ask the OP the process we went through to load it.

Please PM for more details guys.

you have a pm

[Antonio1988]

Alex, I would be interested in both coding and dct GTS software. Sending you a PM now

:-)

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

The GTS has the Euro DCT Software. I have it coded on my car and it's awesome. I agree that the shifts are crisper and on cold starts, the car doesn't buck as much anymore.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by PoweredBy///M

The GTS has the Euro DCT Software. I have it coded on my car and it's awesome. I agree that the shifts are crisper and on cold starts, the car doesn't buck as much anymore.

So if you do the Euro DCT software in a US spec car does it also change MDM to Euro as well?

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

So if you do the Euro DCT software in a US spec car does it also change MDM to Euro as well?

I don't think so. When we went through the coding options, that's when he asked me if I wanted Euro MDM.

The DCT software load was a separate process.

Either way, it's $60 to code Euro MDM along with whatever other coding options you want that he offers.

[tbone28]

Originally Posted by SYZ

Pushing over once on the shifter now engages D2 instead of S3.

Was this a choice of your choosing? Or does this update require engaging D mode when pushing the shifter over once?

I drive only in S, so prefer it to engage S with a single push. But I do like the feature of remembering the last setting. I usually drive in S4

[Sales@Evolve]

This in incredibly reasonable as a standalone service.
Nice one Alex!

[SYZ]

Originally Posted by tbone28

Was this a choice of your choosing? Or does this update require engaging D mode when pushing the shifter over once?

I drive only in S, so prefer it to engage S with a single push. But I do like the feature of remembering the last setting. I usually drive in S4

There are no options to change this, so no, it was not my choice. You would have to double tap to engage S mode if you updated to GTS software. However, it's a better compromise and quicker to double tap rather than having to tap once then press up on the S setting button like you are doing now though.