Alex Alpine ECU Tune

[tigermack]

Or just buy it now and enjoy it rather than keep contemplating for the next few months. It's just me.

[storM3trooper]

Originally Posted by mrspecter

I was also interested pretty interested in the group buy for Alex's Alpine tune as well, but I stumbled upon this thread too late. Maybe if we get enough people we can make it happen again?

It seems like we are in the same boat. I'm also considering either doing test pipes or an x pipe to enhance the sound of my MPE, but I'd rather not delete my cats due to smell and emissions reasons. NY is also not friendly when it comes to state inspections and emissions.

If you want to keep the secondary cats, take a look at the fabspeed secondary cat bypass pipe. I'm heavily considering doing this as well
https://www.fabspeed.com/bmw-m3-e90-...bypass-x-pipe/

Also been looking at the RKP street or sport x pipe, but the sport is pretty steep at $1800.

Got the tune using the promo code. Inquired about test pipes with a local indy shop and was recommending a $895 tune

[storM3trooper]

Can someone tell why I keep getting an error when I try to load the "flash first" file? I'm using windows computer

[sdbmwcoding]

Originally Posted by storM3trooper

Can someone tell why I keep getting an error when I try to load the "flash first" file? I'm using windows computer

Are you sure the ignition is turned on with the engine off? Driver side seat belt plugged in? Ignition is turned on when the fuel gauge goes up. If you can, list out the exact steps you've taken so far to further help with diagnosing the problem.

[storM3trooper]

Originally Posted by storM3trooper

Can someone tell why I keep getting an error when I try to load the "flash first" file? I'm using windows computer

Figured it out

[storM3trooper]

Originally Posted by sd*********

Are you sure the ignition is turned on with the engine off? Driver side seat belt plugged in? Ignition is turned on when the fuel gauge goes up. If you can, list out the exact steps you've taken so far to further help with diagnosing the problem.

Thanks bro I figured it out last night just needed to close the app and open again

[Alex@Alpine]

Originally Posted by storM3trooper

Can someone tell why I keep getting an error when I try to load the "flash first" file? I'm using windows computer

Sometimes if the app is opened too long it needs to be closed and reopened. Specially after a long read. If you get error 9999 just close it and reopen the app.

[MP0W3RD]

I just wanted to take a moment to share my experience with Alex.

I purchased his tune last month right after I put my car into storage. I live in a Northern state and it is unfortunately parked for about 5 months a year.

We got a few days of warmth and I took the opportunity to flash the tune and install the GTS DCT tune as well. All I can say is: wow.

Alex is a consummate professional, taking the time to explain things carefully to me, and his tune is worth every penny. Shifting is a lot smoother, while remaining quick, and input lag is totally gone.

I have a catless example so I went with the stage 2 tune. There is a very noticeable difference in acceleration, particularly in 7th gear. The car pulls in a way it never has before. I am extremely excited to get it back on the track this summer.

Thank you Alex.

[RE36TRO]

Nice feedback, will definitely be looking into his tune after my RB's get replaced.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by statik

for anyone else interested, sounds like the answer is one.

I just failed for "readiness". I have a stage 1 tune so I need to remove it first but I misplaced my Alpine cable lol. Not sure if it's the tune but that's first on the list as the car is otherwise stock.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

I just failed for "readiness". I have a stage 1 tune so I need to remove it first but I misplaced my Alpine cable lol. Not sure if it's the tune but that's first on the list as the car is otherwise stock.

I know CA is the strictest emissions wise, are you allowed any "not ready" ? or is 1 not ready considered a fail?

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by tdott

I know CA is the strictest emissions wise, are you allowed any "not ready" ? or is 1 not ready considered a fail?

Not allowed. So I failed and still paid the $65 fee. Now I have to fix the issue whatever that may be.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

I just failed for "readiness". I have a stage 1 tune so I need to remove it first but I misplaced my Alpine cable lol. Not sure if it's the tune but that's first on the list as the car is otherwise stock.

for emissions the easiest thing is to flash back to stock. I've never been able to pass with a tune, even when I have cats etc in place.

Massive PITA if you ask me...

[statik]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

I just failed for "readiness". I have a stage 1 tune so I need to remove it first but I misplaced my Alpine cable lol. Not sure if it's the tune but that's first on the list as the car is otherwise stock.

did you have cold start removed? I can't see why a stage 1 tune would make any monitors not ready

[wyatth]

Wait, stage 1 won’t pass in CA?

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by statik

did you have cold start removed? I can't see why a stage 1 tune would make any monitors not ready

No. Just regular Stage 1 tune.

I don't want to cause a panic and say the failed smog was attributable to the tune when I have no idea if it was the tune or something else.

I did have a CEL that was caused by a hole in an air sensor hose that was fixed by the dealer so maybe they did or didnt do something. That was a few thousand miles ago and was fixed perfectly and the CEL never returned.

Now just starts the diagnosis part where I first need to remove the tune. Need to get a new cable from Alex first.

[pjk380]

Alex’s Stage 1 tune will pass CA smog. That’s one of the first questions I asked Alex before I bought his Stage 1 tune. All monitors should set to “Ready” once the drive cycle has been completed. CA allows one “not ready” but it can’t be the O2 monitor. I currently have a “not ready” on the O2 monitor. All others are ‘Ready”. I need to drive the car more to clear O2 to ready. I use a cheapy Innova scanner that can check for Monitor Readiness.

Longboarder, which monitor or monitors are “not ready”?

Alex has consistently posted to return to the stock tune before emissions testing.

-Mark in St. Louis

hmmm, that may be but I understood all Monitors can go to "Ready" with Stage 1 tune.

[buldogge]

Alex has consistently posted to return to the stock tune before emissions testing.

-Mark in St. Louis

[dpilat8588]

how does Alex's tune compare to the BPM tune?

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by pjk380

Alex's Stage 1 tune will pass CA smog. That's one of the first questions I asked Alex before I bought his Stage 1 tune. All monitors should set to "Ready" once the drive cycle has been completed. CA allows one "not ready" but it can't be the O2 monitor. I currently have a "not ready" on the O2 monitor. All others are 'Ready". I need to drive the car more to clear O2 to ready. I use a cheapy Innova scanner that can check for Monitor Readiness.

Longboarder, which monitor or monitors are "not ready"?

[SIZE="2"]Alex has consistently posted to return to the stock tune before emissions testing.

-Mark in St. Louis[/SIZE]

hmmm, that may be but I understood all Monitors can go to "Ready" with Stage 1 tune.

My OBD II monitors weren't ready.

[DavidZ]

Originally Posted by pjk380

Alex’s Stage 1 tune will pass CA smog. That’s one of the first questions I asked Alex before I bought his Stage 1 tune. All monitors should set to “Ready” once the drive cycle has been completed. CA allows one “not ready” but it can’t be the O2 monitor. I currently have a “not ready” on the O2 monitor. All others are ‘Ready”. I need to drive the car more to clear O2 to ready. I use a cheapy Innova scanner that can check for Monitor Readiness.

Longboarder, which monitor or monitors are “not ready”?

Alex has consistently posted to return to the stock tune before emissions testing.

-Mark in St. Louis

hmmm, that may be but I understood all Monitors can go to "Ready" with Stage 1 tune.

There must have been a misunderstanding there because the car will not achieve OBD readiness with Stage 1. Your O2 sensors will not report as ready until you flash back to stock.

[//steve\\]

Originally Posted by DavidZ

There must have been a misunderstanding there because the car will not achieve OBD readiness with Stage 1. Your O2 sensors will not report as ready until you flash back to stock.

This doesn't make a lot of sense to me. A stage1 tune should be for a totally stock car and therefore I don't see why it wouldn't be possible for all the readiness monitors to be "ready" I'd think stage1 is just tweaking fueling/ignition tables a bit and likely leaving anything that might fail emissions alone.