For BMW enthusiasts and tuners, modifying and tuning their vehicles has always been a key part of ownership. However, if you own a BMW built after July 2020, you may have already encountered a major roadblock locked ECUs.
Starting in mid-2020, BMW introduced new encryption in their Engine Control Units (ECUs), preventing traditional tuning and modifications. This affects a wide range of BMW models and engines, frustrating tuners who were used to easily unlocking more performance.
The ECU Lockdown: What Changed in July 2020?
Before July 2020, BMW ECUs could be tuned using our equipment. However, with newer models, BMW implemented new encryption algorithms that prevent any OBD or bench tuning. These locked ECUs require a specialized unlocking process before they can be modified.
How to Check Your BMW Build Date
To determine if your BMW has a locked ECU, you need to check the build date. You can find this information on the driver door pillar there is a black and white sticker that lists the month and year of production.
• If your BMW was built before July 2020, it can still be tuned using conventional methods.
• If your BMW was built in July 2020 or later, it has a locked ECU and will require unlocking before tuning.
Which BMW Engines Are Affected?
Every BMW built after July 2020 with one of the following engines carries a locked ECU.
Petrol (Gasoline) Engines
B38 1.5L 3-cylinder (118i, 218i, MINI Cooper, etc.)
B48 2.0L 4-cylinder (330i, 530i, X3 30i, etc.)
B58 3.0L 6-cylinder (M340i, 540i, X3 M40i, Supra, etc.)
S58 3.0L high-performance 6-cylinder (M3, M4, X3M, X4M, M2 G87)
N63 4.4L twin-turbo V8 (M550i, X5 50i, X7 50i, etc.)
S63 4.4L high-performance twin-turbo V8 (M5, X5M, X6M, etc.)
Diesel Engines
B37 1.5L 3-cylinder (116d, 216d)
B47 2.0L 4-cylinder (320d, 520d, X3 20d, etc.)
B57 3.0L 6-cylinder (330d, 530d, X5 30d, M340d, etc.)
Hybrid & Electric Models
B38/B48 Hybrid Variants Used in plug-in hybrids like the 330e, 530e, 745e, etc.
iX3, i4, iX, and other electric models While these do not have an ECU in the traditional sense, BMW has implemented strict software encryption in their control modules, limiting modifications.
Which BMWs Can Still Be Tuned?
If your BMW was built before July 2020, you can still tune it without any extra unlocking process. These models use the same engines but with older software versions that allow traditional tuning methods.
FEMTO: The Only Company Unlocking Post-July 2020 BMW ECUs
Currently, FEMTO, a company based in Finland, is the only known company offering an ECU unlock solution for post-July 2020 BMWs. The process involves physically sending your ECU to FEMTO facility, where they modify the encryption and return it to you in an unlocked state. Once unlocked, your BMW can be tuned normally.
How Does the FEMTO Unlock Process Work?
1. Remove the ECU from your BMW This requires professional assistance.
2. Ship the ECU to FEMTO in Finland International shipping is required.
3. FEMTO unlocks the ECU The encryption is modified to allow tuning.
4. Reinstall the ECU and tune Once back in your car, you can use Bootmod3, MG Flasher, or other software to tune it.
Pros & Cons of the FEMTO Unlock
Pros:
• The only way to tune post-2020 BMWs.
• Once unlocked, full tuning capability is restored.
Cons:
• Requires physically shipping your ECU to Finland.
• The unlocking process is expensive.
• Long turnaround time due to international shipping and processing.
Final Thoughts: Should You Tune Your BMW?
If you own a pre-July 2020 BMW, you can still enjoy full tuning freedom. However, if your car was built after that date, FEMTO is currently your only option for unlocking the ECU.
For buyers considering a used BMW, checking the build date on the driver door pillar is crucial if you plan to tune the car, opting for a pre-July 2020 model will save you money and hassle.
As of now, no other company has successfully cracked the new ECU encryption, but as tuning technology evolves, more solutions may emerge in the future.
Would you send your ECU to FEMTO, or would you wait for another solution? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!