Not only has BMW electrical architecture changed throughout the last decade, but so gets the equipment to service them. The gear is different, the interfaces have changed along with the complexity of setup and use.
Early tools
Back in the 1990’s, the Group Tester One (GT1) was introduced. There was a few versions, like DIS Plus (stationary setup), though the GT1 is regarded as the common and is also what’s going to be referenced here. The GT1 is really a portable device which contained a chargeable battery. It provides a touchscreen display screen for easy use. It contained software for Diagnosing and in addition had software called TIS (Technical Information Display) which is the Service & Repair Information. Early versions of Diagnostics also contained software called Coding, Programming & Individualization (CIP). So from your same tool, you could Diagnose the problem, lookup the way to switch the component and then perform the needed initializations for that new part. Two interfaces were utilized: EDIC (yellow interface) as well as the OPS (orange interface). Later versions with the OPS were called OPPS, given that they carried additional diagnostics for that Byteflite system and they were also yellow, but much larger than the EDIC. Authentic GT1s are on the portable touchscreen unit. There are many “cloned” units available, adapted to be effective on a PC. Either genuine or cloned, the interfaces work exactly the same and fasten via an Ethernet port.
Later versions with the GT1 software removed CIP, and moved it to a separate computer (for storage), but nonetheless accessible from the GT1. This new software was called Progman (short for Program Manager). This new software contained every one of the CIP functions and added additional features like multiple car programming and dual channel programming for each car (DIAGBUS and a lot bus simultaneously).
Third Generation equipment
Fast forward to around 2008 if the Third Generation (3G) of apparatus premiered: ISIS. The valuables in ISIS are so large, that hosting are set up on the dealership. An online version is available to the aftermarket for a fee, called OSS. It could be available at bmw m2. With the introduction of ISIS comes a fresh interface, called ICOM. Previous interfaces (EDIC & OPS) won’t work with ISIS. ISIS is made up of few parts, since it completely replaced GT1 & Progman. The key section of ISIS which is used within the shop is called “ISTA”, which can be further broken down into a double edged sword: ISTA/D for Diagnosing vehicles and ISTA/P for Coding, Programming & Individualization.
Comparison
GT1s can be found just about anyplace, including eBay for really cheap. BMW pointed out that the tool was easily cloned and sold worldwide. Many degrees of security have already been put in the roll-out of ISIS to stop this, in both resident servers and internet based versions. This makes it much harder for non-dealer shops to work around the newer cars. One could feel that considering that the GT1 was discontinued last year, you might keep using that for a number of more years until the newer system became more available, however, BMW stayed one step ahead! Each time a car is programmed using the new ISTA/P, it upgrades the software beyond the degree of what Program can recognize. That means, once a car has been updated with ISTA/P, you’ll never use Progman about it again, rendering the “cloned” versions useless on that particular car. Also, each time a new module is installed, the program that’s pre-installed on that module can be newer compared to what Program can recognize, which may steer clear of the entire programming process, forcing the car being programmed by ISTA/P.
Just what exactly does which means that for the BMW owner? Due to the newer systems, many BMW owners can’t repair the cars themselves. Many aftermarket shops may also be sending the cars to dealerships because of this. However, not all aftermarket shops have fallen behind. There are a limited number of BMW specialty shops that stay on surface of manufacturer technology, to ensure that no car is averted! When looking for a location to service your BMW, make sure they could do ALL aspects of repair, including Diagnostics and CIP!
One particular shop is Auto Specialties of Lake Norman: Auto Specialties of Lake Norman. If you are searching at a potential shops website, look for signs they do have the most recent equipment. BMW Repair Shops that can’t “do it all” can frequently cause increased expense and time after they discover everything has been incorrectly diagnosed or parts installed now need programmed or initialized.
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