M3 Hex Tuning Flash Software Upgrade
I’ve wanted an M3 since the original E30 and have loved each edition, the E36 included. I almost sprung for an low mileage 2006 E46 Competition, but regrettably had to pass on it. Happily, I purchased a 2011 BMW e90 M3 Competition with DCT secondhand from my local Porsche dealer in May of 2012. It was, and remains, extremely clean. At the time, it had only 12K on the odometer and since then I’ve put on about 16K fun filled miles and plan to keep this car long term.
I love this machine and drive it like I stole it, but if there’s one complaint I’ve had, it’s the fact that the low end torque was insufficient for a 1.75 ton vehicle. From a dead start, I’ve had to wind up the tach to at least 4K to get the kind of acceleration I want. It’s almost as if the car was turbocharged and I was suffering from turbo lag. While great for the race track, it leaves something to be desired on the street. This is definitely not something that C63 AMG owners ever have to worry about. Additionally, although I can easily afford 91 octane fuel, the M3’s already miserable mpg was worsened by my lead foot, darkening my mood.
Upon hearing my gripe, one of my friends mentioned VF Engineering’s Hex Flash ECU tune, stating that they had software upgrades in addition to their well-known supercharger systems. After checking out VF’s website I was intrigued by the diversity of applications available. I contacted VF and asked to speak with Nik, the brains behind VF. We discussed exactly what I wanted out of the car and, after several conversations, the Hex Flash ECU software upgrade ended up being the best fit for my needs.
The upgrade addresses a number issues, including the following:
Automatic update to latest BMW software version
Vanos mapping enhancements
Ignition timing optimization
Fuel management re-calibration
Torque management optimization
Enhanced throttle response
Top speed limiter removed
Optional increased RPM limiter
Optional off-road exhaust calibration
Optional race gas mapping/custom tuning
Optional off-road cat-warm up sequence de-activation
Optional valet mode file
Optional immobilizer file
User programmable Hex Tuning cable included
Since I don’t track the M3, I chose the standard package without any of the optional features. However, I did choose to have my stock intake filter replaced with VF’s free flowing filter.
So after finalizing what I wanted, I drove the M3 to VF’s Anaheim facility to have the upgrade done. Before the install, Nik’s crew drove the M3 on to their 4 wheel dyno to get a baseline measurement, then proceeded to upload the software to the M3’s ECU. After the install was completed, the M3 was again placed on the dyno to confirm the results, which you can see on the chart below:
Don’t let the torque and horsepower plots fool you. While the improvement seems to be small, in the real world the difference is quite noticeable. I immediately noticed an improvement in low end throttle response off the line and also while at speed. Unless I want to really hammer it, I no longer have to mash the pedal when the revs are low. This has translated into improved driveability in all situations and, paradoxically, improved fuel economy due to the fact that I’m no longer winding the engine’s revs up to the stratosphere. Now a 1 mpg improvement is not much, but when you’re averaging 13.8-14 mpg, 15 mpg looks downright awesome!
So, if you’re looking for a performance gain, but don’t need or want a full works package, the Hex Tuning flash upgrade might just be what you’re looking for. It was for me and I highly recommend it.
I’ve wanted an M3 since the original E30 and have loved each edition, the E36 included. I almost sprung for an low mileage 2006 E46 Competition, but regrettably had to pass on it. Happily, I purchased a 2011 BMW e90 M3 Competition with DCT secondhand from my local Porsche dealer in May of 2012. It was, and remains, extremely clean. At the time, it had only 12K on the odometer and since then I’ve put on about 16K fun filled miles and plan to keep this car long term.
I love this machine and drive it like I stole it, but if there’s one complaint I’ve had, it’s the fact that the low end torque was insufficient for a 1.75 ton vehicle. From a dead start, I’ve had to wind up the tach to at least 4K to get the kind of acceleration I want. It’s almost as if the car was turbocharged and I was suffering from turbo lag. While great for the race track, it leaves something to be desired on the street. This is definitely not something that C63 AMG owners ever have to worry about. Additionally, although I can easily afford 91 octane fuel, the M3’s already miserable mpg was worsened by my lead foot, darkening my mood.
Upon hearing my gripe, one of my friends mentioned VF Engineering’s Hex Flash ECU tune, stating that they had software upgrades in addition to their well-known supercharger systems. After checking out VF’s website I was intrigued by the diversity of applications available. I contacted VF and asked to speak with Nik, the brains behind VF. We discussed exactly what I wanted out of the car and, after several conversations, the Hex Flash ECU software upgrade ended up being the best fit for my needs.
The upgrade addresses a number issues, including the following:
Automatic update to latest BMW software version
Vanos mapping enhancements
Ignition timing optimization
Fuel management re-calibration
Torque management optimization
Enhanced throttle response
Top speed limiter removed
Optional increased RPM limiter
Optional off-road exhaust calibration
Optional race gas mapping/custom tuning
Optional off-road cat-warm up sequence de-activation
Optional valet mode file
Optional immobilizer file
User programmable Hex Tuning cable included
Since I don’t track the M3, I chose the standard package without any of the optional features. However, I did choose to have my stock intake filter replaced with VF’s free flowing filter.
So after finalizing what I wanted, I drove the M3 to VF’s Anaheim facility to have the upgrade done. Before the install, Nik’s crew drove the M3 on to their 4 wheel dyno to get a baseline measurement, then proceeded to upload the software to the M3’s ECU. After the install was completed, the M3 was again placed on the dyno to confirm the results, which you can see on the chart below:
Don’t let the torque and horsepower plots fool you. While the improvement seems to be small, in the real world the difference is quite noticeable. I immediately noticed an improvement in low end throttle response off the line and also while at speed. Unless I want to really hammer it, I no longer have to mash the pedal when the revs are low. This has translated into improved driveability in all situations and, paradoxically, improved fuel economy due to the fact that I’m no longer winding the engine’s revs up to the stratosphere. Now a 1 mpg improvement is not much, but when you’re averaging 13.8-14 mpg, 15 mpg looks downright awesome!
So, if you’re looking for a performance gain, but don’t need or want a full works package, the Hex Tuning flash upgrade might just be what you’re looking for. It was for me and I highly recommend it.
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