I had my Inspection 1 done today on my '99 M3 and one of the things my dealer did was download new passenger side airbag software. The new software is supposed to reduce the chance that the passenger side dash and side airbags are deployed if something like large potholes are hit. I think this new software also eliminates the chance of the passenger side airbags from deploying if there is no passenger in the car too.

I recall hearing about this about a year ago. I never received anything in the mail from BMW about it so I guess they just take care of it when customers come in for service. My car only has 13,000 miles on it so I haven't had to visit the service department very often and wasn't aware the new software needed to be done until today. Has anyone else had this done?

Bob ///M3

was this done for free? warranty? recall?

Bob, they did it for me (without telling me first) when I brought the car in to get the factory alarm installed a few weeks after I bought the car in May 2000. It was a recall in 1999, I believe, and yes, it's free.

when I bought my car earlier this year, I called BMW-NA to run the VIN and see if all the recalls had been done. This airbag recall was the only one that hadn't. I guess it's not talked about as much since it only affects 98 and 99 owners.

Yes, it is taken care of at no charge... whether the car is still under warranty or not. I don't think it's a "recall" but more a fix. It's taken care of whenever the owner next visits the dealership.

My M3 only has 13,000 miles on it and I haven't had it at the dealership for almost a year so I was unaware this was going to be done until now. It only took a few minutes to download the new software to the port receptacle under the hood. By the way, the new software does not change the engine's ignition and fuel maps...only the airbag. In case anyone is wondering that has enhanced engine performance software.

Bob ///M3


Originally posted by umnitza
was this done for free? warranty? recall?

I believe that the update basically just reduces the sensitiivty of the airbag impact sensors due to reports of non impact airbag deployment.

Thats basically what it does... lowers the sensativity for the side airbag sensors for M3s that came equipped with them.

Also it is done without affecting your Conforti/Dinan/etc code.

So people with modified ECUs don't have to start freaking.

That's the first thing I asked! :D I wanted to know if I needed to re-Shark!

Bob ///M3


Originally posted by jsp98m3
Also it is done without affecting your Conforti/Dinan/etc code.

So people with modified ECUs don't have to start freaking.

couldnt someone just use that shark device on like 20 cars? what keeps people from buying one and everyone sharing it?

When it's first used, the device codes itself to that one car. It cannot be shared.

Bob ///M3


Originally posted by Stockman
couldnt someone just use that shark device on like 20 cars? what keeps people from buying one and everyone sharing it?

No. It swaps code I believe. Shark code into the car, your code into the Injector. Want to un-shark for maintenance? Unshark and the code reverses. Stock out of the injector and into the car, shark code out of the car and back into the injector.

Something along that line. It may just be counters and flags in the device, but that seems to be the essence of it. All of what I just said is vague memories since I don't have one. In fact, I've never seen one in person at all for that matter.

I was responding to Stockman. You may be right Bob. I don't know for certain. So it could code itself to the car. Or swap code. I'm really not certain. All I know is that Conforti thought of that very early in the process and made sure he wouldn't get cheated on sales. Lots of dirtballs in the past apparently just copied his chips without paying royalties. That's a shame. People may disagree with the value of the code. Or not. And the sell price will float to market value. But stealing is a bad thing.

Did *I* say that????

Conforti told me personally (well...email) that it specifically codes itself to an ID tag in your DME first time it's used.

makes sense... seems easily hackable if someone cared to though