The Alpina transmission flash is a well-known upgrade among BMW enthusiasts. The software for the automatic transmission control unit (EGS) is replaced with Alpina vehicle software. 

Although the entire process takes less than 10 minutes, I spent more than 5 hours the first time I tried it. The internet is full of fragmented information for different models. 

Ergo this guide. 

We’ll start with the F series, and later I’ll cover the E series BMWs (an entirely different process).

Let’s get started.

Software and tools

Basically, you’ll need the same tools as for flashing any module with E-Sys:

• Laptop with E-Sys and Psdz Data (Full version)
• ENET cable 
• Power supply 
• ISTA (just to clear DTC memory)

E-Sys and Psdz Data

If you are new to flashing/updating modules with E-Sys, check out this guide first →

Here you can download the E-Sys software and Psdz Data → 

Bimmerscene.com

Power Supply

The power supply charger depends on the model you are flashing. Eg., while the G11 7-Series requires at least a 100A power supply unit, the base model 3-Series will do with a CTEK 25A.

If you want to learn more about the importance of a stable power supply during the flash process, please read this article → 

Best Power Supply Units (PSU) For BMW Coding & Programming

ENET Cable 

The ENET cable is a simple Ethernet connection between the car and your laptop. So you can buy a high-quality cable for under $30. 

BMW ISTA

The ISTA is here just to clear the fault memory. Depending on the mode, the flash will cause a lot of fault memory entries (DTC). Driving the car with DTCs wouldn’t cause any operational issues. 

This also means that you can use the OBD tool or smartphone app which can communicate with all BMW modules.

Note!

All adaptations will reset during the flash procedure. So, if the transmission had higher adaptation intervention, you’ll have to drive your Bimmer for a while to adapt again (up to 100 miles). 

Here you can learn more about BMW transmission adaptations → 

Alpina Transmission Flash Process

The first step is to modify the vehicle order. Vehicle order (FA) will automatically tell the E-Sys application which software to load into the car modules. 

The values that we need to modify are Type Code (Typeschlűssel) and Build Date (Zeitkriterium). 

Here’s how this works. 

In this example, we’ll flash the Alpina transmission software into the 2010 F10 530d. 

Modify Vehicle Order

Type Code: XA71. This is the production code for BMW F10 535d on which the Alpina D5 is 

based. 

Build Date: 1112. In this case, we also need to change the build date, as the D5 was not available in 2010. 

Now we need to add Alpina equipment codes in the SALAPA element.

920 – 

9XA – 

How to Find Alpina Type Codes

The easiest way is when you have the VIN of an Alpina vehicle. For this one, I’ve searched for the B7 via CarGurus. You’ll find the VIN under the vehicle description.

Then paste the VIN into the BMW parts catalog. 

Below is a screenshot from a BMW’s ETK parts catalog:

Here you can see the Type Code for this Alpina B7 is KB73 and in the equipment window, we have the codes 920 (Alpina without registration documents) and 9XA (ALPINA Package). 

These three codes are all we need to flash the Alpina transmission software into the F01 750i LCI with the N63B44 engine. This is possible because they share the same type of automatic transmission. 

You can also use the RealOEM to find the Type Code:

For example, if you have the F30 320i with a Type Code 3B13 and Build Date 1112 and you change these values to YA73 (Type Key) and 0714 (Build Date) – The E-Sys will try to flash the software for BMW 750i into your 320i. 

Of course, it won’t work, as they are entirely different cars. 

That’s why we have the option to calculate FP (Fahrzeug Profil) – Vehicle Profile. 

So, when you modify those two values, you’ll have to click “Calculate FP” to verify that you have a working setup. If the values don’t match, you’ll get an error message. 

Alpina is not that much different. 

For example, if you have the F30 330d or F10 550i, you are good to go. 

Alpina also uses different transmissions. 

So, if you want to flash Alpina EGS software into the most popular N55 and B58 BMWs, I’ll have to disappoint you. Where BMW F3x 35i/40i uses ZF8HP45/50, Alpina B3 or B4 uses a stronger version – ZF8HP70. 

F11 LCI 5D71

F10 5D51

F25 30d WY71

ALPINA D3 F30/F31/F32/F33/F34/F36

ALPINA D5 F10/F11

BMW 535D

ALPINA B5 F10/F11/

ALPINA D6

ALPINA B6

ALPINA XD3 F25/F25

BMW X3 35d 

ALPINA B7 F01/F02/F07 

BMW 750i/Li

Type YA73

Engine N63B44

Transmission ZF8HP70

ALPINA B7 F01 KB83 N63 6HP26

B7 2013 YA73 N63N 8HP70

8. Change Typeschlussel as follows to identify the car as an Alpina.

F11 LCI – 5D71

F10 – 5D51

F11, F06 – XB71 1211

F10 – XA71 1211

F31, F36 – 3E51 or 8K72 for cars from 2016

F32 – 3R51 F36 – 3E51

F25 – WY71 0316 (swfl 210C)