Grey BMW M4 GTS

BMW M3 M4 GTS Flash F8x [Full Guide]

BMW M4 GTS

At the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2015, BMW unveiled the M4 GTS concept. The production version debuted in 2016, as a track-focused version of the normal M4 coupé with a limited manufacturing run of 700 units.

The fact that the price of the M4 GTS was twice as much as a regular M4 is largely irrelevant. The GTS was immediately sold out. Those who were lucky enough to get their hands on one can brag that they now own the best BMW M car in a generation. 

Since the GTS is based on “normal” M4, with the help of flash tools it is possible to program any M3 F80 and M4 F82 to behave like a GTS. Except the DME (Engine electronics), due to a nozzle water injection system.

What is GTS Flash?

GTS flash is a process of flashing control modules of regular F80 M3 or F82 M4 with software from F82 M4 GTS. 

Which Modules Can We Flash?

  • Gearbox (Dual Clutch Transmission DCT)
  • Differential (GHAS)
  • Power Steering (EPS)
  • Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
  • The suspension (EDC)

 What do you get with GTS flash?

GTS DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) transmission makes a big difference. I’ve never owned an F8x but I’ve done this for friends and customers several times, and their reaction has been extremely positive. The known F8x DCT kangaroo shifts in Sport and Sport+ modes have been almost eliminated. The jerky acceleration and downshifts are also gone. 

So, with GTS transmission flash you’ll get much better-optimized software for slow driving and drive off. Besides that, you’ll also get faster upshifts. If you’re still thinking about whether it is worth it, stop. Just do it. Now. 

GTS EPS (Electric Power Steering) is the second-best transformation regarding GTS flash. The “dead spot” is reduced dramatically. With the GTS EPS flash, the steering is more precise. Directional stability is also improved. 

GTS DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) flash allows more tire slip in MDM mode before the power is reduced. 

GTES GHAS (Differential): improved initial take-off, launch control, cornering, and stability. 

How to Flash a GTS software with E-Sys

1 Preparing for flash 

Tools needed: Working E-Sys application with Psdz data full version. All software you’ll need can be found here.

Enet cable. Bimmerscene.com. 

Power supply unit (min. 40A) read here more about voltage during the flash. Here’s the guide to PUSs:

2 Flash

2.1 EDIT FA (Vehicle Order)

  • Connect the car [F020]
  • Comfort mode
  • TAL-processing
  • Read FA/Save FA
  • Go to FA Editor
Typeschluessel: 4S93 [US model]
Tyenshcluessel: 4S91 [Euro model]

Edit FA and change “Type Schluessel” to 4S93 (for the US) or 4S91 (for the Euro model).

Make sure the “zeitkriterium” is at a valid date. I’ve never figured out what is the oldest production date to accept the modified FP, but 0716 always worked for me. Anything 2014 or early 2015 would not work. If your car is late 2015 you can try to calculate the FP and if you get an error, you can try to change the date to a newer one. Keep in mind that the “zeitkriterium” is not an actual build date, but rather the software release date.

For example, the 2016 M4 will probably have the “zeitkriterium” 1115 (11/2015).

Zeitkriterium: 0716 [or later]

2.2 CALCULATE FP (Vehicle Profile)

The calculation will return the positive or negative response on the FA configuration.

2.3 TAL CALCULATION 

KIS/SVT Target
I-Step (shipment): 16-07-502
I-Step (target): depends on your DATA version and cannot be changed

Calculation Strategy: Complete Flash

2.4 TAL Execution 

Click ALL to untick all the ECUs.

For GTS flash select only BLFLASH and SWDEPLOY only for the following modules:

EGS4: Gearbox
GHAS: Differential
EPS: Power Steering
DSC: Dynamic Stability Control 
EDC: Electronic Damper Control

3 Concluding work and vehicle test

How much does it cost? 

If you do it yourself, then it costs only your time. If you have a good, working E-Sys setup, the whole process takes about 20-30 minutes. 

If you decide to pay a BMW coder/tuner to do it for you, you’ll pay somewhere between $150 and $200. Most of the coders can do it remotely for you, although you’ll need to buy at least an ENET OBD cable, like this one →. 

Georg Meier

BMW technician since 1996. I began my automotive journey in 1993 as an apprentice mechanic at Automag, the world's oldest BMW dealership in Munich. With years of experience and dedication, I garnered a wealth of knowledge about the intricacies of BMW and MINI vehicles. The love/hate relationship with the brand led me to found BIMMERIST where I share expertise and insights with fellow enthusiasts.

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