The Engine Control Unit (ECU) is the digital heartbeat of your BMW, governing everything from turbo boost pressure to fuel efficiency. Whether you’re tuning a classic E46 330d or modernizing an F10 535d, BMW’s ECU software files provide the keys to unlocking precision control. Below, we break down the critical ECU categories, file types, and applications for enthusiasts and technicians.
1. Diesel Dominance: EDC15, EDC16, & EDC17 ECUs
BMW’s diesel engines—renowned for torque and longevity—rely on Bosch’s EDC-series ECUs.
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EDC15: Found in older models like the BMW 330d E46 M57 150kW, these files include:
.OLS(tuning project files, e.g., BMW330d-0281011121-EDC16C31-ori.ols) for adjusting boost and injection timing..H88calibration files (e.g., PF07VA62.H88) for firmware flashing.
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EDC16: Powers newer diesels like the 530D and 120D:
.A2Lfiles (e.g., 6PP01390.A2L) for calibration and diagnostics..H390/.H411firmware for DDE6.2 and DDE7.x ECUs.
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EDC17: The latest generation, used in models like the 530D and 335d:
.BIN/.HEX(e.g., BMW EDC17CP09 530D.bin) for full ECU flashes..KPmap packs to fine-tune torque limits or AdBlue systems.
2. Petrol Powerhouses: ME, MS, and MSS Series
BMW’s petrol engines span decades of innovation, from the M50 to the N20.
Bosch ME ECUs
- ME7.2: Manages V8 engines like the X5 4.4i with
.DAMmapping files (e.g., e18_000.dam). - ME9: Used in inline-6 engines (e.g., 535D BoschMe9):
.A2Lcalibration files (e.g., 6m661411.A2L) for diagnostics..S19firmware for flashing.
Siemens MS/MSS ECUs
- MS42/MS43: Found in E46 models like the 330i:
.DAF/.PAFfiles (e.g., 37EIRD05.daf) for full ECU reads..OLStuning projects (e.g., S50DAMOS.ols) for M3.1 engines.
- MSD80/MSD85: Turbocharged N54/N55 engines (335i, 535i):
.A2L+.HEXpairs (e.g., 80B37I0E.a2l) for hybrid turbo builds.
- MSS54: Powers the E46 M3 with calibration files like 52_V508.A2L.
3. File Types Decoded
Understanding BMW’s ECU file extensions is essential:
- .OLS: Tuning projects for tools like WinOLS.
- .DAM: Contains maps for fuel, ignition, and VANOS adjustments.
- .A2L: Calibration data for diagnostics (e.g., sensor scaling).
- .HEX/.BIN: Raw firmware for flashing via tools like KESS.
- .H88/.H411: Bosch-specific calibration formats.
- .S19: Motorola S-record firmware for Siemens ECUs.
Practical Applications
- Performance Tuning: Modify
.DAMfiles to raise boost limits on an N20 2.0T (e.g., BMW N20 - 2.0T-184HP-BOSCH MEV1746.ols). - Diagnostics: Use
.A2Lfiles to decode sensor data or troubleshoot EGR issues in a 730d E65. - Restoration: Revert to factory settings with original
.orifiles (e.g., EDC16C31-ori.ols).
Key Considerations
- Compatibility: Match files to your ECU hardware (e.g., EDC16C31 ≠ EDC17CP09).
- Legality: Ensure modifications comply with local emissions laws.
- Backup First: Always save original files before flashing—bricked ECUs are costly!
Conclusion
From the iconic M57 diesel to the high-revving S54, BMW’s ECU software lets you tailor your driving experience with surgical precision. Whether you’re optimizing a daily driver or prepping a track monster, these files are your gateway to unlocking performance, reliability, and innovation.
Explore our curated BMW ECU file collection below—your next upgrade is just a download away.
Ready to get started? This is our library of BMW ECU software available for you to buy and harness the full potential of your Ultimate Driving Machine.
| ECU / Model | Specific File(s) | File Types | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 330d e46 m57 150kw | BMW330d-0281011121 -EDC16C31-ori.ols, PF07VA62.H88 | OLS, H88 | Older diesel ECU, includes mapping and tuning files |
| BMW 530D | 4zB1379.dam, 6ZC1179.A2L, SC18_CLP.H79, SC18_CLP_hex.hex | DAM, A2L, H79, HEX | Older diesel ECU |
| Bmw 530dols | BMW530d.ols | OLS | Tuning file for this model |
| BMW 535D BoschMe9 | 6m661411.A2L, __429661.h411 | A2L, h411 | Specific ECU and model |
| bmw 540i 0261204467 m521 | M521.DAM | DAM | Older petrol ECU, mapping file |
| BMW E53 30D 184Ps | bmw_e53_30d_184ps.ols | OLS | Tuning file for specific model and power |
| BMW730 e65 3d | 29f800, całośc, e2p, map list.kp, mpc, Tune.bin | Various (memory dump, full read, EEPROM, map pack, microcontroller, binary) | Various memory and data files |
| EDC 15 | BMW330D EDC15/4ZB1379.DAM, BMW330D EDC15/edc15.ols, … | DAM, OLS, ORI, HEX, A2L, H79 | Older diesel ECU files for various models |
| EDC 16 | BMW 120D DD6.2 EDC16 DAM+OLS/6PP01390.A2L, … | A2L, OLS, H390, RAR, h411, HEX, DAT | Newer diesel ECU files for various models and DDE versions |
| EDC 17 | BMW EDC17_CP02 P558/4P1C2558.a2l, BOSCH EDC17CP09 530D/BMW EDC17CP09 530D.ols, … | A2L, BIN, KP, HEX, OLS | Latest generation diesel ECU files |
| M 3.1 | BMW M3.1 E36 325I OLS/S50DAMOS.ols, … | OLS | Older petrol ECU, tuning files |
| M 5.2 | BMW M5.2 E39 540I/167_3000.DAM, … | DAM, OLS | Older petrol ECU, mapping and tuning files |
| M3 342cv (only a2l) | 52_V508.A2L | A2L | Calibration file for M3 |
| ME 7.2 | BMW ME7.2 X5 4.4 V8/e18_000.dam, … | DAM, A2L, HEX, BIN, OLS | Various file formats for Bosch ME7.2 ECUs |
| ME 9 | BMW ME9/770115XE.a2l, bmw me9 Benzine 4 CYL/BMW ME9.ols, … | A2L, BIN, S19, OLS, HEX | Files for various Bosch ME9 series ECUs |
| MEV 1746 | BOSCH MEV1746 - BMW N20 - 2.0T-184HP/BMW N20 - 2.0T-184HP-BOSCH MEV1746.ols | OLS | Tuning file for N20 2.0T engine |
| MS 42 | BMW MS42/ms42.a2l, … | A2L, DAF, HEX, PAF, TXT, S19 | Siemens petrol ECU files |
| MS 43 | BMW 330i MS43/43250010.A2L, … | A2L, HEX, BIN, OLS | Siemens petrol ECU files |
| MS 45 | BMW MS45 330I E46/0D300000.s19, … | S19, A2L, CKS, EXT, BIN | Siemens petrol ECU files |
| MS 70 | BMW MSS70/0840_0ZWHC.s19, … | S19, A2L | Siemens petrol ECU files |
| MSD 80 | BMW MSD80 335i/37EIRD05.daf, BMW MSD80 335i N54 MSD80 #2 - A2L+HEX/80B37I0E.a2l, … | DAF, HEX, S19, A2L, PAF, BIN, OLS | Bosch petrol ECU files for turbocharged models |
| MSD 85 | (Files within the main MSD 85 directory would be listed here if available) | (Likely similar to MSD80) | Bosch petrol ECU files for turbocharged models |
| MSS 54 | M3 342cv (only a2l)/52_V508.A2L (This was listed separately, other MSS54 files might exist) | A2L (likely) | Siemens petrol ECU files, typically in M models |
| SIEMENS MSS60 | (Files within the main SIEMENS MSS60 directory would be listed here if available) | (File types not specified directly) | Siemens petrol ECU files, typically in M models |
| BMW 330d e46 m57 150kw DAM+OLS | BMW330d-0281011121 -EDC16C31-ori.ols, PF07VA62.H88 | OLS, H88 | Specific original ECU file and calibration file |
| BMW 530D | 4zB1379.dam, 6ZC1179.A2L, SC18_CLP.H79, SC18_CLP_hex.hex | DAM, A2L, H79, HEX | Specific files for this model |
| Bmw 530dols | 0 090799 14/BMW530d.ols, BMW530d.ols | OLS | Tuning files for this model |
| BMW 535D BoschMe9 | 6m661411.A2L, __429661.h411 | A2L, h411 | Specific ECU and model |
| bmw 540i 0261204467 m521 | Bmw 540i 0261204467/M521.DAM | DAM | Specific ECU hardware and engine |
| BMW E53 30D 184Ps | bmw_e53_30d_184ps.ols | OLS | Tuning file for this specific model and engine power |
| BMW730 e65 3d | 29f800, całośc, e2p, map list.kp, mpc, Tune.bin | Various (memory dump, full read, EEPROM, map pack, microcontroller, binary) | Various memory and data files |