TOP 6 BMW coding options to upgrade E-Series

If you’re here, I’m sure you wanna have it both ways –  to keep the flair of your older E-Series BMW while having it packed with the latest multimedia features… ideally on a budget. And what could be a better way around it than BMW coding? You might think “Quick, relatively simple and affordable. Awesome, sign me up!”.
But you gotta hold your horses for a sec, pal, cause a lot depends on your BMW specifications. If your car is anywhere near remembering the days of early “Jaws” hitting the theaters, coding (as you might imagine) won’t be your first choice of upgrade. Your BMW has to be at least a 2004 model with an on-board computer (RAD) to obtain any coding possibilities whatsoever. 

And honestly, there are plenty. But if you want to go straight to the ultimate multimedia and car control options to code on your E-Series BMW, keep reading!

BMW coding vs BMW programming

Just a quick reminder for those who are not in the know, BMW coding is not the same as BMW programming. When coding you assign groups of data to the operation program of a chosen control module to change its basic way of operation. For example, locking or unlocking certain features that are already coded in.

While BMW coding manipulates the existing features of your software, BMW programming is a complex process that writes or rewrites new features not previously present in your car. And thus usually is performed by BMW technicians before the car drives off the factory. Unlike BMW programming, BMW coding is much safer and can be conducted remotely.

What are BMW coding options for E-Series?

So for the TOP 6 coding options available for your E90, E60, E70 or other E-Series BMWs, there is: 

• BMW map update
• BMW Enhanced Bluetooth coding 
• SiriusXM coding
• Digital speedometer coding
• Start & Stop button coding 
• Remote window control unlocking

Importantly, which coding options are available for your vehicle, and how you'll code them, depends on your iDrive system's head unit.

Don’t know which head unit you have? Find the answer here

1. BMW map update

Even if your E-Series isn’t of the latest date, it doesn’t mean your maps can’t be. With BMW map update you can obtain the freshest info about opened/closed routes in your region, see thousands of new points of interest and know time saving detours. 

Also, whether you do BMW E90 coding or update G20, the process is always kept simple. Just put your USB flash drive with a coding file into the USB port and enter an FSC code on the iDrive. See how:

Get more details on what BMW map update does to your E-Series.

2. BMW Enhanced Bluetooth coding

Another thing you don’t have to lag behind with are phone pairing possibilities. Let’s be honest, as for multimedia features, Bluetooth media streaming is the least your E-Series should be capable of in this day and age. 

If you’re missing out, simply unlock BMW Enhanced Bluetooth. It will allow you to play your favorite Spotify music through the car speakers via Bluetooth, pair up multiple devices via Bluetooth at once, make hands-free phone calls and much more. For mobile addicts particularly, this could be another simple E60, E70 or E90 coding option you can’t miss.

See other BMW Enhanced Bluetooth features.

3. BMW SiriusXM coding

But hey, not all E-Series owners want to find their way around music apps and setting up Spotify accounts. For some, good old FM radio is enough… or so they say, cause they haven’t yet experienced the pleasure of having over 175 channels in their cars at all times ;)

SiriusXM is a BMW satellite radio bringing hundreds of entertainment, sport and news channels to your car, no matter the US State or Canadian province you live in. And thanks to BimmerTech’s SiriusXM coding, you can enjoy them in your E-Series too! Just spare 30-minutes on USB or remote cable coding and plenty of channels from the Howard Stern Show to TikTok Radio will be at your hand on the road – a few months may even be for free!

Since BimmerTech uses a genuine BMW activation code, you can benefit from the free trial period on All Access SiriusXM subscription. Up to one year, if you are the original owner of your E-Series. Or 2 months, in case your car is certified pre-owned.

Get to know more on how to add SiriusXM to your BMW.

4. BMW Digital speedometer coding

Know what else can be at your hand… or at a glance shall we say? Your actual speed.

 Having an E-Series BMW, you know how inaccurate the analogue speedometer can be and how hard it is to check your exact speed on the spot, especially when you drive pedal to the metal. So instead of picking up another ticket for being that little over the speed limit, why not rely on the digital readout?

The digital speedometer coding will add a digital number on your in-dash screen and make your read out quicker, especially when your speed changes rapidly.

It may not give you the feel of a fully digital cluster, but considering that E-Series BMWs are out of the market for 6WB replacements, it is your makeshift digital experience for a fraction of the cost.

 5. BMW Start & Stop deactivation

And if you search for upgrades enhancing the sporty feel of your E-Series even further, auto start stop deactivation is another BMW coding option worth looking at. It’ll turn off the automatic engine shut off feature and program your car to remember its previous settings next time you start it up.

No motor overclocking here, but definitely something to at least help you beat folks off the lights.

Wonder whether BMW start stop is bad for your engine? Find your answer in our expert guide.

6. Remote window control coding

 Lastly, the BMW coding option you’ll surely appreciate during hot summers – remote window control unlocking. Since, E-Series cars are not equipped with preconditioning options, such as BMW remote start, manual BMW ventilation is your only way to air out your interior before you get in. And with remote window control coding, you’ll be able to do it using your BMW key fob! 

Just stand within range of your car and press the lock button on your fob for a few seconds. Your windows and sunroof will open or close automatically to bring a breath of fresh air to your car. This is how you do it:

How to code BMW E-Series?

All sounds good, but how do you code these things in? Is there a BMW coding app for that or will you have to equip yourself with OBD adapters or any specific BMW programming software? 

Nothing too complicated for sure. Depending on your vehicle specifications, you’ll be able to code your car either via coding cable or a USB flash drive. Enter your VIN here to check which Bimmer coding tool you’re compatible with. 

BMW USB coding

If you’re compatible with USB coding, it’s as simple as inserting your USB stick with the coding file into the USB port of your BMW and waiting 60 seconds as the coding performs itself automatically. Learn more about the BMW USB coding process.

BMW cable coding

As for the cable coding procedure for E-Series, a DCAN coding cable and a laptop running Windows with a regular USB port will do. There’s no special BMW programming software you have to download on your own or any BMW coding apps. Our technician will take care of everything remotely and guide you how to share your laptop with him so he can code BMW for you. 

Anyways ;) Once you purchase your BMW coding option you’ll receive all remote coding session preparation instructions, so that everything goes smoothly. See how to prepare:

At one point of the BMW coding session you’ll be asked to connect your laptop to your BMW. And that’s what the BMW OBD port is for. You’ll be able to find it just above the pedals. 

See how to connect your coding interface to your BMW OBD port in this video. Keep in mind that for your BMW E90 coding (or any other E-Series) you’ll use the DCAN cable instead of ENET interface.

How to retrofit BMW E-Series?

If you feel like unlocking the options in your BMW software wasn’t enough and count on some more upgrades to spice up your older vehicle, you still have plenty to choose from – like BMW CarPlay or Android Auto, as unbelievable as it may sound.

 Our BMW CarPlay and Android Auto upgrade for CIC head units will bring your E-Series up to modern day standards by letting you pair up your phone with your car and allow you to display your apps on the iDrive screen. What’s more, thanks to our MMI’s Android Auto support, you’ll be able to connect your Android smartphone to the module, or even add BMW backup cameras or front cameras for a bargain. Get to know more on how to add BMW CarPlay to pre-2016 vehicles.

If your BMW iDrive is older than CIC, upgrading BMW CarPlay may be out of the question (unless you replace your head unit). The good part is, you’re still in the game for SmartView Apple TVs and BMW audio upgrades – meaning you’re more than welcome to enjoy Netflix backed up by some good tunes when on the road ;) 

For more BMW E-Series upgrade possibilities, read our article.