[Terry @ BMS]

As we work to get the JB4 50 state legal in the USA we've had to modify the user interface and remove and/or limit certain user adjustments that could cause noncompliance if set improperly. The windows interface and JB4 Mobile will detect your country and block out these settings. Those operating outside the USA will not have these limitations on the interface settings but care should be taken when making any setting changes to ensure they have the desired effect.

As part of this change we've removed the undocumented option to delete passive fault codes. This was sort of a misunderstood setting all along because all fault codes remained stored within the DME and nothing prevented fault codes from registering. You could delete them but they'd come right back up and were always stored in the shadow fault area. But to prevent any possible misunderstanding or misuse the setting has been blocked out of all USA interfaces. We believe this is the only interface change we'll need to make. Older non-compliant firmware is blocked in the USA along with any non-compliant settings. Older interface versions have been set to expire/automatically update.

The photos below are the windows interface but similar changes have been made to JB4 Mobile. Note that country detection has been designed so that it can't be spoofed or fooled and any discussion about spoofing or fooling it or trying to bypass or work around these changes will be deleted.

[Dcara]

Glad I'm in Canada! Lol. Thanks for the quick response terry!

[jordanpdubs]

Originally Posted by Dcara

Glad I'm in Canada! Lol. Thanks for the quick response terry!

Hey all, I'm stuck with the interface believing I am in the States when I am actually in Canada. I've tried on two different machines (Win8.1 and Win10). I have uninstalled and reinstalled but no luck.

Any suggestions?? Thanks all!!

Jordan

[Terry @ BMS]

Country is only checked/used when attempting to change settings. It's all a bit of work but if BMS is going to grow we need to get more products 50-state legal and this comes with that territory.

[Terry @ BMS]

We simply want to take reasonable steps to ensure people are using our products appropriately and as stated above the future of tuning in the USA is 50-state legal products. That is where we need to be. Everyone else will disappear sooner or later.

The interface will detect your country so that those outside the USA are not effected by the limitations.

[Bullitt1841]

It's pretty simple guys. If you want BMS to be around in the future to support your existing products, and also come out with new products/features year and year, they have to abide by certain laws in California AND the United States. There's no benefit to any of us if they get shut down or have to pay huge fines that immensely hurt their business and hamper growth.

Remember the saying everyone throws around? "You gotta pay to play"? Well, this is what we all have to deal with if we want things to continue.

Then of course, you could always write to our elected officials or become one yourself. Have any of you been watching this?

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2016/...-our-race-cars

https://www.votervoice.net/SEMA/campaigns/45394/respond

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-...house-bill/350

[Terry @ BMS]

Originally Posted by Bullitt1841

It's pretty simple guys. If you want BMS to be around in the future to support your existing products, and also come out with new products/features year and year, they have to abide by certain laws in California AND the United States. There's no benefit to any of us if they get shut down or have to pay huge fines that immensely hurt their business and hamper growth.

Exactly... As the laws are written there is no "formal" exemption for competition race use only within the USA, only an interpretation, which is subject to change on a whim. Since the JB4 system already meets 1A standards out of the box it's just a matter of limiting adjustment ranges for USA customers to ensure we're fully compliant with all Federal standards. But ultimately the goal is to get 50-state status with CARB certification.

I know other tuning companies are taking a similar approach and expect at some point soon all will or go out of business.

[Maximum996]

So what other 'race' settings besides auto clear will be blocked?

[Terry @ BMS]

A few other race only features need to be further evaluated like the 2STEP. But, since this requires a separate hardware purchase AND a separate race use only flash map AND would only be useful on a race track anyway, I don't think we need to limit it at the interface level. It's not something you can just turn on or off easily.

[Terry @ BMS]

Originally Posted by suspenceful

Just an FYI - this is a large selling point for people debating JB4 vs. MHD.

When loading a race use only flash people should realize they are providing their VIN and personal information to an entity, who under subpoena, will be forced to turn that information over to the government, to BMW, or whoever requests it. People who think that somehow these regulations only effect BMS but don't effect every other tuning company are completely naive. The minor changes being made now will protect BMS and our customer base down the road.

[LessIsMore]

F the EPA. F CARB. Really unhappy to see BMS having to make these changes.

Originally Posted by Terry @ BMS

When loading a race use only flash people should realize they are providing their VIN and personal information to an entity, who under subpoena, will be forced to turn that information over to the government, to BMW, or whoever requests it.

Wait WTH, so BMS would willfully give up private customer information? Very disappointing. If it's a government agency with a warrant, then ok you may be forced to (if you're willing to overlook principles of your own privacy and customer privacy for the sake of your business) ... but you'd also roll over and give it to BMW, and just "whomever" requests it? Did this happen just in '14 with CARB, or is again or ongoing?

Exactly what "personal information" is the JB4 collecting for BMS? And for what purpose? Even just VIN is enough to identify the owner, obviously - and if you're also collecting geogr location, date/time, etc. without express knowledge/consent of customers, that's something I think all customers would want to know.

Come to think of it - I noticed JB4 now has a place to list your exact mods ... hmm, not sure I like the picture that this is painting for what direction BMS is heading with data collection, or could potentially give up to another entity.

[protecon]

Originally Posted by LessIsMore

F the EPA. F CARB. Really unhappy to see BMS having to make these changes.



Wait WTH, so BMS would willfully give up private customer information? Very disappointing. If it's a government agency with a warrant, then ok you may be forced to (if you're willing to overlook principles of your own privacy and customer privacy for the sake of your business) ... but you'd also roll over and give it to BMW, and just "whomever" requests it? Did this happen just in '14 with CARB, or is again or ongoing?

Exactly what "personal information" is the JB4 collecting for BMS? And for what purpose? Even just VIN is enough to identify the owner, obviously - and if you're also collecting geogr location, date/time, etc. without express knowledge/consent of customers, that's something I think all customers would want to know.

Come to think of it - I noticed JB4 now has a place to list your exact mods ... hmm, not sure I like the picture that this is painting for what direction BMS is heading with data collection, or could potentially give up to another entity.

Jesus.

There's nothing nefarious about the information JB or the mobile app stores - the "mod" section is to assist with troubleshooting.

If you're worried about third-party having access to personal information, you better throw your smart phone in the bin.

[Mike_L]

Originally Posted by protecon

Jesus.

There's nothing nefarious about the information JB or the mobile app stores - the "mod" section is to assist with troubleshooting.

If you're worried about third-party having access to personal information, you better throw your smart phone in the bin.

Exactly. Plus the car knows everything anyway. Every car built since the late 90's has a blackbox in it. BMW knows all and if subpoenaed, they can tell all.

[LessIsMore]

Originally Posted by protecon

There's nothing nefarious about the information JB or the mobile app stores - the "mod" section is to assist with troubleshooting.

It's not a stretch at all to think that if a company collected what mods you have and stored it for customer trouble-shooting or whatever primary purpose, they would be compelled to turn that over along with your purchase history, emails to the company for support where you may talk about emission-noncompliance equipment or issues, etc.

There have been people in other states who were paid a visit in-person by the DMV for failing one emission test, even though the passed afterward. When you combine reports like that with a well-known increase in EPA interest in aftermarket equipment providers, it's not hard to see you may need to be more forward-looking.

[hermesromeror]

Hi guys
Im outside USA but the interface is showing that Im there. How can this be fixed?
Thanks
Hermes

[Terry @ BMS]

Originally Posted by hermesromeror

Hi guys
Im outside USA but the interface is showing that Im there. How can this be fixed?
Thanks
Hermes

If you need technical support with the changes just email in.

[dloubser]

Hi Terry,

My interface is showing United States although I am in South Africa.
I know why..., could be an issue for many people.

[Terry @ BMS]

Originally Posted by dloubser

Hi Terry,

My interface is showing United States although I am in South Africa.
I know why..., could be an issue for many people.

Email me and we can discuss.

[Xer0449]

I just want to clarify: The settings/features that will be blocked in my region will still be available via flash (assuming I get a custom BEF)?

[Terry @ BMS]

Originally Posted by Xer0449

I just want to clarify: The settings/features that will be blocked in my region will still be available via flash (assuming I get a custom BEF)?

We have no affiliation with MHD. Direct any questions on their software to them directly. If they are smart expect them to make similar changes to their interface.

[Blackarrow335i]

If understood that correct (JB4 will be limiting us? no more anti lag 2step etc ??? Sorry but what exactly does it mean how does it effect us?

[Terry @ BMS]

Originally Posted by Blackarrow335i

If understood that correct (JB4 will be limiting us? no more anti lag 2step etc ??? Sorry but what exactly does it mean how does it effect us?

If you are inside the USA clearing fault codes will be limited. Nothing more, nothing less, at this time.

[Terry @ BMS]

Originally Posted by N54335

you say limited on the fault clearing? So will all single n54 owners now have a ses light due to exhaust system?

If you have a flash tune loaded you don't use this setting in the first place, and a race use only flash map is required for any N54 single turbo use.

[Bullitt1841]

Originally Posted by Blackarrow335i

If understood that correct (JB4 will be limiting us? no more anti lag 2step etc ??? Sorry but what exactly does it mean how does it effect us?

No, read.

[AZ-MCRacer]

Sounds like an EPA issue