BMW Group Online Service System

Overview

The BMW OSS and the Integrated Service Technical Application (ISTA) are developed specifically for independent automotive workshops to provide full diagnostic and coding/programming functions, in addition to multiple technical resources.

Web ISTA Application

Web ISTA has been developed to provide an information only application for users that do not need to diagnose or code/program the vehicle in service. This application requires a laptop or desktop connected to BMW via the internet. This application requires subscription to the BMW Technical Information Service website at www.bmwtis.com.

ISTA Diagnosis Application

ISTA Diagnosis provides full vehicle diagnostics starting with the E36/Z3 platform with the BMW ICOM interface, or from 1996 with a J2534 pass-thru device. In addition to the interface device, you will need a laptop or desktop computer connected to BMW via the internet. This application requires subscription to the BMW Technical Information Service website at www.bmwtis.com.

ISTA P Online – Control Module Reprogramming

With ISTA P you can reprogram onboard control modules that are capable of software revision/installation. This includes update programming and replacement programming. In most cases, it is NOT possible to erase and reassign previously used control units to a new application. For ISTA P, a vehicle interface, supplemental power supply and a desktop or laptop connected to BMW via internet are required. The data interface can be the BMW ICOM interface or a J2534 pass-thru device. This application requires subscription to the BMW Technical Information Service website at www.bmwtis.com.

OSS Hardware Components

BMW ICOM (Integrated Communication Optical Module)

The ICOM is the interface for BMW and MINI vehicles recommended by BMW. The ICOM incorporates processors and a high storage capacity that allows it to be faster than a PTT (pass-thru tool).There are three different ICOM components available to interface with BMW and MINI vehicles.

• ICOM A covers all OBD enabled communication
• ICOM B works with ICOM A to interface with MOST (fiber-optic) communication
• ICOM C works in combination with the ICOM A for BMW vehicle with the 20 pin underhood diagnostic connection

J2534 Pass thru Tool (PTT)

If a PTT is used, it must meet the SAE J2534 standard. It must be hard-wired (not wireless) to the PC. When utilizing a PTT, two drivers are required: the BMW PTT driver and the PTT manufacturer specific driver. The BMW PTT driver is in the OSS download area at the BMW Service website.
The following vehicles cannot communicate via PTT:

• E31
• E34
• E36 (318i)

Power Supply

Vehicles from Series E65 (11/2001) cannot be programmed without an approved external power supply. Power supplies are strongly suggested for all programming events, but mandatory on the above mentioned vehicles.

• F series – the set maximum voltage of 14.8 volts battery charging mode must not be exceeded. With the recommended chargers, use the battery charging mode for programming.
• E series – Chargers with microprocessor-controlled monitoring and adjustment of the current of the vehicle can be used. Please refer to BMW Service Bulletin B04 23 10 or MINI Service Bulletin M04 08 09 for more details and a listing of approved chargers required for programming.

Internet connection

Programming faults can occur with an unstable internet connection. All work using the OSS requires a stable internet connection. Some sessions can last several hours and transfer several hundred megabytes. Stable programming requires:

• Internet connection with a bandwidth of at least 2Mbit/s.
• A maximum latency of 100ms to the OSS server is recommended.
• IP address must not change during a session.

Model Year Coverage

Coverage begins with E36/Z3 Platform using BMW ICOM. If a J2534 device is utilized coverage begins with 1996 MY

PC Requirements

To use the BMW OSS, a PC needs to meet the following requirements:

• At least 2 GB of main memory
• CPU better than Pentium IV with a minimum clock frequency of 2 GHz
• At least 80 GB of free hard drive space
• At least a 15 inch monitor, 1024 x 768 pixel resolution, 256 colors
• Keyboard and mouse
• Network connection for the internet
• USB connection port PTT connection, Ethernet connection for ICOM

Operating system and additional software

• Microsoft Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise (32 bit) with Service Pack 1 or
• Microsoft Windows 7 Professional/Enterprise (64 bit) with Service Pack 1 In addition, the following software must be installed
• JAVA
• Microsoft.NET 4.0 with all updates

One of the following browsers is required

• Internet Explorer 11
• Google Chrome 31 or higher
• Firefox 25 or higher

Firewall settings

The following port must be enabled: Port 443 TCP outgoing and a default routing must exist in the direction of the internet.

In the event that your local proxy setting does not permit access to a name server, you must manually enable the IP addresses for OSS. To do so, open the file C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts and insert the information below at the end of the file:

• 170.34.100.20
• 3gio-app-us.bmw.com
• 160.50.252.2
• www.bmwtechinfo.com
• 160.50.245.187
• aos-oas.bmwgroup.com

Requirements for using ICOM

The following ports must be activated in the firewall for the network card for the ICOM:

• Port 80 TCP
• Port 23011 TCP
• Port 23012 TCP
• Port 427 UDP
• Port 11352 UDP

Otherwise the ICOM connection will fail.

PC power scheme must be set to always on – no automatic sleep mode.

Once you have determined that your PC meets the system requirements, and you have made the needed browser setting changes, you can start downloading the OSS software. The installation consists of two steps. The first step is to download the following required software, in the order listed:

• Install manufacturer-specific PTT driver*
• BMW PTT driver download and install*
• BMW ICOM firmware**
• OMS driver download and install
• ISTA/P Online Installation
• ISTA client download and install
• KSD client download and install

*Not required for ICOM users
** Only for ICOM users

All OSS software is found under the OSS menu at www.bmwtis.com

BMW ICOM, approved power supplies and communication ready computers are available through BMW’s tool vendor:

API International
512.280.4391
Store.apinet.com