BMW MDG1 ECU Unlock for 2020+ Models - Now Available at Optimal Automotive
- Alan
- Nov 14
- 3 min read
The wait is over! For the last five plus years, tuners and BMW drivers have been patiently waiting for a cost-effective and convenient unlock service for the Bosch MD1 and MG1 DME's fitted in most BMW vehicles built after June 2020.
Thanks to a welcomed announcement today, our partner Autotuner has just released a breakthrough Remote Unlock solution for BMW Bosch MD1 and MG1 ECUs, finally allowing safe and affordable tuning on 2020+ BMW models without opening the ECU (in the majority of cases).
And at Optimal Automotive, we can now provide this new unlock service for our customers across the East Anglia region wanting to maximise the performance and driveability of their BMW.
BMW MDG1 ECU Unlock for 2020+ Models - Why Are They Locked
From June 2020, BMW introduced a tougher secure-bootloader across the Bosch MD1CP, MD1CS, and MG1CS ECU family. These MDG1 units completely blocked normal OBD and standard bench access required for remapping and tuning - meaning we had to ship the ECU abroad for a specialist and expensive unlock service and tuning options afterwards were limited. In the last few months, an alternative unlock became available, but required the risky process of dismantling the ECU - understandably this was not very popular.
Now thanks to this new BMW MDG1 ECU unlock, tuning is accesible at lower cost, in less time, with lower risk of ECU damage and offers a broader range of tuning options for owners.
BMW MDG1 ECU Unlock for 2020+ Models - How to Check If Your BMW’s ECU Is Likely Locked (Using the FD Number)
Every Bosch MD1/MG1 ECU has a printed label. On this label you should find a production/batch code that begins with “FD”. You can interpret this code to get a good indication of when the ECU was manufactured.
Here’s how to do it:
Look for a sequence starting with FD on the ECU label.
The first two digits after FD indicate the decade and year.
Example: FD21… = manufactured in 2021
FD20… = manufactured in 2020
The following one or two digits indicate the month.
Example: FD21M05 → 2021, May
If your FD code indicates mid-2020 or later, it is highly likely your ECU is one of the locked MDG1 units.
BMWs with ECUs manufactured from June 2020 onward almost always require an unlock service before any performance tuning, OBD flashing, or file writing can take place. We have seen vehicles registered after June 2020 that were built with older ECU's, and in this instance an unlock would not be required.
Not sure? Let Optimal Automotive confirm it for you.
For a modest fee, we offer an ECU bench-check using professional tools to confirm your ECU’s security level and unlock status. Your bench-check fee is fully refunded if you choose to proceed with tuning. This ensures zero risk, zero guesswork, and no unnecessary shipping.
BMW MDG1 ECU Unlock for 2020+ Models - Compatibility and Benefits
This new unlock service supports a wide range of BMW MDG1 ECUs, including:
MD1CP002 – SPC5777M
MD1CP032 – TC299
MD1CS001 – SPC5777M / TC298
MG1CS003 – SPC5777M
MG1CS024 – TC298
MG1CS049 – TC298
MG1CS201 – TC298
Key benefits
No ECU disassembly required in most cases (Autotuner professionals will professionally perform this if absolutely necessary, at no extra cost to you).
Fully insured shipping provided by DHL, handled end-to-end.
ECU returned ready for full OBD + Bench tuning by Optimal Automotive.
Dealer software updates do NOT re-lock the ECU.
Please note, your ECU will be returned completely stock (any previous tune is overwritten). If your BMW has two ECUs, each unit needs unlocking separately and will charged accordingly.
BMW MDG1 ECU Unlock for 2020+ Models - Tune Your BMW With Optimal Automotive
Your BMW finally has the tuning solution you've been waiting for, and we’re ready to help you unlock it. If you own a 2020+ BMW and you want to check it's ECU security status ahead of tuning, send us a message:
Comments