Alientech has expanded KESS3 support for Bosch MD1CS001 “Locked” ECUs on BMW and Mini diesel models, adding OBD read/write once the ECU has been unlocked through the required BENCH procedure.
What changed
Announced by Alientech on 1 September 2026 (KESS3 Protocol Release, Upgrade 3.49), the update covers MD1CS001 locked ECUs fitted to 1.5L and 2.0L BMW/Mini diesel engines from the B37 and B47 families.
Key detail for workshops: the ECU still needs an initial BENCH unlock, but after that KESS3 and Powergate can read and write through OBD for faster repeat work.
Which vehicles are covered
The release covers BMW and Mini diesel applications from 2021 onwards, including:
- BMW 1-Series, 2-Series, 3-Series, 4-Series, 5-Series, 6-Series, X1, X2, X3 and X4
- Mini Cooper D, Cooper D Clubman, Cooper D Countryman, Cooper SD Clubman, Cooper SD Countryman, One D, One D Clubman and One D Countryman
Why it matters here
BMW and Mini B37/B47 diesel vehicles are common enough in Australia that a BENCH-only workflow can slow down repeat calibration and revisions. Unlock-once, then OBD read/write, is a much better service path for workshops handling ongoing file updates.
If you’re running one of the vehicles above and want a file matched to your exact ECU and hardware setup, get in touch via tunefiles.com.au.
Source: Alientech, KESS3 Protocol Release – Upgrade 3.49, Bosch MD1CS001 Locked BMW/Mini, 1 September 2026.
