MHD licences and Super Licences
Buy an MHD licence
for your BMW.
The licence is what turns the MHD app from a free datalogger into a full flashing tool for your car. Below is exactly what a licence unlocks, the tiers available, and what the Super Licence adds on engines like the S58, B58 and N55.
The basics
What an MHD licence unlocks
The MHD app itself is free to download. You can read your VIN, datalog and run diagnostics without paying anything. The licence is the paid activation that switches on full flashing for your VIN.
What a licence enables
- 01
Flash Stage 1, Stage 2 and custom maps to your ECU
- 02
Switch between maps on the move from your phone
- 03
Full datalogging to validate fuelling, timing and boost
- 04
Restore the factory calibration whenever you need to
In short, the licence is the difference between looking at your car's data and actually changing how it runs. Everything past a stock read needs a licence on the correct tier for your engine.
The tiers
Standard licence
vs Super Licence
MHD typically offers a standard licence and, on supported engines, a Super Licence. The right tier depends on your engine and how far you want to go. Pricing and exact contents vary by platform, so confirm the current tier with us before you buy.
Standard licence
The flashing foundation
- Unlocks full flashing for your VIN
- Off-the-shelf Stage 1 and Stage 2 maps
- Map switching and datalogging
- A strong fit for bolt-on builds
Super Licence
The full feature set
- Everything in the standard licence
- Deeper map control and calibration items
- Platform-specific extras where offered
- The tier most chosen for serious builds
Tiers and naming move with each engine and with MHD's own updates. If you are unsure which one your car needs, that is exactly the kind of thing we sort out before you spend anything.
Super Licence
What the Super Licence adds
The Super Licence is the top tier for supported engines. It exposes the harder-to-tune calibration items and the optional extras specific to that platform, so a calibrator has more to work with than a basic flash allows.
Engines where the Super Licence matters most
- 01
S58 — the M3, M4 and X3 M / X4 M turbo straight-six
- 02
B58 — the modern single-turbo six across the BMW range
- 03
N55 — the earlier single-turbo six in 35i and M2 cars
- 04
S55 and other supported platforms where MHD offers the tier
On these engines the Super Licence is usually the tier worth having, because it is what lets a custom calibration use the full headroom rather than a generic, locked-down map. We confirm whether your exact engine and model qualifies before recommending it.
How it works
How a licence ties to your car
An MHD licence is locked to a single VIN. It is tied to the one car it is activated against, so it is worth getting the tier right the first time.
- 01
Install the free MHD app and read your VIN
- 02
Buy the correct licence tier for that VIN and engine
- 03
Activate the licence — it is now bound to your car
- 04
Flash an off-the-shelf map, or send us a log for a custom calibration
Because the licence is VIN-locked, it does not transfer to another vehicle. If you are choosing between a standard and Super Licence, or between MHD and another platform, talk to us first so the licence you buy is the one your build actually needs.
Keep reading
Plan your MHD build
Whether you are weighing up MHD against bootmod3 or working out exactly what your engine needs, these pages cover the detail.
MHD
Stage 1 and Stage 2
What each MHD stage means, the hardware it expects and the gains to expect.
MHD
By engine and model
Find out whether MHD supports your exact engine and BMW model.
MHD
MHD adapter
The wireless OBD adapter MHD uses to flash and datalog your car.
bootmod3
bootmod3 licence
How a bm3 licence works, so you can compare it against MHD.
bootmod3
bootmod3 pricing
Licence and adapter costs for bootmod3, with our tuning on top.
Guide
What is bootmod3?
A plain-English explainer on flashing platforms and how tuning works.
Looking for hardware and licences to buy directly? Browse the SamuelTuned shop.
Common questions
MHD licence FAQ
What is an MHD licence?
An MHD licence is the paid activation that unlocks full flashing on the MHD app for your specific car. Without a licence you can read your VIN, datalog and run diagnostics, but you cannot flash a performance map. The licence is what enables Stage 1, Stage 2 and custom flashing.
What does the MHD Super Licence add?
The Super Licence is the top tier for supported engines. It adds the harder-to-tune calibration items on top of the standard licence, such as deeper map control and the optional extras specific to that platform. On engines like the N55, B58 and S58 it is the tier most people choose when they want the full feature set rather than a basic flash.
Does an MHD licence work on more than one car?
No. An MHD licence is tied to a single VIN. It is locked to the car it is activated against, so you cannot move one licence between vehicles. If you change cars you will need a licence for the new VIN.
Do I need a Super Licence or will a standard licence do?
It depends on your engine and your goals. For a straightforward Stage 1 or Stage 2 on bolt-ons, a standard licence is often enough. If you want the deeper calibration features that the Super Licence exposes on engines such as the S58, B58 or N55, the Super Licence is the right tier. Message us with your model and plans and we will point you to the correct one.
Is MHD or bootmod3 better for my car?
Both are excellent flashing platforms and the better choice depends on your engine, your hardware and how you like to manage maps. We tune on both. Tell us your car and what you are aiming for and we will give you a straight answer rather than a sales pitch.
Get the right licence first time
Not sure which tier?
Ask Samuel.
Tell us your model, engine and what you are aiming for. We will confirm whether you need a standard or Super Licence, and whether MHD is the right call for your build.