Tuning BMW F30 328i (N20 Motor) - ECU Tuning Companies

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  blackmanshade on 07/12/2016 - 14:42

  +3

  You might have more luck in feedback at a car forum website. :)

  • 

    Tech and cars on 07/12/2016 - 14:46

    +1

    Looking for feedback/cost effective solutions from my OZ Brothers/sisters - SO many knowledgeable people in this thread - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/276094

    So I thought it may be worth asking here!

    • 

      apple2016 on 07/12/2016 - 16:08

      Looking for feedback/cost effective solutions from my OZ Brothers/sisters

      Do not go for tuning. Its an unnecessary expense that increases the depreciation and decreases lifetime. Also you will never be able to push you car to the limits legally.

      • 

        Tech and cars on 07/12/2016 - 17:42

        +1

        Well, I disagree.

        Depending on the car and how you market it when you sell it - if you do basic modifications, in most cases the money is recoverable (well it has been for me).

        Also, I occasionally take the car out for 'track sessions' called happy laps - it's not really hard on the car but it's just an opportunity to go fast on the straights…

      • 

        BensonP on 07/12/2016 - 17:54

        Obviously you're opinion, and I respect that.

        Tuning a car doesn't force the car to work hard. Cars from factory are DETUNED for whatever reason (fuel economy/emissions)

        Getting a car tuned tweaks air/fuel ratios and gear shift points to give to car an optimal performance upgrade.(including better on fuel!)

        Tuning just unleashes your car's potential.

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  BensonP on 07/12/2016 - 17:58

  Lowering- If your budget allows, ensure you do springs and shocks. Lowered springs and standard shocks can cause the shocks to bottom out (causing an uncomrtable bumpand thud), and in extreme conditions, rip the shock off the chassis.

  Tuning - That price seems very high! I know nothing about BMWs, but wouldn't a dyno tune be cheaper and tailored to your vehicle?

  Also, aftermarket air intake before a tune? ;)

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  Mumbles on 07/12/2016 - 23:20

  +1

  If the car is for road use then modifying a car's adaptive suspension is a backwards step. The springs and dampers are matched to each other. You're undoing a lot of engineering and testing by mixing and matching your own springs. You'd be getting the worst of both worlds. ie. paid extra dollars for a luxury car that has terrible ride quality.

  I'd suggest driving it with the sport setting and see if its enough for your needs.

  If the car's for a specific purpose (eg. circuit racing, rally, show car) then its more cost effective to remove the adaptive suspension, sell it and install a purpose built suspension system. Airbag suspension is popular for owners that mainly care about looks.

  Can't comment on how to save dollars on a BMW Stage 1 ECU remap. If I was in your shoes and paying nearly $2000 to tune a car with zero mechanical mods then I'd seriously investigate Stage 1 ECU tuning to use E85 fuel but this depends on whether you have access to E85 where you live and don't mind the downsides. Otherwise I'd save up the dollars and go straight to a Stage 2 ECU tune on 98 RON fuel.

  BMW's are more expensive to modify than other car manufactures because they encrypt their ECU maps. Much of the cost is from the research to defeat and bypass the manufacturer's software and hardware protections. Honestly $1800 invested in advanced driving lessons would produce the biggest benefits for your track day lap times. If affordable car modifications is your thing then best to spend the dollars when you next own a tuner friendly car. $1800 normally buys you a Stage 2 ECU tune + 2nd hand performance exhaust on a non-BMW car.

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  maybeamacy on 12/12/2016 - 00:52

  How are you finding the 328i? I was originally considering a 335i but I've read that the 328i is pretty quick vs. the old E90 325i. Would you recommend getting one?

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    Tech and cars on 12/12/2016 - 01:02

    Loving it! Test drive one to get the best idea.

    My opinion - normal drive mode in the gearbox is pretty good… Sport + mode - is where the car comes alive!

    Overall interior feels a bit dated, I had a 2015 Audi A3 Sedan before to compare against.

    I've got the 8 Speed ZF Transmission - great car with the 2.0 Turbo.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz9OOHoYj3c - these reviews are pretty interesting to watch to give you an idea - but test drive one!

    I find it plenty fast (Previously owned an Evo 9 as well), handles well, very nice to look at - in the 2nd hand market, very good value for money!

    • 

      maybeamacy on 12/12/2016 - 22:18

      How did you find interior space vs the A3? I see that the S3's are getting pretty affordable these days.

      • 

        Tech and cars on 13/12/2016 - 11:27

        A3 - I found that they used their interior space more efficiently. The 1.4 Litre was fast for every day drivers but for an 'enthusiast', it leaves you wanting more. It's a lot more modern inside and I personally think the Audi has a much nicer interior compared to the BMW.
        The boot was also quite large in the Audi.

        BMW steering and handling is where the car is the most fun. I guess it depends where you regularly go for drives. For me, I spend a lot of time in hinterlands/back roads where I get to enjoy my car. If you know you'll just be in the city 95% of the time, the Audi is a better car and better value for money.

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  kaotickelly on 15/12/2016 - 09:58

  +1

  Check out the burger tuning JB4 Stage 1 and 2.
  It's a plug and play tune, no messing with ECU hacking.

  Available both locally and overseas for about $AU 800.

  It will give a 10% boost to stock car. More if you upgrade exhaust.

  BTW, adaptive suspension is an option. If optioned, by replacing the springs you may affect the way the car rides negatively.

  • 

    Tech and cars on 15/12/2016 - 10:40

    Thanks mate. Just the perfect response I was looking for!

    I think I've got the 'sports' suspension. Which lets the entire car switch between "Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport, Sport + ".

    I'll have a read into what these exactly do. In Sport+ I do notice throttle and gearbox gets a lot sharper! Still not sure if the suspension gets affected.

    • 

      kaotickelly on 16/12/2016 - 21:24

      +1

      I don't think that's the adaptive suspension, especially if you can't feel the difference when you switch. I have the adaptive suspension optioned, and you can definitely feel the suspension stiffen up when in sport or sport+ (as well as throttle and gear change).

      So if you have the sport suspension, you won't lose out on anything upgrading the springs or shocks.

      All the best.

  • 

    Kkuba on 22/12/2016 - 23:42

    This.

    I have a JB4 in my 135i, and it was an awesome investment.

    on the N54 motor, it takes it from the factory 225kW, to a claimed 300kW (at the fly), and that is with no supporting mods.

    And boy does it make a difference.

    And it has so many other features like:

    1. Gauge hijacking, where it switches the fuel level and oil temp gauges to any one of boost, timing, AFR, IAT, boost-to-target and others.

    2. You can mix in some E85 (i think around 40% is around the maximum that the injectors can handle), and the JB4 will adjust to it.

    3. Engine fault code reading through the dash.

    4. Changing maps on the fly as you drive from low to high boost.

    5. And lots of other cool gimmicks, or less used functions, like shift light (adjustable to nearest 100rpm), valet mode, cooling fan toggle and meth flow control.

    All of this can be done though the dash of the car. And when you plug your laptop in, you can get even more out of it, namely telemetry traces.

    Also, with such a large customer base, they have lots of money for development, and also it provides you with a wealth of knowledge in the forum members who are using these products.

    EDIT: Also, be mindful when using lowering springs. if they are not of the same spring rate, it can upset the harmony between the spring and damper, which are tuned to one another. It can have a negative impact on the balance of the car in particular conditions.

    If you are not going to be tracking the car, it's probably insignificant, but still worth mentioning.