PPK stage 1 vs JB4 vs COBB

[rodman9]

Hey folks,

Hope everyone's well. I've got a 2012 135i E82 N55.

I have a pretty noob question in the grand scheme of things when it comes to performance mods.

The big part of me that wants to keep things "official" i.e. dealing through BMW, is to go with PPK stage 1, which goes for $1800 including labour, etc.

That'll take me to 240kW apparently, and from what I've been reading and watching on YouTube as well, it goes alright and sounds pretty sweet too!

Whereas mainly from a price point, but also some opposing reviews I've read, JB4 has way more potential and you definitely get much more bang-for-buck. That's at $895 installed, but apparently isn't as smooth as the PPK stage 1. And also, seeing all these threads about JB4 fail codes and people needing help with JB4 issues isn't all that comforting!

And lastly COBB, I've been considering that because I've heard good things about it too but don't have all that much info on it tbh.

Would love to hear your thoughts, opinions, experiences, etc

Thanks guys
Rod

[c1pher]

I would say it depends on your preferences, what you hope to achieve and where you are at with the warranty. If it were me and the warranty were over, I might consider a flash tune (e.g. Cobb), the PPK or Dinan are fairly expensive options but both covered by a warranty. The JB4 is a piggyback so technically undetectable by dealership if you feel inclined to hide it or remove it prior to service.

I had several flash tunes on my Mustang and really liked them. The dealer knew I was tuned but never gave me any issues with my warranty. I had a piggyback on my Fiat Abarth and would say I liked it just as much as a flash tune. I currently have the PPK as part of the US "is" package, but considering a JB4.

[swagon]

You have a 2012, PPK can be flashed for free if you can do it on your own or have a good friend. But I think it is limited to cars up to March 2012, but could be mistaken as I tend to forget things a lot. There's a thread over at N54tech covering this.

It is not an eye-opening difference like you would get with JB4 set to whatever the most aggresive map is, but the added power & torque is definitely noticeable. I like it. The exhaust pops and burbles are very nice, too.

[WedgePerformance]

Originally Posted by rodman9

Hey folks,

Hope everyone's well. I've got a 2012 135i E82 N55.

I have a pretty noob question in the grand scheme of things when it comes to performance mods.

The big part of me that wants to keep things "official" i.e. dealing through BMW, is to go with PPK stage 1, which goes for $1800 including labour, etc.

That'll take me to 240kW apparently, and from what I've been reading and watching on YouTube as well, it goes alright and sounds pretty sweet too!

Whereas mainly from a price point, but also some opposing reviews I've read, JB4 has way more potential and you definitely get much more bang-for-buck. That's at $895 installed, but apparently isn't as smooth as the PPK stage 1. And also, seeing all these threads about JB4 fail codes and people needing help with JB4 issues isn't all that comforting!

And lastly COBB, I've been considering that because I've heard good things about it too but don't have all that much info on it tbh.

Would love to hear your thoughts, opinions, experiences, etc

Thanks guys
Rod

Guess you haven't been reading the MHD N55 thread... MHD open beta will begin soon, real soon.

Keep an eye out for Martial @ MHD to post up information regarding the open beta. Just need a K+DCAN cable, OTG cable, Android phone or tablet, Flash and Monitor licenses. Even has OTS maps for purchase. Custom tuning will be available also. I have a 2012 135 MSport DCT and I have logged stock, PPK, and my custom tunes. Custom tune is light years better than PPK.

[rodman9]

Sweet thanks a lot for the responses guys. Again, I'm basically an utter noob with this stuff but could you explain what MHD is exactly and how it'll be potentially worth the wait versus the other options available now?

To be honest I wasn't planning on going too overboard with tuning and mods, just wanted a little bit more than what I've got now, complete stock 2012 135i E82 N55. I've heard that you get loads of burbles and nice sounds from the exhaust with a stage 1 PPK but again, reasons listed above.....

[Rolie]

I was also stock on a 2011. I flashed the PPK on my car late last year from the n54tech post and have a jb4 with bluetooth on its way. You can run both. I was considering Cobb but it will be outdone by the MHD by the looks.

You need to have a look on n54tech and see if your car has the new or old ECU otherwise JB4 is all you can use unless you are happy to spend $1800 for BMW to flash the ppk. I dont think Cobb can flash the newer ones either but i might be wrong.

I'm pretty keen to see what the MHD has to offer but will give it some time for them to work out the beta before jumping in. By then i'll probably have dropped a downpipe and possibly a FMIC in.

[Widowmaker]

Contact user Jeff@TopGearSolutions on here, he should be able to flash the n55 PPk1 on your car for under $150 remotely I believe, had it done by him and have been nothing but happy

[HyeWarrior]

From my experience, I'm not a fan of the JB4. I've had way too many issues fine-tuning it and I feel that it overworks the car more than it should. Some people have no problems with it, but it's not for me. I'll be selling mine soon and will be waiting for the MHD flash

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by rodman9

Hey folks,

Hope everyone's well. I've got a 2012 135i E82 N55.

I have a pretty noob question in the grand scheme of things when it comes to performance mods.

The big part of me that wants to keep things "official" i.e. dealing through BMW, is to go with PPK stage 1, which goes for $1800 including labour, etc.

That'll take me to 240kW apparently, and from what I've been reading and watching on YouTube as well, it goes alright and sounds pretty sweet too!

Whereas mainly from a price point, but also some opposing reviews I've read, JB4 has way more potential and you definitely get much more bang-for-buck. That's at $895 installed, but apparently isn't as smooth as the PPK stage 1. And also, seeing all these threads about JB4 fail codes and people needing help with JB4 issues isn't all that comforting!

And lastly COBB, I've been considering that because I've heard good things about it too but don't have all that much info on it tbh.

Would love to hear your thoughts, opinions, experiences, etc

Thanks guys
Rod

Most popular choice for us is the JB4 ... It offers a lot for your money ... If your car has no failing components (spark plugs, ignition coils, injectors, fuel pumps) you will not have any problems with the JB4

If you car does have weak components, you will get problems no matter which tune your go with

[sandlion]

have you looked at the new mhd flasher?

[MHD Tuning]

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1318862

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by Widowmaker

Contact user Jeff@TopGearSolutions on here, he should be able to flash the n55 PPk1 on your car for under $150 remotely I believe, had it done by him and have been nothing but happy

Thanks! You can contact me or Joe.

Joe does the coding for us.

[FrostyDC4]

Does the PPK modify boost, timing, and afr or does it just modify vanos alone?

[MHD Tuning]

Originally Posted by FrostyDC4

Does the PPK modify boost, timing, and afr or does it just modify vanos alone?

The ppk
- increases load target (so boost, timing and afr are slightly influenced).
- increases the different torque limiter tables
- adds burble

Vanos is not touched. So basically it's a basic at it gets. Our stage 1 maps are a little stronger and smoother.