N55 tuning options

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by N55_NOLE

I'm glad we're mostly on the same page, I was worried this was going to devolve into one of those classic forum fights about tuning!

I think it is also cool we can have these discusions over here too - without getting into a flame war. We are all adults and can respect other peoples opinions.


Dackel

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by ianf2002

Yes, but apparently dealer will be able to detect that the ECU was flashed

Also not true, had my car in several times for service, even a software update. Nothing detected, just reflashed after the visit and was good to go.

That is the beauty of a (good) tune. BMW can easily detect it if they want to go through 70+ lines of code (these codes aren't short either) and hard check all the values against the stock ones. Even if they did do this, it would take them about 2-3 work days to do. It's a huge waste of their time, which is why they DON'T do it. When plugged into the GT1 computer, a tuned car and non tuned car look identical to the tech.

Most tunes will come with some kind of handheld now (getting very popular) so if you're nervous you can just go to stock. The full ECU hasn't been cracked completely yet so when it is, you'll be able to use the handhelds, flash to stock for service, then flash back. I think the only thing that could give away the fact that you are running a tune is if the tech drives it and notices all the extra power.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by ianf2002

Whether dealers care or not I doubt it... dealers make good workshop $ out of warranty claims.

Each to their own. Only N55 ECU flash I'd go with would be from an experienced team like Cobb/Dinan who seem to know what they are doing... in the meantime JB seems the best option

if you say so... plenty of other very reputable tuners out there other than the 2 you listed. It's almost like you think you're buying a TV or something and won't touch anything that isn't made by Sony.

I'm not gonna start a war in here but both you mentioned also don't create their own tunes from what I've heard. Not to mention Dinan is slowly going out of business and being dropped from most of the BMW dealerships that sold/supported them all over the country. Sure Cobb has made a big name for themselves in the import market but I've heard that when they got into BMW tuning, all they did was purchase maps from other companies who've already done R&D, tweak um a touch and slap their name on them.

I prefer to work with a company I have personally watched tune a crap ton of cars, from scratch, with great success. Guys who've been in the euro/BMW game for more than just a few months and guys who want nothing more than to give you a quality product that works how you want it to work, not just take your money and hand you something totally generic. Lots of places like this out there, besides who I'm talking about. Buckhead Tuning in ATL, ECS tuning in Ohio... hell I think even Kelly Moss up in Madison can tune a BMW properly from the ground up (they build Porsche, Ferrari and MB GT race cars).

The fact of the matter is people rave about JB because it's been the most advertised on these forums, next is proceed - basically the same thing. Cobb jumps in with regurgitated stuff and a handheld (something a few of the smaller tuners have been selling for years now) and now they are the bees knees. Again, I don't buy the hype. Do they make good power, sure. Does that mean nobody else can be trusted to make just as good if not better power? Not a chance.

(EDIT: I realize this might be a little off since you don't live here in the states, that being the case I can see why you wouldn't tune with a smaller dealer).

[oman135]

Waiting for COBB !

[Vtec Abuser]

Interesting debate guys, as this is something I am trying to decide myself on what channel to go down (Piggyback vs Flash)..

[oman135]

i want a flash simply because its very easy to install/uninstall i dont want to touch the ECU and because of the warranty ! i hope ess or cobb release something for N55 SOON !
I Need More Power !

[cwg]

Originally Posted by oman135

i want a flash simply because its very easy to install/uninstall i dont want to touch the ECU and because of the warranty ! i hope ess or cobb release something for N55 SOON !
I Need More Power !

I do not think either ESS or Cobb will have a hand held flash unit before end of Summer at the earliest.

ESS is still working on their bench tune and it will take at least a couple more months from the time the bench tune is ready before they will be able to offer a hand held flash.

Cobb is already on record stating that they are not going to focus on the N55 until they complete both the stage 2 and access race for the N54. Cobb still does not have stage 2 for the N54 done yet, so it may be the end of the year before Cobb has their N55 tune.

If someone has contrary information and good reason to believe the flash tunes for N55 will be available earlier I would love to hear it.

[Vectors2final]

Cobb currently has a hand held flash, the AccessPort. That's all it does is copy the stock map and flash the new one on.

[Vectors2final]

Originally Posted by ianf2002

No Cobb for N55

I thought you meant in general. Of course not for the N55.

[Dackelone]

My tuner MS Tuning offers two... well... three levels of flash tunes for the N55:

N55

Stage I: 341 PS and 455 Nm
Stage II: 360 PS and 500 Nm


Marcel does say that 390 PS and 550 Nm is possible with a N55 but it is NOT good for the long term life of the motor. The reason - is because BMW uses weaker components with the N55 internal engine parts. The crankshaft is not forged like with the N54 motor. The pistons are NOT made by Mahle like with the N54 but are made by Mopisan from Turkey! And the list goes on.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=528152


Dackel

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by ianf2002

Do you have the new BMW DME update 2.4x?

I do not know bc BMW dealers over here give you NO PAPERWORK when you have warranty repairs made. It all just goes into their "mother pc".

I think I am gonna have to buy a BravTech scan tool to find this info out.

All I know is after I had the latest SW update done... my turn signals flash when I lock/unlock the car. And when I turn off the DSC I have a totally new DSC icon now. And then I dicovered the "lag" feature of this new SW update. but then I got a tune!

[FrankiE90]

i've been running the procede pretty hard last couple weeks.
it's a solid tune.

discussions been manly flash but this piggy back
is pretty smooth and violently torque'y.

guys with late feb production date bimmers - keep in mind the
charge pipe sensor connector has changed.
who knows what BMW has changed besides the
sensor connector.

N55 1st year
has been pretty good.
happy mod'n.

[shockin330i]

I need more power! I'm saving up and having the turbo changed. Someone needs to grow a pair around here.