Best current tuning options?

[npaulseth]

2011 135i 6MT - curious about tuning options? Looks like Cobb AP is no longer supported actively (by Cobb) and it seems like the JB4 has pretty mixed reviews. Are there any other good tuning options that are out which are currently supported by said vendor?

Thanks!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by npaulseth

2011 135i 6MT - curious about tuning options? Looks like Cobb AP is no longer supported actively (by Cobb) and it seems like the JB4 has pretty mixed reviews. Are there any other good tuning options that are out which are currently supported by said vendor?

Thanks!

It always amazes me how people think JB4 has mixed reviews just because you see a thread or 2 every now and then about someone who had a bad experience.


Jb4 is by far the most popular tune for this engine, thousands have been sold, it comes with 14 days money back guarantee and unlimited lifetime support.

If the Jb4 had mixed reviews, based on the numbers sold the first page would be full of complaints and bad reviews.

My advice to you is to get a JB4, give it a try for 14 days and if you dont like it you can return it

Now to answer your question we also offer AFE tune which is similar to the Jb stage 1

[npaulseth]

Appreciate the response. I was basing my opinion off what a few other people locally have said and what I've seen here and there online.

[BQTuning]

Are you N55 or N54 ?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by ********

Are you N55 or N54 ?

The OP states 2011 135i 6MT, so N55.

[titium]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

It always amazes me how people think JB4 has mixed reviews just because you see a thread or 2 every now and then about someone who had a bad experience.


Jb4 is by far the most popular tune for this engine, thousands have been sold, it comes with 14 days money back guarantee and unlimited lifetime support.

If the Jb4 had mixed reviews, based on the numbers sold the first page would be full of complaints and bad reviews.

My advice to you is to get a JB4, give it a try for 14 days and if you dont like it you can return it

Now to answer your question we also offer AFE tune which is similar to the Jb stage 1

it does have mixed reviews for the n55.

i know of a few people that have had issues to the point where they have removed it all together. seems to be worse for dct. it's probably the only option though besides a custom flash tune.

[omgboost]

Depending on your ROM, the Cobb AP3 will work. They are working on a map for the latest ROM and they said they are beta testing it right now and should be another two weeks before they release it.

[Cavpilot2k]

Dinan is also an option, albeit pricier than some of the others, but the price has recently come down, and it is a true flash tune.

Pro for Dinan: Flash-and-forget convenience, 2 year warranty, depending on your dealer, you don't have to hide it in case you are under CPO or other manufacturer warranty, good performance gains when properly broken in.

Con for Dinan: More expensive than other options, more conservative than some other options (which works in your favor if longevity is a goal), does not adapt to other bolt-ons besides FMIC upgrade.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Cavpilot2k

Dinan is also an option, albeit pricier than some of the others, but the price has recently come down, and it is a true flash tune.

Pro for Dinan: Flash-and-forget convenience, 2 year warranty, depending on your dealer, you don't have to hide it in case you are under CPO or other manufacturer warranty, good performance gains when properly broken in.

Con for Dinan: More expensive than other options, more conservative than some other options (which works in your favor if longevity is a goal), does not adapt to other bolt-ons besides FMIC upgrade.

Also no flexibility whatsoever, you cant change maps on the fly and cant change any settings

No datalog ability

No boost limit by gear for traction control

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Also no flexibility whatsoever, you cant change maps on the fly and cant change any settings

No datalog ability

No boost limit by gear for traction control

Happy with my Dinan tune as well. Don't want to deal with any of that other stuff.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Happy with my Dinan tune as well. Don't want to deal with any of that other stuff.

OK?

Who said you wouldn't be? Cavpilot2k was listing pros and cons and he missed a couple so i added it so OP can make his decision based on as much info as possible.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

OK?

Who said you wouldn't be? Cavpilot2k was listing pros and cons and he missed a couple so i added it so OP can make his decision based on as much info as possible.

That nice amigo... hope you get a sale out of it. I have an opinion too and I'm sure you don't mind if I express it.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Esteban

That nice amigo... hope you get a sale out of it. I have an opinion too and I'm sure you don't mind if I express it.

I did not reply to your post , you quoted me

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I did not reply to your post , you quoted me

So? As far as I know I'm allowed to do that.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Esteban

So? As far as I know I'm allowed to do that.

And who said you are not allowed to?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

And who said you are not allowed to?

Then why do you care if I quoted you?

[omgboost]

for a 1 series, I'd rather go with a jb4 or cobb custom tune. once you start tuning, the power gets addicting and you'll want more. it won't just end with one simple tune. I myself have an x5 and there isn't as much of possibilities that the 1 series have.

[houtan]

All of the options mentioned above have their pros and cons. If you can hold out until mhd is released, you will have another flash option as well. If you go with Cobb and are not planning to get an etune or pro tune, I wouldn't even bother because the ots maps are not that good. On my car they were horrible. My ptf etune is awesome. If you can't wait for mhd and aren't going to etune, jb4 with ff wires and data cable would be a great choice. Install it, put it in map 1 or 5, post a few logs on n54 tech to double check how the car is running, and be done with it. If you want to run an ethanol blend, jb4 makes it very easy. I haven't been able to consistently run max boost and e50 via flash only, on the jb4 it was very easy. Hopefully mhd will change that.

I own both Cobb and jb4. I am waiting for mhd though. Currently I am running my ptf etune flash only. Just my preference.

[Dat Aus]

Originally Posted by houtan

All of the options mentioned above have their pros and cons. If you can hold out until mhd is released, you will have another flash option as well. If you go with Cobb and are not planning to get an etune or pro tune, I wouldn't even bother because the ots maps are not that good. On my car they were horrible. My ptf etune is awesome. If you can't wait for mhd and aren't going to etune, jb4 with ff wires and data cable would be a great choice. Install it, put it in map 1 or 5, post a few logs on n54 tech to double check how the car is running, and be done with it. If you want to run an ethanol blend, jb4 makes it very easy. I haven't been able to consistently run max boost and e50 via flash only, on the jb4 it was very easy. Hopefully mhd will change that.

I own both Cobb and jb4. I am waiting for mhd though. Currently I am running my ptf etune flash only. Just my preference.

What do you mean "wait for MHD"? Hasn't it been out for quite some time now?

[houtan]

Originally Posted by Dat Aus

What do you mean "wait for MHD"? Hasn't it been out for quite some time now?

It's been out for the N54. He has recently stated he is developing a solution for the N55.

[Cavpilot2k]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Also no flexibility whatsoever, you cant change maps on the fly and cant change any settings

No datalog ability

No boost limit by gear for traction control

True. But, while this could be viewed as a CON to some, it is a PRO to others like myself who want flash it and forget it performance.
I don't want to change settings on the fly, and I have no need of data logging capability, and I can boost limit by gear for traction through skillful use of my right foot.
Some of us just want it to be there in the background, working all the time and not think about it or tinker with it. For those of us like that, it's a great option. For those who like to tinker, it isn't.
There is no better or worse, just different solutions based on individual priorities and desires.

[blue135]

I am with Cavpilot. I like what Dinan offers, in part because I simply lack suffecient risk taking ability to overcome my lack of knowledge about what and how to do the stuff necessary to work the other options. To each their own.