118i Retune?

jemba · 06-30-2011, 05:19 AM

Hi Guys,

First time poster - Just grabbed a 06' 118i - lovely car. Would have loved to get the 130 but being a student I was a little short of the cash =P

My question now is - since the 118i runs the same engine as the 120i - simply detuned is there anyone that knows a place where I can get the ecu remapped? I've been quoted around $1700 which is about what i expected for ecu remaps but a little bit more than I'm willing to spend seeing as the remaps go for around $400 in the UK.

Just sold a gti 180 pug so anything I can do for a little more torque and power is worth trying!

Cheers
J

Stuart@BMRAutowerkes · 06-30-2011, 05:31 AM

you can always send the ECU to the UK - 10day turnaround perhaps and a member here has successfully done this (albeit to Germany and with a 125i)

JB4-335 · 06-30-2011, 05:31 AM

Welcome J.
What sort of power increase are we talking about for $1700?

jemba · 06-30-2011, 05:36 AM

Wow thanks for the fast replies guys - Yeah was considering sending away option...the only problem being that I drive everyday and not having a car would be a problem!

The 1700 tune puts the power up from 129bhp to 143bhp and torque from 180Nm to 200Nm (exactly the same stats as the 120i)

So roughly 10%

Are piggyback chips an option? Otherwise there is a german tuner thats got the ECU retune listed on ebay for $500 - When i contacted them they told me they could send the programmed file to a tuner to do it for me.

I also found a slightly more suspect chip on eBay - but since it offers the same gains I'm not sure what to think of it

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Jeef Beef · 06-30-2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jemba

Wow thanks for the fast replies guys - Yeah was considering sending away option...the only problem being that I drive everyday and not having a car would be a problem!

The 1700 tune puts the power up from 129bhp to 143bhp and torque from 180Nm to 200Nm (exactly the same stats as the 120i)

So roughly 10%

Are piggyback chips an option? Otherwise there is a german tuner thats got the ECU retune listed on ebay for $500 - When i contacted them they told me they could send the programmed file to a tuner to do it for me.

I also found a slightly more suspect chip on eBay - but since it offers the same gains I'm not sure what to think of it

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Haha Jemba for that amount of money it's not worth it. Drive it as is, save it up for something nicer in the future.

I thought you were kidding when you posted on my fb!

130iguy · 06-30-2011, 07:09 AM

dont bother, just make it look shit hot, wheels , carbon trim, interior pieces etc, will help with resale as opposed to ecu tunes etc

RaihaX · 06-30-2011, 08:45 AM

As others have said use the money for wheels

sbce90 · 06-30-2011, 04:39 PM

Don't bother with tune. Trust me, having 20i power instead of 18i power won't make any difference.

sparoz · 06-30-2011, 05:19 PM

+1 to all above - save the 1700 and put it in your repayments if you still have to pay off your car. If you own the car, save it for your house deposit.

jemba · 06-30-2011, 08:46 PM

Haha - yeah jeef - think thats the plan.

thanks for the posts guys - I think I'll spend the money on some blacklines and wheels instead then.

Think I'm going to save up for an e46 M3...someday

Cheers!

sbce90 · 06-30-2011, 08:58 PM

Actually you know what you can do just for fun (and Jeff will agree).

Add some VTEC sound.

**cue chime in from jeff**

Orlin · 06-30-2011, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparoz

+1 to all above - save the 1700 and put it in your repayments if you still have to pay off your car. If you own the car, save it for your house deposit.

wise words Steve

jemba · 07-01-2011, 12:50 AM

haha - used to have a celica with lift - the lift sound is pretty great in itself. even if the car was terrible. wish the 118i had vanos - i remember jeff giving me a 1 hour lecture on how vanos works and why it was so great back in my JDM days.

luckily car is paid off - had a look at my mates 130i today and think id like to get the msport bumpers and the angel eye headlights.

anyone know where i can get them from? cant see much on ebay at all.

130iWanted · 07-01-2011, 02:12 AM

Glad you liked me car jemba haha, love your's too

Wheels, lights and front bar would be my top priorities to get it look good.

http://www.bmw-carparts.co.uk/bmw-1-...609-789825.php

Bumper and use these guys to get you good shipping to Aus

https://www.transglobal.org.uk/Default.asp

For HIDs check this thread, not sure if 135i modules fit in the E87, but they should? $350...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=545003

jemba · 07-01-2011, 10:22 AM

haha cheers tom

thinking I'll go projectors and blacklines to start with - should set me back $550ish

then when you swap wheels over I'll start thinking about wheels. I'll have to see if I can sell mine first though!

jemba · 07-01-2011, 10:23 AM

Out of curiosity does anyone know someone that can actually do an ECU retune? I can easily buy the program from the UK for $250 - and if it doesnt cost me a whole lot more than that i wouldnt mind spending the cash on it!

Jeef Beef · 07-01-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jemba

Out of curiosity does anyone know someone that can actually do an ECU retune? I can easily buy the program from the UK for $250 - and if it doesnt cost me a whole lot more than that i wouldnt mind spending the cash on it!

bmroxm5 workshop

130iWanted · 07-02-2011, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jemba

haha cheers tom

thinking I'll go projectors and blacklines to start with - should set me back $550ish

then when you swap wheels over I'll start thinking about wheels. I'll have to see if I can sell mine first though!

If all goes well, I should have my new wheels ready in a fortnight

Not sure if there's too much of a market for stock 16's to be honest, I say keep them if you want to go do some burnouts at the track?

OOOSQ · 07-02-2011, 03:01 AM

Dont bother with any engine related mods - waste of time brother...

Drawn05 · 07-02-2011, 05:28 AM

Too much money for too little gain.

Even if you could get a 50kw+ remap, the drive-train would just waste the majority of the engines power increase. The Transmission, drive shaft, final drive and output shafts on the 118/120 are all designed for economy, not power or speed.

The company that remapped my ecu also do one for the 118 that gives a 19kw increase in engine power. Of that 19kw, if you got 6kw to the rear wheels you would be doing well. $700 for 6rwkw isnt worth it.

jemba · 08-01-2011, 09:27 AM

Just out of curiosity - if i do ever get the extra cash what was the name of your tuner?

Jeef Beef · 08-01-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jemba

Just out of curiosity - if i do ever get the extra cash what was the name of your tuner?

Vishnu PROcede

06-30-2011, 05:19 AM	#1
jemba New Member 1 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW 118i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	118i Retune? Hi Guys, First time poster - Just grabbed a 06' 118i - lovely car. Would have loved to get the 130 but being a student I was a little short of the cash =P My question now is - since the 118i runs the same engine as the 120i - simply detuned is there anyone that knows a place where I can get the ecu remapped? I've been quoted around $1700 which is about what i expected for ecu remaps but a little bit more than I'm willing to spend seeing as the remaps go for around $400 in the UK. Just sold a gti 180 pug so anything I can do for a little more torque and power is worth trying! Cheers J
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06-30-2011, 05:31 AM	#2
Stuart@BMRAutowerkes Major General 808 Rep 5,530 Posts Drives: a black car Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sydney iTrader: (3)	you can always send the ECU to the UK - 10day turnaround perhaps and a member here has successfully done this (albeit to Germany and with a 125i)
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06-30-2011, 05:31 AM	#3
JB4-335 Brigadier General 168 Rep 3,093 Posts Drives: E92 BSM & E70 AW Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Australia iTrader: (1)	Welcome J. What sort of power increase are we talking about for $1700?
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06-30-2011, 05:36 AM	#4
jemba New Member 1 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW 118i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Wow thanks for the fast replies guys - Yeah was considering sending away option...the only problem being that I drive everyday and not having a car would be a problem! The 1700 tune puts the power up from 129bhp to 143bhp and torque from 180Nm to 200Nm (exactly the same stats as the 120i) So roughly 10% Are piggyback chips an option? Otherwise there is a german tuner thats got the ECU retune listed on ebay for $500 - When i contacted them they told me they could send the programmed file to a tuner to do it for me. I also found a slightly more suspect chip on eBay - but since it offers the same gains I'm not sure what to think of it http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....=STRK:MEWAX:IT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-30-2011, 07:09 AM	#6
130iguy I'm Riley, I'm awesome 30 Rep 696 Posts Drives: e92 M3 Comp Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Qld, Australia iTrader: (0)	dont bother, just make it look shit hot, wheels , carbon trim, interior pieces etc, will help with resale as opposed to ecu tunes etc __________________ Do it properly the first time.
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06-30-2011, 08:45 AM	#7
RaihaX Major General 156 Rep 4,995 Posts Drives: 08' 135i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Australia, Perth iTrader: (2)	As others have said use the money for wheels
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06-30-2011, 04:39 PM	#8
sbce90 Me Boosta 249 Rep 5,721 Posts Drives: 320i / MB C63 / VW up! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (3)	Don't bother with tune. Trust me, having 20i power instead of 18i power won't make any difference.
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06-30-2011, 05:19 PM	#9
sparoz Brigadier General 191 Rep 4,848 Posts Drives: VO 1///M; Macan Turbo Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sunshine Coast iTrader: (0)	+1 to all above - save the 1700 and put it in your repayments if you still have to pay off your car. If you own the car, save it for your house deposit. __________________ Macan S Diesel - Carrera White Macan Turbo - White 1///M - Valencia Orange
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06-30-2011, 08:46 PM	#10
jemba New Member 1 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW 118i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Haha - yeah jeef - think thats the plan. thanks for the posts guys - I think I'll spend the money on some blacklines and wheels instead then. Think I'm going to save up for an e46 M3...someday Cheers!
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06-30-2011, 08:58 PM	#11
sbce90 Me Boosta 249 Rep 5,721 Posts Drives: 320i / MB C63 / VW up! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (3)	Actually you know what you can do just for fun (and Jeff will agree). Add some VTEC sound. cue chime in from jeff
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07-01-2011, 12:50 AM	#13
jemba New Member 1 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW 118i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	haha - used to have a celica with lift - the lift sound is pretty great in itself. even if the car was terrible. wish the 118i had vanos - i remember jeff giving me a 1 hour lecture on how vanos works and why it was so great back in my JDM days. luckily car is paid off - had a look at my mates 130i today and think id like to get the msport bumpers and the angel eye headlights. anyone know where i can get them from? cant see much on ebay at all.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-01-2011, 02:12 AM	#14
130iWanted Captain Slow 17 Rep 153 Posts Drives: 2016 X3 xDrive20D Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Glad you liked me car jemba haha, love your's too Wheels, lights and front bar would be my top priorities to get it look good. http://www.bmw-carparts.co.uk/bmw-1-...609-789825.php Bumper and use these guys to get you good shipping to Aus https://www.transglobal.org.uk/Default.asp For HIDs check this thread, not sure if 135i modules fit in the E87, but they should? $350... http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=545003 Last edited by 130iWanted; 07-01-2011 at 02:19 AM..
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07-01-2011, 10:22 AM	#15
jemba New Member 1 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW 118i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	haha cheers tom thinking I'll go projectors and blacklines to start with - should set me back $550ish then when you swap wheels over I'll start thinking about wheels. I'll have to see if I can sell mine first though!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-01-2011, 10:23 AM	#16
jemba New Member 1 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW 118i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Out of curiosity does anyone know someone that can actually do an ECU retune? I can easily buy the program from the UK for $250 - and if it doesnt cost me a whole lot more than that i wouldnt mind spending the cash on it!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-02-2011, 03:01 AM	#19
OOOSQ First Lieutenant 16 Rep 367 Posts Drives: F85 X5M / CLA45 AMG SB Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0)	Dont bother with any engine related mods - waste of time brother...
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07-02-2011, 05:28 AM	#20
Drawn05 Captain 67 Rep 853 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Left iTrader: (0)	Too much money for too little gain. Even if you could get a 50kw+ remap, the drive-train would just waste the majority of the engines power increase. The Transmission, drive shaft, final drive and output shafts on the 118/120 are all designed for economy, not power or speed. The company that remapped my ecu also do one for the 118 that gives a 19kw increase in engine power. Of that 19kw, if you got 6kw to the rear wheels you would be doing well. $700 for 6rwkw isnt worth it.
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08-01-2011, 09:27 AM	#21
jemba New Member 1 Rep 12 Posts Drives: BMW 118i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Just out of curiosity - if i do ever get the extra cash what was the name of your tuner?
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