Long Term Effects with a Flash

[icabod7]

So I think the general rule is more power/boost/etc = more engine wear. But since our N54 platform is pretty robust it can definitely handle some more juice.

But anecdotally, who has had a flash -- specifically Cobb -- on the longest? Notice any more wear and tear on certain parts?

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by icabod7

Notice any more wear and tear on certain parts?

How could anyone possibly notice that? More wear and tear than my imaginary otherwise identical 135i that doesn't have a tune?

[1speedbike]

The Cobb tune hasn't been around that long, so you won't find anyone who has had that particular tune long enough to provide any real data.

As for other tunes, there are e90 guys who have had tunes on for years and years, and tens of thousands of miles, with no problems. Then again, there's a couple guys with melted turbos not covered by warranty (due to the tune), but nobody can really substantiate whether the tune caused it or not because there's not much to compare to. All cars are different and people have had engine failures with no tunes at all, while others have been running 16+ psi for over 50,000 miles (and probably some close to 100,000 by this point in time).

There's really no definite way to tell, but for the most part, the cars and engines seem to be holding up pretty well to tunes. The only way in which the engine is NOT holding up well for ANYONE (with or without a tune) is in terms of carbon buildup in the engine. Since the car is not only direct injected, but also turbo, there is oil spraying freaking everywhere in our engines. I recommend seafoaming relatively often, and just plain cleaning out the valves and intake manifold after 50,000 miles. I'm almost at that point with my car, and dreading what I will find in there.

Then again, the Cobb tune seems to boost much more than the procede or jb (but offers similar, if not slower, 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. i never got this?? are they just measuring the boost differently somehow?), so i can't speak for people running the accessport.

[icabod7]

Originally Posted by GaryS

How could anyone possibly notice that? More wear and tear than my imaginary otherwise identical 135i that doesn't have a tune?

C'mon, there are other baselines for comparison. Specifically, we can compare folks who have a stock car. Maybe they see certain parts wear our at longer intervals than folks who have a flash.

[icabod7]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

The Cobb tune hasn't been around that long, so you won't find anyone who has had that particular tune long enough to provide any real data.

As for other tunes, there are e90 guys who have had tunes on for years and years, and tens of thousands of miles, with no problems. Then again, there's a couple guys with melted turbos not covered by warranty (due to the tune), but nobody can really substantiate whether the tune caused it or not because there's not much to compare to. All cars are different and people have had engine failures with no tunes at all, while others have been running 16 psi for over 50,000 miles (and probably some close to 100,000 by this point in time).

There's really no definite way to tell, but for the most part, the cars and engines seem to be holding up pretty well to tunes. The only way in which the engine is NOT holding up well for ANYONE (with or without a tune) is in terms of carbon buildup in the engine. Since the car is not only direct injected, but also turbo, there is oil spraying freaking everywhere in our engines. I recommend seafoaming relatively often, and just plain cleaning out the valves and intake manifold after 50,000 miles. I'm almost at that point with my car, and dreading what I will find in there.

Then again, the Cobb tune seems to boost much more than the procede or jb (but offers similar, if not slower, 0-60 and 1/4 mile times. i never got this?? are they just measuring the boost differently somehow?), so i can't speak for people running the accessport.

That's great info, thanks. I too had worries about build-up so I bought an AR OCC. I'm at 27k miles, so I guess I'll be cleaning out various engine bits at 50k now.

[RedM1]

I ran COBB on my suby for 3 years only thing that wore out was my clutch from all the 5k launches. COBB is new to the BMW world so its not up to par yet with the other tuners. Im sure theyll fix thier glitches and be at the same level soon enough..

[Taz@Evolve. P]

We've had customers running our tune (all stages) for several years and tens of thousands of miles with no issues whatsoever, the N54 is very robust.

[BMW86]

The N54 is fairly detuned from factory and runs quite rich. Running a tune so far hasn't caused any issues for anyone but I think the more important issues are how you drive your car and what kind of maintenance you do.

[mineo77]

Originally Posted by BMW86

The N54 is fairly detuned from factory and runs quite rich. Running a tune so far hasn't caused any issues for anyone but I think the more important issues are how you drive your car and what kind of maintenance you do.

thank you....the only worthwhile response to a ridiculous post. this forum has been getting pretty bad over the past few months.