Dear 1Abby

[Gangplank]

Dear 1Abby,

I have a dilemma. I have been considering upgrading my 1er. I have narrowed my choices down to what is roughly a $1000 upgrade.

Option #1) There is currently an Apex group buy going on (https://www.gangup.com/apex/apex-18-...w-q1-2020.html) and I am considering a set of Arc8 in either anthracite or satin black. My 1er is Space Grey Metallic and I am leaning toward the anthracite.


[OR]

Option #2) Upgrade the charge pipe, FMIC and a tune. I am currently still on the stock CP. I am considering upgrading to the VRSF charge pipe and VRSF 5" stepped core intercoller + Dinan tune.

Thanks in advance.

Signed Conflicted.

[b1aze]

Dear wood walkway,
BOTH, silly?!?!

But seriously,
What are you “missing” from your car? Is it “fast enough” currently? What are your ultimate goals with it? Sweet daily that’s simply a tool to get to work? Daily driver that you use for HPDE/AutoX also? Something to do 100+ MPH in the wee hours in Mexico?

In order to answer your question, you need to answer some questions.

Signed,
Needing more clarity

[chris_flies]

Apex group buy? Hmmm

I think silver or black would be better colors. I hate black wheels, so I'd go silver. Gray wheels on a gray color can look bad, but can also look really good.

I'd do an upgraded charge pipe regardless, but keep it as it is. You have the PPK, so at least it's not completely stock.

[lemansblau135is]

Tune 1st then wheels to put the power on the road.
Although paraphrasing from another thread/author:
driver 1st then the other stuff

[Esteban]

I would get the Dinan Stage 2 tune and the wheels. Add an aftermarket charge pipe because that, according to what has happened in the past, will eventually blow. I had the Dinan Stage 2 tune for 3 years with the stock charge pipe and didn't have a problem, but I'm Irish, and luck is on my side. lol

The Dinan tune is a wonderful little tune. It's like BMW power, but more of it. No fiddling, no problems, just set it and forget it. You remind me of that kind of guy, so get it. You'll be happy you did. It's cheaper now than ever (and worth it). Get the software kit (DIY) and do it at home, if that's your cup of tea.

Wheel color is subjective, but I, also, don't like black wheels. I'd recommend another color. Your car, do what you like.

Good Luck Josh!

[duder13]

I’d get the Dinan tune if it was 2013, but I can’t really imagine choosing it over MHD these days.

Get a charge pipe regardless. That thing breaking is a matter of when, not if.

[Esteban]

Seems like MHD support is not that good any more. Check out their thread as of late:

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1318862

Edit: looks like Twisted Tuning has finally responded.

[Gangplank]

At least a few people remember the old articles.

@Esteban been a while Steve. Good to see your still hanging round the 1er community.

chris_flies yes sir. It's going on now and about to close.
https://www.gangup.com/apex/apex-18-...w-q1-2020.html

As far as the needs/wants/car questions go the 1er is my daily driver + I plan on doing an occasionally HPDE. I'm looking purely for fun & drive-ability. As far as MHD vs. Dinan it's simply a matter of confidence. Dinan stage 2 is basically the same price b/c I don't own Android anything + Dinan is tune it & done, no fiddling with it and hope some upgrade doesn't screw it up later.

On the wheels a few pics might help.

[G3min1]

I say option 2. That CP is gonna go at some point, so you might as well take care of it now. Wheels are cool and all, but for me a "go fast" parts (FMIC), reliability parts (CP), and a tune put a bigger smile on my face when i'm behind the wheel.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Seems like MHD support is not that good any more. Check out their thread as of late:

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1318862

Mostly issues with Late model cars, whose DME previously needed to be benched flash, MHD had a workaround, but there are some unsolved problems now. Looks like OP has an '11 so no issues with MHD there.

I would go with option 2, mostly for piece of mind and reliability (charge pipe, and FMIC). BTW, MHD has been great for me on my 2011, much better than the JB4 I previously had with intermittent issues and then ended up dying at some point.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by dtla1

Mostly issues with Late model cars, whose DME previously needed to be benched flash, MHD had a workaround, but there are some unsolved problems now. Looks like OP has an '11 so no issues with MHD there.

Well, the OP says he wants a Dinan tune so I guess that means he doesn't really care if there are issues or not.

Dinan is tune it & done, no fiddling with it and hope some upgrade doesn't screw it up later.

[TboneS54]

I had gunmetal (similar to anthracite) wheels on a silver grey car and it just didn't look right.

Too similar, no contrast, it gets lost.

I would get silver arc-8s. I personally plan to, as well.

[ShocknAwe]

My vote is a little different. Refinish and powdercoat your stock wheels and go for the CP/FMIC and get a MHD tune.

Also, shameless plug, I have a great FMIC available on the cheap.

On that note though, if going with a new FMIC, I would not recommend the 5" VRSF. It doesn't offer enough IAT control. Go with the ATM FMIC or step all the way up to a 7.5" race core.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by TboneS54

I had gunmetal (similar to anthracite) wheels on a silver grey car and it just didn't look right.

Too similar, no contrast, it gets lost.

I would get silver arc-8s. I personally plan to, as well.

Agreed, I have satin black, matte black, whatever they want to call it, and I don't like it as much as I feel I would like silver.

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

My vote is a little different. Refinish and powdercoat your stock wheels and go for the CP/FMIC and get a MHD tune.

Also, shameless plug, I have a great FMIC available on the cheap.

On that note though, if going with a new FMIC, I would not recommend the 5" VRSF. It doesn't offer enough IAT control. Go with the ATM FMIC or step all the way up to a 7.5" race core.

+1 for ATM FMIC, 4+ years, never an issue, install was pretty straight forward, and included accessories worked well.

[Gangplank]

You guys have me thinking more about this one. Might be a less is more situation CP + Tune for now.

Can someone justify why MHD is better than Dinan for a mild tune w/ CP? Cost is a out equal so what makes it better?

[duder13]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Seems like MHD support is not that good any more. Check out their thread as of late:

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1318862

Edit: looks like Twisted Tuning has finally responded.

Yeah, one used to have to unlock the DME on newer N55 cars, and it seems that MHD’s new feature that bypasses that has caused a few issues on those cars, but that shouldn’t apply to the OP. Plus, it’s worth spending a couple hundred more bucks and getting a custom map from Twisted or Wedge, anyways. Custom maps are even smoother than stock, and they make the car holy s#%& fast, like a modern 911.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

You guys have me thinking more about this one. Might be a less is more situation CP + Tune for now.

Can someone justify why MHD is better than Dinan for a mild tune w/ CP? Cost is a out equal so what makes it better?

Besides the MHD tune, MHD as an app also includes code reading and logging of car data for diagnostics.

To some it may feel like having those features available might imply that the use of MHD might result in you needing to use the features, but in all honesty, I have had 0 tune related issues on my car using MHD for a year and a half as a DD/fun road car.

Besides that, if you do start running into any issues (car misfiring, stumbling, etc) a log may help determine your spark plugs need replacing, or maybe a vacuum line has cracked over time, etc.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

You guys have me thinking more about this one. Might be a less is more situation CP + Tune for now.

Can someone justify why MHD is better than Dinan for a mild tune w/ CP? Cost is a out equal so what makes it better?

To add to the above, the Dinan tune has been shown to add a good amount of torque on the N55, but not all that much horsepower.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1053503

[ShocknAwe]

MHD is the most versatile solution for the N55.

I've always thought the cost to benefit ratio was extremely poor with dinan unless on a new car and wanting the matched warranty.

On the custom tune front, I'd get your FBO mods done first, step through the OTS bin files, monitor and make sure the car is healthy, then get a custom e-tune done by twisted/v8bait/motiv. Tuner is a big choice and I'd advise you to do your reading on that front.

[G3min1]

There's also JB4 with the MHD backend flash

[Gangplank]

I think you guys have made a good argument both ways without realizing it. I already have the ability to read codes. I'm not looking for massive HP, but instead a tune that improves drive ability, doesn't require logging and fiddling with parameters, and doesn't need FBO or custom work. The cost is about the same.

[duder13]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

I think you guys have made a good argument both ways without realizing it. I already have the ability to read codes. I'm not looking for massive HP, but instead a tune that improves drive ability, doesn't require logging and fiddling with parameters, and doesn't need FBO or custom work. The cost is about the same.

The MHD doesn’t require that stuff, either. It’s only required if you want to use the options and use more aggressive maps. The problem with the Dinan tune, as shown in my link above, is that it is old and apparently barely adds horsepower.