Mini Review - BMW Performance Power Kit - Stage 1 - 135i N55

[blschaefer1]

Hi all,

This is a mini review of the BMW Performance Power Kit, Stage 1. I had this kit installed today on my 2012 (N55) 135i M Sport with DCT.

This is the software only version of the PPK. Special pricing is now available on this kit until year end, MSRP now $599.00. The part number for my car was 11 12 2219 489. The kit is really just a software update, and a BMW Performance Power Kit sticker that is applied under the hood. Also, there are ‘warning’ stickers that get applied in various places under the hood to alert technicians to the existence of the kit so they don’t accidentally overwrite it or something during service.

I was in and out of the dealership in about two hours today. The car was hooked up to the ISIS computer almost the whole time. No issues whatsoever though. My dealer gave me a deal on the kit, total price out the door including installation and tax was $728.36.

I obviously only have limited time in the car since the upgrade was performed, but early ‘seat of the pants’ impressions are that it certainly feels like more than a 20hp / 17ft. lb. gain. Throttle response is much improved, and not there was a turbo lag issue before, but now there is literally none. Part of this could be placebo effect having just shelled out the $$$, but I don’t think so. The car feels much more responsive, particularly in Sport and S modes. I also think the new software re-mapped the shift logic in the DCT, gears seem to be held a little longer, and shifts are quicker and crisper. Idle seems a little lumpier perhaps. Also, noticed that oil temperature has increased about 5-10 degrees, no biggie, just an observation. Feels great.

I will report back if I have additional insights. Overall, I am very happy with the upgrade. Money well spent in my book, and having full BMW warranty support is good peace of mind.

Update 9/22/11

Having spend more time in the car, the difference in midrange pull is SUBSTANTIAL. Certainly feels like much more than 17 lb ft gain in torque. Would love to see before and after dyno graphs. I would say BMW's figures are very conservative indeed. Waste gate is working harder, presumably from increased boost. I notice no difference in exhaust note. I think the 'burble' people are referring to is supposed to occur in overrun situations, and I have not faced that yet. For daily driving, no difference.

[MPBK]

Nice. Please do report back as you gain more insights.

[doublevanosrc]

Sounds like another satisfied customers, looking forward for another review.

[Javec]

Thank you for the quick write up. Do you mind sharing which dealer installed the kit for you? I'm in the area as well, and would like to know which service department has one under its belt.

[jpdb]

blschaefer1 what about the "Exhaust burble"???

[blschaefer1]

Originally Posted by Javec

Thank you for the quick write up. Do you mind sharing which dealer installed the kit for you? I'm in the area as well, and would like to know which service department has one under its belt.

BMW of Murrieta. They are new. Owned by Boris Said, professional racer.

[blschaefer1]

Originally Posted by jprooney

blschaefer1 what about the "Exhaust burble"???

Have not noticed a change.....but was not really looking for it either. I'll listen more carefully next time I'm in the car.

[jpdb]

Thanks! Good Luck and enjoy it!

Originally Posted by blschaefer1

Have not noticed a change.....but was not really looking for it either. I'll listen more carefully next time I'm in the car.

[doublevanosrc]

He's probably driving around all day, haha.

[Pangloss]

/jealous

Thanks for the write-up. The bit about the DCT changes was particularly interesting.

[crbalch]

+1 on the exhaust burble, curious to hear your thoughts on it

[BForbes]

Thanks for the review!!

[escobar929]

nice review, thanks!

def interested

[abirmaher]

Thanks for the review... I'm that much closer now. Also curious about the burble. How did you get the dealer to discount so much. Ive been quoted like 900 out the door with labor and stuff.

[blschaefer1]

Originally Posted by crbalch

+1 on the exhaust burble, curious to hear your thoughts on it

See update I just posted.

[ronssito]

I'm surprised your even out of your <4500 rpm engine break-in period on a 2012.


Why not wait a while before doin' the upgrade.


I guess life is short.

[Sylon]

My stock exhaust already "burbles", but I have the golf tee mod going, so that could be why.

[MZWIE]

$728.00 for a 30 HP gain seems very expensive compared to aftermarket tunes.

[Flipwit]

Originally Posted by e34m5

$728.00 for a 30 HP gain seems very expensive compared to aftermarket tunes.

its more of a 728 for a modest bump in power that maintains all warranties and never needs to be removed prior to services at the dealer. to some folks who want as much power as possible, they go with cobb/jb/dinan. for those folks who want a modest bump and will be probably the only "performance" mod, the peace of mind with the maintained warranty is worth the premium. that and the hassle of removing bolt ons/piggybacks isn't worth saving the money to some. I'm just baffed that bmw gives the slushies more torque!!

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

Sounds like another satisfied customers, looking forward for another review.

Did you call BMW of Austin for a quote?

[abirmaher]

Originally Posted by Sylon

My stock exhaust already "burbles", but I have the golf tee mod going, so that could be why.

If its what I think it is then mine does it too and its stock...

[MPBK]

Originally Posted by e34m5

$728.00 for a 30 HP gain seems very expensive compared to aftermarket tunes.

First of all, it's 20HP.
Here's my problem with aftermarket software.
Say you take your car to BMW for a fix, say the fuel pump for example.
Now, if you cared enough to ask, you might find out that they re-flash your software as part of that fix. If you didn't ask, you'd just lost your money on the aftermarket... you'd drive around thinking you have a super dupper modded engine when it's just a plain old Jane. Ignorance is bliss, I guess.
Now what? You take your car back to Dinan/Cobb/etc and ask them to re-apply their tune? Even if they were accepting and did it for free, you'd lose half of your fuel pump fix (BMW reflashed your software for a reason, after all).
What do you do?