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      05-24-2011, 01:52 AM   #1
Killswitch
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Active Autowerke Tune - 128i

I want to start off first thanking Raine who was very helpful and quick to reply to most of my questions I had about the AA tune. He is probably the only other 128i auto or manual that I know of that has this done.

After much consideration and research I decided to pull the trigger and go with the AA tune. I had also considered G - Power Tuning but speaking with some people, I learned that they are a expensive tune that provides slightly more horsepower vs AA plus I couldn't find any one that had it done on their 1ers yet.

Viral was very helpful although it took awhile to receive an reply back through email. I had also emailed others at Active Autowerke and never received an reply back. But if any person has a question, Viral is the person to talk to. I would consider calling him instead of sending PM or emails.

Why choose to get the Tune?

First I drive in Auto mode more often than DS mode, probably 80% of my daily driving.
  • Poor acceleration - I find the pedal to be quite stiff and the car to be non responsive at times - just feel sluggish.
  • Throttle lag - by far my biggest complaint which makes city driving painful at times. I would need to get it pass ~2500 to ~3000 rpm to really get her moving.

How do i feel after getting the tune?

I wanted to wait a week or so before I decided to write a review.
I have been switching on and off driving my GF's suv and my GTI so I didn't want to rush and write a review until I drove my 128i for at least a week straight.

DS Mode
Much more livelier to say the least. I do not know the redline is but I'm able to get it to shift gears at much higher rpm. Exhaust note sounds better too. I also noted that my car felt a little more loose.

D mode
I drive alot within the city, in and out of lights and drive through multiple of stops signs at a time. I notice that throttle lag has been substantially reduce. I would not say it is completely vanished but I would say that at least ~90% of the throttle lag of before is diminished.

Surprisingly, the acceleration has made more of impression on me than the improvement of the throttle lag. Going from a stop to entering onto the fwy at speeds of 65+ has become so much more easier. The acceleration is smoother and constant throughout each gear. I anticipated that after 4th gear that acceleration would slow down but quite frankly it is steady and smooth without the need for more effort to press down harder on the pedal. That feeling of the pedal trying to press back when trying to achieve higher speed (in my case 70 to 85 ) is nonexistence.

I could say that there is some increase in hp and torque. How much? I'm not sure but enough for me to notice a difference. Is there an increase gas mileage? I can't come to a conclusion yet. Only after a few tanks of gas and with repeatable driving habits will I make a conclusion on that. I'll update in the future. I'm not sure how they achieved this. I tried asking Viral if they tinkered with the valve timing, etc. but couldn't get a straight answer even though I didn't anticipate one. But what he did say is that they are seriously considering to do some R&D into a intake manifold upgrade for the 128i in the end of this year. Sounds cool but sounds like a lot of dough too.

Almost all ecu flashes are expensive and for the AA tune there is no exception. But after driving my 128i for at least a week and half after a tune I couldn't be happier. Its about how the car feels now, its not the same, its more responsive and its quicker but most of all its more fun.
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      05-24-2011, 02:27 AM   #2
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Congrats, use your tune well. As for the price, trust me, the AA software is one of the cheapest, it could cost A LOT more.
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      05-24-2011, 04:16 AM   #3
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Intake Manifold!!
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      05-24-2011, 05:39 PM   #4
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Found a local place that will do this tune for me for only $375 but I cant find any reviews from someone with a manual in this section of the forum, they all seem to be automatics. I would like to see a good review from someone with a manual before I pull the trigger.
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      05-24-2011, 07:48 PM   #5
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great review : )! Viral is an awesome guy!
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      05-24-2011, 10:15 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrow View Post
Found a local place that will do this tune for me for only $375 but I cant find any reviews from someone with a manual in this section of the forum, they all seem to be automatics. I would like to see a good review from someone with a manual before I pull the trigger.
I would consider what you want to get from the tune. For me it was about improving the characteristics of the transmission. In the cases for AT , AA tune does a good job improving gear shifting, throttle lag, and power distribution during acceleration.
You should contact Viral and ask what benefits you'll get with your manual. $375 is a great deal. I ended up paying $480 even after a $100 discount(by AA) from the original price of $499, so the tuner shop had tact on ~50 bucks which I didn't like - I don't plan to go back as I had spoken to a vendor here in Houston that they can be a bit shady. Wish I knew that prior to the tune but everything turned out good. I had my ecu flash before on my other car elsewhere and they just charged me the price of tune plus tax.
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      05-25-2011, 11:31 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by killswitch View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrow View Post
Found a local place that will do this tune for me for only $375 but I cant find any reviews from someone with a manual in this section of the forum, they all seem to be automatics. I would like to see a good review from someone with a manual before I pull the trigger.
I would consider what you want to get from the tune. For me it was about improving the characteristics of the transmission. In the cases for AT , AA tune does a good job improving gear shifting, throttle lag, and power distribution during acceleration.
You should contact Viral and ask what benefits you'll get with your manual. $375 is a great deal. I ended up paying $480 even after a $100 discount(by AA) from the original price of $499, so the tuner shop had tact on ~50 bucks which I didn't like - I don't plan to go back as I had spoken to a vendor here in Houston that they can be a bit shady. Wish I knew that prior to the tune but everything turned out good. I had my ecu flash before on my other car elsewhere and they just charged me the price of tune plus tax.
Good advice, what's the best way to contact Viral?
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      05-25-2011, 11:43 AM   #8
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private message him, i think his name on here is viral@activeautowerke
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      05-25-2011, 04:09 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrow View Post
Good advice, what's the best way to contact Viral?
305 233 9300

Ask for Viral. Easiest way is calling him. He's helpful, friendly and is usually in most of the times.
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      05-26-2011, 11:14 AM   #10
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So I guess this form of tuning isn't really for power increases but instead "tweaking" responsiveness?

I personally would be interested in power increases.
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      05-26-2011, 03:58 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by can128 View Post
So I guess this form of tuning isn't really for power increases but instead "tweaking" responsiveness?

I personally would be interested in power increases.
Active Autowerkes claims a 15hp with 12ft lb in torque increase. In my opinion i would not hesitate to say that there is definitely an increase in power, how much I don't know since I haven't dyno my car nor will I plan to but it's noticeable. I can imagine the responsiveness and steadiness of acceleration is in part due to throttle response and increase in hp.
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      05-26-2011, 06:55 PM   #12
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Great review! I might grab this for a christmas gift later this year! Is the tune flash undetectable by BMW? And is there a local tune place to flash around Atlanta?
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      05-28-2011, 06:04 PM   #13
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Also do they hook up a tool via a port like other cars under the steering wheel?
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      05-28-2011, 11:55 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Satalite View Post
Great review! I might grab this for a christmas gift later this year! Is the tune flash undetectable by BMW? And is there a local tune place to flash around Atlanta?
From what I have been told and speaking with some people is that BMW usually won't detect the tune. When concerning our 128i, any flash done to our cars pertain to the i drive and not the engine management as they are store separate from each other. Speaking to Viral, he mention that they usually will not look around or mess with the engine management etc. But in any case if they needed to pry around the engine management for any circumstances to that is necessary for a repair they could possible see the tune or re-flash the ecu and wipe it out. My warranty is almost out so I'm not too worried plus if any work is to be done on my car after warranty period I'm going to disclose the fact that i have a tune to make sure that they don't erase if not needed.
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      05-29-2011, 12:04 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Satalite View Post
Also do they hook up a tool via a port like other cars under the steering wheel?
I didn't get a good chance to see what tool they used, I drop my car off and they gave me a ride to work(the shop manager took me in his '88 M3...awesome!) When I got back I saw that they had had my hood open and some wires but couldn't really see if they connected to the ecu directly or they used the obii connection port. I had my 1.8t GTi with a APR reflash elsewhere and they were glad to show me around their shop. They were working on a lotus elise, db9, and couple of r32 They used the odII connection so I'm assuming its probably the same process.
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      05-29-2011, 02:19 AM   #16
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I have also have the AA tune for my 128i It's a great tune, definitely fixes up most of the auto's problems. Increased low end power too.
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      05-29-2011, 04:30 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raine View Post
I have also have the AA tune for my 128i It's a great tune, definitely fixes up most of the auto's problems. Increased low end power too.
Anywhere in Atlanta that can install this or can you DIY?
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      06-01-2011, 01:05 AM   #18
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Great write up And +1 for Viral
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      12-03-2011, 04:30 PM   #19
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Does anyone have actual dyno or 1/4 mile numbers before and after?
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      12-04-2011, 11:57 PM   #20
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Can anyone give a definitive answer about how it affects the warranty? What if the ecu is updated?
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      12-05-2011, 12:27 AM   #21
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I just bought this from JLevi SW. They're installing it on the 23rd. Can't wait! And 20% discount during their Black Friday sale can't be beat!
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Last edited by Gray67; 12-05-2011 at 12:32 AM..
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      12-05-2011, 08:47 AM   #22
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Quote:
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Can anyone give a definitive answer about how it affects the warranty? What if the ecu is updated?

To answer your question it would be a very slim chance they would even look for such a thing unless you had some serious damage to your engine. Like any Mod there is always a slight risk to be had.

If they update your ecu you will receive one free update within a year from the original flash purchase.

We also sell a flash tuner you can use to flash your car through the ecu yourself.

Benefits:

-0 downtime
-No taking out the ecu
-No worrying about the dealer re flashing your car back to stock
-Ability to flash your car back to stock at anytime

If you have any more questions do not hesitate to call or pm me.
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