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      02-21-2018, 09:03 PM   #1
mmaesquire
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Which tune to get? AA or BPC

Hey everyone, I am a recent 128i n52 owner and have been lurking on this site and a few others for some time now. I just purchased a used 128i after owning an E46 and before that an E36.

But enough about the past and on to my main question
I have seen a pretty positive response for the AA tune and being that I have an AT I feel I could benefit from a new tune to help smooth out the transmission. But recently on some of the E90 forums I saw that the BPC tune might be a better option...

As a newbie I am looking for some elder statesmen advice. I am thinking about doing a stage 3 swap at some point but am worried a little about the reliability of swiping out the manifold as reliability was a big reason for choosing the 128i over the 135i... well that and price lol.

Any advice and opinions would be welcomed!
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      02-22-2018, 03:27 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mmaesquire View Post
Hey everyone, I am a recent 128i n52 owner and have been lurking on this site and a few others for some time now. I just purchased a used 128i after owning an E46 and before that an E36.

But enough about the past and on to my main question
I have seen a pretty positive response for the AA tune and being that I have an AT I feel I could benefit from a new tune to help smooth out the transmission. But recently on some of the E90 forums I saw that the BPC tune might be a better option...

As a newbie I am looking for some elder statesmen advice. I am thinking about doing a stage 3 swap at some point but am worried a little about the reliability of swiping out the manifold as reliability was a big reason for choosing the 128i over the 135i... well that and price lol.

Any advice and opinions would be welcomed!
Congrats on getting an N52. The way to go, among others too.

Strongly voiced advice: Hold off on that tune at this early point in the ownership cycle. Defer until you and the car are ready-premature this soon

Unless you have full records, have an indie or dealer, perform your baseline service and maintenance review

Tune is soft goods, only occur after hard stuff. You're not near aquainted with hard-goods opportunities

A tune will not address the -how can I say this kindly- the plethora of opportunities awaiting you

When your hard mods have addressed the suspension, then have the 3-stage intake fitted. It's first tier before the tune

Tune now=total waste of $$

First 6-12 months: you're in get aquainted mode, and then, research-comparison-weigh and consider, then prioritize

Like a dance partner, get to know the moves, its' and yours. Enjoy this time, it's utterly unique, and evaporates (too) soon enough
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Last edited by snub-nose 28; 02-22-2018 at 11:28 AM.. Reason: sp
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      02-22-2018, 09:57 AM   #3
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BPC - more supports power and free upgrades (on most tunes)
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      02-22-2018, 11:52 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snub-nose 28 View Post
Congrats on getting an N52. The way to go, among others too.

Strongly voiced advice: Hold off on that tune at this early point in the ownership cycle. Defer until you and the car are ready-premature this soon

Unless you have full records, have an indie or dealer, perform your baseline service and maintenance review

Tune is soft goods, only occur after hard stuff. You're not near aquainted with hard-goods opportunities

A tune will not address the -how can I say this kindly- the plethora of opportunities awaiting you

When your hard mods have addressed the suspension, then have the 3-stage intake fitted. It's first tier before the tune

Tune now=total waste of $$

First 6-12 months: you're in get aquainted mode, and then, research-comparison-weigh and consider, then prioritize

Like a dance partner, get to know the moves, its' and yours. Enjoy this time, it's utterly unique, and evaporates (too) soon enough
I agree, partially.

Wait til the car nickels and dimes you a few times. If you buy the tune now, something unrelated might break, and suddenly you're $2000 deep into a car you bought last week. Although being a previous BMW owner this may not surprise you.

Keep in mind, the 128i has some pretty good aftermarket support, but no where near what the 135i has to offer. You will hit the mod wall fairly quickly. Enjoy the journey while you can. I'm not saying don't buy the intake right now, but relax and find a good deal. Look into BimmerLabs.

Now that I have the 3.73 diff and 3 stage, I'm truly noticing how floppy the stock suspension is. Get some good rubber on there - or buy some correctly sized wheels and get a wide tire on her.

I see you're in Orlando. Do you enjoy car meets?
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      02-22-2018, 02:40 PM   #5
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Thanks for everyone's feedback.

I understand it might be a little too early to start modding also that the stage 3 + the tune is where real gains will be seen. Sunb-nose's poetic response really got to me lol.
I probably will take it slow a bit, feeling out the car and looking out for a stage 3 on car-parts until I see a deal too good to let go.

And yeah car meets sound good. Been awhile since I have been to one. Also probably a good way to pick others brains about where to start with my car. Just let me know when and where.

But whenever a tune does come into play.... It seems that people are still liking the BPC over the AA. Just interested in peoples reactions to both.
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      02-23-2018, 01:44 PM   #6
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Can we shift this conversation to BPC vs AA on a car that has a 3-stage intake manifold, intake / axle-back? What are the advantages of one tune over the other?
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      02-23-2018, 02:03 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z3SpdDmn View Post
Can we shift this conversation to BPC vs AA on a car that has a 3-stage intake manifold, intake / axle-back? What are the advantages of one tune over the other?
There is nothing wrong with AA's product, and as far as I've heard, it's been revised recently.

However, the BPC product is 'better' in that it


*Makes more low end power/ and more power after peak at top end (and if you can get BPC's dyno tune, more power everywhere)

*Has free upgrades for basic mods - it costs you nothing to go from a single stage manifold tune to a 3 stage tune, to a header tune.

*Has more upgrade options - MILVs, and Burble tunes are a few options that BPC offers that no one else has. You can also get ALFA N (not recommend for street use, but you can) and run the N54 manifold, have a higher redline, and have them remove the 4th stage DISA wall.

*Is what all the cool kids are doing - You can be cool like me and grab a great tune.

My experience with BPC has been exceptional, and Bob and Randall have been very patient with me on all my questions and trouble shooting (unrelated)


Bob@BPC Phil@BPC
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      02-25-2018, 11:19 AM   #8
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At this point AA just has a tune available, while BPC is constantly pushing the leading edge for this motor.
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      02-25-2018, 12:39 PM   #9
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Thanks for the replys, guys... While there is a part of me that wants to "set it and forget it", as I have so many other things going on, I do like the idea of free upgrade for future headers and possibly the MILV upgrade.

Does the BPC come with an install tool, or do you have to send the ECU out? What's the cost of the BPC tune?
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      02-25-2018, 02:25 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z3SpdDmn View Post
Thanks for the replys, guys... While there is a part of me that wants to "set it and forget it", as I have so many other things going on, I do like the idea of free upgrade for future headers and possibly the MILV upgrade.

Does the BPC come with an install tool, or do you have to send the ECU out? What's the cost of the BPC tune?
It comes with everything you need.
If you want a great setup - do the 3 stage manifold, and the MILV, and a nice exhaust. It will be substantially more powerful, smooth and flexible. Perfect for someone who wants extra pep.
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      02-25-2018, 05:57 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAxiom View Post
It comes with everything you need.
If you want a great setup - do the 3 stage manifold, and the MILV, and a nice exhaust. It will be substantially more powerful, smooth and flexible. Perfect for someone who wants extra pep.
I just swapped to the 3SI with Turner intake tube this weekend. The car had a BMW Performance Intake and Exhaust and BMS PBX already. 3.64 LSD will be going in next weekend, too.

Considering that I may do a header and MILV later down the road, the BPC tune might be the better route... I'll keep investigating. I don't need the last couple hp if there's any possibility of sacrificing reliability, so that's mainly what I'll be investigating - if there have been any problems with the tune thus far.

Thanks!
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      02-26-2018, 09:07 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z3SpdDmn View Post
I just swapped to the 3SI with Turner intake tube this weekend. The car had a BMW Performance Intake and Exhaust and BMS PBX already. 3.64 LSD will be going in next weekend, too.

Considering that I may do a header and MILV later down the road, the BPC tune might be the better route... I'll keep investigating. I don't need the last couple hp if there's any possibility of sacrificing reliability, so that's mainly what I'll be investigating - if there have been any problems with the tune thus far.

Thanks!
No issues.
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      03-19-2018, 08:28 AM   #13
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Can't speak to the AA tune as I've no experience with it.

I've been very happy with the BPC tune. 3 stage manifold, intake, & AA headers. Bob & the team at BPC really know what they're doing.
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      05-14-2018, 08:10 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by desertman123 View Post
I agree, partially.

Wait til the car nickels and dimes you a few times. If you buy the tune now, something unrelated might break, and suddenly you're $2000 deep into a car you bought last week. Although being a previous BMW owner this may not surprise you.

Keep in mind, the 128i has some pretty good aftermarket support, but no where near what the 135i has to offer. You will hit the mod wall fairly quickly. Enjoy the journey while you can. I'm not saying don't buy the intake right now, but relax and find a good deal. Look into BimmerLabs.

Now that I have the 3.73 diff and 3 stage, I'm truly noticing how floppy the stock suspension is. Get some good rubber on there - or buy some correctly sized wheels and get a wide tire on her.

I see you're in Orlando. Do you enjoy car meets?
Bimmerlabs 130 tune work on the N51?
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      05-15-2018, 12:19 PM   #15
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I can only speak from my own experience with the Active Autowerke tune which I've had for over 70,000 miles on my 6MT N51 (which comes with that 3 stage manifold stock). It puts down some seriously good numbers (tune only, 264hp,244tq) and I get consistent high 28-29 mpg on the highway and low 20s around town. I have nothing but positive things to say about it.
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      05-17-2018, 03:49 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris82 View Post
I can only speak from my own experience with the Active Autowerke tune which I've had for over 70,000 miles on my 6MT N51 (which comes with that 3 stage manifold stock). It puts down some seriously good numbers (tune only, 264hp,244tq) and I get consistent high 28-29 mpg on the highway and low 20s around town. I have nothing but positive things to say about it.
What numbers are you quoting here?

If these are crank numbers, why would you list them so specific as you are going off an assumption?
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      05-18-2018, 04:29 PM   #17
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What numbers are you quoting here?

If these are crank numbers, why would you list them so specific as you are going off an assumption?
I had the car on a mustang dyno. I did the standard 18% increase off what I put down (it varies, 15% - 18% seems to be the norm over dyno numbers). I trust the dyno bc about 10 other cars that day all put down very reasonable if not conservative numbers. My hp/tq was right near another member 631twentyeighteye who had catless headers and a tune on his N52 128i
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