[drodnyc]

would be nice to add 40+ hp to the current X3. I've seen $50 chips to $600 DIY units. Obviously you get what you pay for, but has anyone really researched these solutions and more importantly, has anyone installed any of them? if so, what was the outcome?

i'm currently looking at the aFe Scorcher Programmer Upgrade for $450.00:

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-25...55-engine.aspx

[ReturnZero]

I used the Burger module. It never caused any issues, but drivability wasn't perfect. You could feel the extra power, but when going up a steep hill or anywhere in mid-throttle on a warm day it would stutter a bit. If there was something that gave true factory drivability plus the extra power then I'd be interested. The piggyback units just aren't up to snuff IMO.

[drodnyc]

good info. there are a lot of products out there. Someone is buying them. hopefully someone will share their experiences.

[Roundown]

DINAN is working on a 35i piggy back.

[kdog26372]

I've got the Burger N55 stage 1. It adds about exactly what you are saying 40hp and maybe 50 torque. I've got an early unit that let you adjust boost. Comes with 3.5 standard, I'm currently running 4.5 without issue. It is significantly quicker than stock X3 as co-worker has same car and we've done some unofficial testing and from a stop, I'll leave him bus lengths behind up to 60.

I will say it is a bit weather dependent, but I think the stock car is the same way when it's 80-90 out, but now you are adding even more boost and thus more heat, and so greater chance of computer pulling things back.

All in all, good product, nowhere near as nice as the Cobb flash tune I had in my 135i, but that was an N54 engine and more advanced tune and this is the best we can do now it would seem.

Finally I've attached the first 2 and the last connectors with the best results. New instruction say just the first 2 wires are attached, but for me it was better as I've described.

For a few hundred bucks and 15 minutes install time, maybe 30 on first try, I'd say it's a no brainer. If you don't like it, someone will buy it from you at close to what you paid I'd think.

[FSociety]

I'm also researching for my N20 / X3 28i a few of the tunes available (not many)

- RaceChip Ultimate (a friend of mine has it for the F15 50i) and another person on the 35i
- aFe Scorcher by aFe Power
- BMS Stage1 prob last choice since don't want to leave 2 wires hanging there and seen a few build quality issues, avoid JB4 (Stage2) due to tapping into wires (requirement)and its Beta (Avoid BETAS)


aFe Scorcher available for all BMW
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-25...26-engine.aspx

- Remus Powerizer using Racechip module is another option to look.

I was looking at this since
VividRacing own VRTuned available for all BMW engines
http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/2...150913033.html

[mge92]

^bump

[Bimar]

a lot of these tunes are for US tunes any European ones people know about outside AC ac Schnitzer?

[Bimar]

a lot of these tunes are for US tunes any European ones people know about outside AC ac Schnitzer?

[5against8]

Will probably order the JB Stage 1 (Burger) in the next few weeks and will post feedback if I do A friend has a JB4 for his N54 335 and loves it.

I thought the "Dinantronics" piggy was available but it isn't yet (is available for some of the N55 cars). There is an F25 option on Dinan site menu but only for 2014 and later so.. I'm wondering if the tune will only be available for post-LCI cars? Based on the 335 tune the Dinan will run about 4-5x the cost of the JB, but if you are looking for the matching warranty it might be worth it to you (I am at 43k miles so it doesn't matter much to me)

[Nflight97]

Originally Posted by cSurf

DINAN is working on a 35i piggy back.

Where did you hear this? I am still holding onto my email from Dinan in November 2012 when I bought my '13 X3 35i. After repeated inquiries they basically said they would not do a tune for it, despite all other N55 cars getting a tune. I read that it was really due to the way the X3 software is written. Even Burger warned that there wouldn't be a stage 2 for it.

Not sure what BMW did to the X3 (vs. the X1, X5, X6 or the cars) but it's different. I don't blame Dinan but it left me VERY disappointed after I bought the X3 thinking I could get a similar(~380hp/~400tq) Dinan Stage 2 bump like my '07 335i.

Still would do it in a heartbeat if they offered. Maybe the "piggyback" isn't designed the same as their Stage X tunes (I understand the diff) and that is the only way to get the X3 to work. I doubt that a piggyback would be condoned or have the same BMW support like the tunes.

[5against8]

Originally Posted by Nflight97

Where did you hear this? I am still holding onto my email from Dinan in November 2012 when I bought my '13 X3 35i. After repeated inquiries they basically said they would not do a tune for it, despite all other N55 cars getting a tune. I read that it was really due to the way the X3 software is written. Even Burger warned that there wouldn't be a stage 2 for it.

I got an email in late 2011 before ordering mine saying they were "working on one".. ha! (when a re-flash was still expected)

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by inamik75

a lot of these tunes are for US tunes any European ones people know about outside AC ac Schnitzer?

RaceChip (Most Known)
Remus Powerizer (RC module)

[Nflight97]

Originally Posted by 5against8

I got an email in late 2011 before ordering mine saying they were "working on one".. ha! (when a re-flash was still expected)

Then I'm not missing anything. I figure I need to buy a different vehicle or wait until the next gen gets a tune. It might drive me away when my lease is up. The competition is knocking. You can always get 50hp from various tuners but I like the fact that BMW does it with Dinan. My service guys even recommend it when I'm there (margin!!). I will even take the MPPK if it would get me near 400hp.

We are all in the same (underpowered) boat then, thanks!

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Nflight97

Where did you hear this? I am still holding onto my email from Dinan in November 2012 when I bought my '13 X3 35i. After repeated inquiries they basically said they would not do a tune for it, despite all other N55 cars getting a tune. I read that it was really due to the way the X3 software is written. Even Burger warned that there wouldn't be a stage 2 for it.

Not sure what BMW did to the X3 (vs. the X1, X5, X6 or the cars) but it's different. I don't blame Dinan but it left me VERY disappointed after I bought the X3 thinking I could get a similar(~380hp/~400tq) Dinan Stage 2 bump like my '07 335i.

Still would do it in a heartbeat if they offered. Maybe the "piggyback" isn't designed the same as their Stage X tunes (I understand the diff) and that is the only way to get the X3 to work. I doubt that a piggyback would be condoned or have the same BMW support like the tunes.

See here; specifically, this response from Dinan.

If you follow the thread, someone offered and DINAN accepted an F25 for development... fingers crossed.

[Nflight97]

Originally Posted by cSurf

See here; specifically, this response from Dinan.

If you follow the thread, someone offered and DINAN accepted an F25 for development... fingers crossed.

Subscribed, thanks! Prob ignored it as the same ol same ol when I saw it. Glad they got a development vehicle.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Nflight97

Subscribed, thanks! Prob ignored it as the same ol same ol when I saw it. Glad they got a development vehicle.

Make sure to post in that thread- they've made it clear that perceived demand decides engineering resource allocation.

I sent them a note when we were passed over for the MPPK. We might be a smaller market, but we're quite a bit more captive (for warrantied options).

For those considering a JB, they're fine. They make more boost and more power than stock, but drivability suffers. MPPK and the DINAN piggy-back are the only options (I know of) that preserve OEM power delivery characteristics.

[5against8]

Originally Posted by Nflight97

Then I'm not missing anything. I figure I need to buy a different vehicle or wait until the next gen gets a tune. It might drive me away when my lease is up. The competition is knocking. You can always get 50hp from various tuners but I like the fact that BMW does it with Dinan. My service guys even recommend it when I'm there (margin!!). I will even take the MPPK if it would get me near 400hp.

We are all in the same (underpowered) boat then, thanks!

FYI the Dinan/BMW official relationship is dead, and has been years (someone feel free to correct me here). There were rumors that it would be mended but earlier this year I was told (by both my service and client advisers) that negotiations had fallen through and that there were no expectations for in-house Dinan tuning in the near future.

Going to go with a JB stage 1 for now, and hoping that the X4 M40i will happen. Or may downsize to a 3GT when the new engines are released.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by 5against8

FYI the Dinan/BMW official relationship is dead, and has been years (someone feel free to correct me here). There were rumors that it would be mended but earlier this year I was told (by both my service and client advisers) that negotiations had fallen through and that there were no expectations for in-house Dinan tuning in the near future.

Going to go with a JB stage 1 for now, and hoping that the X4 M40i will happen. Or may downsize to a 3GT when the new engines are released.

Other than the fact that many BMW dealerships are also DINAN dealers- agree, there's no formal relationship. DINAN's warranty only becomes relevant if/when BMW declines warranty coverage for a specific claim. It does help that a good number of service centers are both pushing DINAN products and responsible for approving/denying warranty claims. But tuning will always be fraught with peril.

The benefit of DINAN, beyond their warranty, is the engineering. Don't get me wrong, Burger's products are worth every penny... but because they charge less, they also invest less in R&D.

I encourage anyone with access to a JB4-equipped N55 and DINAN equipped N55 to drive them back to back. They both make more power- but the bogs and hiccups that accompany the BM products just aren't an issue in the DINAN pb.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by cSurf

I encourage anyone with access to a JB4-equipped N55 and DINAN equipped N55 to drive them back to back. They both make more power- but the bogs and hiccups that accompany the BM products just aren't an issue in the DINAN pb.

Originally Posted by cSurf

For those considering a JB, they're fine. They make more boost and more power than stock, but drivability suffers. MPPK and the DINAN piggy-back are the only options (I know of) that preserve OEM power delivery characteristics.

@csurf can you expand on the Drivability and power delivery concerns of the JB tunes. I have read the forums people like it, it works and no issues reported other than burning rich, maybe I missed this part. I will appreciate.

[gc3]

add me to the list of folks very interested in adding 50+ HP to my x35i....

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by gc3

add me to the list of folks very interested in adding 50+ HP to my x35i....

You're so lucky the N55 engine has so many stable tunes.
You can def get that easily with the other tunes available for much less $$$.
- aFe scorcher
- RaceChip Ultimate
- Remus Powerizer
- BMS Stage1