[skipole]

Hi all -- long time lurker, first time caller here. Hoping for some advice on performance mods and the best ways to waste money on my car!!

Car: 2009 335i Coupe XDrive (6MT), daily driven.
Mileage: 45,000 miles / 74,000kms.
Gas: Chevron 94 oct.
Current Mods: COBB AP V3 (Stg1 LT Aggressive map) and AA Chargepipe + BOV kit.

I'm definitely going to do the CDV delete and install an intercooler soon. Should I listen to my local Indy shop (an AA dealer) and go with the AA Sport intercooler? This is the only top-notch indy shop in town, and my nearest COBB authorized dealer is 6 hours drive away, but ideally I'd prefer to go with COBB parts so the default AP maps will be a perfect fit for the intercooler and any other mods I choose to waste money on.

I'm also considering an intake and downpipes (although I am concerned the headaches associated with the downpipe, ie. noise + smell). Will I hate them? I find the car loud enough as-is, especially with the annoying BOV.

My indy dealer suggests ditching the COBB AP and having them use the AA software to tune instead... they have a dyno, but it's only a single-axis dyno so I'm not sure if it would be able to tune an Xi 335 properly? I do wonder, though, if this would be a better route if I chose to install an AA intercooler + intake + downpipes? The COBB is awesome but I'd be open to another tuning option if it would result in equal performance gains and a smoother/more reliable tune. (The Stg 1 Aggressive map I'm running now does feel pretty rough, burbles like a V8 w/ really lumpy cams at times).

So, what to waste money on? Any and all opinions / advice are much appreciated.

[Jozy]

wagner intercooler
more aggressive tune - try selling cobb and use MHD

stop getting leeched by the AA dealer

[Grand_hustle17]

Ill probably be selling turbos soon

[vivanapoli806]

If you wanna stick with Cobb which will be better than the AA tune anyways I would get vrsf fmic and run Cobb stage1+ aggressive if you have access to 93 octane. Get a protune which will be cheaper than the AA tune and it will run smooth and to your liking. I wouldn't be pressured into getting all these AA products just because they are a dealer for them

[MM Performance]

For intakes, defiantly get some MMP inlets as an intake that doesn't include inlets all the way to the turbo connection is worthless and MMP inlets can gain up to 45whp with tuning.

[BQTuning]

Just give it to me

[skipole]

Originally Posted by Jozy

wagner intercooler
more aggressive tune - try selling cobb and use MHD

stop getting leeched by the AA dealer

Well, I'm not really sure that my nearly-stock car can handle a more aggressive tune at the moment.... even the COBB Stg1 Aggressive that I run now is pushing it, and COBB offers a Stg1+FMIC map that would presumably be suitable (if not perfect) once I have the FMIC installed.

I don't mean to sound ignorant, but what's the advantage of MHD over COBB (which I already own and use)? I don't have an Android device and I don't really want to switch unless there's a perfect pre-made engine map that will be a perfect match with my car + mods.... otherwise, it looks to me like it does exactly the same as my COBB AP (only cheaper)?

Originally Posted by vivanapoli806

If you wanna stick with Cobb which will be better than the AA tune anyways I would get vrsf fmic and run Cobb stage1+ aggressive if you have access to 93 octane. Get a protune which will be cheaper than the AA tune and it will run smooth and to your liking. I wouldn't be pressured into getting all these AA products just because they are a dealer for them

Thanks for the advice, appreciate it. Yes, we have 94 octane at all Chevron gas stations here in BC, which I've been using exclusively for a year or so (required for the COBB Stg1 Agg map I run now).

COBB + ProTune seems like the way to go since it would mean I'd get to customize the engine map for whatever mods I choose (ie. no need to go with COBB or AA FMIC/intake).... however, as far as I know, the closest COBB ProTune dealer is in Portland which requires a 2-hour ferry ($150 cost) and 5-hour drive each way (2+ tanks of gas plus hotel) which pretty much wipes out any difference in price.

Don't get me wrong, it's still an option, but I doubt it would be any cheaper..... but that would at least allow me to run the generic COBB maps initially, and then make my way to a ProTune shop for proper tuning when I have time.

(For what it's worth, I care about cost, but I would rather pay more for convenience and quality/performance if it means less headaches, even if I have to spend quite a bit more.)

(EDIT: I only looked up AUTHORIZED ProTune indy shops... Vancouver is very close and it has a huge import/tuning community so there may be a shop there that can do the tuning, just not with Cobb's blessings?)

Originally Posted by MM Performance

For intakes, defiantly get some MMP inlets as an intake that doesn't include inlets all the way to the turbo connection is worthless and MMP inlets can gain up to 45whp with tuning.

OK, thanks.. this is the first I've heard of "MMP inlets"... is this something that's included with certain intake kits? Given the mixed opinions on intakes in general, I'm leaning towards something like the BMS DCI, or just a basic drop-in filter...

Forgive my total mechanical ignorance... but.... these "MMP inlets" are not connected to the turbos or chargepipe, correct? Those components are on the exhaust side? I only ask because I already have the AA BOV and chargepipe installed (mainly to protect the turbos from compressor surge when running higher boost).

Originally Posted by BuraQ

Just give it to me

No thanks!!!! But for the right price, it's all yours.

(If you meant I should drive to your indy shop for tuning, that sounds great, except that I'm in the opposite corner of our lovely continent so it would take 3-4 days each way, lol)

[skipole]

Welp, I've been reading the interwebz, and I've learned two things.....

1.) There are two shops in Vancouver (reasonably close to me) that offer COBB tuning, including at least 1 with an AWD dyno.

2) This one is huge: apparently the Chevron 94 Octane gas I've been running is garbage, worse than Chevron 92 in the US... and, worse yet, the only alternative available here (that might be better) is Shell V-Power 91. This would explain my rough engine issues, it means I should switch to the Stg1 Sport map for now, and it also makes the COBB AP tune option less appealing as a proper engine map would presumably need to be tuned for 91octane since that's the best available here (unless I want to head down the slippery slope of meth -- my parents told me not to do drugs tho).

[Jozy]

Originally Posted by skipole

I don't mean to sound ignorant, but what's the advantage of MHD over COBB (which I already own and use)? I don't have an Android device and I don't really want to switch unless there's a perfect pre-made engine map that will be a perfect match with my car + mods.... otherwise, it looks to me like it does exactly the same as my COBB AP (only cheaper)?

well, mhd is an on-going development platform which means more exciting things to come in the near future. not really the same with cobb.

of course with cobb you can get a custom tune but couple hundred bucks more and you only have sub standard fuel makes it very not cost efficient.

if you can sell cobb, i think you can get onto the mhd platform with money leftover.

the mhd off the shelf maps are pretty good with different versions available. you may find one to your liking.

but all in all, i think i'm off topic because you say help you waste money, not help you save it

[RnmEvo9]

Money spent on whatever you want (your car) is much better than spending it on the wife (if you are dumb enough to have one).

[Jklad]

In glad your taking the time to research. For your power needs, the Cobb is fine. Not much reason to upgrade to mid unless you really like some of the special features or are pushing it to the edge. Nobody runs AA tunes. No-bo-day.

Regarding fmic, this is imo the best 2nd mod you can do. You will be just fine with a vrsf, Wagner, or almost any fmic aside from a pos eBay model will work great. The only decision point here is if you want a larger one which requires cutting some stuff, or a smaller one with no cutting.

After this point, You can look into getting a custom Cobb tune, and / or dp.

[Delta0311]

No brainier, high class escorts and drugs.

[Gohan335i7]

Hmmm.... Upgraded Intercooler/Oil Cooler. Walnut Blast yet?! Hmm... (Thinking Emoji) How's the suspension ?! Maybe a Limited Slip Diff is in your car's future?! Hopefully...