Not in the 48 states options for 3 stage / ECU flash

blueloco · 08-25-2018, 10:14 PM

I am about ready to find myself a 3 stage intake on ebay. I am getting used to the E90 platform but the bone stock 217hp is starting to get on my nerves. Car is slower than so many bone stock and average new vehicles..

So, my question is, being in Alaska what are my options? I am guessing sending the ECU in for flashing would be the default choice, but I understand there are some tuners that will do this online? If I did send it somewhere what should I insure it for? If it got lost or damaged my estimate is that this would darn near total my car given what they are worth now. I have no intention on track or anything, just be nice to be able to hang with typical late model F-150. I think $1000 is palatable for that but not much more. Shipping on a 3 stage is probably going to be a pretty big dent into that and tunes aren't cheap so is this even an option at all?

desertman123 · 08-25-2018, 10:54 PM

Bimmerlabs!

Noir · 08-26-2018, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueloco

I am about ready to find myself a 3 stage intake on ebay. I am getting used to the E90 platform but the bone stock 217hp is starting to get on my nerves. Car is slower than so many bone stock and average new vehicles..

So, my question is, being in Alaska what are my options? I am guessing sending the ECU in for flashing would be the default choice, but I understand there are some tuners that will do this online? If I did send it somewhere what should I insure it for? If it got lost or damaged my estimate is that this would darn near total my car given what they are worth now. I have no intention on track or anything, just be nice to be able to hang with typical late model F-150. I think $1000 is palatable for that but not much more. Shipping on a 3 stage is probably going to be a pretty big dent into that and tunes aren't cheap so is this even an option at all?

No need to send your ECU in, friend.
Active Autowerkes & Bimmer Performance Center both offer canned tunes. Price varies. Bimmerlabs + 3 stage intake manifold will be the most "cost- efficient" but won't produce the most power. If you get a bonafide tune and a 3IM. $684 for AA and $650 for BPC. $45 Bimmergeeks cable. Hope this helps...

hassmaschine · 08-26-2018, 12:31 AM

We do custom tunes too. But for most people the free ones are plenty.

blueloco · 08-26-2018, 11:54 AM

Cool. The bimmerlabs page explains it all, I hadn't seen that yet. Also was thinking that there might be more involved than just plugging in a K-DCAN cable. I have one I got off of e-bay but for a project like this $45 isn't too much at all to ask if the cable is really that much better. My cheapo cable works 80-90% of the time at least so far but clearly that isn't good enough.

So I am expecting to pay nearly as much shipping on the manifold as the manifold itself.

Then, if something goes wrong wrong with the ECU will I be able to get it going myself with the help of this forum? What are some of the things that could go wrong? I am 120 miles from the nearest dealer or shop that could help and there might be 2 other e-90 owners in a 50 mile radius and neither of them are DIYers so it is literally me and my BMW out in the woods here.

Feeling a little more confident now looking at the bimmerlabs stuff, so I guess not its wait and see what ebay has to offer and figure out how to keep the wife from finding out.

hassmaschine · 08-26-2018, 11:58 AM

In hundreds of flashes, nobody has ever bricked their DME beyond recovery. And believe me, people have tried.

blueloco · 08-27-2018, 11:00 AM

Cool.

So now comes finding the manifold, preferably with DISA valves. There is one on ebay complete and a few others missing the valves. $500 shipped reasonable for this? Keeping in mind I effectively at the end of the earth here. I can't see Russia but I could take a small boat there sort of thing. Lots of on-line auto salvages listings. Maybe just start calling places?

hassmaschine · 08-27-2018, 11:03 AM

no, $500 is way too much for a manifold with no valves.

Taskmaster · 08-27-2018, 11:16 AM

Car-part.com is your best bet. - You should be able to find a complete manifold with Valves for as low as $200.

desertman123 · 08-27-2018, 11:27 PM

X3, X5 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, 330i, 530i

bluewater328 · 08-28-2018, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueloco

Cool.

So now comes finding the manifold, preferably with DISA valves. There is one on ebay complete and a few others missing the valves. $500 shipped reasonable for this? Keeping in mind I effectively at the end of the earth here. I can't see Russia but I could take a small boat there sort of thing. Lots of on-line auto salvages listings. Maybe just start calling places?

You might want to check our very own Personal sales forum. There are a few people that source parts and build them regularly. I'm in the same boat as you being from Hawaii.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=183

blueloco · 08-28-2018, 11:30 PM

Hadn't seen the sales forum yet. That is cool! I've lived in Hawaii and Alaska and while most things are available for a little extra costs it is always the thing you really want that you can't find! I am a little bit out there. Not many people have to drive over 100 miles for a Big Mac in the US or most of the developed world for that matter. Hey, at least I can drive there! Last place I lived you had to take a plane for McD. I'm thinking this will be a fun project. I am a year in on the BMW experience. I spent many years fiddle-farting with VW so the uniquely German stuff isn't new but BMW engine designs are pretty unique. Kinda getting the love-hate thing however every time the dash rattle gremlins chime in.

08-25-2018, 10:14 PM	#1
blueloco Private 20 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	Not in the 48 states options for 3 stage / ECU flash I am about ready to find myself a 3 stage intake on ebay. I am getting used to the E90 platform but the bone stock 217hp is starting to get on my nerves. Car is slower than so many bone stock and average new vehicles.. So, my question is, being in Alaska what are my options? I am guessing sending the ECU in for flashing would be the default choice, but I understand there are some tuners that will do this online? If I did send it somewhere what should I insure it for? If it got lost or damaged my estimate is that this would darn near total my car given what they are worth now. I have no intention on track or anything, just be nice to be able to hang with typical late model F-150. I think $1000 is palatable for that but not much more. Shipping on a 3 stage is probably going to be a pretty big dent into that and tunes aren't cheap so is this even an option at all?
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08-25-2018, 10:54 PM	#2
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2239 Rep 2,220 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	Bimmerlabs! __________________ My 2008 128i - Sparkling Graphite/Beige - Sport pkg - 6MT - Click me! Parents' 2014 528i - Mineral White/Ivory White - fully loaded Instagram @Andreys_128i and @Honda.Bito
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08-26-2018, 12:31 AM	#4
hassmaschine Major General 3987 Rep 7,212 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	We do custom tunes too. But for most people the free ones are plenty.
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08-26-2018, 11:54 AM	#5
blueloco Private 20 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	Cool. The bimmerlabs page explains it all, I hadn't seen that yet. Also was thinking that there might be more involved than just plugging in a K-DCAN cable. I have one I got off of e-bay but for a project like this $45 isn't too much at all to ask if the cable is really that much better. My cheapo cable works 80-90% of the time at least so far but clearly that isn't good enough. So I am expecting to pay nearly as much shipping on the manifold as the manifold itself. Then, if something goes wrong wrong with the ECU will I be able to get it going myself with the help of this forum? What are some of the things that could go wrong? I am 120 miles from the nearest dealer or shop that could help and there might be 2 other e-90 owners in a 50 mile radius and neither of them are DIYers so it is literally me and my BMW out in the woods here. Feeling a little more confident now looking at the bimmerlabs stuff, so I guess not its wait and see what ebay has to offer and figure out how to keep the wife from finding out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-26-2018, 11:58 AM	#6
hassmaschine Major General 3987 Rep 7,212 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	In hundreds of flashes, nobody has ever bricked their DME beyond recovery. And believe me, people have tried.
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08-27-2018, 11:00 AM	#7
blueloco Private 20 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	Cool. So now comes finding the manifold, preferably with DISA valves. There is one on ebay complete and a few others missing the valves. $500 shipped reasonable for this? Keeping in mind I effectively at the end of the earth here. I can't see Russia but I could take a small boat there sort of thing. Lots of on-line auto salvages listings. Maybe just start calling places?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-27-2018, 11:03 AM	#8
hassmaschine Major General 3987 Rep 7,212 Posts Drives: "NBO" 330i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: earth iTrader: (0)	no, $500 is way too much for a manifold with no valves.
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08-27-2018, 11:16 AM	#9
Taskmaster Banned 2476 Rep 9,004 Posts Drives: M235i 6MT / E92 328 Msport 6MT Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (6)	Car-part.com is your best bet. - You should be able to find a complete manifold with Valves for as low as $200.
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08-27-2018, 11:27 PM	#10
desertman123 E82 Mudflap Ambassador 2239 Rep 2,220 Posts Drives: '08 128i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1992 Honda Beat [9.50] 2008 BMW 128i [10.00] 2014 BMW 528i [10.00]	X3, X5 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, 330i, 530i __________________ My 2008 128i - Sparkling Graphite/Beige - Sport pkg - 6MT - Click me! Parents' 2014 528i - Mineral White/Ivory White - fully loaded Instagram @Andreys_128i and @Honda.Bito
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08-28-2018, 11:30 PM	#12
blueloco Private 20 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Alaska iTrader: (0)	Hadn't seen the sales forum yet. That is cool! I've lived in Hawaii and Alaska and while most things are available for a little extra costs it is always the thing you really want that you can't find! I am a little bit out there. Not many people have to drive over 100 miles for a Big Mac in the US or most of the developed world for that matter. Hey, at least I can drive there! Last place I lived you had to take a plane for McD. I'm thinking this will be a fun project. I am a year in on the BMW experience. I spent many years fiddle-farting with VW so the uniquely German stuff isn't new but BMW engine designs are pretty unique. Kinda getting the love-hate thing however every time the dash rattle gremlins chime in.
	Appreciate 0 Quote