[Palmo]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

It takes a good 100km to really bed in and for the ecu to adapt.

I would also check the settings on the unit too, I actually moved the power jumper back Mine was three from the right with the rpm jumper two from the right, I moved this back to 3 or 4 from the right, so lower power, and the car seemed faster, maybe it is a balance between getting the most and over fueling??

I am now very happy with it, after a tankful the car feels alot more alive than before. At first I wasn't so sure, the improvement with the 163bhp engine seemed a lot better, but now this has beeded in I wouldn't want to go back to the car without it.

The other day there was an Audi Avant to the right of me pulling onto the motorway, we both floored it as the lights changed and we were both neck and neck up to about 90, at this point he started to pull away slightly, and then I backed off anyway due to the speed, I have to say that I was a bit gutted and started to wonder if I was actually getting 200+ bhp even??
Then as he crept passed I saw the badge on the back.....

3.0tdi

I had to have a little chcukle and I really wish I could have told him that I was in a 2.0 diesel.

So I reckon the Spider takes the 0-60mph time on my auto down from 8.3 to around 7.5 seconds.
I have an AP22, I must set it up and try it out.
What settings have you put in yours for the E92??

Hi - this is my first post on here - I usually hang out on e60 as I have an LCI 525d (3.0d engine) - hope you folks don't mind me joining in!

I have been reading this thread with interest, especially as I have a Spider Tuning Box and have had one for approx 10k miles.

gIzzE, I notice in your post above you say.....

"I would also check the settings on the unit too, I actually moved the power jumper back Mine was three from the right with the rpm jumper two from the right, I moved this back to 3 or 4 from the right, so lower power, and the car seemed faster, maybe it is a balance between getting the most and over fueling??"

This is interest as I am aware there are jumpers inside and have just taken the end cover off mine to have a look.

However, I only have 1 jumper pin connected? On the left - inside, there are 7 possible positions, and mine is set 3 from the right (on the outside of the case the word 'adaptive' is written corresponding to these jumper positions). On the right - inside, there are just 2 jumper positions, and mine does NOT have a jumper on either (on the outside of the case the words High+ & Low- are written corresponding to these jumper positions).

Does this point at mine having a Jumper Pin missing, or does mine use a different box / set-up? My car certainly seems to perform excellently with this thing added. Just wondering if it could be configured to give even more?

[gIzzE]

You have one of the original boxes, which is what I had at first on my wifes 120d m-sport, leave it as it is.

The later ones had two rows of jumpers, one for power and one for rpm.

[Palmo]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

You have one of the original boxes, which is what I had at first on my wifes 120d m-sport, leave it as it is.

The later ones had two rows of jumpers, one for power and one for rpm.

Thanks for the quick response. Are the later boxes 'better' then with more power / features? I understand the option of adjusting power, but why RPM - what does this do?

[gIzzE]

No better, I think it depends what engine you have, when the later cars came out some people were getting a funny idle, so they made the idle/rpm adjustable.

I got better gains from my earlier box on the 163bhp 2.0d than I did on the 177bhp engine with the later box.

[Palmo]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

No better, I think it depends what engine you have, when the later cars came out some people were getting a funny idle, so they made the idle/rpm adjustable.

I got better gains from my earlier box on the 163bhp 2.0d than I did on the 177bhp engine with the later box.

Thanks again for the quick response - I have just emailed Spider asking similar questions to see if the later boxes would have any benefits on my car out of curiosity.

[Greg 1]

im giving spider a call today

[monkeynuts]

Hi everyone...

This is a very interesting thread. I have a 163bhp 320d on around 50K and am interested in more mpg + more performance (who wouldn't be).

From reading this and other posts, I have a few questions:

1) I'm intrigued how the 'economy mode' works. If I'm doing 70mph and it's currently running at 50mpg on the flat, how can the spider effectively achieve the same power with less fuel (and therefore higher mpg)? This sounds like magic and wizardry to me!

2) If it produces more power by fooling the ECU into pumping fuel in at a higher rate, presumably when it's in 'power mode', the mpg must go right down - so the 'economy mode' must be quite amazing to offset this right?

3) A couple of posts suggest the Spider can cause the OBC to miss-calculate the average MPG. Can anyone confirm whether the real-world MPG (ie how many miles done on a full tank) is actually any better?

4) Has anyone had one of these on for a while and has it been probelm free?

Never considered anything like this before so am being extra cautious! My main interest is greater MPG because as with any car I’ve ever had, any power boost only gives any satisfaction for a couple of weeks and then you always want more!

Also, on mine, when I picked it up from the Dealer, it showed 51mpg on the OBC. I left it untouched for a few days and it didn't budge (suggesting it had been accumulated over time). After reseting, I can't get more than 41-42mpg! I guess the previous owner either had a Spider on it or had a very light foot!

[dxb335d]

anyone actually proved whether this thing needs ''bedding in miles''

Someone should slap one on then dyno, then do 100 miles then dyno.

I cant see the car making anymore power after a bedding in period.


The gearbox adjusts to your driving style whether your car is stock or tuned. Wont make any more HP.

[jjbirch]

Originally Posted by monkeynuts

Hi everyone...

This is a very interesting thread. I have a 163bhp 320d on around 50K and am interested in more mpg + more performance (who wouldn't be).

From reading this and other posts, I have a few questions:

1) I'm intrigued how the 'economy mode' works. If I'm doing 70mph and it's currently running at 50mpg on the flat, how can the spider effectively achieve the same power with less fuel (and therefore higher mpg)? This sounds like magic and wizardry to me!

2) If it produces more power by fooling the ECU into pumping fuel in at a higher rate, presumably when it's in 'power mode', the mpg must go right down - so the 'economy mode' must be quite amazing to offset this right?

3) A couple of posts suggest the Spider can cause the OBC to miss-calculate the average MPG. Can anyone confirm whether the real-world MPG (ie how many miles done on a full tank) is actually any better?

4) Has anyone had one of these on for a while and has it been probelm free?

Never considered anything like this before so am being extra cautious! My main interest is greater MPG because as with any car I’ve ever had, any power boost only gives any satisfaction for a couple of weeks and then you always want more!

Also, on mine, when I picked it up from the Dealer, it showed 51mpg on the OBC. I left it untouched for a few days and it didn't budge (suggesting it had been accumulated over time). After reseting, I can't get more than 41-42mpg! I guess the previous owner either had a Spider on it or had a very light foot!

hi i have the same car as you 163 he must of been on the motorway at 65-70 to get 50+ i do reset around towns and get 38mpg keep flooring it, then on motorway at higher speeds if you know what i mean 44mpg

[monkeynuts]

Hi JJbirch...

Intersting - like you say, he must have been taking it nice and easy which is good to know I suppose!

BTW everyone, I probably didn't make it 100% clear from my previous post that I am referring specifically to the Spider tuning box with my 4 questions...

[jjbirch]

Originally Posted by monkeynuts

Hi JJbirch...

Intersting - like you say, he must have been taking it nice and easy which is good to know I suppose!

BTW everyone, I probably didn't make it 100% clear from my previous post that I am referring specifically to the Spider tuning box with my 4 questions...

i have had my car remapped at 1500mls now she has 35k never missed a beat and it really does change the car wheres abouts are you, maybe you meet up on a UK MEET and you can see yourself how different the car is

[monkeynuts]

Attending a meet is not really my bag to be honest (no offence intended to anyone who does go to meets, honestly!) - but thanks for the offer! I'm sure I'd like the drive of your motor!

I guess 'cause i'm new to this tuning lark, I'm just paranoid about a) screwing the engine and b) getting grief from dealer who does the service. Sounds like I just need to get on and do it though!

Nodoby seems to have answered whether the Spider leads to true or false MPG readings from the OBC though... it'd be nice to get a definative on that (as it's the main reason I would do it).

[gIzzE]

Doesn't mess the obc up like many do.

The reason you see improved mpg is because you have more torque and don't have to push the car so hard during normal driving, then when you are cruising it holds back the fuel slightly, so you see a slight increase.

Use the power though and it will use even more.

My 120d (163bhp) was and auto and I saw very good gains in consumption.
177bhp 320d auto didn't see any gains in consumption, but good power gains.

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by monkeynuts

Nodoby seems to have answered whether the Spider leads to true or false MPG readings from the OBC though... it'd be nice to get a definative on that (as it's the main reason I would do it).

Come to a meet and we'll tell you.

[monkeynuts]

Originally Posted by willhollin

Come to a meet and we'll tell you.

Hehe - I'll get back tgo you on that!

Originally Posted by gIzzE

The reason you see improved mpg is because you have more torque and don't have to push the car so hard during normal driving, then when you are cruising it holds back the fuel slightly, so you see a slight increase.

gIzzE - I think I understand but surely the extra torque is acheived by using more fuel - it has to come from somewhere after all? Hope I'm not comming accross as argumentative - just interested from a tech point of view!

[gIzzE]

Originally Posted by monkeynuts

gIzzE - I think I understand but surely the extra torque is acheived by using more fuel - it has to come from somewhere after all? Hope I'm not comming accross as argumentative - just interested from a tech point of view!

But it is the same reason why often the bigger 3 litre 6cyl cars get better consumption figures than the small 2 litre 4 pots.

[monkeynuts]

I guess it must be a case of more power/torque at lower revs - more fuel per rev but at a lower frequency - net effect (if driving normally) is less fuel used.

Whatever the case, if you're filling up less often then who cares I suppose!

I'm gonna let it lie now!

Think I'm going to upgrade my Stereo with the Alpine kit first (after reading robbie99's post on the subject), then maybe i'll go for the Spider...

[dxb335d]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

anyone actually proved whether this thing needs ''bedding in miles''

Someone should slap one on then dyno, then do 100 miles then dyno.

I cant see the car making anymore power after a bedding in period.


The gearbox adjusts to your driving style whether your car is stock or tuned. Wont make any more HP.

+1

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

+1

= 3.67

[booforty]

x 2 = 7.34

[monkeynuts]

x Pi = 23.05!

Originally Posted by gIzzE

A-Plan is a broker who will find you a good deal with someone mod friendly.

Adrian Flux is also a mod friendly broker.

BMW Insurance will also allow you a remap or tuning box.


Tell them all it gives a 10% gain in power.

Wouldn't BMW insurance share that info with the BMW warranty dpt potentially?

Also, does the tuning box increase CO2 levels - does this affect MOT tests/tax banding etc?

[stevie_f_2004]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

Doesn't mess the obc up like many do.

The reason you see improved mpg is because you have more torque and don't have to push the car so hard during normal driving, then when you are cruising it holds back the fuel slightly, so you see a slight increase.

Use the power though and it will use even more.

My 120d (163bhp) was and auto and I saw very good gains in consumption.
177bhp 320d auto didn't see any gains in consumption, but good power gains.

I have a 320d (163bhp)and would question if the consumption is increased with the spider unless you take a steady pace of 50-60mpg.....however there is definite noticable power increase with the spider over standard and this may account for the apparent questionable mpg gains that I have experienced.

I recently removed the spider for a BMW service and the difference is quite apparent along with the power, the spider seems to smooth the engine with less 4cyl deisel clatter.

Has the spider purchase been money well spent????I would say yes....