[Kruz]

Please bare w a newb question...

How does the COBB's code reading and clearing compare to that of BT? If Im 100% stock and planning to stay that way, do I even need the BT and is it overkill?

In a breakdown situation, it would be nice to not have to carry around a laptop to clear a code before the car gets towed to the stealer.

[mithiral67]

Cobb claims they had a bmw tech scan the car after uninstall and he said he couldnt tell there was a tune on it. Some have noted that a BT tool sees codes after removing the cobb while others say they dont.

If I remember correctly, Cobb noted that this was an issue as the cobb unit didnt original clear codes caused when modules of the ecu couldnt talk during the flash. I think this might have been addressed with the update.

Cobb has noted that the updates are coming that will improve the users ability to selectively clear codes.

At the end of the day, its pay to play and you could only rely on folks feedback on getting repairs after removing it.

Personally, i have had recall work done on the car after uninstall with no issue. But, I have a fund set aside to start covering costs if say the turbos blow.

[Kruz]

Thx that helps alot.

[korben dallas]

Originally Posted by mithiral67

Cobb claims they had a bmw tech scan the car after uninstall and he said he couldnt tell there was a tune on it. Some have noted that a BT tool sees codes after removing the cobb while others say they dont.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...=558382&page=2

Just FYI in case anyone is interested, take at that thread in regard to the AP correctly clearing ALL codes. OP had a successful turbo replacement under warranty with no questions asked after uninstalling.

[Brey335i]

Even with COBB or any other tune, I always recommend investing in a BT Tool. It gives you the peace of mind to know that all the codes are gone

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by Brey335i

Even with COBB or any other tune, I always recommend investing in a BT Tool. It gives you the peace of mind to know that all the codes are gone

[packinDSS]

Cobb all the way. Flash tuning will always be superior once it matures. Cobb is about to release Stage 2 and the protune software as well. I had a proceed v4 and loved it but i hated taking it out for dealer visits. The Cobb is so easy to install and uninstall. No problems reselling a Cobb either.

The piggybacks have taken us to this point....Flash Tunes will take us the rest of the way.

[Chartreux3]

I had an AP on my sti and it was ok. My main gripes with it were the throttle responce it was always hard to pull out from a stop smoothly. The powerband had uneven throttle responce untill I got the car protuned. I feel you are limited with the AP in a way. You would need a protune to really take advantage of mods. With a JB4 u just switch a map in a sec. With the AP it could potentially get more out of your engine with upgrades, but if your like me and do alittle bit at a time protunes get expensive. I would also want a protuner that knows how to work with the N54 and they may not be within driving distance.

[FastBimmerN54]

Originally Posted by Chartreux3

I had an AP on my sti and it was ok. My main gripes with it were the throttle responce it was always hard to pull out from a stop smoothly. The powerband had uneven throttle responce untill I got the car protuned. I feel you are limited with the AP in a way. You would need a protune to really take advantage of mods. With a JB4 u just switch a map in a sec. With the AP it could potentially get more out of your engine with upgrades, but if your like me and do alittle bit at a time protunes get expensive. I would also want a protuner that knows how to work with the N54 and they may not be within driving distance.

Good post however there is one thing that needs to be mentioned; this car does not function in anyway similar to an STI as far as the hardware on this vehicle and the way it targets power. The DME is very smart on these cars to the point where as you see with your typical piggyback you simply add boost, make a fuel correction and the rest is history. The DME will automatically monitor knock and retard accordingly. CPS offsets are also possible with other piggybacks and cps modules but I'm going beyond the scope of my point now.

I'm skipping over a lot here but my point is this; the STI is a very sensitive machine to tuning. So it needs to be spot on, I agree, the N54 engine hardware and logic is far more sophisticated though.

My post is not to degrade the STI as its a great machine but your comparisons and problems wont be as readily present on this platform as they were on the STI was my point.

[Litos]

yeah, for some reason or another the Cobb AP on my 335 is worlds better than my STi in both the driveability and power factor.

i sold my Cobb to go OpenSource with my STi.

i'll never sell my Cobb from my 335 - EVER !!!!!

[Dark9T]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

You guys are funny. I am not sure what the argument is about. The JB4 is super easy to install and so is the COBB. The COBB is definitely easier and less work to install but that really shouldn't be the determining factor in your purchase. I would understand if one was super hard, etc. but 15min versus 10min isn't really worth fighting about.

I can do a JB4 in 7 minutes LOL

Mike

Wow.. 7mins? can you please show us the video? LOL
by the way, 7mins is too long for me and i can use 7SEC of work to uninstall the cobb ap!!

[bimmerfreak]

Just had the JB4 installed this afternoon. The difference is unreal!! highly recommend.

[Alan l.]

Any tune compared to stock is unreal power wise but that shouldn't be your only reason for choosing a tune. They all make similar power with very different means.

[Litos]

i'll say it again:

the cleaner and more consistent A/F's, the more hp/tq and the ease of install was why i sold my JB4 and went with Cobb.

[statelax3]

ran my cobb for the first time today. 18 minutes to download and up load while lounging in the front seat beats taking anything apart to install any day.

[Stock-ish]

Originally Posted by stevenc

JB has been around forever and is probably easily the smoothest and most powerful tune out there. I have run a JB3 and a JB4 for 2.5 years now and have never experienced any CEL problems.

Cobb is great for someone who doesn't want to get under the hood or wont seriously modify the vehicle. HOWEVER if you do plan on modifying the vehicle, flashes can never keep up with the piggybacks because they have no real way of interfacing with things like methanol and flash tunes are limited by BMW's original programming logic.

This decision is easy. Stock'ish car = Cobb, future plans to modify = JB4.

Well, I guess I have no choice then....I'll get the Cobb



Late joke, I know but worth it!

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by Stock-ish

Well, I guess I have no choice then....I'll get the Cobb



Late joke, I know but worth it!

[EastCoast335i]

Originally Posted by statelax3

ran my cobb for the first time today. 18 minutes to download and up load while lounging in the front seat beats taking anything apart to install any day.

+11111111

I love the ease of install/uninstall, compared to my previous JB3 and IMO even easier then my first tune SSTT.

[Brey335i]

Ease of install should not be among the deciding factors for choosing a tune. The easiest thing I have installed to date has been the JB+... and we all know the JB4 is much better.

I'm not saying this as an anti-COBB thing but rather as a reminder for what should be discussed when choosing a tune.

COBB is great! I'm just waiting for Stage 2 to see what can be done.

[EastCoast335i]

Originally Posted by Brey335i

Ease of install should not be among the deciding factors for choosing a tune. The easiest thing I have installed to date has been the JB+... and we all know the JB4 is much better.

I'm not saying this as an anti-COBB thing but rather as a reminder for what should be discussed when choosing a tune.

COBB is great! I'm just waiting for Stage 2 to see what can be done.

Why not?
Thats your opinion, for others that are less mechanically inclined. Of course its a concern. Why would you want to have to go to a shop or ask a friend everytime you need to install/uninstall a tune for service,etc...
It might not be a top concern but its a concern none the less.

[interpol]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

I can do a JB4 in 7 minutes LOL

Mike

Mike,

So does this mean that it takes three times longer to install the JB4 when compared to the Procede?

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...7&postcount=31

[stevenc]

^ No they both require you to remove the cowl and open the ecu box. Shiv is exagerating. Both will take 5 minutes to access the ecu and 2 minutes to plug in. They both install identically.