[Adrianizzle]

Hey guys, i'm looking into flashing my n54 to stage 3 xhp but I haven't seen anywhere on pre maintenance before flashing it. Is there anything I need to do before I flash it? & also when I flash it is there any down sides to it? will it kill my transmission sooner or extend it?
(FYI FBO 335i)

[Bimmer_Engineer]

As long as you have a post 03/07 build it will make all of your wildest dreams come true according to this thread...

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1708294

I have a pre 03/07 build...and i've been running stage 2. IMO it's kinda meh. I've got 96k miles and been tuned with it for 4 k miles or so. I did quite a bit of searching before I installed and I didn't find any evidence of people saying it resulted in less reliability. I didn't do any extra maintenance before I installed. My trans had a new filter and fluid flush at 80k miles.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Adrianizzle

Hey guys, i'm looking into flashing my n54 to stage 3 xhp but I haven't seen anywhere on pre maintenance before flashing it. Is there anything I need to do before I flash it? & also when I flash it is there any down sides to it? will it kill my transmission sooner or extend it?
(FYI FBO 335i)

If your transmission is over say 150,000 miles old, you might want to update your trans fluid, solenoids, & megatronic sleeves before flashing stage 2 or 3 (especially 3). I'd do a complete flush of the entire system regarding the fluid through the hot line of the trans cooler... 😉

In order to get 3.0 for pre-03/07 cars, you need to either wait until they update (they might not) or change out the TCU to a post 03/07. You can easily do this when changing out the solenoids etc. Hard part might be finding one for a reasonable price. Coding it won't be difficult.

[Adrianizzle]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

As long as you have a post 03/07 build it will make all of your wildest dreams come true according to this thread...

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1708294

I have a pre 03/07 build...and i've been running stage 2. IMO it's kinda meh. I've got 96k miles and been tuned with it for 4 k miles or so. I did quite a bit of searching before I installed and I didn't find any evidence of people saying it resulted in less reliability. I didn't do any extra maintenance before I installed. My trans had a new filter and fluid flush at 80k miles.

is there a way to check your build date?

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by Adrianizzle

is there a way to check your build date?

If you put your VIN in at realoem.com it will tell you...

[Adrianizzle]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

If you put your VIN in at realoem.com it will tell you...

my prod month is 05/2007
does that mean everything should be good for me?

[type-dRew]

http://sutphintuning.com/frequently-asked-questions

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Adrianizzle

my prod month is 05/2007
does that mean everything should be good for me?

Yes

[turbohugh]

definitely do the full transmission service .. Beware the E-clutch ratio monitoring code

[Serf27]

So for pre 03/07 it will be fine to flash it with just a new filter and fluid change?
Is it worth for only stage 2?

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by Serf27

So for pre 03/07 it will be fine to flash it with just a new filter and fluid change?
Is it worth for only stage 2?

Meh...I have a 11/06 build and if I had it to do over again I don't think I would...

[Soden82]

Supposedly will decrease life of physical components in the transmission. Wouldn't be a bad idea to do a service

[iqraceworks]

Originally Posted by Soden82

Supposedly will decrease life of physical components in the transmission. Wouldn't be a bad idea to do a service

Why would the xHP tune decrease components life? If anything it should extend them....faster shifts, less slipping, higher line pressure......that all means less wear and tear on friction and steel plates.

But...like everyone else said. Replace the seals while you are in there. More pressure + worn/cracked seals = more problems .

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by Bimmer_Engineer

Meh...I have a 11/06 build and if I had it to do over again I don't think I would...

Do you notice it shift faster?
My transmission shifts smooth through all the gears but I would like it to shift faster with the paddles.
I read a while ago the shifts were supposed to be similar to that of an smg.

[ky0u]

Originally Posted by Serf27

Do you notice it shift faster?
My transmission shifts smooth through all the gears but I would like it to shift faster with the paddles.
I read a while ago the shifts were supposed to be similar to that of an smg.

Manual mode with Stage 3 under light acceleration.
I made some very minor tweaks to the shift speed settings, but more or less default OTS. Last shift isnt as crisp because I had to ease off while hitting the paddle after someone switched lanes in front of me

Originally Posted by Adrianizzle

Hey guys, i'm looking into flashing my n54 to stage 3 xhp but I haven't seen anywhere on pre maintenance before flashing it. Is there anything I need to do before I flash it? & also when I flash it is there any down sides to it? will it kill my transmission sooner or extend it?
(FYI FBO 335i)

Would def recommend doing a fluid change if you're over 100k. The flash changes a few things, I personally wasnt comfortable until i was sure everything in there was in good shape with fresh fluid.
FCP euro sells the kit ready. also...I hope you fixed your o2 sensors from that old post before modding your car more

[Serf27]

^ would you happen to have sound clips or feedback on paddle shifts at WOT?
It does sound like it shifts a bit faster.

[ky0u]

Originally Posted by Serf27

^ would you happen to have sound clips or feedback on paddle shifts at WOT?
It does sound like it shifts a bit faster.

Unfortunately, I don't but I'll probably do some pulls later today.

It's definitely a huge step up from the stock mapping though that's for sure

[type-dRew]

Can't judge it off of part throttle shifts. It's not until wide open that xhp slows the shifts down and pulls a bunch of timing between gears.

If it could shift as fast as it does part throttle at wot, I'd have almost no issue with the tune.

As it is, you need a a Sutphin custom tune to take full advantage of the transmission.

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by type-dRew

Can't judge it off of part throttle shifts. It's not until wide open that xhp slows the shifts down and pulls a bunch of timing between gears.

If it could shift as fast as it does part throttle at wot, I'd have almost no issue with the tune.

As it is, you need a a Sutphin custom tune to take full advantage of the transmission.

That's weird, because Xhp shifts slower in my car when I'm only partial throttle, and a helluva lot quicker when I'm WOT. This is manual mode btw.

[type-dRew]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

That's weird, because Xhp shifts slower in my car when I'm only partial throttle, and a helluva lot quicker when I'm WOT. This is manual mode btw.

Well now I know your wrong because xhp never shifts quick.

..lol

[ky0u]

Originally Posted by type-dRew

Can't judge it off of part throttle shifts. It's not until wide open that xhp slows the shifts down and pulls a bunch of timing between gears.

If it could shift as fast as it does part throttle at wot, I'd have almost no issue with the tune.

As it is, you need a a Sutphin custom tune to take full advantage of the transmission.

Do you happen to know what is going on when it "slows the shifts down" ? Is it the torque reduction at work? Understandably, an OTS flash isnt going to be as good as a bespoke map, but I'm wondering what can be tweaked to at least step in that direction.

I'm familiar with your huge thread here and on SS. I also recall someone likening it to a CVT, but if those crisp shifts are the behaviour you're seeing with Sutphin, it honestly seems closer to DCT

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by Serf27

Do you notice it shift faster?
My transmission shifts smooth through all the gears but I would like it to shift faster with the paddles.
I read a while ago the shifts were supposed to be similar to that of an smg.

I don’t think it shifts faster at all. It shifts firmer in sport...I think it’s unnoticeable in drive...