[JohnMan]

I'm considering doing a re-map/re-chip of my car as a cost-effective way of getting a little extra power and performance from the engine. As I'm bmw (you call it bimmer right?) and general car newbie, I don't have much experience or knowledge about this. So just want to inquire about following re-map/re-chip issue:

1. Legality in HK (i.e. will it affect emission legal requirements)
2. Impact on service life of engine and chassis (as in will it accelerate the wear and tear of the engine, transmission, prop shaft, etc)
3. Impact on fuel economy (how much extra gas it will consume, although I'm told that the change to ignition timing and fuel mixture can sometimes actually lead to better fuel economy)
4. Impact on other parts of chassis (will re-map/re-chip also requires changes to the suspension, transmission, brakes or tires? If so, it will cost alot more)
5. Reliability and quality: Which are the most reliable, experienced and highest quality supplier to do this?

Many thanks, your expert advice is most appreciated!

[ken@exoticstuning]

Originally Posted by JohnMan

I'm considering doing a re-map/re-chip of my car as a cost-effective way of getting a little extra power and performance from the engine. As I'm bmw (you call it bimmer right?) and general car newbie, I don't have much experience or knowledge much about this. So just want to inquire about following re-map/re-chip issue:

1. Legality in HK (i.e. will it affect emission legal requirements)

- Not in Hong Kong. You'll be ok with that

2. Impact on service life of engine and chassis (as in will it accelerate the wear and tear of the engine, transmission, prop shaft, etc)

- It will but since most of our engine and related parts are very well engineered and well made a remap on your car will not affects them.

3. Impact on fuel economy (how much extra gas it will consume, although I'm told that the change to ignition timing and fuel mixture can sometimes actually lead to better fuel economy)

- It acturally lead to better fuel economy if not the same as stock.

4. Impact on other parts of chassis (will re-map/re-chip also requires changes to the suspension, transmission, brakes or tires? If so, it will cost alot more)

- If just a remap. Those parts you mentioned are not required to upgrade. Only thing i will suggest you is to get some better pads so you go faster and stop faster.

5. Reliability and quality: Which are the most reliable, experienced and highest quality supplier to do this?

- Most ECU remap brand are pretty much doing the same thing but you may want to look for more feedback and actural road use report on the brand you choose. Right now,not much for the 325i engine used on the E90,E60...etc. You may want to try out the BMS Powerbox.

Many thanks, your expert advice is most appreciated!

Just my .2

[RS6]

You can try Pivot 3 Drive Throttle Controller, they have one made specifically for BMW. Simple to use and easy to install and remove.

http://pivotjp.com/product/tha/tha.html

[kenken]

Originally Posted by ken@exoticstuning

Just my .2

I quite agree with Ken.
Just added my BMS powerbox and the fuel consumption became better.... but to run stage 3 you need to use octane booster if not you will get the engine error code. But still i am running on stage 2 and is good enough......

hmmmm..... but to get better power you need hardware to support it... etc exhaust system, intake, sprint booster, ignition coils......

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by Ken Ken

I quite agree with Ken.
Just added my BMS powerbox and the fuel consumption became better.... but to run stage 3 you need to use octane booster if not you will get the engine error code. But still i am running on stage 2 and is good enough......

hmmmm..... but to get better power you need hardware to support it... etc exhaust system, intake, sprint booster, ignition coils......

Thanks for the advice. I'm still new to bmws and cars, so I want to take it step by step. The exhaust system, intake etc, I can change later on when I'm more experienced and skilled. Right now I just want to start somewhere modest to improve performance without adding and changing a whole lot of stuff.

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by ken@exoticstuning

Just my .2

So just to clarify in case of misunderstanding, you are saying it's legal in HK? Or it's illegal but the police don't bother to check?

[jacky822]

1st, you don't really get extra power from a 325i engine..
what i suggest you to do is.. trade it in for 335i

[trekker]

I reckon it doesnt worth spending the money for the little extra performance on a NA car.

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by jacky822

1st, you don't really get extra power from a 325i engine..
what i suggest you to do is.. trade it in for 335i

I don't have the $$$ right now to get a 335i. I have to make do with what I have. It would be nice if I can get more rapid response in acceleration instead of the lag I get now when I step on the pedal.

[kenken]

Originally Posted by JohnMan

I don't have the $$$ right now to get a 335i. I have to make do with what I have. It would be nice if I can get more rapid response in acceleration instead of the lag I get now when I step on the pedal.

hahahha then follow my road you wont get wrong.....
But some may feel its not worth spending 150k to get a 323i to a 330 when i can add 150k to get a 335......

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by Ken Ken

hahahha then follow my road you wont get wrong.....
But some may feel its not worth spending 150k to get a 323i to a 330 when i can add 150k to get a 335......

Yeah, I wish I could have a 335i. But my budget for upgrade is not 150k, unfortunately. Being a newbie and lacking the knowledge and experience of you guys, I think I have to be more careful. I don't want to be taken for a ride by some unscrupulous sellers giving me poor re-map or re-chip that will result in engine knocking that will destroy my engine. So I trust you guys better on where to do re-map/re-chip. Bms powerbox is mentioned...where can I get in HK, or do i just order off the 'net?

[Blackbird]

I just installed a Sprint Booster on my 335i (slushbox). It pretty much eliminates the pedal lag you're talking about. There are three modes - off, smooth, aggressive. It was a pretty easy install - the 6 minute video on YouTube will walk you through it. Got mine here in the States at BavAuto.com for US$300. http://www.bavauto.com/sprintbooster

[akhter]

http://burgertuning.com/BMS_Power_Box.html

They ship worldwide and they promise to reduce the lag. It won't make your 325iA like a 335i, but it should be a bit better.

Incidently, if you go in sport mode (by flipping the gear lever), there is much less lag. The normal mode is trying to save fuel so its always at a higher gear and hence the increased lag.

[kfiend]

You can forget about any significant power increase with any mods on the 325i. Get yourself either a sprintbooster or powerbox like c hings have mentioned here. It will give you a better drive and reduce the lag of initial throttle input. If you want to have better sound effect then may be an exhaust system. I would prefer to spend money or cosmetic mods to make my car look better than wasting money on getting more power out of the NA engine.

P.S. I also drive a 325i and all that I added were the powerbox and K&N drop in.

[kenken]

i have got ignition coils but not sure if the sprint booster and bms powerbox stck....
if they stack i think it will be a great add on....

Anyway did dyno and looks quite good but still far from 335....
arnd 270hp but still many ppl told me that this can be made up by garage....
front of graph is much higher but towards the end around the same as a stock 330....
but on wheels and on the road is totally 2 different things....

[akhter]

Originally Posted by Ken Ken

i have got ignition coils but not sure if the sprint booster and bms powerbox stck....
if they stack i think it will be a great add on....

Anyway did dyno and looks quite good but still far from 335....
arnd 270hp but still many ppl told me that this can be made up by garage....
front of graph is much higher but towards the end around the same as a stock 330....
but on wheels and on the road is totally 2 different things....

ignition coils alone put you in 270 on you 323i?

[kenken]

lolxs i wish.....
for performance downpipe, exhaust, ignition coils, ingen intake(burned), map, and some losen some weight.....

[jacky822]

Honestly you can't get extra for 323i.. you can't even tell the extra.

[kfiend]

Originally Posted by Ken Ken

i have got ignition coils but not sure if the sprint booster and bms powerbox stck....
if they stack i think it will be a great add on....

Anyway did dyno and looks quite good but still far from 335....
arnd 270hp but still many ppl told me that this can be made up by garage....
front of graph is much higher but towards the end around the same as a stock 330....
but on wheels and on the road is totally 2 different things....

270hp on dyno?!
That's like almost an extra 100hp gain!
How did you manage to get that much extra horse out of a NA?
I wouldn't mind getting more power out of my 325.

[JohnMan]

Originally Posted by kfiend

You can forget about any significant power increase with any mods on the 325i. Get yourself either a sprintbooster or powerbox like c hings have mentioned here. It will give you a better drive and reduce the lag of initial throttle input. If you want to have better sound effect then may be an exhaust system. I would prefer to spend money or cosmetic mods to make my car look better than wasting money on getting more power out of the NA engine.

P.S. I also drive a 325i and all that I added were the powerbox and K&N drop in.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not looking to turn my 325i into a 335i, just want enough extra power to have better acceleration and drive. Cosmetic mods I have to be careful, it has to be tasteful additions, I don't want some huge spoiler in the back that will ruin the proportion of the e90. I have seen many fine BMWs ruined by ugly mods. So they have to look nice. But anyway, how much do these powerbox and ignition coil cost ?

[ken@exoticstuning]

http://burgertuning.com/BMS_Power_Box.html

Pricing is there. I guess this would be the only mod you can do that you also can really feel some different.

Try to put your car on " diet ".

[seemebreakthis]

Using tiptronic alone instead of auto should alleviate the lag you are mentioning. I put my 325i on tiptronic all the time, but shifting smothly to another gear (especially downshifting) will take some getting used to...