[S4NoMore]

Saw this survery on the N55 forum and now I'm curious how the population looks for the N20 demographic.

BMS Stage 1

BMS JB4 aka Stage 2

aFe Scorcher

Problems not including installation. If you had any issues, please share the outcome.

Maybe this thread can be a central resource to learn and share experiences.

[S4NoMore]

One thing I've never been able to find is a video comparing acceleration before and after. That would be interesting to see..

[Bluesmansr]

I've been running the scorcher tune and love it! It really boosts the torque down low which I think is more important than top end power. It's also incredibly easy to install and remove. I'm not mechanically inclined and can take it off or reinstall it in 5 minutes flat.

[S4NoMore]

Oh and if you had any issues, please describe!

[Freelo]

I am also running the scorcher with the auto trans and msport RWD. it's excellent. no issues at all. super smooth in sport plus or comfort mode and really nice power.

I also have an e90 n55 and I think the tuned 328 feels as fast as that car when stock. (but I don't have that one stock

[Kafkaesque328]

Been running BMS Stage 1 +3PSI for 7 months, 6500 miles with zero issues. Love it. An essential add-on to the n20 engine.

[F30 Epal]

Same here. Been running the BMS stage 1 (+3 psi) for about roughly 1,500 miles and no problems so far. I tried running the +4 psi with 93 octane, but my temperature seems to hover at around 240-250 when cruising n the freeway doing 70-80 mph. So I went back to +3 psi and all went back to normal.

[bahasad]

Bought Stage 1 for my 328I ... crossing my fingers that it's not going to hurt my baby.

[320FAMILY]

Originally Posted by F30 Epal

Same here. Been running the BMS stage 1 (+3 psi) for about roughly 1,500 miles and no problems so far. I tried running the +4 psi with 93 octane, but my temperature seems to hover at around 240-250 when cruising n the freeway doing 70-80 mph. So I went back to +3 psi and all went back to normal.

My 320i is on order and I will be going with the Stage 1. Spoke with Jon at Burger and he said we have the option to increase boost in 1/2 intervals as well and +3.5 would be acceptable. After reading your post about the highway temps I think I will go this route when I get around to it.

[f30kid]

so what is diff between aFe Scorcher and BMW stage 1 as in gains?

[S4NoMore]

Originally Posted by f30kid

so what is diff between aFe Scorcher and BMW stage 1 as in gains?

I fixed the links in my post so you can easily get to the product info.

The aFe graph is a little muddled because they go stock - aFe intake - afe intake + scorcher. But I'd suggest that both offer gains of about 30 hp and 40 lb-ft as measured at the wheels.

[mike@x-ph.com]

I used to run BMS stage 1 back when i had an F30.
I would have bought the stage 2 but at that time it was not released .

[Forgiven]

I also have the AFE Scorcher that boost about +3 PSI and it feels real smooth in sport mode.
Zero problem but it wasn't cheap if you compare to BMS Stage 1 module.

[F30 Epal]

Originally Posted by 320FAMILY

My 320i is on order and I will be going with the Stage 1. Spoke with Jon at Burger and he said we have the option to increase boost in 1/2 intervals as well and +3.5 would be acceptable. After reading your post about the highway temps I think I will go this route when I get around to it.

Oh cool. Do you know if we have to use 93 octane for +3.5 psi? Or will the 91 oct be sufficient enough for the tune?

[f30kid]

has anyone had AFE Scorcher and BMW stage 1 to compare?

[Kafkaesque328]

Originally Posted by F30 Epal

Oh cool. Do you know if we have to use 93 octane for +3.5 psi? Or will the 91 oct be sufficient enough for the tune?

No. 91 is fine with BMS Stage 1 +3PSI setting. You need to run 93 or higher if you want to use the +4PSI setting. Stage 2 works fine on 91 apparently. I'm in L.A. as well and run 91 with +3PSI and it's fine.

[kingcobra323]

I'm really looking to get the stage 1 for my wife. Is overall drive ability retained

[F30 Epal]

Originally Posted by Kafkaesque320

No. 91 is fine with BMS Stage 1 +3PSI setting. You need to run 93 or higher if you want to use the +4PSI setting. Stage 2 works fine on 91 apparently. I'm in L.A. as well and run 91 with +3PSI and it's fine.

Oh I know 91 oct is fine for the stage 1 +3psi. My question was if i were to change the +3 to +3.5psi, will the 91 oct be good enough or I'd have to use 93 oct for that too. I did try the +4psi and my temperature would always shoot up between 240-250 everytime I'm n the freeway.

Originally Posted by kingcobra323

I'm really looking to get the stage 1 for my wife. Is overall drive ability retained

Yes!

[xantdieselx]

Originally Posted by f30kid

has anyone had AFE Scorcher and BMW stage 1 to compare?

Heres a clip of the AFE Scorcher on a 13' 328i x-drive 8AT. No other mods just the AFE and 93 octane - 0-60 is in the low 5's.

[320FAMILY]

Originally Posted by F30 Epal

Oh I know 91 oct is fine for the stage 1 +3psi. My question was if i were to change the +3 to +3.5psi, will the 91 oct be good enough or I'd have to use 93 oct for that too. I did try the +4psi and my temperature would always shoot up between 240-250 everytime I'm n the freeway.



Yes!

I would say 91 octane is safe up to +3psi. If it was safe up to +3.5 psi BMS probably would have went this route as a default. Just a guess.

[FSociety]

Any more folks?
I'm researching the BMS stage1 vs aFe too.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by S4NoMore

One thing I've never been able to find is a video comparing acceleration before and after. That would be interesting to see..

Thats exactly what I'm trying to find too.
I have tested my stock X3 28i M-sport 0-60 using the Sport Display in our Vehicle Info Options lol im producing 242-245hp 260-265 torque
want to see what aFe and bms stage1 guys are achieving but can't have more mods other than the piggyback otherwise is not a fair comparison

Originally Posted by Bluesmansr

I've been running the scorcher tune and love it! It really boosts the torque down low which I think is more important than top end power. It's also incredibly easy to install and remove. I'm not mechanically inclined and can take it off or reinstall it in 5 minutes flat.

Can you do a little test and measure your HP/TQ level from Menu > Vehicle Info > Sport Display ? =)

Originally Posted by Freelo

I am also running the scorcher with the auto trans and msport RWD. it's excellent. no issues at all. super smooth in sport plus or comfort mode and really nice power.

I also have an e90 n55 and I think the tuned 328 feels as fast as that car when stock. (but I don't have that one stock

Originally Posted by Forgiven

I also have the AFE Scorcher that boost about +3 PSI and it feels real smooth in sport mode.
Zero problem but it wasn't cheap if you compare to BMS Stage 1 module.

Originally the BMS Stage1 is for $380 except no one offers discount for them, vs ebay and other sellers the aFe can be be had from $350-400
aFe comes with 2yr warranty too

Originally Posted by f30kid

has anyone had AFE Scorcher and BMW stage 1 to compare?

exactly what I'm looking for, but some folks might be BMS biased so it would be cool to see if a few folks can do 0-60 using their sport display meter to see how much they're producing before/after.