[pr0gi]

it is just a feel. The xDrive delivers the power through all the wheels and you cant feel the same kick as you would in the rwd car. Same happens to me in the X4 vs 7 series. Same engine but I always feel the 7 series is faster hahah which is not the case

[WilliCO]

Part of your problem may be that the 335 is very polite in its power delivery. It's plenty fast, but because it goes about its business without much fuss, it's easy to forget you're driving a high 4s car.

I suggest an exhaust mod - the BMW M-Performance exhaust or something aftermarket if you want to cut deeper. It won't make the car faster, but it will make it feel like the fast car that it is. A little more brash in the delivery, and you'll feel a little more vibration coming up from the exhaust that you might find appealing.

Performance chips are fine too, but I can't get myself to believe they aren't affecting longevity of these engines.

[ft1330]

If you go the chip route Dinan is the way to go. JB4 has blown up engines from what an independent shop owner has told me. He might be biased but I was inclined to believe him, when I see how you can't even call the JB4 folks for support. It's probably some guy in his parents basement.

[FC4]

Originally Posted by ft1330

If you go the chip route Dinan is the way to go. JB4 has blown up engines from what an independent shop owner has told me. He might be biased but I was inclined to believe him, when I see how you can't even call the JB4 folks for support. It's probably some guy in his parents basement.

Yeah. This.

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by WilliCO

Part of your problem may be that the 335 is very polite in its power delivery. It's plenty fast, but because it goes about its business without much fuss, it's easy to forget you're driving a high 4s car.

I suggest an exhaust mod - the BMW M-Performance exhaust or something aftermarket if you want to cut deeper. It won't make the car faster, but it will make it feel like the fast car that it is. A little more brash in the delivery, and you'll feel a little more vibration coming up from the exhaust that you might find appealing.

Performance chips are fine too, but I can't get myself to believe they aren't affecting longevity of these engines.

Being a newbie to the BMW line, I can't say I disagree re: longevity but I do know that my GM car that has been ECM flashed since 1997 hasn't hurt it in the least and only made the car a ton more fun to drive. Granted, it's not a turbo boosted engine..but the premise is the same, so I'm inclined to think that companies such as GSR, Dinan, ACS etc know what they are doing

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by FC4

Yeah. This.

GSR is looking pretty good too given the fact that they are actually racing their car with their tune,etc and reporting back results. Seems pretty high on the street cred meter to me........

[FC4]

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

GSR is looking pretty good too given the fact that they are actually racing their car with their tune,etc and reporting back results. Seems pretty high on the street cred meter to me........

Oh, yeah...another one of those shops who will post updates "within the next week." Obviously, they're always on top if it.

[arwin]

Originally Posted by ft1330

If you go the chip route Dinan is the way to go. JB4 has blown up engines from what an independent shop owner has told me. He might be biased but I was inclined to believe him, when I see how you can't even call the JB4 folks for support. It's probably some guy in his parents basement.

I've also read about some people on these forums having issues with their JB4 tune as well. That's why I'm headed towards the Dinan Stage 2.

I called the local dealership today to inquire about pricing and install. Looks like it'll be a few weeks before it can be installed.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by arwin

Another buddy of mine just picked up a 2012 M3 and that is exactly the kind of power that I'm looking for.

I originally got the 335xi because I wanted to be able to drive it in the winter, now I'm thinking once my lease (2 more long years) is up I should just jump into the M3 and get a winter beater.

OP that plan of getting an M3 makes sense but modding can work too

Now that you know the acceleration potential (~112mph trap speed) you are looking for, just get that kind of car or enough mods to get you there.

I think you need to go "full bolt on" for the N55 and maybe run some E85 mixture (Personally, I wouldn't do this and would just get another car since there seem to be issues with the piggyback tunes for F30 based on the posts in the engine forum)

[FC4]

What are all these "issues" you rookies speak of?

[arwin]

This was one of the threads I read while researching the JB4

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1002236

[Thumper333]

Originally Posted by SoCalDave

Being a newbie to the BMW line, I can't say I disagree re: longevity but I do know that my GM car that has been ECM flashed since 1997 hasn't hurt it in the least and only made the car a ton more fun to drive. Granted, it's not a turbo boosted engine..but the premise is the same, so I'm inclined to think that companies such as GSR, Dinan, ACS etc know what they are doing

In boosted engines there are some factors to worry about, boost pressure for one. More boost equals more power easily, but go too high and you start running into issues. Fueling, timing, ect when you are getting into those pressures. It's all very technical.

It can be done, it's just about knowing the limits. Several companies have been tuning the boosted VW/Audi motors for a long time and failures are rare. The fact that BMW lets you go Stg2 (from Dinan) and keep your warranty is a major feather in their cap that Audi/VW needs to pick up the gauntlet on.

[Livfast335]

Originally Posted by Thumper333

In boosted engines there are some factors to worry about, boost pressure for one. More boost equals more power easily, but go too high and you start running into issues. Fueling, timing, ect when you are getting into those pressures. It's all very technical.

Exactly, that's why I decided to play it safe and just get a JB Stage 1 for now....
The more stress on the engine, and more things can go wrong like you said.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

From the base of knowledge displayed in some of these post I think most of you should just stay stock.

That or take an advanced shop class at your local community college.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Thumper333

The fact that BMW lets you go Stg2 (from Dinan) and keep your warranty is a major feather in their cap

I don't think that is quite right. Dinan will pick up the warranty not BMW.

I would recommend searching around for some threads on other's experience during that warranty process.

When I did that search I saw some threads of owners stuck in the middle with neither Dinan nor BMW wanting to pick up the tab for the warranty work. Not sure if the full story was being told on the internet, but it was clear it was no longer the OEM warranty.

Another factor to consider is that sometimes there are other factors that come up (i.e. oil starvation at the track in long sweepers, especially when using R comps) that will cause an issue.

Personally, if you are counting on the warranty in any way I think the best way to go is keep it stock and drive it hard.

[2blu]

Originally Posted by ft1330

If you go the chip route Dinan is the way to go. JB4 has blown up engines from what an independent shop owner has told me. He might be biased but I was inclined to believe him, when I see how you can't even call the JB4 folks for support. It's probably some guy in his parents basement.

The JB4 staff is great with customer service, I have never called them but they've always replied to my emails within the hour. Hundreds of people run JB4s and if you stick to the parameters they recommend you'll steer free of any issues. I personally know 10-12 people locally who run JB4s on various cars with various setups, none of which have ever had any issue what so ever.

For those seeking total peace of mind I can understand why getting a JB4 is an issue, but if you can live with it, I'd go for it any day.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by ft1330

If you go the chip route Dinan is the way to go. JB4 has blown up engines from what an independent shop owner has told me. He might be biased but I was inclined to believe him, when I see how you can't even call the JB4 folks for support. It's probably some guy in his parents basement.

With over 10,000 units in the marketplace must really be a big a** basement.

Don't you think if the JB4 was blowing up engines there would be a never ending stream of traffic here about it?

Bottom line is after years & years of knocking piggy backs Dinan's all new super system is a piggy back. Problem is they are the new guys on the block with a piggy back. Therefore its pretty bare in content & features compared to the BMS product.

BMS support is email based & one of the best rated aftermarket support services out there. Some people believe in Dinan because it costs so much it has to be the best. In reality you get a second tier tune with an expensive insurance policy attached.

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by Thumper333

In boosted engines there are some factors to worry about, boost pressure for one. More boost equals more power easily, but go too high and you start running into issues. Fueling, timing, ect when you are getting into those pressures. It's all very technical.

It can be done, it's just about knowing the limits. Several companies have been tuning the boosted VW/Audi motors for a long time and failures are rare. The fact that BMW lets you go Stg2 (from Dinan) and keep your warranty is a major feather in their cap that Audi/VW needs to pick up the gauntlet on.

True. This was the same issue guys who were bolting on big spray kits (NOS/nitrous) to stock motors found out. All factors have to be considered for the system to work well and not grenade the engines.

[ft1330]

Originally Posted by Thumper333

The fact that BMW lets you go Stg2 (from Dinan) and keep your warranty is a major feather in their cap that Audi/VW needs to pick up the gauntlet on.

This has nothing to do with BMW...

[erichighley]

I've been bummed about the performance recently as well, and have been looking into MPPK/MPE as JB4 feels a little boy racer. I'm not sure if its the added weight or just the change in delivery method, but my e92 felt much faster in the seat. I'm sure the numbers are quite similar, but the way the F36 goes about it is just uninspired at times. Maybe I'm just getting spoiled by BMW's N5X...time to step up to an S55 next time around I suppose.

[Thumper333]

Originally Posted by ft1330

This has nothing to do with BMW...

Well, considering the fact that you can take your car to a BMW dealer for the Dinan work, I would say it has at least SOMETHING to do with BMW. LOL

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I don't think that is quite right. Dinan will pick up the warranty not BMW.

I would recommend searching around for some threads on other's experience during that warranty process.

When I did that search I saw some threads of owners stuck in the middle with neither Dinan nor BMW wanting to pick up the tab for the warranty work. Not sure if the full story was being told on the internet, but it was clear it was no longer the OEM warranty.

Yeah, the internet never has the whole story. My guess is there were other modifications, non-Dinan, that were installed and being blamed (whether justified or not).

And yes, technically Dinan covers the warranty, however all the Dealerships in my area are Dinan dealers, which means any issue and I just take it to my dealer just like normal. Since my dealer installed the product(s), if they want to start getting into denying stuff (either as the BMW dealer or the Dinan dealer) they may find themselves loosing a customer.

When I go off site and get my Audi's tuned, those tuners give no warranty at ALL, and I know any issues will be up to me to handle with my dealer or out of pocket. It's a risk I accept. While everyone should understand that there is always a risk when modifying no matter what, I would expect a product WITH a warranty installed BY the dealer would be the smallest statistical chance of an issue.

I agree wholeheartedly though, if you are going to wring your hands and sweat that something MAY happen and you'll be left with the bill......stay stock.

[nicknaz]

Modding on warranty always comes down to relationship with SA. some will uninstall a cobb or jb4 for you if it is getting in the way of a warranty fix. (Others will try to void your warranty for a different tire)