[ThaiBruin]

I've been trying to hold off on the BMS tune until after my next oil change (due in 1900 miles). But at the rate i drive, that won't happen ti early summer. Let us know how truly easy it is to put on and remove... might convince myself to do it sooner than later.

[Kafkaesque328]

Just got back from Burger Motorsports in Simi Valley. Took all of 3 minutes to install the harness. Easiest thing in the world. Unplug factory wires from the MAF and a few other sensors, plug those connectors into the BMS setup and then back in and done.

First thing I noticed pulling out of the parking lot was better throttle response and less lag, just as advertised. No traffic this time a day so I got to really drive it on the way home, all highway and man what an excellent upgrade. Just like I felt with Stage 1 in the GTI, it really 'wakes the car up'. Terry was a really nice, obviously really smart guy and we talked about it for a while and his comment was "it's a travesty what they do to these cars from factory just with software so it's a good thing we came up with an easy solution to the problem." He said it's a safe bet to take BMW published power ratings as at the wheels so with this setup, I'm probably making around 210/230 @ the wheels so figure 240/255 @ the crank, give or take. Stage 2 would bring it neck in neck w/the 328.

Added power is noticeable. It's not quite as drastic as Stage 1 on a GTI because it's really 'only' about 30whp/30tq on 91 but it's every bit as smooth and linear as stock with no spikes in boost. Pulls strong and smooth all the way to redline. Kicks down less on the highway etc. You can hear the engine a little more now as well as the turbo.

This is a total no brainer. It essentially tricks the computer into thinking it's making stock power levels so it's not even logging higher boost. It takes 2 seconds to remove if you need to bring the car in and it's not even $400. Considering that Audi/VW guys spend three bills on a Carbonio intake rice maker for almost no gains, this is a real breath of fresh air. Makes the APR/Revo VAG way of tuning seem very barbaric.

Really happy with this. Did a really shitty iPhone video on the way home just 60-85mph in sport mode just to give a quick idea of how it pulls.

Very happy. So my advice to anyone looking at a 328 vs a 320, look very closely at a 320. Ofcourse you'll always get more with the 328 but it'll also cost more. If you want the closest to a basic, 'raw' modern 3 series, this is the car. Stage 2 will put you at 328 numbers.

[ThaiBruin]

Stoked it was super easy to install and remove. Looks like I'll be able to get 335 numbers and not sweat taking the car to the dealer for service.

[TERAKO35]

Awesome! Sounds like $400 well spent. Keep us posted on your impressions as you get more driving time.

[Kafkaesque328]

^^ For sure I will. What is nice is I have the option of going Stage 2 as well if I get bored. For now though, this is a really nice upgrade.

Originally Posted by ThaiBruin

Stoked it was super easy to install and remove. Looks like I'll be able to get 335 numbers and not sweat taking the car to the dealer for service.

Yeah man, I mean why not? You'll definitely approach 335 numbers, it'll just never sound like that I6. Im getting more engine sound now which is nice too.

[Michael Schott]

Originally Posted by openwheelracing

If you have a 2014 then you can check the trunk for the commbox. If it exists then you can code it to enable Bluetooth streaming

There's no Combox unless you get the nav package.

[Kafkaesque328]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

There's no Combox unless you get the nav package.

Right you are, I checked

[Kafkaesque328]

Got a chance to wash and wax when I got home. Only had time for the hood and front bumper. Will do the rest next wash. Wanted to start getting some protection on there since It's being parked in the driveway. Even though the car is new, the waxed hood looks and feels night and day better than the other panels. Even though it's a lease, still gotta treat her right because you never know.. If I keep it, Ill be glad I did, if I try to sell it and make a little money at lease end, Ill be glad I took care of it too. Shitty camera but anyway...

In hindsight, it'd be really nice to have this with the lighting package.. Shitty ass halogens.

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by TERAKO35

Awesome! Sounds like $400 well spent. Keep us posted on your impressions as you get more driving time.

+1. How much $ is stage 2?

[Kafkaesque328]

Originally Posted by 335BOY

+1. How much $ is stage 2?

It's another $150 and it gives you around 225hp/260wtq. I really noticed the added power of the tune on the way to work. Just more effortless and noticably more torque. Just makes eveything much smoother whereas with stock, it had to downshift a lot more for the power.

[ThaiBruin]

Originally Posted by Kafkaesque320

It's another $150 and it gives you around 225hp/260wtq. I really noticed the added power of the tune on the way to work. Just more effortless and noticably more torque. Just makes eveything much smoother whereas with stock, it had to downshift a lot more for the power.

So you'd only have to fork over another $150 to get to Stage 2? or are you saying that the stage 2 kit costs ~$540 (requiring you to sell your Stage 1)?

[Kafkaesque328]

Originally Posted by ThaiBruin

So you'd only have to fork over another $150 to get to Stage 2? or are you saying that the stage 2 kit costs ~$540 (requiring you to sell your Stage 1)?

NO, its an upgrade from my existing kit. I keep what I have, pay $150 more and get stage 2. I'll prob do that in a year or something. I want tiers so I have something to look forward to. I like where its at now. I could have even lived with it as it was stock but always having to downshift was kind of annoying and this is just enough of a power increase that it makes everything more effortless and smooth. As I predicted, it makes comfort 'D' far more useable and Sport more extreme as far as throttle. That little throttle delay was really beginning to annoy me.

I gotta look more into a Xenon retrofit for this car. The halogens are a bummer. The car would be perfect then. The threads I've read it on it where guys have done it seem waaaaaay more involved than I'm interested in delving into.

[shivaswrath]

is the 328i that much heavier than the 320i?

my 335i felt much more front heavy than the 328i I tested...but then again, I wanted a lot of power making potential down the line, so it made the most sense for me.

$780/months the premium I'm paying for the next 4 years...

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

is the 328i that much heavier than the 320i?

my 335i felt much more front heavy than the 328i I tested...but then again, I wanted a lot of power making potential down the line, so it made the most sense for me.

$780/months the premium I'm paying for the next 4 years...

No, the weight is option dependent as power seats and split fold rear are not standard on the 320. So a 320 test weight is typically 3320lbs and 328 is a solid 50-100 more. The minute you put power seats and split fold in the 320 the weight advantage is gone. The drivetrains weigh the sAme, the cabin equipment is where they vary.

[bavarianride]

Congrats on the new ride, is it jet black? Looks great! The 320i does sound quiet, it appears the gears and power band are tuned for fuel efficiency and high top-speed per gear. An aftermarket tune can improve HP and lb-ft of 320i, but 320i misses some hardware that comes with 328i(and 335i), e.g. different drive shaft, output shafts, final drive(for 6MT the 328i gets an aggressive 3.91 rear diff). By the time all these extra hardware(plus engine piston) is accounted for on top of OEM warranty and 60HP and 50lb-ft, the 328i price difference may not be too outrageous.

[ThaiBruin]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Congrats on the new ride, is it jet black? Looks great! The 320i does sound quiet, it appears the gears and power band are tuned for fuel efficiency and high top-speed per gear. An aftermarket tune can improve HP and lb-ft of 320i, but 320i misses some hardware that comes with 328i(and 335i), e.g. different drive shaft, output shafts, final drive(for 6MT the 328i gets an aggressive 3.91 rear diff). By the time all these extra hardware(plus engine piston) is accounted for on top of OEM warranty and 60HP and 50lb-ft, the 328i price difference may not be too outrageous.

Same could be said for a person considering a 328i over a 335i. There's always something better for a "few thousand more".

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by ThaiBruin

Same could be said for a person considering a 328i over a 335i. There's always something better for a "few thousand more".

Agreed. The 335i vs. 328i may not be that similar compared to 328i vs. 320i, mainly due to the extra 100+lb on front axle. At the time mine was bought 320i was not yet released, but a bone stock 320i 6MT leather+ZSP+ZLP+fold-down(need extra trunk room) would probably serve me well with no tuning.

[ThaiBruin]

Yea. The 328i has way more than enough power driving around the streets and getting onto the highway. I do wish I had a little more oomph at highway speeds for those occasions where I want to get around someone. The Stage 1 BMS should fit that bill nicely and only cost me $380 vs. $3K for the 335i. Yes, my car sounds like a diesel and will always sound like a diesel, I get it.

[Kafkaesque328]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Congrats on the new ride, is it jet black? Looks great! The 320i does sound quiet, it appears the gears and power band are tuned for fuel efficiency and high top-speed per gear. An aftermarket tune can improve HP and lb-ft of 320i, but 320i misses some hardware that comes with 328i(and 335i), e.g. different drive shaft, output shafts, final drive(for 6MT the 328i gets an aggressive 3.91 rear diff). By the time all these extra hardware(plus engine piston) is accounted for on top of OEM warranty and 60HP and 50lb-ft, the 328i price difference may not be too outrageous.

Ive driven both and the 320i with the M sport package like mine vs. the 328i sport line I drove feels lighter on it's feet and more nimble with sharper handling. It feels lighter as well. Post Stage 1 I barely notice a difference in power now. There's no way I am at stock 328 power now but I'm a lot closer. I don't put much stock in what automotive journalists have to say but Motortrend claimed that the 320 outperforms the 328 in the twisties.. I'm not stating that as fact, just that that is what I gathered as well after driving both. They test cars for a living and I don't but they also pay lip service to many an auto manufacturer. The transmissions felt the same to me as well although I didn't engage Sport+

but the 320i, though slower in a straight line, actually outclasses its big brother when that line gets curvy. To wit, the 320i's lateral acceleration of 0.91 g and figure eight of 26.2 seconds at 0.70 g surpass the 328i's (0.89 and 26.3 at 0.70), despite being down 60 hp and 55 lb-ft. Better yet, the 320i gets better fuel economy (24/36 mpg versus 23/33) and costs $4300 less.

Read more: http://blogs.motortrend.com/more-tha...#ixzz2rFDYf8hK

Warranty is a non-issue with Stage 1 as far as I'm concerned. Coming from VAG where they have to crack open your ECU to reflash, opening you up to all kinds of problems with TD1 codes etc., I still didn't have a problem and dealers were always fine. With BMS, It takes 2 minutes to disconnect and from what I understand, it is not logging higher boost, so I'm not really worried about it.

Honestly, If budget had not been a concern for me I would have gotten a lightly optioned 335i over a 328. At the end of the day I got a pretty raw 320i with sport package and sunroof for $32000. Well, $32400 counting the tune. When you compare my car with a lightly optioned 328i if you were to get only the sport line, zero options and a sunroof you'd be looking at roughly $6500 more MSRP. But no one is going to do that because it's a 328 and you can get so many more options. Opt for the dynamic handling and you add another grand, etc. End of the day, a well optioned 328 will push ten grand more. If that's a non issue, than by all means. Loaded and you are in a fifty thousand dollar car in which, I don't see why you'd do that vs. a 335.

Originally Posted by ThaiBruin

Yea. The 328i has way more than enough power driving around the streets and getting onto the highway. I do wish I had a little more oomph at highway speeds for those occasions where I want to get around someone. The Stage 1 BMS should fit that bill nicely and only cost me $380 vs. $3K for the 335i. Yes, my car sounds like a diesel and will always sound like a diesel, I get it.

Dude the stock 328i has plenty of highway power. Even the 320i stock was fine for passing but yeah, we always want more.

[bavarianride]

Not sure if any bimmer does not sound like diesel these days, the 335i I6 turbo sounds diesel-like too(not as dramatic as N20/N26), my guess is DI causes the diesel sound. Do note similar standard hardware(plus extra cooling) on 335i is missing on stock 328i, so my take is a 328i tune is good for short burst rather than sustained use(e.g. track?).

[ThaiBruin]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Not sure if any bimmer does not sound like diesel these days, the 335i I6 turbo sounds diesel-like too(not as dramatic as N20/N26), my guess is DI causes the diesel sound. Do note similar standard hardware(plus extra cooling) on 335i is missing on stock 328i, so my take is a 328i tune is good for short burst rather than sustained use(e.g. track?).

That's been the ongoing debate. I've read that going full tilt on a track for 20+ minutes could lead to heat issues.

I'm not going full tilt for more than 5 minutes considering I live in LA and will never track the car.

[bavarianride]

"but the 320i, though slower in a straight line, actually outclasses its big brother when that line gets curvy."

The above is true for flat twisties, on hilly terrains, the 328i has an advantage over 320i. For the HP and lb-ft the 320i is deceivingly fast, but my guess is that has some to do with the gears and rear diff and engine mapping, the whole car is configured to move at high speed on flat land with minimal gas.