[Earthmaster]

Hi guys,

I've had both tunes on my car now and here is my review of both:

Stage 1:

Very easy to install and remove. 2 clips and your done as long as you can get the clips to come out.

Pulls harder than stock and most apparent in sport mode.

kind of jittery in day to day driving due to the shifts at 2-3k rpm being really rough compared to stock. Sometimes this is nice and sporty and sometimes it can be kind of annoying sometimes.

However full open throttle is pretty smooth in the mid range on shifts 4-6k rpm.

Seems to lose power and die a bit before redline.

Got lower Gas mileage overall in general (had intake) not 100% now if it was due to either the tune or the intake. I did cruising highway speeds to confirm.

JB4

Install was a bit more complicated and requires a couple more annoying tools to find like Torx 50 to ground and tapping the CAN wires was also annoying as I had to peel back the black electrical mesh holding the wires together.

Shifts are much smoother and theres no jerkiness in 2-3k rpms during sport shifts.

Just torque for days. It pulls hard all the way close to redline. Just feels like a rocket in local traffic as if I need to get in a lane I can at ease.

Highway cruising mileage has improved for some reason, maybe cause tune is off until car warms up. Anyways all around better gas mileage.

JB4 connection doesn't show residual codes but can clear normal CELs.

All on Map 1 so far.

Next is DP and Map 2!

PS I'm non EWG

Overall I'm pretty satisfied with the JB4, only hassle is taking it on and off for yearly oil changes or if any other problems come up.

[daMau]

Thanks for posting this review! I have the Stage 1 and have been contemplating going JB4, but wasn't sure if it is worth it. I have been trying to avoid modding too heavy as I want to preserve my warranty and CPO. However I am coming from a couple highly modified N54 cars (135 and then 335i), and the itch for added power has come back, as expected.

[franzzz]

JB 1 and are satisfied

I prefer the P&P solution

[olehead]

Stage One cut half second off the 1/4 time average over stock - was told JB4 without other mods would not make much difference any thoughts - I have no issues at all with the stage one - high 12 sec car which is damn good for the weight of a GT

[mike@x-ph.com]

Jb is the perfect solution for adding more power safely + easy to install / remove tune.
Jb4 is recommended if you are going to add catless DP and intercooler.
Jb4 takes the car to a higher level.
Jb4 also has smoother delivery and more features and safety.
In terms of power if car is completely stock JB stage 1 and Jb4 will deliver similar power level.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Thanks for the review. Always nice to see customer feedback on these.

Mike

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by olehead

Stage One cut half second off the 1/4 time average over stock - was told JB4 without other mods would not make much difference any thoughts - I have no issues at all with the stage one - high 12 sec car which is damn good for the weight of a GT

On a completely stock car (as in tune only) stage1 = JB4 pretty much

Mike

[lyonhenrychen]

Much appreciated OP's review.

Mike, I am also debating between Stage 1 and JB4. I am considering to install catted DP and ER intercooler but only want to go for Stage 1. Am I able to do this and can Stage 1 clear CELs?

[Earthmaster]

Originally Posted by lyonhenrychen

Much appreciated OP's review.

Mike, I am also debating between Stage 1 and JB4. I am considering to install catted DP and ER intercooler but only want to go for Stage 1. Am I able to do this and can Stage 1 clear CELs?

No Stage 1 is just the tune, it does nothing for CELs.

[NateDog07V]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

On a completely stock car (as in tune only) stage1 = JB4 pretty much

Mike

Even if you run 93 all the time and put the JB4 on Map 2 ?? or is this not advised if totally stock?

[Earthmaster]

Originally Posted by NateDog07V

Even if you run 93 all the time and put the JB4 on Map 2 ?? or is this not advised if totally stock?

You need Downpipe for map 2 minimum.

[Onesip]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

On a completely stock car (as in tune only) stage1 = JB4 pretty much

Mike

On the burgertuning web site they claim that the N55 stage 1 will provide up to 40hp at the wheels, and the N55 JB4 will provide up to 60hp at the wheels. Im new to the tuning thang, but this seems significant?

I'm also deciding which one of these to get, and I don't plan on going any further then this (other than maybe the BMS intake) and sticking to 91 octane.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

The JB4 is for those who plan on modding further (Intake, Downpipes, Exhaust, E85, ETC) and want all the features that are included with the JB4 line up.

If you just plan on getting a tune only car then Stage 1 will fit the bill. You can only gain so much power on an otherwise stock car. So you need the extra mods and the JB4 to reap all the benefits of power.

[Onesip]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

The JB4 is for those who plan on modding further (Intake, Downpipes, Exhaust, E85, ETC) and want all the features that are included with the JB4 line up.

If you just plan on getting a tune only car then Stage 1 will fit the bill. You can only gain so much power on an otherwise stock car. So you need the extra mods and the JB4 to reap all the benefits of power.

It is true that if someone is planning to go beyond just the simple tune then the JB4 is the clear choice over stage 1 given it provides the different maps, and customization features. However, It still seems that JB4 map 1 is the superior performance choice over the stage 1 option even if these are the only mods. The burgertuning website implies this in the simple tune case, and also the OP seems to affirm this. It may be the case that stage 1 is good enough compared to JB4 map 1 and given it's cheaper and easier to install it's the better choice... decisions...

[Buckeyes]

Those that have had both the stage one and jb4 set on map one have said they are just about equal. Jb4 slightly smoother power delivery. Advantages at that point is that the stage one does not require the wire taps and can be removed in about 5 minutes. The stage one boost can be increased up a few psi from the default 3.5 if running 93 octane or higher.

[boosted43]

Please ignore my stupidity but isn't jb4 made by bms as well? Are they just different kinds of tunes?

[Buckeyes]

Originally Posted by kabawi91

Please ignore my stupidity but isn't jb4 made by bms as well? Are they just different kinds of tunes?

Yes. Burger makes the BMS stage 1 and the JB4. The stage 1 is s simple plug n play with two connections and 3.5 psi over stock boost. The Jb4 is more like a "stage 2" with several different maps and much higher increase in boost depending what map and bolt on's you're running like a dp and full exhaust. The JB4 requires wire taps and either a vacuum or electrnic wastegate connection also.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Trcb777

Yes. Burger makes the BMS stage 1 and the JB4. The stage 1 is s simple plug n play with two connections and 3.5 psi over stock boost. The Jb4 is more like a "stage 2" with several different maps and much higher increase in boost depending what map and bolt on's you're running like a dp and full exhaust. The JB4 requires wire taps and either a vacuum or electrnic wastegate connection also.

+1 the BMS stage 1 is set at 3.5 psi over stock but can be modified if more boost needs to be added.

[franzzz]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

+1 the BMS stage 1 is set at 3.5 psi over stock but can be modified if more boost needs to be added.

are you sure ?

My stage 1 BMS don't have any kind of settings

[rustyminded]

Originally Posted by franzzz

are you sure ?

My stage 1 BMS don't have any kind of settings

yes it does, you need USB and their software installed on your pc and change settings from there.

[franzzz]

Originally Posted by rustyminded

yes it does, you need USB and their software installed on your pc and change settings from there.

i try to call terry (terry says : there are no settings on stage 1 for n55 f30)


this is my hardware :
http://burgertuning.com/N55_Jb_BMW_P...nce_Tuner.html

a

[Buckeyes]

Originally Posted by rustyminded

yes it does, you need USB and their software installed on your pc and change settings from there.

This^. The only thing you can change is increase the boost and data log the boost,I think