[squadz]

I'm a beginner when it comes to cars, and new to the BMW's, so forgive me for stupid questions.

Picking up a 2014 BMW 335i xDrive M sport. No warranty. Looking at things to do to it.

I saw people recommending JB4, which sounds like a tuning? If I'm understanding correctly. I just want to know if it's worth doing, what advantages or disadvantages etc. I found it hard Googling as most answers are written in car terms that I'm just not familiar with. Hoping someone can dumb it down slightly.

There also seems to be three different options for JB4s on N54tuning which is what I'll need to use here in Canada it seems.

Just looking for overall help, negatives and positives to someone who isn't mechanically inclined.

[sspade]

Get a flash tune.

[squadz]

Originally Posted by sspade

Get a flash tune.

I didn't know MHD was an option.

Why that over JB4?

[Just Ask]

What do you want to get out of the process? Just some extra grunt as the car sits for daily driving or are you looking to go FBO (Full Bolt On, meaning charge pipe, intercooler, downpipe, intake) and squeezing a lot more power out of it?

[sspade]

Originally Posted by squadz

I didn't know MHD was an option.

Why that over JB4?

It is my belief that a proper custom flash tune is safer for the vehicle long term and power delivery will be smoother. It can be tweaked and modified to your exact vehicle.

A piggyback like JB4 or Dinan is a one size fits all solution that plugs into sensors and "fools" the car into making more power by altering those signal readings.

No two cars are EXACTLY the same, much like no two human bodies are EXACTLY the same. Theres a zillion factors at play.

I had a flash tune on my last vehicle with excellent results and will be doing the same with my 328 in due time.

Proper tuning is done on a dyno and/or by reading data logs of that specific vehicle and adjusting parameters based on what a qualified tuner sees.

That being said...

If this car is not something that you plan to keep a while and want something that you can simply plug in and rip - maybe a piggyback is your best option. Its not like you will blow up your engine (unless you run Maps that are meant to have certain supporting mods... that you dont have).

[sspade]

And there are a lot more Flash tuning options than just MHD...

[squadz]

Originally Posted by Just Ask

What do you want to get out of the process? Just some extra grunt as the car sits for daily driving or are you looking to go FBO (Full Bolt On, meaning charge pipe, intercooler, downpipe, intake) and squeezing a lot more power out of it?

First option. I won't be changing anything else, just looking to add power if I can.

Thanks to the other poster, it seems MHD has what I need.

Stage 1 map, I just need to choose the octane? The only thing confusing is what if I get the car and it has 91 octane in it, or whatever it is and I flash the 93 octane. Will that screw anything up? (let's say I plan on using 93 future)

[Just Ask]

Originally Posted by squadz

First option. I won't be changing anything else, just looking to add power if I can.

Thanks to the other poster, it seems MHD has what I need.

Stage 1 map, I just need to choose the octane? The only thing confusing is what if I get the car and it has 91 octane in it, or whatever it is and I flash the 93 octane. Will that screw anything up? (let's say I plan on using 93 future)

For the money, MHD is well worth it. Much better power delivery than the piggybacks is my experience and seems to hold true for most folks.

You won't hurt anything in the 91 vs 93 octane scenario you mention...the DME will simply pull timing and you won't get the full benefit of the 93 octane maps potential.

[_bdiddyb_]

Should you tune? NO - if you are doing it yourself and not ready to deal with the challenges if something doesn't go right.

[oVeRdOsE.]

cant tell for other product, but I'm not impressed so far with JB ...

Only because if the module is 3-4 year old, Burger Tuning won't give you any support.

This is totaly part of planned obsolescence .

As if bmw wouldn't want to repair your car anymore because its a 2015...

[wdeerfield]

no matter what you decide, jb4 or flash tune i would recommend upgrading the chargepipe first and pair it with a new FMIC since that comes out during the replcaement of the chargepipe.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

no matter what you decide, jb4 or flash tune i would recommend upgrading the chargepipe first and pair it with a new FMIC since that comes out during the replcaement of the chargepipe.

Agreed.

OP: if you want to increase the performance of your vehicle, there is more to it than a magical tune. Dont be overwhelmed... take it slow and do your research. Soon enough the Mod bug will bite you and then it's game over

If you are not handy in the garage, I suggest you find a good independent mechanic who is trustworthy and honest. You do the research and purchase the parts you need and have him install them.

[EDWYER]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

no matter what you decide, jb4 or flash tune i would recommend upgrading the chargepipe first

Agreed.

[jgoens]

I have a jb4 (second one) and am happy with it but if I was looking to add power now, i would do a flash.

As said, you definitely need to upgrade your chargepipe if your adding power--these things break with stock power--its not an if question but when.

[squadz]

Originally Posted by _bdiddyb_

Should you tune? NO - if you are doing it yourself and not ready to deal with the challenges if something doesn't go right.

I understand there's risks, but the guide seems pretty straightforward as to how to do the flash. Seems pretty easy.

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

no matter what you decide, jb4 or flash tune i would recommend upgrading the chargepipe first and pair it with a new FMIC since that comes out during the replcaement of the chargepipe.

I'm just not going further than this flash in all honesty. I don't really want to start down the road of chargepipes etc. Just this small tune and I'm happy.

Originally Posted by sspade

Agreed.

OP: if you want to increase the performance of your vehicle, there is more to it than a magical tune. Dont be overwhelmed... take it slow and do your research. Soon enough the Mod bug will bite you and then it's game over

If you are not handy in the garage, I suggest you find a good independent mechanic who is trustworthy and honest. You do the research and purchase the parts you need and have him install them.

I know there's tons I can do to the car - but this is the end for me. Just this tune and that's all. I'm not handy at all in the garage, but the flash seems easy enough and is just technical.

Originally Posted by jgoens

I have a jb4 (second one) and am happy with it but if I was looking to add power now, i would do a flash.

As said, you definitely need to upgrade your chargepipe if your adding power--these things break with stock power--its not an if question but when.

From what I've read online, a Stage 1 tune doesn't break anything. I've read that Stage 5, or Stage 2+ can if you're running stock, but Stage 1 is absolutely fine.

Is there any other evidence contrary?

[aps]

Originally Posted by squadz

From what I've read online, a Stage 1 tune doesn't break anything. I've read that Stage 5, or Stage 2+ can if you're running stock, but Stage 1 is absolutely fine.

Is there any other evidence contrary?

There is absolutely evidence to the contrary. Charge pipe blows on stock power for many. It did for me. If you tune at all, better be prepared to replace the charge pipe because there's probably a 95% chance you'll have to.

[M2Rush]

Originally Posted by squadz

I understand there's risks, but the guide seems pretty straightforward as to how to do the flash. Seems pretty easy.



I'm just not going further than this flash in all honesty. I don't really want to start down the road of chargepipes etc. Just this small tune and I'm happy.



I know there's tons I can do to the car - but this is the end for me. Just this tune and that's all. I'm not handy at all in the garage, but the flash seems easy enough and is just technical.



From what I've read online, a Stage 1 tune doesn't break anything. I've read that Stage 5, or Stage 2+ can if you're running stock, but Stage 1 is absolutely fine.

Is there any other evidence contrary?

You can search up F30 Charge pipe failure and multiple links will pop up, they're made of plastic and tend to crack or blow right off leaving you stranded or at the very least, put you in limp mode. It's a good idea to change just the chargepipe even though you don't plan on going further as the stock plastic pipe has been known to fail even on stock untuned cars. However, there are also some that has bite the bullet and run a tune without an upgraded CP and has been fine so far.

[sspade]

For about a grand you should be able to get your tune, CP and FMIC upgraded. Not including install.

Install is SUPER easy for CP and FMIC and shouldnt cost more than $200-$300 max or your getting ripped off.

[_bdiddyb_]

@sspade, whatever tune you select - just know that piggyback tunes are ole skool.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by _bdiddyb_

@sspade, whatever tune you select - just know that piggyback tunes are ole skool.

Did you actually read this thread?!

You just repeated what I said in fewer words. Piggyback tunes stink.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Tunes on this platform are one of the best bangs for the buck in terms of power/dollar. It's a great starting point. However, you should also mate your tune with a charge pipe. The charge pipes on this platform are a notorious Achilles heal. Considering upgrading that at the same time of your tune.

After a tune you'll likely have the mod bug. Intake Downpipes and intercooler should be the next modifications on the list

We are an email away for any further personal advice for your needs budgets and wants.

[upsidedownfunnel]

There are currently two very popular ECU tuning platforms for your car: MHD and BootMod3. Both of these recently started supporting flashing your car at home without any mechanical work at all. You just hook up a battery charger, connect a computer (or Android device for MHD), and load the tune.

IMO, ECU tunes are vastly superior to piggybacks (like JB4 or Dinan). A piggyback is like using a translator to talk to someone. An ECU tune is like learning a language fluently and talking to someone directly in that language.

If you just want a conservative tune with a little bit of power (stage 1), you don't really need any hardware mods. You should seriously consider at least getting a charge pipe though. I drove a previous car (N54 engine) with the stock plastic charge pipe which was also prone to breaking for a couple years with no issues on Cobb Stage 1. It's definitely a gamble, though. It was my daily driver so it never saw too much stress and was garaged its whole life.

You should also be comfortable with doing minor work on your car or be willing to pay for slightly more frequent maintenance. Tuning is harder on your car and you should really shorten service intervals to keep your car reliable.