[JoeGunn]

I have a 2016 328i 6MT and I love the car overall but I just want some more low end power. I'm considering upgrading to a M240i or M340i but I'm concerned with overspending for something I could do to my current car and it'd be cheaper. I do have reservations with modifying and reliability but you only live once I guess haha. Let me know what your suggestions are. Cheers

[chowser51]

mod away

but i quit after doing bm3 stage 1. i'm not going to put the money into it for any more minuscule gains. I'm just going to get a B58 or better next.

[vmaniqui]

upgrade for sure. 4cyl engine vs 6cyl engine. and they have more power. upgrading it will even give you more power. so I say go for the upgrade.

[Billfitz]

If what you mean by 'low end power' is low RPM torque that's not enhanced by much with mods. It takes more cylinders.

[MHF30]

In my opinion, BM3 Stage 1 helps the 328i quite a bit. I'd give that a go, but beyond that would hesitate to put too much more money into the car, as the gains aren't as significant from what I've read.

Being a 2016 if you're looking to move up to a 340, I'd advise you consider it now to get a more substantial return from your current vehicle. As someone with a '13 328, while I still enjoy the vehicle, I definitely waited too long to make a trade in for a 335/340 to make financial sense.

[BimR]

Originally Posted by MHF30

In my opinion, BM3 Stage 1 helps the 328i quite a bit. I'd give that a go, but beyond that would hesitate to put too much more money into the car, as the gains aren't as significant from what I've read.

Being a 2016 if you're looking to move up to a 340, I'd advise you consider it now to get a more substantial return from your current vehicle. As someone with a '13 328, while I still enjoy the vehicle, I definitely waited too long to make a trade in for a 335/340 to make financial sense.

This ⬆️. The 328 is a very nice car and you can do lots of mods but at some point, the 6-cyl advantages kick in.

[Silverlining_m2]

You can mod it and get MORE low end power and torque (I was stage 1 bm3 with my 13 328i), but it will never be an n55 or b58. I chose to upgrade after the n2x lawsuit settlement. You're in a 2016 so that doesn't really affect you, but if an upgrade is an option you can afford, it's the better choice in my humble opinion.

I only have an n55 but it arrived STOCK, faster than my stage 1 n26. At stage 2 it's kind of a beast. 328i can really never be THAT without an entire engine rebuild.

[GreenF30N26]

Go for the upgrade. We just can't get enough power(especially low end) out of the N20 safely to be truly happy without forged internals, upgraded turbos etc... Too much torque in lower rpm's is the root cause of a lot of the blown tuned N20 engines. BM3 has changed their OTS maps to respect this low end torque limitation so you lose the "punch" that used to be there. If you've got the money and the need for power you need to upgrade.

[tturedraider]

I agree with the upgrade crowd. A four pot will never be an inline six. If you’re willing to travel there are 340i’s with manual transmission to be had. If you’re thinking of switching to an automatic there’ll be no shortage.

[culpability]

I just reclaimed our 328xi from my wife after 5 years of waiting. Was seriously considering upgrading, but the Bootmod3 customer support guys told me the license is pretty easily transferrable. So I decided to buy the Bm3 n20 tune just to try it out. I also used BimmerCode to unlock Sport+, sport auto transmission, and launch control.

IMO it completely woke the car up. I'm having an absolute blast driving it. I smoked my 60 year old mother in her 911 like 3 times (although admittedly she is.. not a great driver to be in a manual challenging a very quick auto transmission) and kept up with a Camaro SS for several big pulls on the interstate this weekend (which I literally could not believe.) (edit for clarity - he was definitely faster but never able to really separate at all).

I'd do your own double-check with the Bootmod3 guys, but the simple stage 1 tune from bm3 gets you an outrageous amount of extra performance. And if it really is as simple to transfer as I understand, you can try it out, if you aren't happy with it just flash it back and upgrade and use your license on the new car.

[Silverlining_m2]

Originally Posted by culpability

I just reclaimed our 328xi from my wife after 5 years of waiting. Was seriously considering upgrading, but the Bootmod3 customer support guys told me the license is pretty easily transferrable. So I decided to buy the Bm3 n20 tune just to try it out. I also used BimmerCode to unlock Sport+, sport auto transmission, and launch control.

IMO it completely woke the car up. I'm having an absolute blast driving it. I smoked my 60 year old mother in her 911 like 3 times (although admittedly she is.. not a great driver to be in a manual challenging a very quick auto transmission) and kept up with a Camaro SS for several big pulls on the interstate this weekend (which I literally could not believe.) (edit for clarity - he was definitely faster but never able to really separate at all).

I'd do your own double-check with the Bootmod3 guys, but the simple stage 1 tune from bm3 gets you an outrageous amount of extra performance. And if it really is as simple to transfer as I understand, you can try it out, if you aren't happy with it just flash it back and upgrade and use your license on the new car.

Can confirm the license can be transferred once to a different car/motor.

Though there's still a huge difference between a 4 or 6 cyl. I was stock 328i, went to stage 1, bored quickly and upgraded. I too know that my own n55 can never be that of a m235i, or an s55 or a b58. That's how it rolls.

Can't hurt to try it though. This guy is right! If it isn't enough, or when you're bored, then upgrade and transfer. Best of both worlds.

[BWbimmer]

You can't achive the punch of the 6 cylinder with normal tuning. So get yourself a testdrive in a 2/340 then you can decide if this is what you need.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by BWbimmer

You can't achive the punch of the 6 cylinder with normal tuning. So get yourself a testdrive in a 2/340 then you can decide if this is what you need.

Well said. There is no known substitute for extra cylinders and displacement. B58 is a gem. Worth getting B58 even if migrating from N55, its 6-cylinder predecessor.

[JoeGunn]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I agree with the upgrade crowd. A four pot will never be an inline six. If you're willing to travel there are 340i's with manual transmission to be had. If you're thinking of switching to an automatic there'll be no shortage.

I'm one of those manual transmission snobs, no autos for me. That's part of the reason I've hung on to my 328i, there were literally 4 for sale in all of North America when I got mine.