[Alarmin]

Hey all,

got an Active 8 Tune by Active Autowerke installed on my 2017 340i last week and figured I'd give a little review. This is an independent review as I am no way affiliated with AA.

My Car:
Stock 2017 340i with the M Sport package - Auto transmission

Install:
Once I got all the correct tools, the install was pretty easy. Andrew at AA answered all my calls/questions and even did a video call with me when I wanted to confirm I was completing one of the steps correctly. First install took me about 30-40 minutes, but I think I can get it done in 10 now that I know exactly what to do. I am pretty new to doing work on my own car so I'm sure someone with more experience would install quickly without any questions. Note - I'm in Cali so I got the tune adjusted for 91 octane.

First impressions:
Holy shit. The car was a beast before, but the difference with the tune is immediate and VERY apparent. The car is still a smooth driver but can immediately switch up to a neck breaking beast by pushing in the gas pedal 15% further - and that's in Comfort mode. In Sport Mode, this tune pushes you back into your seat immediately and it feels like the power never quits pushing you. I will say that the shifts are not as buttery smooth as they are without the tune, but I've been told by another Active 8 owner that they become smoother as the ECU adjusts. I believe the power curve is designed to feel like you're driving your beautiful stock car on steroids.

Pros:
- Turns your beast of a car into a monster
- Comfort mode has become very fun
- Easy install. Has a set-and-forget feel to it.
- Overall drive quality is maintained
- Still suitable for daily driving
- Comes with a bypass plug which you can pop on in a couple of minutes and get your car back to it's stock tune.

Cons:
- Shifts aren't as buttery smooth in Sport/Sport +
- R.I.P your gas as you'll be wanting to hit the pedal down whenever you get an opportunity

Final thoughts:
I would highly recommend this tune for someone who wants a quick and huge plug n' play power boost on their B58. The Active 8 delivers on what it advertises and I'm very happy with this purchase.

Shout out again to Andrew at Active Autowerke for the help.

[insanecoder]

IMO best choice for ano hassles piggyback if yer once and done with the performance mods

[matty088]

How does a tune impact a transmission. Could you elaborate please. Are you talking during normal driving or at wot?

Thanks.

[Alarmin]

Originally Posted by matty088

How does a tune impact a transmission. Could you elaborate please. Are you talking during normal driving or at wot?

Thanks.

At WOT, the shifts are definitely 'felt' more than they used to is the only way I can describe it. When it was stock, I could kick it all the way down and the shifts were always very smooth. Now with the increased power, I can definitely feel the shift more. In normal driving, the car is as buttery smooth as it always is regardless of which driving mode you're in.

[bmw5858]

Originally Posted by Alarmin

Hey all,

got an Active 8 Tune by Active Autowerke installed on my 2017 340i last week and figured I'd give a little review. This is an independent review as I am no way affiliated with AA.

My Car:
Stock 2017 340i with the M Sport package - Auto transmission

Install:
Once I got all the correct tools, the install was pretty easy. Andrew at AA answered all my calls/questions and even did a video call with me when I wanted to confirm I was completing one of the steps correctly. First install took me about 30-40 minutes, but I think I can get it done in 10 now that I know exactly what to do. I am pretty new to doing work on my own car so I'm sure someone with more experience would install quickly without any questions. Note - I'm in Cali so I got the tune adjusted for 91 octane.

First impressions:
Holy shit. The car was a beast before, but the difference with the tune is immediate and VERY apparent. The car is still a smooth driver but can immediately switch up to a neck breaking beast by pushing in the gas pedal 15% further - and that's in Comfort mode. In Sport Mode, this tune pushes you back into your seat immediately and it feels like the power never quits pushing you. I will say that the shifts are not as buttery smooth as they are without the tune, but I've been told by another Active 8 owner that they become smoother as the ECU adjusts. I believe the power curve is designed to feel like you're driving your beautiful stock car on steroids.

Pros:
- Turns your beast of a car into a monster
- Comfort mode has become very fun
- Easy install. Has a set-and-forget feel to it.
- Overall drive quality is maintained
- Still suitable for daily driving
- Comes with a bypass plug which you can pop on in a couple of minutes and get your car back to it's stock tune.

Cons:
- Shifts aren't as buttery smooth in Sport/Sport +
- R.I.P your gas as you'll be wanting to hit the pedal down whenever you get an opportunity

Final thoughts:
I would highly recommend this tune for someone who wants a quick and huge plug n' play power boost on their B58. The Active 8 delivers on what it advertises and I'm very happy with this purchase.

Shout out again to Andrew at Active Autowerke for the help.

So this is a piggy back? installed just like a jb4? couple of plug in and it's done? Why did you choose Active 8 over jb4 or any other tune?

[Alarmin]

Originally Posted by bmw5858

So this is a piggy back? installed just like a jb4? couple of plug in and it's done? Why did you choose Active 8 over jb4 or any other tune?

Yes its a piggyback. Plug it into a few cables and you're good to go. In my research, it seemed like the Active 8 Tune mimic'd the natural power curve of the car the most which is what I wanted. The JB4 seems like a beast but it seems like the greatest potential you get out of it is when you're looking to do things like Meth Injection, DP, etc. I'm not really that interested in any of those so the Active 8 seemed like the most simple route to getting my desired outcome. In addition, I spoke to a couple people with the AA and only heard glowing reviews.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Awesome review!

[SflBimmer8484]

Glad you are enjoying the tune! The b58 responds very well to the Active-8 and its additive boost by rpm setup.

Mustang Dyno

[eluded]

Sweet, are you able to hold traction in first and second gear?

[wassy4]

Originally Posted by eluded

Sweet, are you able to hold traction in first and second gear?

I can only speak for the stock runflats but there's no traction in first at all and 2nd will usually grip unless it's cold or wet. I'd imagine with performance tires that the car would grip a lot better.

[x5mad]

Originally Posted by Andrew@ActiveAutowerke

Glad you are enjoying the tune! The b58 responds very well to the Active-8 and its additive boost by rpm setup.

Mustang Dyno

been on the fence about this tune due to buying the jb+ not that long ago.

however, the good reviews and the disappointment I have with the jb+ meant I just pulled the trigger with XPH!

looking forward to trying this one out and hopefully get some dyno numbers to compare against the jb+. Hopefully the extra $$$ is worth it!

[SflBimmer8484]

Originally Posted by x5mad

been on the fence about this tune due to buying the jb+ not that long ago.

however, the good reviews and the disappointment I have with the jb+ meant I just pulled the trigger with XPH!

looking forward to trying this one out and hopefully get some dyno numbers to compare against the jb+. Hopefully the extra $$$ is worth it!

Ill look out for the order. What gas are you running?

[Alarmin]

Originally Posted by x5mad

been on the fence about this tune due to buying the jb+ not that long ago.

however, the good reviews and the disappointment I have with the jb+ meant I just pulled the trigger with XPH!

looking forward to trying this one out and hopefully get some dyno numbers to compare against the jb+. Hopefully the extra $$$ is worth it!

Welcome to the club man! I think you're gonna love it!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by x5mad

been on the fence about this tune due to buying the jb+ not that long ago.

however, the good reviews and the disappointment I have with the jb+ meant I just pulled the trigger with XPH!

looking forward to trying this one out and hopefully get some dyno numbers to compare against the jb+. Hopefully the extra $$$ is worth it!

[dynamik]

Thanks for the great review. Agreed the B58 motor is a BEAST in its stock form. I have a 2016 340i, and think I may pull the trigger on getting the Active-8 tune. My only concern is warranty when taking the car in for service.

I'm in NYC and already running 93 octane gas

[Alarmin]

Originally Posted by dynamik

Thanks for the great review. Agreed the B58 motor is a BEAST in its stock form. I have a 2016 340i, and think I may pull the trigger on getting the Active-8 tune. My only concern is warranty when taking the car in for service.

I'm in NYC and already running 93 octane gas

No problem man. The tune is super easy to take out. Take 10 minutes before you go in for service and pop it out and you'll be golden.

[x5mad]

Originally Posted by Andrew@ActiveAutowerke

Ill look out for the order. What gas are you running?

93

[SflBimmer8484]

Originally Posted by dynamik

Thanks for the great review. Agreed the B58 motor is a BEAST in its stock form. I have a 2016 340i, and think I may pull the trigger on getting the Active-8 tune. My only concern is warranty when taking the car in for service.

I'm in NYC and already running 93 octane gas

Sounds like you are ready for some power

You can either remove just the box and leave the harness or remove the entire thing . Removing the box is about 2 minutes and the entire harness is about 10-15 min max

[SflBimmer8484]

Originally Posted by x5mad

93

Got it!

[boosted]

Still running strong after 20k mi with it!

I remove completely prior to dealer visit (lease) but dont have to.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by boosted

Still running strong after 20k mi with it!

I remove completely prior to dealer visit (lease) but dont have to.

Nice

[Alarmin]

Originally Posted by boosted

Still running strong after 20k mi with it!

I remove completely prior to dealer visit (lease) but dont have to.

Great to hear on the 20k man! I keep the required tools in my trunk in the case that I'd ever need to remove it in a pinch.