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      05-26-2020, 05:53 AM   #1
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So does this prove Tuning Boxes are a poor comparison to a proper ECU map



Interesting video from Darkside Developments highlighting how tuning boxes actually perform verses who they say.

Not one of the boxes delivered anywhere near what was advertised

DTUK
TDi Tuning
Race Chip
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      05-26-2020, 06:00 AM   #2
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So a company that sells remaps says tuning boxes are no good? Strange lol.

I have no experience of either tbh.
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      05-26-2020, 06:26 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Abzynthe View Post
So a company that sells remaps says tuning boxes are no good? Strange lol.

I have no experience of either tbh.
Did you watch the video? The way a tuning box delivers its power makes total sense to me and his explanation also makes sense. Interestingly that they did not make the power. My own DTUK box which was on the 530D did deliver what it quoted
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      05-26-2020, 06:33 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OneExtra View Post
Did you watch the video? The way a tuning box delivers its power makes total sense to me and his explanation also makes sense. Interestingly that they did not make the power. My own DTUK box which was on the 530D did deliver what it quoted
I did, and he makes a valid point. There any a few instances where you could argue that its biased (Don't see the runs being done, he mentioned multiple settings used, but only showed one graph for each.)
I'm sure hes being completely honest but its still a see it for yourself type of thing for me.
Its the same when you see videos from tuning box videos, they all seem to show you the figures they state.

I'm actually considering getting a racechip from my Xtrail, but without a lot of independent reviews, I'm finding it difficult to go through with it.
I know remaps are good, and will be getting one for the 440i, but I dont want to fork out that much for a tip run car lol.
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      05-26-2020, 07:33 AM   #5
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I don't think that there are too many folk who really think a tuning box gives a better performance uplift than a well resolve remap/flash tune, in terms of qualitative (torque cures, smoothness etc) or quantitative measures (peak power, torque).

The benefits of a tuning box are more around cost, in that you can sell a box on, and they tend to be pretty cheap, and also that by removing them you tend to leave much less evidence of a tune ever having been used compared to a remap/flash tune.
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      05-26-2020, 07:36 AM   #6
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Some interesting experiences with BM3 tunes on late 2019/early 2020 B58 TU units over on the X3 G01 forum...

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showt...1648493&page=9

I particularly liked the guy who describes his car as “a $65k brick”
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      05-26-2020, 07:46 AM   #7
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The chap's comments about traceability are very true. When i took off my DTUK 3Ch box, it had about 10 errors logged against various engine sensor faults.

My car really didn't like it, but it did shift - it felt nearly as quick as a 320BHP remap. Mine eventually started stalling when trying to idle at traffic lights so it had to go!
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      05-26-2020, 09:06 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tengocity View Post
I don't think that there are too many folk who really think a tuning box gives a better performance uplift than a well resolve remap/flash tune, in terms of qualitative (torque cures, smoothness etc) or quantitative measures (peak power, torque).

The benefits of a tuning box are more around cost, in that you can sell a box on, and they tend to be pretty cheap, and also that by removing them you tend to leave much less evidence of a tune ever having been used compared to a remap/flash tune.
I agree Terry but what was disappointing was the results they gave, after all thats why you buy them, plus they logged faults that BMW would be able to read that the owner would not be aware of.
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      05-26-2020, 09:07 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddamoo View Post
The chap's comments about traceability are very true. When i took off my DTUK 3Ch box, it had about 10 errors logged against various engine sensor faults.

My car really didn't like it, but it did shift - it felt nearly as quick as a 320BHP remap. Mine eventually started stalling when trying to idle at traffic lights so it had to go!
And 99% of people believe that when you take a tuning box off there is no trace which is why they buy them, worrying really.
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      05-27-2020, 03:07 AM   #10
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Interesting video and he makes some good points regarding rail pressure and injector/DPV longevity.

There are good and bad tuning boxes of course, the same as there are good and bad remaps.
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      05-27-2020, 04:06 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lorcan View Post
Interesting video and he makes some good points regarding rail pressure and injector/DPV longevity.

There are good and bad tuning boxes of course, the same as there are good and bad remaps.
But the tuning boxes he highlights as not performing are classed as 'good ones'

DTUK
TDi Tuning
Race Chip

These are all premium boxes not the rubbish you get off ebay
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      05-27-2020, 04:29 AM   #12
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Coincidentally, I found a used race chip for my Xtrail on ebay yesterday for £60. I thought for that price I'll give it a go, and if its pants, I can sell it on for the same price.
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      05-27-2020, 04:43 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OneExtra View Post
But the tuning boxes he highlights as not performing are classed as 'good ones'

DTUK
TDi Tuning
Race Chip

These are all premium boxes not the rubbish you get off ebay
He classes them as good, but they are all manipulating rail pressure which is a blunt instrument that can cause problems later on (injectors, DPF, black smoke). The best tuning boxes (AC Schnitzer and Steinbauer) leave rail pressure static and control fuel injector duration and timing at specific points instead, while monitoring EGT to make sure the increase is being delivered in a safe way. In essence, these are doing the same job as a remap, but using hardware so that your car's software is not affected. I would call these premium, not the brands tested.
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      05-27-2020, 02:15 PM   #14
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Hmm. Not exactly unbiased.

Having had both over the years yes remaps are better but the results I had from a dtuk box on the 340 were impressive. Now I didn't get it dyno checked but certainly felt it.
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      05-27-2020, 02:44 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddamoo View Post
The chap's comments about traceability are very true. When i took off my DTUK 3Ch box, it had about 10 errors logged against various engine sensor faults.

My car really didn't like it, but it did shift - it felt nearly as quick as a 320BHP remap. Mine eventually started stalling when trying to idle at traffic lights so it had to go!
Exactly why I wouldn’t put one of those boxes on my own car and only use tuners with an excellent reputation.
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      05-27-2020, 04:25 PM   #16
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I've now had a chance to watch the video. It was a bit of slog! However, the results are interesting... wouldn't touch a Racechip one!

I used a TDI tuning box on my old 330e and it worked pretty well. It didn't quite Dyno what they claimed, but it was a healthy increase and pretty smooth with it. However I know a couple of others who've tried them and didn't like them, had some issues with stutters and lack of smoothness so returned them. One was a petrol and the other a diesel.

For me Personally now, after a few years of trying both remaps and boxes I don't think I'd use a box again. I'm happy to remap, with a reputable tuner, but only when I'm prepared to pay to play! If I can't afford to fix it myself then I can't afford to tune it. And if I'm prepared to take that risk then I'm going to tune it properly and make it worthwhile.
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