[iwantotlearn]

Hello,

I want to do a stage1 on my b48b20b (520i) but I'm not sure wether to go with bm3 or with a local tuner shop.

The difference price wise is about 100$ as bm3 is 595$ and local tuners do it for 500$.

I'm not trying to get squeeze every single hp I can get from the tune but to have a little more power.
I've read I can get around 250hp without going crazy on the engine; the car has now 184 stock

Any advice would be helpful. Your experience with bm3 over the local tuner (if you had both)

Thanks!

[Manley00]

Good morning! I went with BM3 on my 530i I had previously. Was super easy. Just did a stage 1 OTS tune. It made a WORLD of difference. With that being said- your local tuner should be able to utilize all the same software to do a tune on the spot specific to your car.

Essentially- go BM3. Load an OTS. Then your local tuner can also log and tune utilizing the same program.

There are also numerous tuners throughout the country that can remote tune you with the software. You log, send them the file after they have built you a base map. They then adjust parameters specifically to your car. I’m not certain there would be any dramatic difference over the OTS if you’re staying stage 1. So no downpipe.

[iwantotlearn]

Originally Posted by Manley00

Good morning! I went with BM3 on my 530i I had previously. Was super easy. Just did a stage 1 OTS tune. It made a WORLD of difference. With that being said- your local tuner should be able to utilize all the same software to do a tune on the spot specific to your car.

Essentially- go BM3. Load an OTS. Then your local tuner can also log and tune utilizing the same program.

There are also numerous tuners throughout the country that can remote tune you with the software. You log, send them the file after they have built you a base map. They then adjust parameters specifically to your car. I’m not certain there would be any dramatic difference over the OTS if you’re staying stage 1. So no downpipe.

Thanks for the reply!

I don't (think I) need something specifically for my car.

I just want a boost of power.

Did you play with the exhaust settings (burbles and so) on the 530i?

[Manley00]

Originally Posted by iwantotlearn

Thanks for the reply!

I don't (think I) need something specifically for my car.

I just want a boost of power.

Did you play with the exhaust settings (burbles and so) on the 530i?

Funny you say that- all I had was a drop in filter. The OTS tune gave me the burbles though. It was weird however, you could feel the burble. Wasn’t very audible though.

Tell you what though, the BM3 OTS stage 1 gave me what felt like a 540 power. My little fake HP gauge was as pegged out above the meter. It was an Xdrive, was very fun. If I had kept it I would have done DP at least.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Go with bootmod3; their maps are proven to work safely on thousands of cars.

They also offer free upgrades now and then, including new features, more power, and smoother delivery.

[iwantotlearn]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Go with bootmod3; their maps are proven to work safely on thousands of cars.

They also offer free upgrades now and then, including new features, more power, and smoother delivery.

Nice, I think I will go with bm3 after all as I can tune it again if the tune will reset a software update.

Do you have a link from where I can purchase bm3? I hvave enet cable so that ain't needed.

Cheers!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by iwantotlearn

Nice, I think I will go with bm3 after all as I can tune it again if the tune will reset a software update.

Do you have a link from where I can purchase bm3? I hvave enet cable so that ain't needed.

Cheers!

https://store-gd6olw6.mybigcommerce....phone-adapter/

[E-Man_DFW]

I would recommend MG Flasher, I switched over from BM3 and MGF is a great tune, I'm currently stage 1 and soon to be on stage 2. Don't get me wrong, BM3 is an ok tune but their customer support after purchase has a lot to be desired. I had a BM3 tune on my previous 550i and they left me hanging on an issue I had, so they lost me as a customer.

[iwantotlearn]

Originally Posted by E-Man_DFW

I would recommend MG Flasher, I switched over from BM3 and MGF is a great tune, I'm currently stage 1 and soon to be on stage 2. Don't get me wrong, BM3 is an ok tune but their customer support after purchase has a lot to be desired. I had a BM3 tune on my previous 550i and they left me hanging on an issue I had, so they lost me as a customer.

I am also considering doing it at some local tuners like (A-Team or MRC tunning) as they would measure the car and adapt the values but I also like the idea of doing it myself with BM3 or now MG Flasher.

I need to search more about MG Flasher as it's quite new to me.

Do I need to consider something else before going stage 1? Like changing spark plugs or ignition coils? I need to do the oil change (filters and so) in about 3k at the delear and if the car is there for the maintenance I can ask them to take care of the others if it's needed.
After the visit at the delear I will go stage 1.


Thank you for sharing your experience.

[E-Man_DFW]

Originally Posted by iwantotlearn

I am also considering doing it at some local tuners like (A-Team or MRC tunning) as they would measure the car and adapt the values but I also like the idea of doing it myself with BM3 or now MG Flasher.

I need to search more about MG Flasher as it's quite new to me.

Do I need to consider something else before going stage 1? Like changing spark plugs or ignition coils? I need to do the oil change (filters and so) in about 3k at the delear and if the car is there for the maintenance I can ask them to take care of the others if it's needed.
After the visit at the delear I will go stage 1.


Thank you for sharing your experience.

No problem!

It looks like you have a 2018 so let's assume you have about 40-50K miles on your car. If you are going to tune I would recommend changing your plugs, filters and oil to start fresh, just as you noted. If the coils look great I'd leave them for now but once you're tuned you'll probably want to change them after 10-20K miles or so after tune, depending on how aggressive you go. This will put you on right on schedule to change them out anyways (50-65K miles max is recommended to change coils on a stock BMW).

This is what I did for my current 2018 530e. Right before I flashed I changed the filters, oil and plugs but left my coils for now, they look in good shape, and I will probably change them after another 10K miles. So far no knocking, misfires and all is good.

[540iSUP]

Honestly, if you're only looking for a little boost, have you considered piggy back units? The JB+ will give you a nice bump and all you have to do is plug it in.

Tuning would be more precise, but its plug and play and you can find them for less than $200.

[iwantotlearn]

Originally Posted by 540iSUP

Honestly, if you're only looking for a little boost, have you considered piggy back units? The JB+ will give you a nice bump and all you have to do is plug it in.

Tuning would be more precise, but its plug and play and you can find them for less than $200.

I didnt considered piggy and I dont think I will as I like the ideea of having something adapted to the car.
Moneywise, I would rather spend extra 200$ and get it done by the book.

Originally Posted by E-Man_DFW

No problem!

It looks like you have a 2018 so let's assume you have about 40-50K miles on your car. If you are going to tune I would recommend changing your plugs, filters and oil to start fresh, just as you noted. If the coils look great I'd leave them for now but once you're tuned you'll probably want to change them after 10-20K miles or so after tune, depending on how aggressive you go. This will put you on right on schedule to change them out anyways (50-65K miles max is recommended to change coils on a stock BMW).

This is what I did for my current 2018 530e. Right before I flashed I changed the filters, oil and plugs but left my coils for now, they look in good shape, and I will probably change them after another 10K miles. So far no knocking, misfires and all is good.

Im curious how much power did you get with the stage1? I know its different as you have the electric engine also but just out of curiosity.

[540iSUP]

From the B58 POV, stage 1 is night and day difference. Stage 1 to stage 2 is only a very slight bump. I would assume the same for the 4 cyl engine.

[E-Man_DFW]

Originally Posted by 540iSUP

From the B58 POV, stage 1 is night and day difference. Stage 1 to stage 2 is only a very slight bump. I would assume the same for the 4 cyl engine.

I would agree, I went from stage 1 and currently on stage 2, I did notice a little bump but nothing significant from s1 to s2. I added a catless downpipe and love the sound. Currently getting about 20/21 PSI max, I wonder how much the B46/48 can handle? Only way I can squeeze a little more is through stacking a piggy back like the JB+ on top of the stage 2 tune.