[kavesig]

I am 10k miles in and still thrilled with my 335d but want to unleash significantly more of the car's potential. I find it so frustrating knowing what this wonderful car is really capable of but being shackled by the constraints that the manufacturer has decided to put on it presumably to avoid it stepping on the toes of its sportier cousins. I am not talking about an over the top tuning job that will end up damaging the thing, just something of similar proportion to what they have offered up for the 330d. An extra 30bhp / 60 nm would be a nice gesture. I know schnitzer have this covered and hartge go a little further but would much rather bmw just did the decent thing. Anyone know if this is likely? Failing that has anyone had their 335d tuned by a reputable third party?

[....,,,,..,,..]

Here you are.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1057953

[Tengocity]

Yes. I had my car remapped the other week by DMS automotive.

It was a custom remap with a focus on improving throttle response in comfort mode, and broadening the range of torque and power, rather than peak power or torque, and I asked them to stick to 700NM max. The dyno readings showed 375bhp, but more relevant is that it's just fantastic to drive and completely effortless. If you do want to hoon about then it will more than oblige.

It's now, quite frankly,pretty much my perfect car!

[kavesig]

I enjoyed reading your thread tengo. Can you tell me how detectable these things are (hypothetically speaking of course ). I would plan to tell insurer but am unsure about bmw's approach re residual value and warranty commitment should they be made aware of the upgrade. What is your understanding of a) whether they would routinely be likely to detect and register the fact that an upgrade has taken place and b) what the likely repercussions would be re: warranty and trade in discussions? Thx

[Tengocity]

My understanding is that it would not be detectable for routine servicing, but is likely to be detectable if hooked up to a diagnostics computer.
Despite what many will say BMW won't look for any just any excuse to reject a possible warranty claim, so there would need to be reasonable rationale as to why any components or issues wouldn't be covered. Hence my decisions on things such as limiting the torque output to the gearbox stated limits. It could go quite a bit higher but my view was that Alpina, Hartge and ACS had good reasons for doing the same.
Ultimately I'm aware that I'm taking a certain level of risk with what I've done. For me the extra £1500 for the ACS warranty wasn't worth it given it would only cover me for a year (it's 2 years from when the car is new).
I'm also reasonably assured by the fact that there has been so very few issues with the 6 cylinder BMW Diesel engines or the ZF 8 speed boxes.
As for trade in... Not sure and personally not concerned as highly unlikely I will ever trade this car in.
But my view is that it won't make much difference - comes down to what they have to do at that moment in time to make deals to sell cars. What's more important is the money required to get a car up to AUC standards and that's driven by condition. Returning a car to standard map is cheap for a dealer compared to sorting paintwork.

[Ross_T_Boss]

Someone needs to offer a 'gap cover' for remapped warranty claims that get refused if its from a listed, reputed tuner

I think the ACS offering is effectively the 'PPK alternate' as it has a warranty for 2 years but you'll pay a huge premium for it.

My concern is an engine problem occurring like a turbo failure, sensibly mapped it would still be within it's operating range but no doubt BMW would refuse a claim if remapped. Most unlikely but I bought a new car to avoid such potential headaches!

If a warrantied option around £1500 comes up for PPK/aftermarket I'd do it, otherwise DMS is where I'd put my money if I decide to do it in a couple of years.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Ross_T_Boss

Someone needs to offer a 'gap cover' for remapped warranty claims that get refused if its from a listed, reputed tuner

I think the ACS offering is effectively the 'PPK alternate' as it has a warranty for 2 years but you'll pay a huge premium for it.

My concern is an engine problem occurring like a turbo failure, sensibly mapped it would still be within it's operating range but no doubt BMW would refuse a claim if remapped. Most unlikely but I bought a new car to avoid such potential headaches!

If a warrantied option around 1500 comes up for PPK/aftermarket I'd do it, otherwise DMS is where I'd put my money if I decide to do it in a couple of years.

If a turbo fails then it's not the most expensive thing in the world to sort. I've had the car for a year and done 27k miles and feel as comfortable as I can that I've got a good car with absolutely no mechanical or drivetrain gremlins or issues this far. Not even needing a drop of oil between services.
It's a calculated risk for sure, but then so are many things... Like buying a house with a minimal level survey, buying a second hand car...
There's no right or wrong, folk just need to feel comfortable with what they decide.

[Tengocity]

And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I cannot express enough how much I absolutely love this car now. The three significant mods have turned it from a competent but aloof car to be admired, to one that I've bonded with and completely reflect a me and what I wanted from my every day all round car. It's not showy, but just handsome and classy. It's effortlessly fast, the economy for performance used is suitable for my wallet, and the handling and ride balance is quite superb now.
My only gripe remains quality of some interior plastics and some rattles, but given everything else I can live with them.
I've offered to DMS that if Evo are interested in driving it for a review then is happily oblige. I'm even contemplating emailing Steve sutcliffe to see if he would like to compare to his Alpina D4 which he loves.

[Trialskings]

I mentioned this in another thread, my last Audi A4 had the bluefin chip treatment when nearly new. The turbo blew 3 months before the car was due to go back and was 56k over the mileage warranty limit.

They replaced it foc!

I. Could. Not. Believe. My. Luck!

[MarkG_M5Comp]

I can add some useful info to this thread as of yesterday!

I live jut down te road from the new BMW HQ (they start moving from Bracknell next week) and happened to meet a guy who works in the vehicle diagnostics world. We got talking about remaps and he immediately recommended DMS. I quizzed him on BMW's view to which he confirmed the warranty would be void but told me 'that's why DMS are so good' - once they remap, the encryption and warranty markers are replaced making the remap undetectable. 'The only way we can tell now is by driving the car - it does not show on the diagnostics at all... but you show me a tech that would push a customer's car hard enough to tell it was remapped...'.

Encouraging stuff.

Previously I was too concerned with the ramifications to go ahead with the map however I'll now consider it if I plan to keep the car for the full 4 year term.

[Ross_T_Boss]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I cannot express enough how much I absolutely love this car now. The three significant mods have turned it from a competent but aloof car to be admired, to one that I've bonded with and completely reflect a me and what I wanted from my every day all round car.

I have no doubt if i were to experience your car then I would come to the same conclusion, and promptly abandon my reasoning and get it done! After being burned with some expensive RS6 gremlins my appetite for risk is lower than it would usually be with the 'family daily', but reading your experiences is straight temptation.

I can understand your decision, and at 12mo/25k I may well feel confident enough to pull the trigger. If I could get that extra bit out of the car I would probably keep it 5-7yrs as well, even if I did end up with a 3-5k failure it's going to be alot cheaper than rebounding to a new RS6 in 3 years time in the grand scheme of things!

What is the third mod out of interest - I am aware of ACS springs, DMS ECU, ?.

[kavesig]

Sorry to go slightly off the current thread but does anyone have any idea whether an official bmw ppk is likely at any point?

Also, can anyone recommend an option for those of us living North of the border?

Thx

[Tengocity]

Third mod was buying runflats and buying a set of Michelin pilot super sports. Obvious improvements on our crappy roads but also nicely improved the handling too.... A bit more feel and sharper direction changes off centre. They really complemented the ACS springs.
All three now make the car more responsive to using the throttle to trim your lines I feel.

[JD6]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

'that's why DMS are so good' - once they remap, the encryption and warranty markers are replaced making the remap undetectable. 'The only way we can tell now is by driving the car - it does not show on the diagnostics at all... but you show me a tech that would push a customer's car hard enough to tell it was remapped...'.

It certainly does sound positive. I wonder if there is any risk of the remap being over-written with services and firmware updates from BMW?

Is it important to tell the BMW dealer that it has a remap when going in for a service to avoid this, and in that case if you came back with a major engine/drivetrain problem at some point, they would of course know about the remap?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by JD6

It certainly does sound positive. I wonder if there is any risk of the remap being over-written with services and firmware updates from BMW?

Is it important to tell the BMW dealer that it has a remap when going in for a service to avoid this, and in that case if you came back with a major engine/drivetrain problem at some point, they would of course know about the remap?

This is a potential risk, but DMS reinstall the remap afterwards if so. I really wouldn't go mentioning any mods to a dealer. Nothing to gain and everything to lose!

[JD6]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

This is a potential risk, but DMS reinstall the remap afterwards if so. I really wouldn't go mentioning any mods to a dealer. Nothing to gain and everything to lose!

Good to know that DMS will reinstall, although not ideal for those who live hundreds of miles away. I can certainly see the appeal of the remap, but I probably won't do it myself. PSS tyres do sound like an excellent idea though.

If BMW do come out with a PPK, I would probably go for it. I have asked my dealer to look out for one, but they seem to think it is unlikely due to BMW wanting to maintain a performance gap with the M3/4.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by JD6

Good to know that DMS will reinstall, although not ideal for those who live hundreds of miles away. I can certainly see the appeal of the remap, but I probably won't do it myself. PSS tyres do sound like an excellent idea though.

If BMW do come out with a PPK, I would probably go for it. I have asked my dealer to look out for one, but they seem to think it is unlikely due to BMW wanting to maintain a performance gap with the M3/4.

DMS have mobile engineers. Not sure when it's appropriate for them to do the installs rather than at DMS but I'd imagine for any reinstalls down the line it would be fine.
The issue they have just now is that breaking the encryption a takes them a couple of days, but once it's done then future remapping is straightforward.
I can't see the 335d getting a PPK, as Alpina usually get some exclusivity with whatever power plant they're using and that's a remapped/tweaked 335d engine with 349bhp... Not sure that leaves room for the 335d ppk.
And as mentioned, they like to keep clear room to m cars.
I've said it for a long time, what I want is a BMW fettled like Alpina do, or like the Audi S cars. So bette than an Msport but not as hardcore as the M3

[Lorcan]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

. For me the extra £1500 for the ACS warranty wasn't worth it given it would only cover me for a year (it's 2 years from when the car is new).

The 2 year warranty is standard in Europe, BMW GB only make it 3 years here because us Brits are so uptight . We offer a 3rd year warranty extension for our performance upgrade for an additional £392.27 to match the BMW GB warranty and cover you against any tuning-related failures in the third year and, of course, we offer much more than just engine tuning with a complete tuning programme for the 3 and 4 series.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Lorcan

The 2 year warranty is standard in Europe, BMW GB only make it 3 years here because us Brits are so uptight . We offer a 3rd year warranty extension for our performance upgrade for an additional 392.27 to match the BMW GB warranty and cover you against any tuning-related failures in the third year and, of course, we offer much more than just engine tuning with a complete tuning programme for the 3 and 4 series.

Ok so for me to get 2 years cover I'm looking at close to £2k. And what's the mileage limit? I'm putting on 25k miles per year so will soon outstrip it!

So for me I'd rather bank that cash for future issues. The concern with a remap for me is always more with higher mileages and longer term wear and tear. Having said that my remapped e46 has done 157k miles when I sold it and it was still going strong over 200k.

[Lorcan]

100,000kms, so 62,000 miles approx at the moment.

[gtsussex]

Terry,

I know why you did what you did and DMS has provided that solution. For me, my car's a business tool and I am at that point n life where I cannot be arsed with having to worry about things - if my car goes wrong, Chandlers just sort it and I am happy that given the relationship with them and ACS, it's not my problem.

Some will take a hit financially and take that chance - afraid I can't be bothered. It's the old insurance policy debate and also I'm not going to keep the car as long as you.

Just sooooooo pleased you're so happy with your conversion.

Emailed Steve Sutcliffe as he's local to me to have a try of each other's. Let me know if you hear anything.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by gtsussex

Terry,

I know why you did what you did and DMS has provided that solution. For me, my car's a business tool and I am at that point n life where I cannot be arsed with having to worry about things - if my car goes wrong, Chandlers just sort it and I am happy that given the relationship with them and ACS, it's not my problem.

Some will take a hit financially and take that chance - afraid I can't be bothered. It's the old insurance policy debate and also I'm not going to keep the car as long as you.

Just sooooooo pleased you're so happy with your conversion.

Emailed Steve Sutcliffe as he's local to me to have a try of each other's. Let me know if you hear anything.

Completely understand yours and anyone else's rationale!

So next on the list is to check out DTP's exhaust conversion, then hopefully someone will try the RS coilovers and let us know what they're like! Though have to say the car is performing beautifully and for the number of opportunities I get to really test the suspension these days, it will be a harder thing to justify!

Or perhaps Gordon's Bilsteins will give a good idea of what I can expect...