Adding 60 hp to my 535xi

I had a Burger Motorsports N55 Stage 1 Tune added to my car today. Mike from N54 Tuning.com did the install for me. A very nice guy. Here are my observations.

1. I watched the install and it took about 20 minutes with a little testing. Very clean, all of the wires look like OEM connections, no splicing or cutting. If you know what you are looking for, its very easy and ultimately its pretty much concealed from view. I have a USB connection to the chip for updates.

2. There are no noticeable effects from the install. There is no real change in idle speed, no sound differences, no warning lights, no differences at very modest driving speeds except for a feeling of more torque, (see 3).

3. There is a very noticeable difference in torque and the responsiveness from even a very modest blip of the throttle. The car pulls noticeably stronger. My car was not plagued with any significant lag, but I can tell you, if this has the same impact on a 2011 car, I would expect that the lag issues would go away.

4. You notice two things at highway speeds. To get decent reaction, you don't have to push the pedal down as far and you can use a higher gear for acceleration without having to really make the car downshift aggressively. It feels very good.

5. I stepped on it once, on the highway, and you feel the difference in acceleration. It is noticeable. I haven't really tested it from a stop, but the car is definitely more responsive.

Well worth it from what I can tell. And in every day driving, you'll step on the gas less to get the same result. I'll see whether it uses more gas, but I suspect it won't. I would say that it feels like the engine handled the adjustments very well and it feels like it was designed to work this way.

Note: The 60 hp is as advertised. I don't know if that is accurate as I have not formerlly tested it. But overall it's a noticable difference.

Thanks for the post. 60HP is about a 20% gain and you should definitely feel it. I will be very interested to hear what it feels like when you really start stepping on it.

Thank you for the awesome review! I am happy to hear a review from a 2011 F10er, as I am in the same boat. I was hoping to wait until after my next service (2k more miles) before getting the Stage 1; however, you are REALLY tempting me !

Yeah, I believe the tune should be even more noticeable after the tune adjusts and settles in more. Looking forward for a 1 month follow-up.

In regards to the USB for upgrades, I wonder if BMS will ever put one out. They have yet to put out a single update since the Stage 1 release. Did you get the BUS tool that prevents the dealership from seeing any tamper codes??

I have a 2012. To put it this way, it is a relatively inexpensive tune and not extreme. You could always try it on your 2011 and if it doesn't do the trick, you could set it to zero or potentially do a resale. I haven't tested it on dyno to see what the real hp add is, but it is a noticeable difference, but not a screeching monster.

They do have software which I am getting sent to me. Yes, apparently you can improve on the standard install and add a little more boost or...turn it off. I don't have the BUS tool. I have a different OBDII reader that may clear visual codes but that's it. From another forum member who's been using it a while, he has had no problems whatsoever - he uses the standard tune. I will update over the next few days.

Originally Posted by PeterC4

They do have software which I am getting sent to me. Yes, apparently you can improve on the standard install and add a little more boost or...turn it off. I don't have the BUS tool. I have a different OBDII reader that may clear visual codes but that's it. From another forum member who's been using it a while, he has had no problems whatsoever - he uses the standard tune. I will update over the next few days.

My only concern is that the dealership may see a "detection code", and possibly void my warranty and extended warranty.

Sorry to play Debbie Downer here, but your post reads 60HP gain. If you did not dyno before and after how do you really know? The mind can have a huge part in the perception of car speeds and torque.

Originally Posted by miamiboyca

Sorry to play Debbie Downer here, but your post reads 60HP gain. If you did not dyno before and after how do you really know? The mind can have a huge part in the perception of car speeds and torque.

You're right, I do not know the real hp, just going by the advertising. I don't really care about the advertising. What I can tell you driving to work this cold morning is this.

1) Starting the car, and driving it normally in traffic, all you notice is more torque and a less of a requirement to push the throttle.

2) It has a very nice effect on the car's performance. From a gentle start, there is just more torque, no hint whatsover of lag, no rough idle, everything seems normal.

3) Driving on the highway, acceleration is accomplished with far less effort or drama.

For the average driver, this will seem like a very nice improvement, it will not seem as an aggressive tune at all...because I don't think it is and frankly it seems very natural.

So far, I'm quite happy with it, and I achieved what I wanted. Well worth it.

Originally Posted by PeterC4

You're right, I do not know the real hp, just going by the advertising. I don't really care about the advertising. What I can tell you driving to work this cold morning is this.

1) Starting the car, and driving it normally in traffic, all you notice is more torque and a less of a requirement to push the throttle.


So far, I'm quite happy with it, and I achieved what I wanted. Well worth it.

Peter, not doubting that you are happy with it.

I am just planning ahead for my MY 2013. For me, the lag is not really an issue since this has been mostly attributed to a problem with the tranny software. I was just hoping you had done the dyno to see the exact numbers since things like "cold morning" can have a huge effect on the performance a turbo charger.

Might I ask, what it cost you installed?

Originally Posted by miamiboyca

Peter, not doubting that you are happy with it.

I am just planning ahead for my MY 2013. For me, the lag is not really an issue since this has been mostly attributed to a problem with the tranny software. I was just hoping you had done the dyno to see the exact numbers since things like "cold morning" can have a huge effect on the performance a turbo charger.

Might I ask, what it cost you installed?

If you get hung up on the install let me know and I can help you with that. Learn from my mistake. Take the airbox off.. Its soo much easier that way.

Originally Posted by RambleJ

If you get hung up on the install let me know and I can help you with that. Learn from my mistake. Take the airbox off.. Its soo much easier that way.

Sweet! Thanks.

Originally Posted by miamiboyca

Peter, not doubting that you are happy with it.

I am just planning ahead for my MY 2013. For me, the lag is not really an issue since this has been mostly attributed to a problem with the tranny software. I was just hoping you had done the dyno to see the exact numbers since things like "cold morning" can have a huge effect on the performance a turbo charger.

Might I ask, what it cost you installed?

I very much believe that this is well worth it. It was cheap. $379 plus $30 for the USB connection plus $50 for the install. I had the install done after hours since work gets in the way. And yes, if you take the air box off it is very very easy to install. You don't have to have the USB, but heck if you are doing it, might as well put it in there. When it is all back together, you'ld never notice it unless you knew what you were looking for. As to the lag, yes I firmly believe it is programmed in there. Even the 8 gears leave you in what I describe as a flat spot...not because the car doesn't have power, it is just programed to try and maintain good fuel economy. I think this tune is just right, all things considered.

You can also try installing it yourself of course.

Originally Posted by PeterC4

You can also try installing it yourself of course.

I think I am going to brush up on the coding pieces first. Lots I want to do including stuff for the HUD, turning off some chimes, auto fold mirrors from key fob, etc. This way I can help out those in this area.

If/when I start with the performance stuff - I think I will try to bribe Ramble with some brews

Originally Posted by PeterC4

I had a Burger Motorsports N55 Stage 1 Tune added to my car today. Mike from N54 Tuning.com did the install for me. A very nice guy. Here are my observations.

1. I watched the install and it took about 20 minutes with a little testing. Very clean, all of the wires look like OEM connections, no splicing or cutting. If you know what you are looking for, its very easy and ultimately its pretty much concealed from view. I have a USB connection to the chip for updates.

2. There are no noticeable effects from the install. There is no real change in idle speed, no sound differences, no warning lights, no differences at very modest driving speeds except for a feeling of more torque, (see 3).

3. There is a very noticeable difference in torque and the responsiveness from even a very modest blip of the throttle. The car pulls noticeably stronger. My car was not plagued with any significant lag, but I can tell you, if this has the same impact on a 2011 car, I would expect that the lag issues would go away.

4. You notice two things at highway speeds. To get decent reaction, you don't have to push the pedal down as far and you can use a higher gear for acceleration without having to really make the car downshift aggressively. It feels very good.

5. I stepped on it once, on the highway, and you feel the difference in acceleration. It is noticeable. I haven't really tested it from a stop, but the car is definitely more responsive.

Well worth it from what I can tell. And in every day driving, you'll step on the gas less to get the same result. I'll see whether it uses more gas, but I suspect it won't. I would say that it feels like the engine handled the adjustments very well and it feels like it was designed to work this way.

Nice review! I agree with everything with the exception of the 60hp increase. I have installed this on my car and used the USB cable to bump it to 4.5 over stock and coming from 3 N54 powered cars and tuning them, you can actually feel a 60hp increase from a tune only, I can tell you that the stage 1 is a moderate increase of about 40hp.
I beleive there are some dynos out there that support my feelings.

Overall it's great bang for the buck.. but a 60hp increase is a stretch from this tune only (as of right now)

Stage 2 I believe is available and offers a auto delete feature so no error codes are present. I also believe its s 10-15 hp increase. I as well will be getting shortly as the stock 535 will lull you to sleep.

Originally Posted by Ptoscano75

Stage 2 I believe is available and offers a auto delete feature so no error codes are present. I also believe its s 10-15 hp increase. I as well will be getting shortly as the stock 535 will lull you to sleep.

Are you doing before and after dyno tests?

Good review.

Just a question.

Why didn't you guys get stage 2 btw?

It was out a while ago and it's not that much of a price difference.

If you are tuning mind as well.

Originally Posted by smashhell

Just a question.

Why didn't you guys get stage 2 btw?

It was out a while ago and it's not that much of a price difference.

If you are tuning mind as well.

I did not think the stage 2 was available for the N55 in the 535. There is a "bump up" available in the Stage 1 via the software I have through the USB port. Haven't done that...yet. But you may be right, Stage 2 may be available in early form.

Originally Posted by PeterC4

I did not think the stage 2 is available for the N55 in the 535. There is a "bump up" available in the Stage 1 via the software I have through the USB port. Haven't done that...yet. But you may be right, Stage 2 may be available in early form.

The Stage 2 JB4 Beta tune has been available for over 3 months now. Like PeterC4, I will probably get the Stage 1. I will also get the CAN tool to make sure that no "detector codes" remain.

The Stage 2 can be unappealing because wires need to be hard-tapped for the install. The Stage 1 is a true plug-and-play unit.

It has actually been a BETA version, where it was not officially listed on the site. Terry (from BMS) said to just indicate that it was for an F10, and he would send the appropriate kit. I just noticed for the first time that it is listed on the website. COOL!!

http://www.burgertuning.com/N55_Stage2_Jb4.html


There are several forums on the stage 2:

http://forums.n54tech.com/showthread.php?t=16620

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=725059

Originally Posted by BigDeep1

The Stage 2 JB4 Beta tune has been available for over 3 months now. Like PeterC4, I will probably get the Stage 1. I will also get the CAN tool to make sure that no "detector codes" remain.

The Stage 2 can be unappealing because wires need to be hard-tapped for the install. The Stage 1 is a true plug-and-play unit.

It has actually been a BETA version, where it was not officially listed on the site. Terry (from BMS) said to just indicate that it was for an F10, and he would send the appropriate kit. I just noticed for the first time that it is listed on the website. COOL!!

http://www.burgertuning.com/N55_Stage2_Jb4.html


There are several forums on the stage 2:

http://forums.n54tech.com/showthread.php?t=16620

http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=725059

Yep stage 2 has been out a while.
I'm considering on getting stage 2 on my car.
Just so tired of waiting forever for Dinan to work out a tune.
Burger stage 2 will Provide similar if not better numbers anyway while being $1400 cheaper.

Actually stage 2 isn't really that bad. theres two wires that you need to hardwire to your stock harness but Terry now ships the device with something called Posi-Tap which makes things much much easier.

You can basically remove the tap in seconds and it wouldn't leave any evidence besides a tiny pin hole in the oem wire. Search posi-tap online for videos.

Alan

Anyone in the Houston area running JB4? my faith in Dinan is slowly fading..

It's not my faith with Dinan that's the problem, but the unreasonable price for a box tune. If the tuner BMW endorses can't produce a tune in 3 years with the given resources and funding, they are not worthy of business.