[Gizmo 335i]

Kind of new to tuning so I'd like to start off with a mild stage 1-type tune strictly for street driving as I do not track my cars at all. I'm debating with myself between finding a master ECUTek tuner to do a custom tune or go with canned versions like BM3, Carbahn, etc. The canned tuners appear to have invested heavily in their tunes and generally have positive results so i think they can be trusted.

However, the debate I'm having is in the fine-tuning details that can make a or break a tune. The canned tunes are essentially one size fits all and might not be as smooth and refined as I'd like. With a custom dyno tuner (assuming master level experience and knowledge) I think he or she would be able to dial in that last bit of refinement like torque modulation, a more linear curve, spot-on AFR and timing, throttle sensitivity, etc. for a more safe, smooth, reliable tune. He or she could also do some other tuning like getting rid of ASD, exhaust overrun, and a few of the other things that can be done via bimmercode.

Is a custom dyno tune noticeably better or am I just over analyzing as I typically do? All thoughts, experiences, and feedback welcome.

[MR RIZK]

To some extent you are over analysing it however there is merit to what you are saying. For example a friends tune using canned stg 1 on BM3 is very good but not perfect. There feels like a mild lean spot/surge on part throttle around 2600-3000 rpm load points so it is not oem like but you need to be super picky. Does it call for a custom tune depends. IMO to get this right the tuner needs the car and drive it both on road and the dyno. I will probably get flamed but I don't believe this minute improvement can be done via etuning unless the logs show something obvious which on initial review they don't.

EcuTek is a great tuning platform but only as good as the tuner. For example I have a local master tuner but will never take my car there as they don't specialise in BMW's and various other reasons.

The best advice I can give is review the options and see if you can drive someone's car that is similar to yours and the tune your chasing. This may provide a level of comfort in the chosen tuner and tuning platform.

Good Luck!

[Gizmo 335i]

Originally Posted by MR RIZK

To some extent you are over analysing it however there is merit to what you are saying. For example a friends tune using canned stg 1 on BM3 is very good but not perfect. There feels like a mild lean spot/surge on part throttle around 2600-3000 rpm load points so it is not oem like but you need to be super picky. Does it call for a custom tune depends. IMO to get this right the tuner needs the car and drive it both on road and the dyno. I will probably get flamed but I don't believe this minute improvement can be done via etuning unless the logs show something obvious which on initial review they don't.

EcuTek is a great tuning platform but only as good as the tuner. For example I have a local master tuner but will never take my car there as they don't specialise in BMW's and various other reasons.

The best advice I can give is review the options and see if you can drive someone's car that is similar to yours and the tune your chasing. This may provide a level of comfort in the chosen tuner and tuning platform.

Good Luck!

Very helpful MR RIZK! While I do over-analyze, I am very picky about smoothness. A chat with the local master who does specialize in BMWs is a must for me.

[DriverDaily]

It sounds like you want a highly refined tune, but whereas the canned tunes can spread development costs among multiple buyers, you have to pay for every hour of the tuner (and dyno) time.

Also, keep in mind that dialing in a tune at WOT on the dyno is pretty quick and simple, but getting it to behave in other situations is not.

What I'm trying to say is you may need to spend a fortune on custom tunes to get the driveability of a canned one.

[Gizmo 335i]

Originally Posted by DriverDaily

It sounds like you want a highly refined tune, but whereas the canned tunes can spread development costs among multiple buyers, you have to pay for every hour of the tuner (and dyno) time.

Also, keep in mind that dialing in a tune at WOT on the dyno is pretty quick and simple, but getting it to behave in other situations is not.

What I'm trying to say is you may need to spend a fortune on custom tunes to get the driveability of a canned one.

Good point as I don't want it just maximized for WOT. I want smooth, linear, everyday driveability throughout the entire rev range, including smooth throttle response.

[Commanderwiggin]

Hit up Bend Calibration for the best calibration for your BMW. Mine was all done remotely and the folks at Bend Calibration have been doing this for a long time with great success.

[Gizmo 335i]

Originally Posted by Commanderwiggin

Hit up Bend Calibration for the best calibration for your BMW. Mine was all done remotely and the folks at Bend Calibration have been doing this for a long time with great success.

Thanks for the recommendation! Can you describe the smoothness, everyday driveability? Is it still there? Is the throttle twitchy?

[Commanderwiggin]

Originally Posted by Gizmo 335i

Thanks for the recommendation! Can you describe the smoothness, everyday driveability? Is it still there? Is the throttle twitchy?

Currently smoother than stock as I've always found the S+ settings to be extremely twitchy, especially during low speeds in a parking lot. My wife no longer complains about bouncing her head off the headrest at a stoplight or in a parking lot...not on purpose but it was always like that with S+ from a rest on the stock calibration. The comfort and sport modes are still the same as oe and the option is there if you want to retain the twitchy S+ throttle but not me.

As for driveability, my car is calibrated the same for me and my wife and previously to the M2C she had never driven a car with over 200hp...needless to say it's been perfect for her and because Bend Calibration tunes the torque tables properly (doesn't set everything to the moon like BM3 tunes), the car accurately controls the torque delivery with traction control/launch control etc... In a nut shell, the car is happy and drives faster and smoother than stock.

[Commanderwiggin]

Also I forgot to mention, Bend Calibration is a Master Tuner as well.

[Gizmo 335i]

Originally Posted by Commanderwiggin

Currently smoother than stock as I've always found the S+ settings to be extremely twitchy, especially during low speeds in a parking lot. My wife no longer complains about bouncing her head off the headrest at a stoplight or in a parking lot...not on purpose but it was always like that with S+ from a rest on the stock calibration. The comfort and sport modes are still the same as oe and the option is there if you want to retain the twitchy S+ throttle but not me.

As for driveability, my car is calibrated the same for me and my wife and previously to the M2C she had never driven a car with over 200hp...needless to say it's been perfect for her and because Bend Calibration tunes the torque tables properly (doesn't set everything to the moon like BM3 tunes), the car accurately controls the torque delivery with traction control/launch control etc... In a nut shell, the car is happy and drives faster and smoother than stock.

That's what I'm talking about! Proper torque modulation is underrated. Thank you. Do you mind sharing the cost of the tune? PM is fine if you'd rather not publicize it?

[Commanderwiggin]

Originally Posted by Gizmo 335i

That's what I'm talking about! Proper torque modulation is underrated. Thank you. Do you mind sharing the cost of the tune? PM is fine if you'd rather not publicize it?

Send an email to ian@bendcalibration.com and he'll go over all the details/options with you along with professional documentation of the process and other considerations. I can tell you Bend Calibration is the best tuner for the Ecutek F8X platform in my strong opinion and is very fair with his pricing and what he offers. Ecutek is more expensive than comparable MHD/BM3 software but his tune pricing is very similar to other bespoke calibrations...and he always starts with the base calibration that came with the car and makes adjustments to each user depending on their preferences.

[Gizmo 335i]

Originally Posted by Commanderwiggin

Send an email to ian@bendcalibration.com and he'll go over all the details/options with you along with professional documentation of the process and other considerations. I can tell you Bend Calibration is the best tuner for the Ecutek F8X platform in my strong opinion and is very fair with his pricing and what he offers. Ecutek is more expensive than comparable MHD/BM3 software but his tune pricing is very similar to other bespoke calibrations...and he always starts with the base calibration that came with the car and makes adjustments to each user depending on their preferences.