[Genieman]

Just picked up a 535D. Looking at options for tuning. Here is what I know, please educate me and/or fill in the blanks of what I'm missing.

Dinan - working on diesel now, should be out maybe Q1 of 2015?

Burger Tuning - had diesel piggy backs for previous engines but not sure if they have or are working on something for the current N57.

Racechip - non-US tuner that looks to have good results, anyone in the US have any experience with this?

Tuningbox - non-US tuner that looks to have good results, anyone in the US have any experience with this?

I've seen several european options, anyone in the US have experience with those as well? Would prefer working with a US company but if there isn't enough out there would have to consider a non-US option that others have had good experiences with.

Thanks in advance...

[valbmw]

Here is my two cents.
The top European tuning boxes are: Steinbauer, Hartge, AC Schnitzer, also Kelleners. They all are looking absolutely the same except color, and probably are the same including installation schemes. BTW Steinbauer is known to be installed by BMW dealers and it is OK with factory warranty.

[Genieman]

Originally Posted by valbmw

Here is my two cents.
The top European tuning boxes are: Steinbauer, Hartge, AC Schnitzer, also Kelleners. They all are looking absolutely the same except color, and probably are the same including installation schemes. BTW Steinbauer is known to be installed by BMW dealers and it is OK with factory warranty.

Checked the sites of the manufacturers listed above as well as a few others. Results are attached.

Based on claimed gains, seems like tuning box are the largest, though I don't know if that's verified and/or if it's as safe to go that high...

[valbmw]

Great research! The data in average are the same, the shown measurements deviations might be caused by accuracy gap with the different dyno stands: there is no single methodology how to measure. Still the 20% overall is confirmed and it is safe. At least two boxes (ACS and Hartge) got TUV certified, at least one (Steinbauer) is being officially installed by BMW dealership and all three of them are known as working fine at different petrol and diesel engines, from the 530d (535d) till 550ix. The boxes go with the mechanic on/off switch but I didn't hear somebody ever used it.

Here is the thread about Hartge box with the 550i: http://f10.5post.com/forums/showthre...ghlight=delvek

[FSociety]

There's a vast majority of F15 35d using Racechip in the USA.


http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1073946
http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=982970
http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1031378
http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1072666

[valbmw]

This is a very good review and comparison of a bunch of tuning boxes: http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/fileadmin...t_englisch.pdf

Unfortunately it is seriously deviating the topic: testing was done on a wrong car with petrol engine and different body type, and it is softly promoting one of the boxes (guess which one)

However the added value is here in a detailed review of design level, connectivity and characteristics of each brand, well founded methodology and generally good and interesting for reading.

[F36 435d]

I have just fitted a DTUK http://www.diesel-performance.co.uk/
to my F10 535d 313. It has made a big difference and picks up even better now. Simple installation.

[Secret_Asian]

dont forget a US 535d = Euro 530d

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by Secret_Asian

dont forget a US 535d = Euro 530d

Exactly, was just going to post that myself

If you order from a euro tuner, you need one for a 530d!

[Genieman]

The numbers I posted in the chart above are all listed on their respective websites as being either a european 530d or "535d US Spec" Can someone confirm that the 530d in Europe with 258hp is EXACTLY the same as the 535d US spec?

[valbmw]

Originally Posted by Genieman

The numbers I posted in the chart above are all listed on their respective websites as being either a european 530d or "535d US Spec" Can someone confirm that the 530d in Europe with 258hp is EXACTLY the same as the 535d US spec?

Let me try to sort this out. To clarify this, we need a source where both US and European specs are placed together that makes them easy to compare.

2014 BMW 535d (US market) http://www.automobile-catalog.com/ca.../bmw_535d.html
Engine manufacturer: BMW N57D30
Power net: 190 kW / 258 PS / 255 hp (SAE net)
Torque: 560 Nm / 413 ft-lb
Curb weight (without a driver): 1853 kg / 4085 lbs

2014 BMW 530d (European market) http://www.automobile-catalog.com/ca.../bmw_530d.html
Engine manufacturer: BMW N57D30
Power net: 190 kW / 258 PS / 255 hp (ECE)
Torque: 560 Nm / 413 ft-lb
Curb weight (without a driver): 1710 kg / 3770 lbs

Conclusions:
- Europe is using metric horsepower (PS) ≡ 735.49875 W vs. US is using Mechanical horsepower (hp) ≡ 745.69 W. There is a conversion rate that explains why 258 PS = 255 hp. Both units are normally called "horsepower" that can create a confusion with numbers.
- In the electronic catalogues the N57D30 for US and N57D30 for EU will have different part numbers due to market labeling.
- Due to market specific requirements the US 535d is heavier than Euro 530d (4085 lbs vs. 3770 lbs) therefore drive dynamics are slightly different.

For reference:
2014 535d (European market) has N57D30T1 with two sequential turbos, power net: 230 kW / 313 PS / 308 hp (ECE) and torque: 630 Nm / 465 ft-lb.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by valbmw

This is a very good review and comparison of a bunch of tuning boxes: http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/fileadmin...t_englisch.pdf

Unfortunately it is seriously deviating the topic: testing was done on a wrong car with petrol engine and different body type, and it is softly promoting one of the boxes (guess which one)

However the added value is here in a detailed review of design level, connectivity and characteristics of each brand, well founded methodology and generally good and interesting for reading.

Great review article!
A must read for everyone!

[dizx]

There should be several tuners that can do a proper remapping, based on technology from BR-Performance, within the next few weeks or months.

http://www.br-performance.be/en-be/c...2010/599-530d/

[valbmw]

Originally Posted by dizx

There should be several tuners that can do a proper remapping, based on technology from BR-Performance, within the next few weeks or months.

http://www.br-performance.be/en-be/c...2010/599-530d/

It is unclear, how technically legal and secure is ECU remapping and what happens to the remapped program if the owner is getting the ECU overwritten with a brand new software update from a dealer. Doesn't the remapping work the same 'attractive' way as a fake MS Windows with disabled update, because of Genuine product protection?

[Genieman]

Originally Posted by valbmw

It is unclear, how technically legal and secure is ECU remapping and what happens to the remapped program if the owner is getting the ECU overwritten with a brand new software update from a dealer. Doesn't the remapping work the same 'attractive' way as a fake MS Windows with disabled update, because of Genuine product protection?

Yea, due to warranty and dealer issues, I'd almost prefer a plug-in than a map so I can take it out if I need prior to dealership visits and also, one day if I sell the car I can re-sell the unit where as a flash you can't.

[r33_RGSport]

Genieman , I believe the JBD do work on the 535d.

[Genieman]

Originally Posted by r33

Genieman , I believe the JBD do work on the 535d.

Maybe it's in development. Their site only shows diesel options for previous generation engines.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by Genieman

Maybe it's in development. Their site only shows diesel options for previous generation engines.

PM me the last 7 of your VIN. If it is the same motor as the new F15 X5, the it does work. I tested it for them.

[FSociety]

How's the diesel tuning guys doing ?