[V5fifty]

I am contemplating installing a BMS stage 1 on my 550i xdrive (with m5 exhaust from DP) and would value any input you guys may have with respect to long term reliability.
I read on the 7 forum (same n63 engine) that quite a few folks have experience issues and codes with the car (drive train malfunction and the like). is that 7 series specific or some of you have noticed this for 550s as well? Any input appreciated, thanks.
PS: not looking for a dramatic HP or TQ increase, just a bit more kick.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Go for it !!
If car is fine, you will not have any issues with the JB stage 1. If car has weak components, they will be exposed by any tune.

Install it, and see how it goes. If you have any questions just let me know.

[MEby]

I have a 2011 550i xDrive, I've put 5K miles on the BMS Stage 1 with zero issue before and after the CCP. I agree with mike@x-ph.com if the car has issues the tune might expose those quicker, my guess is they would show up anyway.

Bought my BMS Stage 1 used from a guy for $220 shipped, amazing bang for the buck. Takes maybe 5 minutes to remove and install after you do it the first time so if you have any warranty work done just pull it off before going to the dealer.

Mike

[Simple5]

Stage 1 is excellent. Will definitely hold me over until a flash tune is developed for the n63. Will probably happen when an intake comes out to complete the package intake, dps, and exhaust. Hopefully we get a non-dinan intercooler soon as well...

I have stage 1 and love it. The car pulls and pulls. Gave it that extra bump off the line and on the highway is brutal. All while keeping the power smooth. Stage 2 makes me nervous with all the stories I'm hearing. MAF sensors frying, drive train malfunctions, cels, etc...

I dealt with the crap with my e90 n54 335i... the stage 1 had been super reliable for me so far....

[DesiRacing-AjayB]

I have had the stage 2 on my car for about a week. I go get the drive train malfunction error whenever I give full throttle off the line at about 120km/h. Might be something with my car, still need to get the CCP. Going to switch it to stage 1 this weekend and see what happens.

[MEby]

I agree with Simple3 on the Stage 1 vs Stage 2, installation/removal is much easier on the Stage 1. I forgot a little plus...Keep your foot out of it and you will get about 2 MPG more. I've been getting about 19 MPG around town with my 550i after the CCP.

Mike

[Ben2k9]

Stage 1 is fine....had for a while. Upgraded to stage 2 and started having issues, so I returned it and went back down to stage 1. Don't think stage 2 is ready for prime time with this engine.

[tbraden32]

Originally Posted by Ben2k9

Stage 1 is fine....had for a while. Upgraded to stage 2 and started having issues, so I returned it and went back down to stage 1. Don't think stage 2 is ready for prime time with this engine.

I was thinking of picking up a stage 2 myself- now maybe not.

How much improvement will the stage 1 be? Won't be tracking- just for fun driving?

[r33_RGSport]

@tbraden32 , the Stage 1 for N63 is advertised at 40whp gain.
Which is plenty just for having fun driving.

[Ben2k9]

Originally Posted by tbraden32

I was thinking of picking up a stage 2 myself- now maybe not.

How much improvement will the stage 1 be? Won't be tracking- just for fun driving?

Its a nice improvement. Cheapest power gain there is. Anything else you do will cost a lot more for incremental power. Most would also recommend pulling out the charcoal filters from the intake to improve airflow along with this tune.

[tbraden32]

So would you guys recommend Stage 1 over Stage 2 for normal driving?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by tbraden32

So would you guys recommend Stage 1 over Stage 2 for normal driving?

If you do not plan on getting catless downpipe, yes get the stage 1

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

The N63 engine has issues with misfires at higher power levels. Stage1 keeps power low enough to avoid them. Stage2 pushes it high enough that you'll probably experience them unless the car is in tip-top shape with new plugs, coils, injectors, etc. Unless you're racing at the track where you need the extra performance and willing to resolve whatever hardware issues your car may have at higher power levels, best to stick to Stage1.

Mike

[FSociety]

You can also get ECU Flash ! BR-Performance, Enzo Performance, GSR Autosport , ESS, Eurocharged, to name a few

[Ben2k9]

Originally Posted by tbraden32

So would you guys recommend Stage 1 over Stage 2 for normal driving?

Yes. Stage 2 is really not for the casual enthusiast.

[omak81]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

@tbraden32 , the Stage 1 for N63 is advertised at 40whp gain.
Which is plenty just for having fun driving.

I could hardly tell a difference imo, installed mine yesterday and drove it around for an hour and it might pull harder but by no means is it night and day.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by omak81

I could hardly tell a difference imo, installed mine yesterday and drove it around for an hour and it might pull harder but by no means is it night and day.

It depends on the person.
I did not notice a difference when i got a tune on my N54.

Other people who drove my car said its night and day

Dyno said showed a gain of 60 whp

[V5fifty]

all, many thanks for your replies. I purchased one and so far so good. Can it be used in daily driver without any risk of compromising the engine? in particular any risk of engine knock when running default boost (3 psi)?

[550Reasons]

I have stage 1 on my 550i, and I daily it, in 1 year of owning the car I racked up 18k miles.

Out of those miles about 17k miles were with the Stage 1.
I drive my car down to my office three times a week, about 45 minute commute highway. And every other weekend I take a 2 hour drive (one way) at 85mph.

No issues, I had the CCP done after about 10k miles of installing the stage 1.

I cant live without it, seriously lol.
I also run it on high settings. And pretty aggressive quite often.

[badblack550xi]

stick with stage 1 stage 2 gets annoying if you're not a record junkie like me.

[Zer0Cool92]

Originally Posted by V5fifty

all, many thanks for your replies. I purchased one and so far so good. Can it be used in daily driver without any risk of compromising the engine? in particular any risk of engine knock when running default boost (3 psi)?

how does the increase in power feel? very noticeable?

[doppelganger1]

On the BMS related blogs there's been quite a bit of discussion about the mystery of why the BMW N63Tu motor loses boost, hp and tq at higher rpm (above ~4500). After some research, I believe I know the answer to this riddle: The cause is the Valvetronic head, which is on the N63Tu but not the N63. The Valvetronic head has an additional cam and finger followers that modulate the intake valves to regulate throttle (fuel intake). This is a complex arrangement and at higher rpm wot the finger followers tend to "float" which reduces throttle response, increases fuel consumption and also increases CO and NOx emissions. There are two solutions: (1) increase the spring rating (tension) on the finger springs so they can keep up with the rpm; however, this adds friction which decreases hp/tq slightly, increases fuel consumption and increases engine wear, or (2) have the ECU reduce power (hp/tq) at higher rpm so the finger followers are less modulated and can keep up. BMW chose the latter (2) on the N63Tu motor as the lesser of two evils. The S63Tu also has Valvetronic, but the engine is much more powerful and of higher quality (wear resistant), so BMW used solution (1) which does not result in hp/tq dropoff at higher rpm. This solution for the N63Tu makes sense (to BMW) because most owners of cars with the N63Tu motor are executive types not road warriors, so the power dropoff generally goes unnoticed.

doppelganger