FIRST BMW Performance Power Kit Review and Test Drive - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

cstavaru · 08-26-2009, 10:18 AM

Finally !

This post is a mess right now, just finished the test drive, but I will edit and organize everything

The car is noticeably faster, but not like "oh my god". The engine response is as smooth as stock, even better. Turbo lag (now I know I had some) was eliminated, when changing gears there is no more boost delay, the car just goes without delay. Throttle response is the same, a tad more aggressive maybe.

I managed to chirp (~1 sec) the tires when changing from 2nd to 3rd on several runs (tires RE050A RFT were not cold, this was at the second test drive), which I couldn't do before. In second gear, the RPM climbs faster than before, noticeably. 3rd and 4th seem faster also, but 5th and 6th seem about the same. You can now hear the turbos very clearly, even with windows closed (but with A/C off). Maybe its the intake (I am 100% stock), I don't know, but its some whistling sound which wasn't there before. The oil temperature stopped at 120 Celsius, didn't seem to be higher than before, but dropped more quickly than before. I don't yet have the air ducts installed, maybe tomorrow.

The new fan is loud, but the sound is nice and you can't it hear it from the car. BEWARE: the new fan cannot be mounted on its own because the ECU has to be reprogrammed to work with it ! The electrical wiring is different.

That's it for now...I will edit and complete the post...feel free to ask questions

Pictures: There are not many pictures to be done. Much of the assembly is hidden, you can only see the new relay and the new wire harness which goes to the fan. You can also see some water hoses but nothing interesting.

The price was 1700 euro for the kit, the install was 190 euro. They gave me the old parts back (fan, mountings, some water pipe and the old spark plugs).

I now wonder if the power will increase after some adaptation time. I can't wait to drive it again !

I will dyno it probably on Friday or Saturday, I want to give it some time to adapt.

They forgot to put my sticker on the engine

Update 1: I am more and more surprised by the car's responsiveness, now that I drove it a bit more. The lack of lag and the added torque really changes the car ! Its really noticeable...especially when I'm in 3rd at < 2000RPM and floor it, before there was a slight lag until the car took off but now it just takes off instantly and with more thrust...it's very nice !

Update 2: Added a couple of pictures. Not much to see, but still

The supplemental radiator does not have a plastic backplate installed because I don't yet have the airducts installed.

Update 3: Did some Dynolicious tests. I obtained a peak of 279whp at the wheels. Weight was set at 1770kg. Gas tank was 100% full. Only went gears 1 and 2, until 110Kmh and then stopped. Tires were spinning like crazy, I didn't get below 5.79 for 0-100kmh. Best 0-60 foot time was 2.48s. The dynolicious test before the power kit showed a maximum of 264whp (or 262, I don't remember exactly) but it was MUCH colder outside (it was February 23, about 12-15 degrees Celsius, and today it was about 31 degrees Celsius). This test was done on an iPhone 3GS with the latest Dynolicious, the first test was done on an iPhone 3G with the first version of Dynolicious.

Tomorrow I will do a real Mustang dyno if everything goes as planned.

vgame64 · 08-26-2009, 10:21 AM

Interesting...can't wait to see some dynos of this tune.

vegasspeed · 08-26-2009, 10:23 AM

Interesting, why would the lag be removed after this install?

vgame64 · 08-26-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegasspeed

Interesting, why would the lag be removed after this install?

They flash the ECU with the performance software...probably is integrated together with the lag fix parameters.

stressdoc · 08-26-2009, 11:21 AM

Sounds great! Please post photos if you can.

Spydeputy · 08-26-2009, 12:55 PM

was anyone able to convert the euro to US dollars so we can ballpark our price here?

kirby135i · 08-26-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spydeputy

was anyone able to convert the euro to US dollars so we can ballpark our price here?

its less than $1700 here for the package (Not installed)

Joeb427 · 08-26-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirby135i

its less than $1700 here for the package (Not installed)

When I called Monday to see if it's available,I was given a $1795 list price and not available yet.
It should be cheaper through Tischer.

stressdoc · 08-26-2009, 01:00 PM

We already know the USA prices. [search]
Converting Euro to Dollar rarely translates to actual pricing.

Note that it is a lot more expensive for older 335s with MSD80.

scooby9 · 08-26-2009, 01:04 PM

I hope you get the "oh my god" feeling after a bit of adaptation!

kirby135i · 08-26-2009, 01:09 PM

Posted by UnitedBMW

MSD80 ECU:
BMW MSRP: $2849.95
unitedBMWparts.com: $2250.00

MSD81 ECU
BMW MSRP: $2083.95
unitedBMWparts.com: $1683.16

cstavaru · 08-26-2009, 02:22 PM

I am more and more surprised by the car's responsiveness, now that I drove it a bit more. The lack of lag and the added torque really changes the car ! Its really noticeable...especially when I'm in 3rd at < 2000RPM and floor it, before there was a slight lag until the car took off but now it just takes off instantly and with more thrust...it's very nice !

scott@bmwhn · 08-26-2009, 03:27 PM

thanks for the informative post, i look forward to seeing some Dyno results

645Nm · 08-26-2009, 03:52 PM

Nice man...keep us in the loop with developments.

marcel b · 08-26-2009, 04:12 PM

reading this makes it even more tempting.... I am waiting for a feedback from my dealer. Especially curious about the price here in Switzerland.
Keep posting!

HondaGoneRogue · 08-26-2009, 04:29 PM

How did your old spark plugs look? Could you post a picture of them? A lot of what you described can also be found after changing your spark plugs. I doubt that the majority of the kit being cooling has that much effect on the throttle and such. That screams spark plugs. MAYBE the reflash. But then they should have been fixing lag a long time ago.

Bowzyr · 08-26-2009, 04:47 PM

VERY interested to see the dyno!

please hurry on that! haha

thanks for the initial write up.

Bomis · 08-26-2009, 04:50 PM

Would be intresting to see some AIT's and boostlevels...190 Euro for the installation is a bargain, bmw in sweden charges around 700 Euro for installation....

cstavaru · 08-26-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGoneRogue

How did your old spark plugs look? Could you post a picture of them? A lot of what you described can also be found after changing your spark plugs. I doubt that the majority of the kit being cooling has that much effect on the throttle and such. That screams spark plugs. MAYBE the reflash. But then they should have been fixing lag a long time ago.

Come on...the fact that there is alot of hardware does not mean that the "majority" of the kit is cooling...its the software that counts. The hardware is there to ensure longevity and correct operating parameters for the engine.

Attached is a picture of one of my sparkplugs. From a 16.000 mile 100% stock car.

interpol · 08-26-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGoneRogue

How did your old spark plugs look? Could you post a picture of them? A lot of what you described can also be found after changing your spark plugs. I doubt that the majority of the kit being cooling has that much effect on the throttle and such. That screams spark plugs. MAYBE the reflash. But then they should have been fixing lag a long time ago.

What are you talking about? Are you trying to say that the increase in power that the OP feels is due to BMW changing his spark plugs?! I agree, the cooling portion of the upgrade won't give the additional 25 HP that BMW claims; the reprogramming of the ECU will, and that is included in the package.

What I want to know is if Shiv or Terry will have a special tune for those with the Performance Power Kit installed.

cstavaru · 08-26-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bomis

Would be intresting to see some AIT's and boostlevels...190 Euro for the installation is a bargain, bmw in sweden charges around 700 Euro for installation....

I would like to see some boostlevels too...but after so much money spent on a tune which does NOT need a BT cable because it does not throw codes...its pretty hard to convince myself to get one

I don't think I will get one (unless an interested tuning company offers it to me in order to do some logging for them...

)

the infamous... · 08-26-2009, 06:51 PM

Congrats!!

It sounds like a huge difference to me.

08-26-2009, 10:18 AM	#1
cstavaru Brigadier General Drives: 2009 335i M Sport Sedan 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 3,229 iTrader: (0)	FIRST BMW Performance Power Kit Review and Test Drive Finally ! This post is a mess right now, just finished the test drive, but I will edit and organize everything The car is noticeably faster, but not like "oh my god". The engine response is as smooth as stock, even better. Turbo lag (now I know I had some) was eliminated, when changing gears there is no more boost delay, the car just goes without delay. Throttle response is the same, a tad more aggressive maybe. I managed to chirp (~1 sec) the tires when changing from 2nd to 3rd on several runs (tires RE050A RFT were not cold, this was at the second test drive), which I couldn't do before. In second gear, the RPM climbs faster than before, noticeably. 3rd and 4th seem faster also, but 5th and 6th seem about the same. You can now hear the turbos very clearly, even with windows closed (but with A/C off). Maybe its the intake (I am 100% stock), I don't know, but its some whistling sound which wasn't there before. The oil temperature stopped at 120 Celsius, didn't seem to be higher than before, but dropped more quickly than before. I don't yet have the air ducts installed, maybe tomorrow. The new fan is loud, but the sound is nice and you can't it hear it from the car. BEWARE: the new fan cannot be mounted on its own because the ECU has to be reprogrammed to work with it ! The electrical wiring is different. That's it for now...I will edit and complete the post...feel free to ask questions Pictures: There are not many pictures to be done. Much of the assembly is hidden, you can only see the new relay and the new wire harness which goes to the fan. You can also see some water hoses but nothing interesting. The price was 1700 euro for the kit, the install was 190 euro. They gave me the old parts back (fan, mountings, some water pipe and the old spark plugs). I now wonder if the power will increase after some adaptation time. I can't wait to drive it again ! I will dyno it probably on Friday or Saturday, I want to give it some time to adapt. They forgot to put my sticker on the engine Update 1: I am more and more surprised by the car's responsiveness, now that I drove it a bit more. The lack of lag and the added torque really changes the car ! Its really noticeable...especially when I'm in 3rd at < 2000RPM and floor it, before there was a slight lag until the car took off but now it just takes off instantly and with more thrust...it's very nice ! Update 2: Added a couple of pictures. Not much to see, but still The supplemental radiator does not have a plastic backplate installed because I don't yet have the airducts installed. Update 3: Did some Dynolicious tests. I obtained a peak of 279whp at the wheels. Weight was set at 1770kg. Gas tank was 100% full. Only went gears 1 and 2, until 110Kmh and then stopped. Tires were spinning like crazy, I didn't get below 5.79 for 0-100kmh. Best 0-60 foot time was 2.48s. The dynolicious test before the power kit showed a maximum of 264whp (or 262, I don't remember exactly) but it was MUCH colder outside (it was February 23, about 12-15 degrees Celsius, and today it was about 31 degrees Celsius). This test was done on an iPhone 3GS with the latest Dynolicious, the first test was done on an iPhone 3G with the first version of Dynolicious. Tomorrow I will do a real Mustang dyno if everything goes as planned. Attached Images Last edited by cstavaru; 08-27-2009 at 11:46 AM.
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08-26-2009, 10:23 AM	#3
vegasspeed Captain Drives: 335i 6MT coupe Montego Blue Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 761 iTrader: (1)	Interesting, why would the lag be removed after this install? __________________ 335i coupe Montego Blue Dinan stage 3 tune, Advan RS wheels 350whp/365wtq 1994 Brooklands Green Acura NSX Comptech Supercharged 390whp/300wtq

08-26-2009, 11:21 AM	#5
stressdoc Moderator Drives: 335 E90 ZSP+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: MO Posts: 9,347 iTrader: (0)	Sounds great! Please post photos if you can. __________________ My not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Quaife, BMW Perf & M3 suspension, V5, M-sport, ... Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279

08-26-2009, 12:55 PM	#6
Spydeputy Brigadier General Drives: 2012,E92,335is/2008,E90,335xi Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Harford County, Maryland Posts: 3,161 iTrader: (17) Garage List 2008 335xi [0.00] 2012 335is [1.00]	was anyone able to convert the euro to US dollars so we can ballpark our price here? __________________ 2012, E92, 335is, Space Metal Gray, DINAN Stage 2, Helix FMIC, M Sport Pkg, Dbl Spoke 313 Wheels, Gray & Blk Leather, Conv. Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, Prem Pkg, 7 Sp DCT, Navigation, Satellite / Harman Kardon Radio. BMW CCA Member

08-26-2009, 01:00 PM	#9
stressdoc Moderator Drives: 335 E90 ZSP+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: MO Posts: 9,347 iTrader: (0)	We already know the USA prices. [search] Converting Euro to Dollar rarely translates to actual pricing. Note that it is a lot more expensive for older 335s with MSD80. __________________ My not-so-recent ED: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31829 Quaife, BMW Perf & M3 suspension, V5, M-sport, ... Please join BMWCCA http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=c...&ref_by=300279

08-26-2009, 10:21 AM	#2
vgame64 Colonel Drives: BMW 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: USA Posts: 2,481 iTrader: (9)	Interesting...can't wait to see some dynos of this tune.

08-26-2009, 01:04 PM	#10
scooby9 Major Drives: 2007 E90 BMW 335xi Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,099 iTrader: (5)	I hope you get the "oh my god" feeling after a bit of adaptation! __________________ *2007 BMW 335xi 6MT TiAg* Part out thread: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=837695

08-26-2009, 01:09 PM	#11
kirby135i Lieutenant Drives: bmw Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: here Posts: 508 iTrader: (1)	Posted by UnitedBMW MSD80 ECU: BMW MSRP: $2849.95 unitedBMWparts.com: $2250.00 MSD81 ECU BMW MSRP: $2083.95 unitedBMWparts.com: $1683.16

08-26-2009, 02:22 PM	#12
cstavaru Brigadier General Drives: 2009 335i M Sport Sedan 6MT Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bucharest, Romania Posts: 3,229 iTrader: (0)	I am more and more surprised by the car's responsiveness, now that I drove it a bit more. The lack of lag and the added torque really changes the car ! Its really noticeable...especially when I'm in 3rd at < 2000RPM and floor it, before there was a slight lag until the car took off but now it just takes off instantly and with more thrust...it's very nice ! __________________ Mods(click): Cobb + RB Turbos \| Aquamist HFS-4 Meth \| Drexler LSD \| Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit \| Custom K&N Apollo Intake \| Wagner Intercooler \| Macht Schnell Downpipes \| BMW Performance Power Kit \| BMW Performance Exhaust \| BMW Performance Short Shifter \| M3 Subframe Bushings \| Licensing

08-26-2009, 03:27 PM	#13
scott@bmwhn Major Drives: Msport 328i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 1,108 iTrader: (2)	thanks for the informative post, i look forward to seeing some Dyno results __________________ 13' Msport 328i _Mperformance - Modulare - H&R_ Previous: 09' Msport 335i, 07' Msport 335i

08-26-2009, 03:52 PM	#14
645Nm only in it for the torque - awuleth'umshini wami Drives: sapphire black 335i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: nomad Posts: 425 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335i sedan [0.00] 2005 120D [0.00] 2007 335i sedan [0.00]	Nice man...keep us in the loop with developments. __________________ JB4. 15ohm /Catless DPs/BMS DCI/BHS Oil Catch Can/RPI FMIC/Bilstein B16/BMW Perf Exhaust/BMW Perf Rims 19'/BMW Perf Steering Wheel/BMS Meth Kit/CMGS Guage/BMS Speed Limiter Defeat/STETT Chargepipe & DV's/DREAMLIST:Upgraded Turbos REVIEWS: Bilstein B16 Ridecontrol//BMW Performance Exhaust//RPI Intercooler//Race Camara Mount

08-26-2009, 04:12 PM	#15
marcel b Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 1M Coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Europe Posts: 1,867 iTrader: (0)	reading this makes it even more tempting.... I am waiting for a feedback from my dealer. Especially curious about the price here in Switzerland. Keep posting!

08-26-2009, 04:29 PM	#16
HondaGoneRogue They like my Swag... Drives: 08 AW 135i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 3,497 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 135i [4.33]	How did your old spark plugs look? Could you post a picture of them? A lot of what you described can also be found after changing your spark plugs. I doubt that the majority of the kit being cooling has that much effect on the throttle and such. That screams spark plugs. MAYBE the reflash. But then they should have been fixing lag a long time ago. __________________ 2008 AW 135i, Whats a mod?

08-26-2009, 04:47 PM	#17
Bowzyr Private Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 78 iTrader: (0)	VERY interested to see the dyno! please hurry on that! haha thanks for the initial write up.

08-26-2009, 04:50 PM	#18
Bomis Captain Drives: BMW E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sweden Posts: 994 iTrader: (1)	Would be intresting to see some AIT's and boostlevels...190 Euro for the installation is a bargain, bmw in sweden charges around 700 Euro for installation.... __________________ EURO E92 M3 2008 6MT Interlagos ///*Fully Loaded!* Evolve-R ECU Flash/Gintani Sport Exhaust/MS Stg2 Intake Kit/H&R Springs/MS 18/15 mm spacers/Bmw Perf. Grills/Gloss Black side gills/LCI Tails/LUX V3's/RD license plate leds

08-26-2009, 06:51 PM	#22
the infamous... Lieutenant General Drives: like I'M BOUT THAT LIFE Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: PARADISE aka DAWNTOWN Posts: 16,889 iTrader: (0)	Congrats!! It sounds like a huge difference to me. __________________ "simple is clean" -The ///ModFather [ iND ] - [ eAs ] - [ ACM ] - [ LTMW ] - [ AA ]

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