[335iFFM]

Hey guys.
I felt like I should write a short review about my experience with the COBB AP on my N55. As I'm using the V3 I'll only review this particular unit. The software flashed to the ECU by APv2 and APv3 aren't any different. Therefore anything regarding software issues applies to both.


PROs:
- Easy-to-use
- Many Maps
- ProTune available (recommended)
- Code-Reading included
- Good Display
- Fast device

CONs:
- problems with power loss post shift on DCTs [fixed by Dzenno@PTF]
- 2C57 - Error Codes! [fixed by Dzenno@PTF]
- Oil temp shows always the wrong values (told COBB about 4 month ago)
- OTS Maps are just crap. Unusable. Sorry to say that
- Bad support

NEUTRAL:
- No control over VANOS-System
- No control over ValveTronic-System
- No control over VMAX. which makes me sick.
-> Neutral because not advertised. Still annoying, though.


More into Detail:
Problem with power loss post shift on DCTs
What do AFR problems post shift mean you might think. It's quite easy. The ECU enrichens the fuel mixture while we shift - we run too rich [EDITED: SPOOL-MODE WAS NOT THE ISSUE]. Therefore we loose power for more than 2 (TWO!!) seconds. So we shift, boost is building and for a total of 2 seconds there's just a huge drop in power. If we shift every 6 seconds we only have 4 seconds of full power (if we assume that full power is gained instantly after the 2 seconds). I was told that the issue is related to COBB and they have to fix it. Seems like they are working on it. Let's hope they fix it this year. There's no sense in upgrading the turbo if we aren't able to get full power with an ProTune. Same issue applies to all OTS Maps btw. Here's a screenshot. White line shows AFR, red line is RPM. Big thanks to PTF for their help btw.

LINK TO LOG: http://datazap.me/u/335iffm/cobb-n55...15&zoom=10-483

For comparison here is an N54 Log. Same car, same tranny, same setup, also protuned - just N54 instead of N55:

LINK TO LOG: http://datazap.me/u/stanko89/log-3-4...9&zoom=188-379

EDIT:
Seems like Dzenno found a partial fix for this. The drop is still there but it doesn't occur as long and as much as before. We still need more research on this though.

LINK TO LOG: http://datazap.me/u/335iffm/cobb-n55...-15&zoom=4-496

2C57 - Error Codes:
Caused by a huge difference between the requested load and the actual load Users of the COBB AP get an 2C57 Error Code and the ECU will put itself into ERROR-MODE. As seen in the first screenshot in fifth gear the PSI start to rise for a short time and then drop completely. Then you'll see an 2C57 Error-Code on your APs Display. After you shift into next gear the requested and the actual load are nearly perfectly aligned. The ECU fixed it by itself but we won't be able to get full power after this. It just won't recover.

The reason why many non-German people won't ever get this code is that you most probably won't shift into 6th gear @ 5.600rpm because that's more than 200kph which is not allowed in your country. That's something COBB also has to fix. It occurs in OTS Maps as well as in ProTuned-Maps

LINK TO LOG: http://datazap.me/u/335iffm/cobb-n55...-15&zoom=6-459


LINK TO LOG: http://datazap.me/u/335iffm/cobb-n55...-15&zoom=6-459


Oil temp shows always the wrong values:
That's something many people told COBB month ago. They've just stated they'll fix it "sometime in a next release". NICE!. Still nothing. Seems like only 98F0B-Users are affected, though.

This short writeup contains a few things I thought you people should know. I've switched from JB4 to COBB for peace of mind. JB4 was without issues but I just don't like Piggybacks. Now that I've switched to the AP I've gotten a huge shitload of issues. Seems like that was a bad decision. I currently cannot recommend the COBB AP. I hope they'll fix it soon. And no, I won't sell my AP. It's a nice device the software just has to be fixed.


COBB! MOVE!


Best,
Manuel

[Delta0311]

Don't have a tune on my car but that is some good info there.

[JETmn]

Makes me glad I have the JB4! I do like the thought of the flash and will probably go that route once my warranty is up, but the AP is detectable if they dig.

[rr006rbc]

I've had my fair share of Cobb not having great communication and not even knowing about their own R&D endeavors. For the longest time they told me they would be able to support my DME (2013 335i) and then a year later they told me sorry there isn't going to be any more effort to develop. great. thanks.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

I've had my fair share of Cobb not having great communication and not even knowing about their own R&D endeavors. For the longest time they told me they would be able to support my DME (2013 335i) and then a year later they told me sorry there isn't going to be any more effort to develop. great. thanks.

How can I got my DME version without going to the dealer?

[Anatomius]

Manuel, I’m actually struggling with the same problem --> AFR falls below 11.0 post shift and recovers just after 2 seconds +.

It really seems that COBB isn’t providing a complete solution.

And that’s what I felt;
Pulling on the Dyno --> Nice performance
Pulling one gear against my friend with JB4 --> I’m quicker
Pulling more gears or racing a mountain pass --> my friend was quicker

http://datazap.me/u/anatomius/ptf-v3...-9&zoom=83-201

Note: Also my OTS Maps did sucks, no one was ok... Throttle closure, etc. Definitely not plug & play as it suppose to be. The Protuner made my map much better, but he couldn’t do anything about the low AFR values post shift. He made a Ticket to COBB let’s see how long it takes to get a solution. If the situation remains as it is, I cannot recommend COBB for N55 engines.

[Johnny Boost]

Sounds like a terrible experience OP. I personally haven't had any issues with my Cobb tune and still would recommend it to fellow tuners.

[335iFFM]

Ooh, that's not only my personal experience. You should make a few Logs and post them up here. A log showing a few shifts @wot would also be nice ;-)

[mike@x-ph.com]

Even though i recommend going with Jb4 for the price/features/power combo.
you should send cobb logs and they will figure it ou for you.

[335iFFM]

Cobb is aware of every issue and it's not only me having these isses. It's nearly everyone. Regarding the AFR post shift this only seems to affect DCTs. I've posted this to let everyone know about these issues and I hope that COBB will change a few things now.

[jayzF30]

My friend had the 2C57 issue come up and PTF handled it for him quickly. He has never mentioned the AFR issue you described and I will ask him if he sees anything along those lines on his car. Does it have to be any particular gear to gear shift or any gear?

[335iFFM]

2C57 can be fixed by PTF, correct. But you'll get it while using any OTS Map in high RPM/high gear situations

[335iFFM]

I've added a log from an N54. I think one can see the difference

N55 DCT Log while shifting:

LINK TO LOG: http://datazap.me/u/335iffm/cobb-n55...-15&zoom=4-490

For comparison here is an N54 Log. Same car, same tranny, same setup, also protuned - just N54 instead of N55:

LINK TO LOG: http://datazap.me/u/stanko89/log-3-4...9&zoom=188-379

[Anatomius]

I went now check some couple of logs from other cars. And every car has this post shift problem  Rich AFR values. Some more, some less...

This one falls even bellow 10.0!

http://datazap.me/u/santos/neu-ptf-v...a=3-15&mark=20

i believe we are talking here about a general Problem (All N55, DCT)

Please provide to your comments facts, no use of gut feelings!

[335iFFM]

Maybe it's related to Timing on Cyl1?

N55:


N54:

[big_gtr]

Originally Posted by 335iFFM

Hey guys.
I felt like I should write a short review about my experience with the COBB AP on my N55. As I'm using the V3 I'll only review this particular unit. The software flashed to the ECU by APv2 and APv3 aren't any different. Therefore anything regarding software issues applies to both.


PROs:
- Easy-to-use
- Many Maps
- ProTune available
- Code-Reading included
- Good Display
- Fast device

CONs:
- Huge problems with AFR post shift (too rich)
- 2C57 - Error Codes!
- Oil temp shows always the wrong values (told COBB about 4 month ago)
- OTS Maps are just crap. Unusable.
- Bad support


More into Detail:
Huge problems with AFR post shift (too rich)
What do AFR problems post shift mean you might think. It's quite easy. The ECU enrichens the fuel mixture while we shift - we run too rich [EDITED: SPOOL-MODE WAS NOT THE ISSUE]. Therefore we loose power for more than 2 (TWO!!) seconds. So we shift, boost is building and for a total of 2 seconds there's just a huge drop in power. If we shift every 6 seconds we only have 4 seconds of full power (if we assume that full power is gained instantly after the 2 seconds). I was told that the issue is related to COBB and they have to fix it. Seems like they are working on it. Let's hope they fix it this year. There's no sense in upgrading the turbo if we aren't able to get full power with an ProTune. Same issue applies to all OTS Maps btw. Here's a screenshot. Blue line shows AFR, green line is RPM. Big thanks to PTF for their help btw.

LINK TO LOG: http://datazap.me/u/335iffm/cobb-n55...-15&zoom=4-490

For comparison here is an N54 Log. Same car, same tranny, same setup, also protuned - just N54 instead of N55:

LINK TO LOG: http://datazap.me/u/stanko89/log-3-4...9&zoom=188-379


2C57 - Error Codes:
Caused by a huge difference between the requested load and the actual load Users of the COBB AP get an 2C57 Error Code and the ECU will put itself into ERROR-MODE. As seen in the first screenshot in fifth gear the PSI start to rise for a short time and then drop completely. Then you'll see an 2C57 Error-Code on your APs Display. After you shift into next gear the requested and the actual load are nearly perfectly aligned. The ECU fixed it by itself but we won't be able to get full power after this. It just won't recover.

The reason why many non-German people won't ever get this code is that you most probably won't shift into 6th gear @ 5.600rpm because that's more than 200kph which is not allowed in your country. That's something COBB also has to fix. It occurs in OTS Maps as well as in ProTuned-Maps

LINK TO LOG: http://datazap.me/u/335iffm/cobb-n55...-15&zoom=6-459


LINK TO LOG: http://datazap.me/u/335iffm/cobb-n55...-15&zoom=6-459


Oil temp shows always the wrong values:
That's something many people told COBB month ago. They've just stated they'll fix it "sometime in a next release". NICE!. Still nothing. Seems like only 98F0B-Users are affected, though.

This short writeup contains a few things I thought you people should know. I've switched from JB4 to COBB for peace of mind. JB4 was without issues but I just don't like Piggybacks. Now that I've switched to the AP I've gotten a huge shitload of issues. Seems like that was a bad decision. I currently cannot recommend the COBB AP. I hope they'll fix it soon. And no, I won't sell my AP. It's a nice device the software just has to be fixed


COBB! MOVE!


Best,
Manuel

it happen to me for couple months, cobb told me that i had little boost leak, three times i tighten all the couplers, and also it always happen when i reached 210kph, below that , the p2c57 never pop up, finally someone figure this out, thanks broo, good work, cobb please do the repair

[big_gtr]

Finally, someone have some problem, thanks manuel

[335iFFM]

Originally Posted by big_gtr

Finally, someone have some problem, thanks manuel

It's not only you . Believe me. Every German N55 I know of had this issue a few times

[Subaru335i]

This is interesting. I have not had any of the above problems and have had great support from Josh Dankel at Cobb...
I have taken several logs and sent them to Josh and he helped me fix the minor throttle closure issue using AccesstunerRace.
I don't appear to have the rich AFR problem either. Here is a log WOT in 2nd and 3rd gear and my AFR looks great to me. 2nd gear it takes a second to build boost but that is just from low engine load from the low gear.
I haven't gone WOT at 200kph+ (my speed limiter is set at 130mph/210kph) and I havent seen that error you describe so I can't comment on that.



I know this is just a picture of my excel data but you can see my actual load follows requested load very well and my AFR's are not too lean nor too rich.

Hope you get your problems sorted! I feel like there must be something else going on with your car or maybe limited to your ROM version? My ROM is 97V0B and I am running Stage 1 Aggressive with straight 93 Octane.
No problems and I would definitely recommend the AP from my experience.

[FireBlade]

I can only chime in and support this request towards Cobb.

I am experiencing exactly the same issues (also N55 DCT).
Currently I have a support ticket open with them but the first reply after providing my logs was:

I took a look at your log and everything looks fine.

That was the whole reply concerning this issue, one short sentence, nothing else.

Pardon me?

Well as you can imagine I am not satisfied with this type of answer while not even one word of explanation was provided why those obvious and apparent issues are considered to be "fine" by Cobb.

Well, I requested are more detailed answer - also for the other N55 users that are experiencing exactly the same issues - and I'm currently waiting on the reply.

If you are interested in my logs, they can be found here: http://datazap.me/u/firebladebmw

I have made several sets, different situations like 3rd to 4th gear pulls and also the whole range including high speed (vmax) logs.

[Subaru335i]

I just realized you were saying the problem is limited to DCT cars in which case I cannot comment. I have 6MT.

[Anatomius]

Anyway we are talking about a rich value post shift for more or less 2 sec.

It takes you more as 1 sec to shift the gear, so your Chart is anyhow no reference for the AFR problem.

Im pretty sure if i would go for 1 + second from the throttle and shift the gear it wouldnt happend also to the DCT.