[JayAr-E90]

i am looking to remap my 163,
has anyone ever experienced any problems when doing this as a mate of mine who owns a 330d e46 has...?

[parapaul]

A remap from a reputable tuner shouldn't give you any problems you haven't already got lurking. If you've kept it properly maintained you should be fine.

[jjbirch]

done my 320d 163 at 2000miles and gave it back on 60k drove it hard but kept it up to date with all the servicing , changes the car no turbo lag

[JayAr-E90]

any recommended remappers near the southwest?

[parapaul]

Evolve, one of the forum sponsors, do a handheld tool for remapping that they'll post out to you. So do Superchips, but I haven't heard anyone on here rave about them like they do Evolve.

[jjbirch]

Originally Posted by JayAr-E90

any recommended remappers near the southwest?

i used racesport in exeter they are superchips remappers with a good rep look at there website
www.superchips.co.uk

[JayAr-E90]

they are quite expensive? why?

[SO8]

I used Superchips for my 58 plate 320d auto (177).

The map and power delivery from it was excellent - I had it rolling roaded just prior to the map at spot on 177bhp. Straight after the map it was 215bhp.

I didn't keep the map on my car as I didn't like the way the auto box reacted to the extra torque. It didn't like it and changes were harsh, coming in with a bang. The box didn't seem to want to learn either so I took the map off and got a refund. I am sure it would be fine on a manual though - it wasn't the map, that in itself was great - just my auto box. FWIW Superchips don't raise the torque any more than their competitors - I just didn't like the way my car dealt with it.

[JayAr-E90]

sorry i dont know much about these things as ive never mapped a car before.
But ive been told theres 2 types of remaps? one is a permanent map and the other is a cable which allows you to remove the map at anytime? correct me if im wrong?

[parapaul]

Kind of. There's 3 options really -

1. Tuning box from someone like DTUK. Lift the bonnet, plug it in, drive and enjoy. Removeable in minutes if you need to for any reason.

2. Remap done by a tuner. You take the car to them, they download the existing software form your ECU, then upload the remapped software. Main problem with this is that if a dealer uploads new software from BMW, you'll lose the map. Reputable tuners should re-install free of charge, so it's just an inconvenience if it happens.

3. Handheld remapping tools, like the Evolve Switch or Superchips Bluefin. All the benefits of a permanent remap, but you can return to standard as often as necessary, and re-install the map yourself.

Tuning boxes are around £350 IIRC, and any tuner charging much less than £400 is probably best avoided.

HTH

[JayAr-E90]

any bad sides to the tuning box? would i still get the same outcome as a remap? were can i get a decent one from?

[SO8]

Originally Posted by JayAr-E90

any bad sides to the tuning box? would i still get the same outcome as a remap? were can i get a decent one from?

I imagine the tuning boxes leave loads of error codes on the various control units of your car ... but would work well

[tourer boy]

One thing to remember is that the 163bhp model will chuck the smoke out once mapped if you have a heavy right foot due to the lack of a dpf.

Does transform the car tho

[wayne71]

If you plan to keep it under BMW warranty or extended warranty be aware that they can (as in my case) find out that it was mapped, even if (as in my case) you use a device for putting the original map back on prior to taking it into the dealers.

If not then go for it, transforms the car. I've had a couple of issues since mapping with a split turbo hose and failed actuator but who is to say they wouldn't have occurred if it wasnt mapped.

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by parapaul

and any tuner charging much less than £400 is probably best avoided.

HTH

I'd disagree, Simon at E-Maps is considerably cheaper than that, and E-Maps have possibly one of the best reputations amongst tuners that are out there

[LexS]

I also disagree. Price doesn't necessarily reflect quality. Its literally a case of what one man thinks his time is worth, and it also depends on his running costs. So a place in london is likely to be more expensive than somewhere in the north, purely to cover his overheads.

[parapaul]

Originally Posted by Hotcoupe

I'd disagree, Simon at E-Maps is considerably cheaper than that, and E-Maps have possibly one of the best reputations amongst tuners that are out there

I take it back - I've heard nothing but praise for E-Maps, I had no idea he was cheap too