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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > NA Engine (non-turbo) / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > Upgrading Canadian 323i to Euro 325i



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      11-28-2007, 10:34 PM   #23
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I've heard when you take your car for a warranty service to a BMW dealer, if they have some sort of software update, it will overwrite the current ECU configuration. Is this true?
Has anybody experienced this issue/software update with 2006 323i?

I spoke to Mr. JB, Service Manager from Otto's:
It will void the BMW warranty only if they can prove that the installation of the software caused a component of the car to go bad.

I spoke to WM from Turner Motorsport. He will refund $$$ and restore the original configuration if it doesn't work.
For one week without a car and potential 44hp gain, I think it's worth the risk.
What do you think, folks?


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      11-29-2007, 08:52 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clairvoyant View Post
I've heard when you take your car for a warranty service to a BMW dealer, if they have some sort of software update, it will overwrite the current ECU configuration. Is this true?
Has anybody experienced this issue/software update with 2006 323i?

I spoke to Mr. JB, Service Manager from Otto's:
It will void the BMW warranty only if they can prove that the installation of the software caused a component of the car to go bad.

I spoke to WM from Turner Motorsport. He will refund $$$ and restore the original configuration if it doesn't work.
For one week without a car and potential 44hp gain, I think it's worth the risk.
What do you think, folks?


Thank you
I say that with that kind of a deal, you can't go wrong!

From what I have heard, it is true that if the dealer has to re-flash your computer for some reason that you lose the engine software... as and aside, I don't know if they can reflash the parts of the computer without reflashing the engine software if you specifically ask them.

Another part to the dealer reflash thing is that I believe major tuners like Turner Motorsports will actually give you a free reflash once or twice if the dealer over-writes your software due to warrantee work... you would just have to pay for shipping.

Dude, I would have done this by now if it was in the budget (wifey holds the strings tight)... I DEFINATELY think you SHOULD DO IT! They pay-off would be huge
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      11-29-2007, 09:35 AM   #25
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ummmm why not just trade for a 325....seems like it would be less trouble and around the same price...maybe
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      11-29-2007, 10:19 AM   #26
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Cool Cost

Turner Motorsport quotes me USD $769 + shipping.
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      11-29-2007, 10:50 AM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clairvoyant View Post
Turner Motorsport quotes me USD $769 + shipping.
That's a crazy good price for potentially 50 horse power, dude! People are paying 1300 bucks + shipping for a procede right now for a similar gain in horsepower!

Typically speaking, the only way to get this kind of gain on a Naturally Aspirated engine is to throw a Super Charger on it and that costs like $6000 bucks or more to accomplish properly + tonnes of hassle. To be fair though, a supercharger does boost the torque a lot.

I think that price is very reasonable for that kind of horsepower gain!
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      11-29-2007, 10:50 AM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by purplewidow View Post
ummmm why not just trade for a 325....seems like it would be less trouble and around the same price...maybe
actually, switching to a 325i would cost a lot more money.
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      11-29-2007, 11:08 AM   #29
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Question Need tools

By the way, how does a flathead screwdriver with 90 degree head look like?
I need it to remove that darn ECU.
Thank You
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      11-29-2007, 12:07 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clairvoyant View Post
By the way, how does a flathead screwdriver with 90 degree head look like?
I need it to remove that darn ECU.
Thank You
Not sure... I would imagine its just a regular flat head screw driver? Although, I have seen screw-drivers with a pivoting head.

Have you started opening her up yet? You could always start the process with regular tools and see if you actually need some bizarre screw-driver with a pivoting head
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      11-29-2007, 12:12 PM   #31
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Question Confusion

That ECU is not accesible at all. Does anybody have DIY photos on how to remove that darn thing?
Yes, I will need that a flathead screwdriver with 90 degree head.


Quote:
Originally Posted by epiphone3 View Post
Not sure... I would imagine its just a regular flat head screw driver? Although, I have seen screw-drivers with a pivoting head.

Have you started opening her up yet? You could always start the process with regular tools and see if you actually need some bizarre screw-driver with a pivoting head
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      11-29-2007, 01:59 PM   #32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clairvoyant View Post
That ECU is not accesible at all. Does anybody have DIY photos on how to remove that darn thing?
Yes, I will need that a flathead screwdriver with 90 degree head.
I figured out the tool you need... I have one at home. It basically looks like two hockey sticks connected together with the blades facing opposite ways, if that makes sense. On mine, at the end of what would be one blade, there is a phillips head screw driver and at the end of what would be the other blade, there is a flat-head screw driver.
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      11-29-2007, 02:03 PM   #33
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this is an example of what you need, but with a flat head end.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

let us know when you get that baby out of there!

Last edited by epiphone3; 11-29-2007 at 04:42 PM..
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      11-30-2007, 08:57 AM   #34
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did you manage to get that baby out of the birth?

I was thinking about this last night... instead of using a 90-degree flat head screwdriver, you could use a flat-head screw driver bit and clamp on to it with a set of pliers from the side. Crude, but should give you similar access as the 90-degree screw driver... locking pliers would work best
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      11-30-2007, 09:04 AM   #35
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Question Wiring mess

Dude, I unscrewed the plastic covers last night , the wiring was very messy.
Does anybody have some sort of picturesque instructions on how to remove the ECU?
This is what I find so far but not very clear:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...&highlight=ecu


Quote:
Originally Posted by epiphone3 View Post
did you manage to get that baby out of the birth?

I was thinking about this last night... instead of using a 90-degree flat head screwdriver, you could use a flat-head screw driver bit and clamp on to it with a set of pliers from the side. Crude, but should give you similar access as the 90-degree screw driver... locking pliers would work best
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      11-30-2007, 09:20 AM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clairvoyant View Post
Dude, I unscrewed the plastic covers last night , the wiring was very messy.
Does anybody have some sort of picturesque instructions on how to remove the ECU?
This is what I find so far but not very clear:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...&highlight=ecu
I would imaginge that there are a few OEM-style connectors there that you just unplug, no?

Can you take a picture of what is baffling you and we can then help you better?
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      12-01-2007, 05:14 PM   #37
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have you got the ECU out of the birth yet?
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      12-01-2007, 09:57 PM   #38
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not to be cynical... but with only an ECU reflash and unleashing over 40HP on a NA motor... baring no force induction... i have my reservation...there is certainly more difference btw these 2 models than meets the eye... else pple will be buying loads of 323 and "flash" them to 325....my 2 cents
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      12-02-2007, 11:12 AM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenneth74 View Post
not to be cynical... but with only an ECU reflash and unleashing over 40HP on a NA motor... baring no force induction... i have my reservation...there is certainly more difference btw these 2 models than meets the eye... else pple will be buying loads of 323 and "flash" them to 325....my 2 cents
dude do some research. All the part numbers match except for the exhaust manifold... the exhause manifold will cost on the order of a few horsepower, not 45. It is software... there is no other sensible explantation.
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      12-02-2007, 04:23 PM   #40
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Cool 2 cold 2 be outside

Freak...it's too cold to be outside. I'll wait until it is little bit warmer.
I am from California; this weather is not made for me.
Even my freezer is warmer than outside.

I am 96% convinced that the manifold of a 323i is the same as that of 325 Mexican edition (hecho en Mexico) and the European edition.
A friend who works in Mexico city drives a 325i, he asked the BMW dealer down there, the intake manifold is the same. Mind you, the BMW dealer in Mexico is more "friendly" than those in the US and Canada.
They are willing to share information and talk to customers.
http://www.bmw.com.mx/produc01/autos...sp?CveDTec=119
One thing, the 2006 323i cub weight is 1485 kg.
While the 2006 325i curb weight is around 1490 kg. Any idea why weight varies although they are identical?

Just out of curiosity/favour:
If you have a warm garage, will you do a mock ECU removal and show to me? It will be nice if there are photos involved.
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      12-02-2007, 09:13 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by epiphone3 View Post
dude do some research. All the part numbers match except for the exhaust manifold... the exhause manifold will cost on the order of a few horsepower, not 45. It is software... there is no other sensible explantation.
dude, that's my point... when do you see on a NA engine with only a software reflash gains you 40HP...or >20% increase... do enlighten me? I can;t find any example... no force induction.
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      12-03-2007, 10:43 AM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenneth74 View Post
dude, that's my point... when do you see on a NA engine with only a software reflash gains you 40HP...or >20% increase... do enlighten me? I can;t find any example... no force induction.
The engine in the 323i is ARTIFICIALLY DE-TUNED dude. That engine is supposed to make more power with the full tune, but BMW de-tuned it to fit it into a certain price point in various markets. This is a special situation that doesn't typically happen.
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      12-03-2007, 10:47 AM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clairvoyant View Post
Freak...it's too cold to be outside. I'll wait until it is little bit warmer.
I am from California; this weather is not made for me.
Even my freezer is warmer than outside.

I am 96% convinced that the manifold of a 323i is the same as that of 325 Mexican edition (hecho en Mexico) and the European edition.
A friend who works in Mexico city drives a 325i, he asked the BMW dealer down there, the intake manifold is the same. Mind you, the BMW dealer in Mexico is more "friendly" than those in the US and Canada.
They are willing to share information and talk to customers.
http://www.bmw.com.mx/produc01/autos...sp?CveDTec=119
One thing, the 2006 323i cub weight is 1485 kg.
While the 2006 325i curb weight is around 1490 kg. Any idea why weight varies although they are identical?

Just out of curiosity/favour:
If you have a warm garage, will you do a mock ECU removal and show to me? It will be nice if there are photos involved.
The curb weight difference probably comes from the fact that the 325i comes with a bigger sound-system/more standard equipment (usually) than the 323i.

As for doing a mock removal, that could be a bit of a challange but if I can do it, I will. Did you try sending a Private Message to the guy who wrote that DIY or an email to him? He could probably tell you what you need to know too!
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      12-03-2007, 02:23 PM   #44
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Question Swap

Just curious how much an ECU cost. Will it be cheaper just to order an ECU
for 325i Euro and simply swap it with that of the current 323i?
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