[MCoupeInsanity]

This is my brief review of the stage 1 (software only) Power Kit for N54. I got the even-weaker-sauce version of the kit, as I have a 6MT and only got a 17 lb-ft boost in torque, as opposed to the 30 (!!) that the auto-equipped cars get. Just picked the car up after the install.

Had some issues with the dealership losing electrical power during the install, which delayed my pickup. You can read about that here.They did NOT need to replace the DME, as some suggested (and I feared). They confirmed that the software update ran just fine after the power came back on.

Now, the report of the butt-dyno: It is not a mind-blower of an upgrade, as I figure Cobb/Procede/JB4 probably are. Those tunes give you, what, 90+ hp additional just on the basic maps? This ain't that. 20hp, 17 lb-ft of torque. As others have said, the car feels "livelier", more awake, and that bit of throttle/turbo lag that you get just as you toe into the gas seems to be gone. That's great. (I've actually griped about the delayed throttle response in EVERY BMW I've ever driven).

I haven't had a chance to open it up much yet, but I will say this... getting on the freeway on the way back to work, I dropped the hammer on the on-ramp. For the first time EVER since I've had the car, the wheels chirped and the traction control kicked in -- on dry pavement. Mind you, this was not an aggressive launch, just an enthusiastic one. So that's a definite difference.

Overall, I'm quite happy. Car felt good before, feels great now. Maybe it's placebo effect? If so that's fine -- I had some cash to play with, and I'm happy with the result. BMW Performance Exhaust will be next.

Miscellaneous notes: Radio presets are gone. Programmable shortcut buttons (1-6) on the dash are no longer programmed. "Triple flash" lane-change indicator was reset to off. TPMS system seems to be acting up a bit, asking for a reset (done). Bluetooth/phone is still paired properly and worked right away. Logic7/EQ settings appear to have been retained. Any setting that's been blanked out, has been blanked out for both keys.

Many thanks to Phil of Reeves BMW, a forum vendor, for getting me an outstanding price on the kit. If I'd have paid what BMW (and most dealerships) are asking, I'd have been a lot less happy with this mod.

[CUTigers]

Nice nice. Never been in a car with this one, but it is always nice when you get the power levels up to where the car should have come with lol

[MCoupeInsanity]

Day two impressions the same as day one: subtle, but really nice. Car feels like it drank a red bull and took two adderall. Aggressive, sharp. Me likey.

[chiaobaby]

try some e85 you will notice more hp

[eyim1988]

Originally Posted by chiaobaby

try some e85 you will notice more hp

not unless he's tuned for it?

[new2the3]

So how much did you pay for the power kit? I'm deciding between this and Cobb but leaning towards the latter.

[Eleventeen]

How much does this cost? Isn't it way more than an aftermarket tune?

[chiaobaby]

Originally Posted by eyim1988

not unless he's tuned for it?

factory bmw tune will respond to higher octane values 70/30
93 gas/e85