[Vaheed1]

Hi all,

I'm wanting to get my 330d (231ps) re-mapped/chipped - but can't decide on what type of tuning I should go for. I've had my last 4 cars re-mapped and they were all straight re-maps to the ECU. Although I was happy with them - there were days when I wish i just had the standard power - rainy or snowy days in particular! My family used to sometimes borrow my cars - which put me on a bit of a knife edge!

I've done research into all the other different types of tuning. I'm very tempted to go for a box or switchable re-map (Evolve..etc) and would like to know of your experiences of the above.

I know that Evolve has a good name around these parts - but I couldn't justify their asking price. So that leaves tuning boxes. I've been in conversation with the guys from DTUK, which seems like a decent product and the guys are very happy for me to try it first. Can't really get fairer than that, I suppose. There's also TDI-Tuning UK - who claim slightly better results from their CRTD unit - for only £130. (but no trail period...unlike DTUK)

I know straight re-maps are preferred over box's - and many believe they have better results, but in my experience, the car's economy really starts suffering after a year or so - The advantage of a switch/box is that I can switch them on/off when and if I please.

Thanks for your help in advance.

[turbomike]

I'm i a similar situation, my 335d was remapped before i bought it and i love the power it produces but i would prefer a box product so i can disconnect it if it ever gets a stealer update, then you simply plug it back in, all my friends have tuning box's (on mercs etc..) and all swear by them. my consumption is 30-32 mpg around town which is 80% of my driving so i think some of the claims about better fuel economy being increased might only be evident on motorway runs etc..

[Vaheed1]

Originally Posted by turbomike

I'm i a similar situation, my 335d was remapped before i bought it and i love the power it produces but i would prefer a box product so i can disconnect it if it ever gets a stealer update, then you simply plug it back in, all my friends have tuning box's (on mercs etc..) and all swear by them. my consumption is 30-32 mpg around town which is 80% of my driving so i think some of the claims about better fuel economy being increased might only be evident on motorway runs etc..

Most tuners will re-upload a map if the dealer wipes the ECU - so for me, that's not really an issue. I have a little baby and worry what would happen if the misses borrowed my car and it started raining! My old E46 330d (204bhp) was a real handful in the rain after the re-map.

If you search the forum, there's a member already here who's had their 335d box tuned. The reports are all good IIRC.

I also think people are a little snobbish and too easily dismissive of tuning box's - when if you think about it - the latest gear does pretty much the same job as a re-map.

[Vaheed1]

anyone else?

[nik_nak]

I'm in the same boat, leaning towards the tuning box though.

[Vaheed1]

Originally Posted by nik_nak

I'm in the same boat, leaning towards the tuning box though.

http://www.tdi-tuning.co.uk/

these guys are claiming nearly circa 60bhp increase for the 330d - for only £130 - all in. Yet their 320d unit is £250...I wonder why this is?

[leeadam]

my 330 d was remapped by the guys at evolve in luton..plus great customer service there...car pulls like a train and barely drops below 38-40mpg

[leeadam]

evolve do discount for forum members bargain at 400 quid

[Vaheed1]

Hi All -

I took the plunge last night and ordered the tdi-tuning box. It should arrive tomorrow - so if I get a chance to install it, I will post a little review of it. It's a shame I couldn't got for the straight re-map - but at least with this, I'm getting the best of both worlds and can switch the engine back to standard if and when the need be.

These are the figures being offered by their box:

http://www.tdi-tuning.co.uk/bmw/3_se..._bhp_P160.html

[turbomike]

Mine has a 40Bhp increase but looking at the one you bought the same company says they can produce 358bhp for a 335d wonder what would happen if you plug one of these into an already mapped car? he he except it's twice the price but 32bhp more that what ive already got. makes me want the dealer to update so i can get the tuning box instead.

[SteveF1]

I'm also on the lookout for a remap and was erring towards the Evolve switch but am finding the cost prohibitive as at just over £500 I find it hard to justify unless a serious discount was offered.

For the same increase in power and torque that tdi-tuning is serious value for money. A bit more work at the install stage but for £350 less than the Evolve switch its looking favourable.....

[Vaheed1]

Originally Posted by turbomike

Mine has a 40Bhp increase but looking at the one you bought the same company says they can produce 358bhp for a 335d wonder what would happen if you plug one of these into an already mapped car? he he except it's twice the price but 32bhp more that what ive already got. makes me want the dealer to update so i can get the tuning box instead.

I wouldn't recommend you plug a box into an already re-mapped car. The simple reason being, your car will be told to increase the already higher air & fuel pressure to your engine and I'd imagine this will have an adverse effect on your cars mechanics.

[raf555]

Originally Posted by Vaheed1

http://www.tdi-tuning.co.uk/

these guys are claiming nearly circa 60bhp increase for the 330d - for only £130 - all in. Yet their 320d unit is £250...I wonder why this is?

their 320d 163 bhp unit box is £130 but the 177bhp one is £250?!! dunno why!!

http://www.tdi-tuning.co.uk/bmw/3_se..._bhp_P153.html

[leeadam]

Originally Posted by SteveF1

I'm also on the lookout for a remap and was erring towards the Evolve switch but am finding the cost prohibitive as at just over £500 I find it hard to justify unless a serious discount was offered.

For the same increase in power and torque that tdi-tuning is serious value for money. A bit more work at the install stage but for £350 less than the Evolve switch its looking favourable.....

they do it for about 400 to members of forum..

[Rocket-E92]

I'll second that its deffinately worth using Evolve they done mine for £350 as Ive spent a bit of money with them in the past, and if you want the remap taken off in the future they will happily remove it for free

[Vaheed1]

Originally Posted by Rocket-E92

I'll second that its deffinately worth using Evolve they done mine for £350 as Ive spent a bit of money with them in the past, and if you want the remap taken off in the future they will happily remove it for free

I was hoping to have my chip today, but looks like it will be tomorrow now. I'm not sure how these things operate - if whether I need to disconnect the whole unit to return the car to stock, or is it a case of 'switching it off' from under the bonnet. Unfortunately, I can't go for a straight re-map - for reasons given on my original post. If I can switch it off, without any unplugging etc - I'd imagine time wise, it will probably be just as quick/awkward as plugging the Evolve unit into the ODB port and switching maps.

[parapaul]

Most (in fact probably all) tuning boxes need to be unplugged. I have never heard of one that can be just switched off.

[SteveF1]

[b/]they do it for about 400 to members of forum..[b/]

I don't think they do the Evolve switch box for that kind of price as they already have a thread offering it as a discount at just over £500, price normally over £600. I want the switch for obvious reasons as I want to be able to take it off and put it on at my leisure and also don't have the time or want to drive to Evolves base to have a map put on as its a long way away.

If they could do the Evolve switch for £400 then that would make much more sense.

[Vaheed1]

Originally Posted by SteveF1

[b/]they do it for about 400 to members of forum..[b/]



If they could do the Evolve switch for £400 then that would make much more sense.

I would second that.

There are new 'remote controlled' units - which allow you to switch maps via a small remote control switch. The Guy from DTUK advised me to stay clear as they can cause allot of problems. SpeedHawk do them for £300

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by Rocket-E92

I'll second that its deffinately worth using Evolve they done mine for £350 as Ive spent a bit of money with them in the past, and if you want the remap taken off in the future they will happily remove it for free

But,

If you had a piggy-back you could remove it yourself.

And sell it.

Flash is dead money, at best you won't declare it at sales time right?

[Vaheed1]

Right guys,

Received my chip from 'TDI-Tuning' this morning

I've installed it and done around 20 miles in it since. Firstly, the economy. I reset my computer before my trip back home from work. The journey is 12 miles and consists of a million traffic lights, half a million roundabouts - and one, 3 mile long, duel carriageway. Normally, this journey will show an average MPG of 40.1. Today, the clock showed 45.1 mpg. Time will tell whether or not the car will actually be more economical - but straight away, I've noticed how little I have to change the cogs. At any speed.

Now to the best bit. The performance. As i mentioned, I only really tested it for about 10 miles of the 20 I've done today and the difference is evident from the off. My back tyres have only done about 5,000 miles - it's currently 22 degrees Celsius and dry as sticks. I joined a duel carriage way from a non-filtering slip road - and the car was struggling for traction until I knocked it up into 3rd from 2nd.

I will give it a week or so and will then post a more detailed review - but for now, I can categorically say that the car is now very close to the company's claimed 'after bhp' figures of 289 bhp. Talk about bang for bucks!

[Jay_Jay]

How long did it take too fit?? Was it difficult?
I looked at getting one of these a few months back. Look forward to your write up