[LindaTheCat]

Current owner of a 2011 335i 6MT. Would like to get a BMW power upgrade. My dilemma is whether a stage 1 software OR go all in for the power kit stage 2 since Getbmw parts.com is running special on the kit? Anyone has inputs about the cost/benefit?

Thanks!

[CPWINCH]

Neither , waste of money and negligible gains. Get a tune like jb4 or procede

[Q4P]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

Neither , waste of money and negligible gains. Get a tune like jb4 or procede

+1, definitely... if you are worried about warranty; then talk to 100's of other owners.

[Dozhdbog]

Maintaining warranty on a brand new car is critical for some people, and of the 100s of people who have put 3rd party software into their car, I've already read many who have had issues with it in this very forum.
The BMW PPK has a declared uptick of 20hp/30 or so torque, but... it is BMW, who are well known for undervaluing the power outputs of their engines, so I wouldn't be surprised if their modest power claims were lowballed. (Dinan reported a stock n54 had more like 330hp rather than the 300 claimed by BMW).

I'd love to see some dynos of a stock car that went with a BMW PPK.

[chrisk03]

LTC - IF you are worried about warranty and don't want to deal with the hassle of installing and uninstalling an aftermarket tune, go for it. Yes, the other tunes will offer more power, but this one is very nice...but a little steep in price, again, compared to the others.

I would just go for Version 1, unless you track your car frequently, then go for Version 2. I am more than happy with Version 1 and have little to no plans on tracking my car at this point...that could change.

I have a stock vs. BMW PPK Version 1 dyno that I will post up at some point. The additional torque with the PPK and disappearance of turbo lag, esp in DS Mode, was a nice addition to my 335 (I have an auto) and I really am happy with my purchase.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!

[Capt Awesome]

Originally Posted by chrisk03

LTC - IF you are worried about warranty and don't want to deal with the hassle of installing and uninstalling an aftermarket tune, go for it. Yes, the other tunes will offer more power, but this one is very nice...but a little steep in price, again, compared to the others.

I would just go for Version 1, unless you track your car frequently, then go for Version 2. I am more than happy with Version 1 and have little to no plans on tracking my car at this point...that could change.

I have a stock vs. BMW PPK Version 1 dyno that I will post up at some point. The additional torque with the PPK and disappearance of turbo lag, esp in DS Mode, was a nice addition to my 335 (I have an auto) and I really am happy with my purchase.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck!

I'm probably going to get the PPK V1 next week on my auto 335. I've read that post-PPK, D is like the old DS and DS is very quick without any lag. Is that your impression too?

[htoudiee]

I understand your concern about warranty. I have the stage 1 (the software only) and for what I paid ($550 when I ordered the car), I'm very happy. It's a good power upgrade. It's not a night and day though so set your expectations accordingly. I don't know about stage 2.
For instance, I wanted to know really when the car stands when compared to a similar car (similar weight and 300hp advertised power). So, I just ran my friend's 2011 EVO X with DSG tranny. We went from multiple speeds, 0, 15, 35, 65, 80 from all those speeds, I start to pull ahead every time, no exception and by pulling ahead I mean for example when we go from 15 to 100, at 100 I'm already 2.5 cars ahead. His car is stock and mine has the Performance Power Kit on a stock 335i (with N55 engine).

[chrisk03]

Originally Posted by Capt Awesome

I'm probably going to get the PPK V1 next week on my auto 335. I've read that post-PPK, D is like the old DS and DS is very quick without any lag. Is that your impression too?

Yes, that's an accurate description. Throttle response seems much better, obviously. For auto, torque has a real nice bump from about 3400 rpms to about 4300 rpms. I got a max torque # of 333 at about 4200. HP is a little better until about 4500 rpms. Both #'s seem to fall off a little more than stock after 4500 rpms, but not much. For $704 all in, it was worth it to me.

[LindaTheCat]

Thanks Christ! And the others, too!

I'm not too concerned about the warranty. Well from the other prospective, yes I am as i would believe if I can have the stage 2 installed, (given the fact, it's just about 600-700 more than the stage 1) that way will add some more residual value when it comes to trading my car after a few years. Anyone out there would agree?

Also, just a personal conspiracy, would there be a "better" ppk for next year 2012. As the F30 is coming out? But again, as some reports above mentioned, the figures could be well understated by BMW?

[FrankiE90]

at least with the stage 2 you'll get hardware oppose to the stage 1 - software only.
dont forget performance exhaust, performance suspension, performance front bumper, performance side skirts, performance steering wheel, performance shifter and performance sport seats.
umm - i think that would be all in.

[chrisk03]

Originally Posted by Linda_the_Cat

Thanks Christ! And the others, too!

I'm not too concerned about the warranty. Well from the other prospective, yes I am as i would believe if I can have the stage 2 installed, (given the fact, it's just about 600-700 more than the stage 1) that way will add some more residual value when it comes to trading my car after a few years. Anyone out there would agree?

Also, just a personal conspiracy, would there be a "better" ppk for next year 2012. As the F30 is coming out? But again, as some reports above mentioned, the figures could be well understated by BMW?

I honestly don't think it will add much at all for residual to do Version 2. Save yourself the $600-$700 and maybe use for something else that FrankiE90 mentioned. I can attest to the BMW Performance Exhaust too...sounds really good. I have videos on youtube under Chrisk335 if you want to search/hear them.

Again, everything I've read is that you really don't need Ver 2, IF you are NOT going to track your car. Also, you will lose your fog lights with Ver 2 from my understanding, although some have said you can tell the dealer not to do that part, which seems odd since that is what helps cool the car/engine.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[LindaTheCat]

Will air duct work to prevent fog lights from being disabled?

[tacosurf]

Originally Posted by Linda_the_Cat

Will air duct work to prevent fog lights from being disabled?

X2

[chrisk03]

Yes, the fog lights go away completely...the dealer should give them to you after install of Stage 2. There's someone on the forums here who had Stage 2 done late last year and they removed the fog lights and replaced with air ducts similar to a 335is.