[vilord]

You do need to tune/flash to get anything useful out of the 3IM. I put the 3IM on about 7 or 8 months before flashing, and all it did was add a slight power dip.
Once I flashed it, there was a noticeable increase, at least according to my butt dyno.

There is a free flash to load the factory 330i tune onto a 328 or 325 over on bimmerlabs dot com, put together by some other e90post forum members, it took about 20 minutes from first browsing the website to tune installed.
Just need a basic bimmergeeks cable (or anything that will communicate with INPA).

If you want company for the install, we could do a quick garage day, I need to install the 3IM on my new wagon too.

[winnibago]

Originally Posted by vilord

You do need to tune/flash to get anything useful out of the 3IM. I put the 3IM on about 7 or 8 months before flashing, and all it did was add a slight power dip.
Once I flashed it, there was a noticeable increase, at least according to my butt dyno.

There is a free flash to load the factory 330i tune onto a 328 or 325 over on bimmerlabs dot com, put together by some other e90post forum members, it took about 20 minutes from first browsing the website to tune installed.
Just need a basic bimmergeeks cable (or anything that will communicate with INPA).

If you want company for the install, we could do a quick garage day, I need to install the 3IM on my new wagon too.

100% agree with Vilord.. I did the 3iM, and drove it around without the tune for about a month or so - and it just didn't feel quite "right". Ie: At times it felt faster, but wasn't very linear, and had some odd flat spots in the power band as well as mis-timed shift points. And since I don't trust myself with software on vehicles - I paid the boys at Turner Motorsports to do an ECU tune. I'd also be down for a mini-wagon meet, especially if you guys are doing simultaneous 3iM installs.

[vilord]

Just ordered up a set of intake manifold gaskets and a throttle body gasket.

Happy to host if you want to install your manifold once I get in the parts.
I also still have the wrecked wagon in the driveway, if anyone needs parts for cheap or anything wagon-specific
(will be pulling things like door lock actuators, windows and regulators, mirrors, all the modules, a few miles of wiring, etc in addition to the pano sunroof, as the sunroof in my new wagon doesn't work)

[mattpete13]

Originally Posted by vilord

You do need to tune/flash to get anything useful out of the 3IM. I put the 3IM on about 7 or 8 months before flashing, and all it did was add a slight power dip.
Once I flashed it, there was a noticeable increase, at least according to my butt dyno.

There is a free flash to load the factory 330i tune onto a 328 or 325 over on bimmerlabs dot com, put together by some other e90post forum members, it took about 20 minutes from first browsing the website to tune installed.
Just need a basic bimmergeeks cable (or anything that will communicate with INPA).

If you want company for the install, we could do a quick garage day, I need to install the 3IM on my new wagon too.

Love to! Send me a dm and we can figure out how to proceed.

So you can do the flash yourself? I've been on the bimmergeeks site but realize there's a learning curve, I'd rather have someone who knows teach me.

[mattpete13]

Originally Posted by winnibago

100% agree with Vilord.. I did the 3iM, and drove it around without the tune for about a month or so - and it just didn't feel quite "right". Ie: At times it felt faster, but wasn't very linear, and had some odd flat spots in the power band as well as mis-timed shift points. And since I don't trust myself with software on vehicles - I paid the boys at Turner Motorsports to do an ECU tune. I'd also be down for a mini-wagon meet, especially if you guys are doing simultaneous 3iM installs.

How much $$/time from Turner for the flash?

[winnibago]

(Edited) - Custom tune was performed a few years ago @ $400

[vilord]

The Turner tune used to be $550, which was too steep for me. Not sure what it is now.

I'd be happy to walk you through running the bimmerlabs tune, and we can run it on my car first so you see what's involved. Maybe next weekend or the one after depending on weather. Order yourself a set of intake manifold gaskets and a throttle body <-> intake gasket, we can test out your DISA valves before disassembly.

[winnibago]

I confirmed the labor cost (above). Here's the OBD plug and flash drive (containing the custom tune). Not sure if this is specific to a vin.

[winnibago]

Originally Posted by vilord

The Turner tune used to be $550, which was too steep for me. Not sure what it is now.

I'd be happy to walk you through running the bimmerlabs tune, and we can run it on my car first so you see what's involved. Maybe next weekend or the one after depending on weather. Order yourself a set of intake manifold gaskets and a throttle body <-> intake gasket, we can test out your DISA valves before disassembly.

PM us with dates & timing - I'd love to partake in a double 3IM swap and will make best efforts to shoehorn this into my kids'weekend schedule.

[mattpete13]

Originally Posted by vilord

The Turner tune used to be $550, which was too steep for me. Not sure what it is now.

I'd be happy to walk you through running the bimmerlabs tune, and we can run it on my car first so you see what's involved. Maybe next weekend or the one after depending on weather. Order yourself a set of intake manifold gaskets and a throttle body <-> intake gasket, we can test out your DISA valves before disassembly.

Yes will do. Any particular place you like to order these from? I've never had to buy before.

[mattpete13]

Originally Posted by winnibago

I confirmed the labor cost (above). Here's the OBD plug and flash drive (containing the custom tune). Not sure if this is specific to a vin.

So this could possibly be used on another vehicle?

Hmmmm.

Worth a shot!

[vilord]

Originally Posted by mattpete13

Yes will do. Any particular place you like to order these from? I've never had to buy before.

I sometimes order from amazon, ebay, or there's a dealer in new jersey i think that has good internet prices...
For this sort of thing, though, I like to use FCP Euro, in Connecticut. I use the cheapest shipping option and it still shows up in about 2 days.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...ng-11617547242
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...al-13547522361

I'll DM about dates and such

[drawz]

You guys are making me want an e91. Love my e90 and miss my e61...

[vilord]

On a trek for some cheap snow tires, I came across another NE long roof owner, he was in a 6MT RWD. Nice car!
Too bad the snow tires were crap... 300 bucks for a set of 4 dunlop winter sports on factory rims? worth it. except one of the tires had a bubble, one of the tires didn't match, one of the rims was missing the wheel sensor, and on top of all that, the rims are knock-offs from tire rack, and are corroding quite a bit.
Ah well.

Anyways, *wave* hi, if whomever you are in the other e91 is here.

[vilord]

mattpete13 winnibago
I'll be installing my 3IM at some point this weekend... probably Sunday, the weather's looking nice.
DM me for address if you want to swing by.

[SKUM]

Just wanted to chime in, just picked this up like a month ago, first time BMW owner.

I was in the market for a wagon, and after endless test drives and research I went with an E91 because it seemed to be the most well rounded choice in terms of driving feel, reliability, fuel economy, comfort, aesthetics, etc.

Here is my 2012, Sport Package, Space Gray on Black, RWD, AT with 60k.

Previous owner took care of all major weak points, which I didn't even know until after I bought it.
Oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket, water pump, oil pan, thrust arms, and other minor things.

Specifically wanted the last year it was offered, MFG date of 04/2012, basically loaded up except for the top of the line audio, PDC, and Comfort Access.

Shipped it here from Los Angeles because I'm tired of buying rusty New England vehicles.

I'm out of Braintree/Quincy, holla if you see me around.

[CDirks]

Tasman Green Metallic checking in. Recently fitted BC Racing coilovers and style 95 reps.
[IMG][/IMG]

[SKUM]

Originally Posted by CDirks

Tasman Green Metallic checking in. Recently fitted BC Racing coilovers and style 95 reps.
[IMG][/IMG]

Did you have the M Sport suspension previously? I'm on the fence about picking up a set of BCs. I feel like the M Sport suspension is very harsh for daily driving in MA. Looking for a more comfortable solution.

On a side note my first pick was Tasman, awesome color, and the 95s fit nicely.

[CDirks]

Originally Posted by SKUM

Did you have the M Sport suspension previously? I'm on the fence about picking up a set of BCs. I feel like the M Sport suspension is very harsh for daily driving in MA. Looking for a more comfortable solution.

On a side note my first pick was Tasman, awesome color, and the 95s fit nicely.

No M-sport suspension here. Stock springs and shocks were gone.

As far as ride quality now, I take the good with the bad:
BC's give a stiffer ride feel which gives (me at least) satisfaction on backroad jaunts.

Hitting pot holes now is noticeable. Deep ones will make a noise so loud it makes you want to cry. To mitigate this, I drive slower and know what road hazards are on my route.

They're a good quality but autocross/track inspired replacement. That being said I prefer them over softer oem options.

You might consider H&R and Bilsteins for more forgiving suspension.

[Prazision]

Originally Posted by vilord

Two wagons here in Framingham. The gray one has the 3 stage intake and a 6MT, blue one has 4 wheels attached and 4 doors that open...

In the summer I'll probably put a 6MT in the blue one. Maybe put in an N54 while I'm at it.

Keep us updated on this one, I have an auto awd 2011 myself. Was wondering what possible options I have to go mt/n54.

[M-technik-3]

Add me to list,


Purchased this today.

[hicksonj]

2006 325XiT manual in tief-grün metallic ~130k. Single hump w/ beige interior. Additions: 3-stage manifold, active autowerke tune, and b6 shocks. Recently got a clutch and fly at Wile. Been noodling to pass her along, as I need a truck and don't have any more car space.