[MarkD]

I have been offering flash tunes for the E9x and later BMW's such as the X5M and 135 since July 2010, and older OBD-2 cars since 2004. I am now a sponsor here so am announcing what I can provide in this thread.

I can customise the flash for any normal mods such as cat-less downpipes, bigger inter-cooler, different exhaust. In the near future I will be testing a car with bigger turbos and methanol injection on a dyno to see what can be achieved with that. You just have to specify the current mods and I'll tailor a file to those. The price is $900 for any stock motor and $1000 for any file for a modified car. An upgrade from a stock file to a modified one at a later date is $160.

The procedure:
1) - read current file from ECU (1.5 hours)
2) - make file (1.5 hours)
3) - write new file (30 minutes)
4) - wait for ECU's to sync after writing (20 minutes)

Step 1 can be done on one day, and steps 3 and 4 anytime after that. Or the complete procedure could be done on one day if you leave the car.


Gains on a stock motor with auto transmission: ~ 70 crank hp, 6MT: 80 hp

Dyno charts are coming as soon as I dyno a few of the cars I have done, they will be dyno'd at Champion.

I've also tuned an X6, X5M and a few AWD cars, but would have to go to one of the few 4WD dynos in the GTA to dyno those.

Although I am well known for OBD-1 chips and OBD-2 tuning for older cars which I have developed myself, I am buying these files from a tuner in Europe who has been tuning N54's for almost 4 years and has done many of them.

I've loaded around 15 cars in total since last July, and nobody has ever called with a problem, I'm starting to feel like the Maytag repairman!

The current model motors I have tuned recently are the N52, N54, S63 (and I can tune any earlier BMW myself such as the S54 etc)
I also have the capability to program the 335d, but that requires removal and opening of the ECU.

I am willing to give 3 people who are interested in a tune a 25% discount off the prices above, to help you decide to go the FLASH route and spread the word on how well it works. Take a further 5% off if you have this done before June 15.

I am based in downtown Toronto, but if you are north of Toronto I can flash your car at ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE AUTOMOTIVE in Richmond Hill on most weekends, if it is arranged in advance.

[AKF12]

I have no idea what this flash tune is about!!
Is this reversible in case of problems?
Does it affect emission testing?
I'm interested to know more.

I've been looking into adding power to my 06 330xi AWD sedan, but never thought about this. Maybe it doesn't work for my car. Just 335-s.

I've heard of BMS Power box and was thinking about it.

Please advice. thx.

[domrep]

prob won't work for your car. 335 only.

mark - would love to see not only dynos but datalogs of this flash.

[Laguna3]

Mark, have you done any N55s yet?

[The1]

Originally Posted by MarkD

The current model motors I have tuned recently are the N52, N54, S63 (and I can tune any earlier BMW myself such as the S54 etc)
I also have the capability to program the 335d, but that requires removal and opening of the ECU.

he can tune your motor.

[MrSkinny]

i assume there's no resale value for this thing when you're done with it.

[dzenno]

Hey Mark, did you figure out how we'd switch between race/pump gas tunes? For those of us hitting the track often something like a Cobb AP or the Evolve handheld unit would be a necessity..for those not interested in running higher boost on race gas this isn't an issue at all

[MarkD]

Originally Posted by Laguna3

Mark, have you done any N55s yet?

I have not, but my supplier in Europe for E9x files has done them. I have discussed this with him last year and don't see any reason why we should have a problem on a Canadian car. If anyone is interested, please send an email. I am willing to offer a discount to one or two cars of any new type, to prove it can actually be done. My flashing tools can read/write any of the BMW's.

[MarkD]

Originally Posted by The1

he can tune your motor.

That is correct. I've done a few 330's both last year and in the last month. I've also flashed my wife's 328i 6MT last July when I bought the flashing tools.

Other types of recent model BMW's I tuned either this year or last year:

- 335iS 6MT
- 335iS DCT
- 335xi auto
- 335i auto
- X6 Black Edition
- X5M (555 hp stock, over 620 after tuning)
- 135i 6MT
- E92 M3

I also tuned a friend's V10 Tourag a few weeks ago, so if you know anyone with any European turbo cars, I can help them out! I can supply tunes for the non-turbo cars also, but turbo motors obviously benefit the most.

[MarkD]

Originally Posted by MrSkinny

i assume there's no resale value for this thing when you're done with it.

It's like any other flash tune. Dinan, GIAC and the rest don't take it back on trade in. But I would consider giving you a discount on a tune for your next car.

[MarkD]

Originally Posted by dzenno

Hey Mark, did you figure out how we'd switch between race/pump gas tunes? For those of us hitting the track often something like a Cobb AP or the Evolve handheld unit would be a necessity..for those not interested in running higher boost on race gas this isn't an issue at all

I have discussed this with the tuner and he reminded me that each time you switch maps the ECU has to re-adapt. That adaption can take 500 to 1000 kms. We are still figuring out what to do for this. Right now I am also considering a cable to allow end users to load and swap files themselves as this will also allow me to sell into other areas instead of just the GTA. I can buy such a cable but need to buy many to get a good price. I hope to have more to say regarding this in the near future.

[aw328xi2008]

What kind of gains can we expect from the tune for a 328?

[MarkD]

It's roughly 8% more torque and hp at the highest rpm and load, and a bit more than 8$ at lihter loads and lower rpm's. I'll dyno one in the future. The one problem is that proper dyno runs should be done on two days, with at least 800 km's driven after the tuned file is written, for best results. My mechanic has driven our 328i and knows right away that it is not stock.

[MrSkinny]

how is mileage/fuel efficiency on 335i after tune

[IB6UB9ok]

Hey Mark,

Got any answers for AKF12's questions? I also drive an E90 330i. Been running the BMS PBX for over a year now and have no complaints whatsoever.

You stated that you have flashed a few 330's...what were the results? I'd be interested in seeing some dyno sheets (if any) as "butt-dyno's" just don't cut it.

I'm sure you're familiar with what the BMS PBX does for us N52 guys...how is your tune different from a "piggy-back" type/style of tune? Increase timing (if any)...if so, how many degrees? Increased throttle response? VANOS? Pro's & Con's (if any)? Also, do you offer 1 or 2 free "re-flashes" incase the dealer overwrites the software when the car is brought in for service.

I look forward to hearing your answers.

Thanks.

Wil

Originally Posted by AKF12

I have no idea what this flash tune is about!!
Is this reversible in case of problems?
Does it affect emission testing?
I'm interested to know more.

I've been looking into adding power to my 06 330xi AWD sedan, but never thought about this. Maybe it doesn't work for my car. Just 335-s.

I've heard of BMS Power box and was thinking about it.

Please advice. thx.

[teamadobo]

Whats the name of this flash and how does it compare to others?

[DESI4life10]

Originally Posted by IB6UB9ok

Hey Mark,

Got any answers for AKF12's questions? I also drive an E90 330i. Been running the BMS PBX for over a year now and have no complaints whatsoever.

You stated that you have flashed a few 330's...what were the results? I'd be interested in seeing some dyno sheets (if any) as "butt-dyno's" just don't cut it.

I'm sure you're familiar with what the BMS PBX does for us N52 guys...how is your tune different from a "piggy-back" type/style of tune? Increase timing (if any)...if so, how many degrees? Increased throttle response? VANOS? Pro's & Con's (if any)? Also, do you offer 1 or 2 free "re-flashes" incase the dealer overwrites the software when the car is brought in for service.

I look forward to hearing your answers.

Thanks.

Wil

+1 great questions.

I am in the same boat as well.

[Havok_2011]

Forgive my newb question,

I'm looking to install the BMS PBX or the Active Autowerke to get some gains on my 328i, can I also do this flash tune for extra gain in combination with one of the above items I mentioned? Or is this an alternative option rather than an additional option?

[kol]

Originally Posted by DESI4life10

+1 great questions.

I am in the same boat as well.

Originally Posted by Havok_2011

Forgive my newb question,

I'm looking to install the BMS PBX or the Active Autowerke to get some gains on my 328i, can I also do this flash tune for extra gain in combination with one of the above items I mentioned? Or is this an alternative option rather than an additional option?

You cannot compare a flash tune to a piggyback system....day and night difference.

Flash is alternative, not additional.

Our cars will learn piggybacks overtime...I'm sure most PBX owners will agree that the PB is not as big of a difference compared to when you first installed it. Piggyback is like cheating your ECU, whereas a flash is actually re-writing your map.

The power gains from a flash will stay consistent.....

A dealership will not erase your flash tune and put it back to stock - it takes way too much time...so unless you are in for some major work, I doubt the dealership will even read your ecu directly.... As you see from Mark's post, reading takes 1.5 hrs...

AA is a flash tune as well. I had the AA tune in my old E90 and loved it....day and night difference compared to PBX is the only way I can describe it.

Another analogy is like comparing a GIAC/Dinan tune vs JB/Procede on a N54.
Both have pros and cons.

Mark, correct me if my statements are not true and not helping

[kol]

also want to add, piggyback learning is much more noticable in a non Turbo car

[335isGuy]

I am currently running marks Tune in my 335is pretty much since ownership. Nothing but amazing power. No codes, even taken into the dealer and no issues. Its very linear power and very stock feeling minus the massive thrust. MarkD is no slouch when it comes to tuning. He has been in the game for as long as I know have know him. I have driven a Proceede car and JB4 car. To me it feels like a night and day difference. I will be at the BBQ, so if anyone wants a ride to compare.... We will be there.

[jkwan18]

Originally Posted by 335isGuy

I am currently running marks Tune in my 335is pretty much since ownership. Nothing but amazing power. No codes, even taken into the dealer and no issues. Its very linear power and very stock feeling minus the massive thrust. MarkD is no slouch when it comes to tuning. He has been in the game for as long as I know have know him. I have driven a Proceede car and JB4 car. To me it feels like a night and day difference. I will be at the BBQ, so if anyone wants a ride to compare.... We will be there.

What's the gain on HP? Sorry I'm a noob when it comes to tuning, so the dealer wouldn't know a tune has been installed? I'm just worried about warranty issues.