[Soliditude]

So after lurking around and reading different reviews about available software upgrades, I had no other want then the BMW Factory tune itself. I have warranty, I don't want to void it, I don't need a 400hp tune, therefore PPK 1 is perfect for me. Yes, you can get more for less, but then again, not really. Dinan and JB4 offer great stuff, but none keep warranty without sacrificing fuel economy. This is just my personal preference. For those of you who want an easy-going tune for a bit of extra power and refinement, BMW PPK is for you! If you want ultimate power and neck-snapping acceleration, you will probably not be satisfied.

Mine was sold to me for a pretty good deal by the stealership: $855 for software and installation programming. If I were to give one verdict, it would be this: Worth every penny! Face it, $855 is what a regular axle-back costs--and it won't give you 20hp/32trq gains... Not even close!

The software is instantly noticeable and the car becomes much quicker. I used to have a G37 coupe with full cat-back and HFCs, as well as a tune, which did not match up even closely to this. The car becomes more responsive and more powerful in all RPM range. I do not floor my car every 10 minutes and have only occasional enthusiastic outbursts. From going 5 miles an hour to driving on the freeway, your car becomes faster. 1k RPM to 3k RPM is full of new, fresh power for where you drive most. That is my favorite part about it. That is a win. The exhaust note also very noticeably becomes louder, especially within the 2k RPM range, where the exhaust has a deep, thick growl that you had no idea existed in those pipes. I was honestly expecting just a tiny bit of added noise with the software, but the actual result literally puts the sound where it should be! It was the most unexpected part of the whole experience. Freeway pulls in 6th gear are far stronger--there is no reason why I would want to downshift, even, because it has plenty of power for passing and smoking your friends or strangers. 90 MPH surges seemlessly in an instant without even reaching 3k RPM. I love it, personally.

I was skeptical about whether or not the PPK would carry enough power to make it reasonable and "feel"-able, but I can tell you right now: It does exactly what BMW claims. From the first moment of having the newly-powered N55, I did not once think back and say, "well, BMW sure BS-ed on this one!" The PPK, in my opinion, is greatly underrated; it offers more than I could research online, thus surpassed my expectations. To round it up, if you want identical power to the 335iS for the price of just $700 (I am aware of the overboost feature), this is your ultimate choice. The car is much faster--faster than I'd need it to be. This really puts it straight into the Audi S4/S5 range. I am confident that, on a straight run, the Audi would not be ahead.

If you want an exhaust, forget about it, get the PPK first, and only then start your piggy bank for exhaust. The PPK, from an overall view, is a perfect fit for the money, provided the dealer doesn't rip you off. Although even for $1k, I would still do this. Hope this gives you guys who are thinking about it a pat on the back... Get it! It's worth it. The end.

[WhiteonWheat]

Nice write up man! I might just be looking into doing the PPK Stg 1 now - I think you sold me bro!

[chrisk03]

Nice write up and agree with you...but I'm a little biased.

[Sam335ix]

I had PPK and it was nice for a while... I got tired of it after a month.

[Noncom23]

Any noticeable lag or hesitation at any point? I mean the whole range, start
off, turbo kick in, downshift?
Thx ahead!

[Dark_Knight_335]

It's how the N55 should have come from the factory. No more, no less.

[Soliditude]

Originally Posted by Noncom23

Any noticeable lag or hesitation at any point? I mean the whole range, start
off, turbo kick in, downshift?
Thx ahead!

Not that I can come across. It's clean and butter smooth. The car runs just as great as stock, only with a bit more power. No negative effects whatsoever.

[Soliditude]

Originally Posted by Sam335ix

I had PPK and it was nice for a while... I got tired of it after a month.

Every mod you do gets tiring after some time. There is no cure for that. If you had a Veyron, you would encounter the same thing at one point, lol.

[Soliditude]

Originally Posted by WhiteonWheat

Nice write up man! I might just be looking into doing the PPK Stg 1 now - I think you sold me bro!

Originally Posted by chrisk03

Nice write up and agree with you...but I'm a little biased.

Thanks guys! I wouldn't have wasted all that time writing if I wasn't impressed. I highly recommend getting it for whoever is looking into one. It's a must-have mod for me. More pleasure of driving, a beastlier sound, no warranty issues, no fuel economy decrease and totally legit. They stick your car with markers and send you an entire envelope proving, by VIN, that your car has the tune installed. Resale value! Not something you'll get from aftermarket.

[Soliditude]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

It's how the N55 should have come from the factory. No more, no less.

I agree. I'm disappointed that the new 3-series does not come with it. It should have it without questions asked.

[eyim1988]

nice writeup!

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by Soliditude

Every mod you do gets tiring after some time. There is no cure for that. If you had a Veyron, you would encounter the same thing at one point, lol.

So true man. Know a cheap way to "fix" that?
Park your ride in the driveway for a week and rent the economy four banger of your choice at your local Enterprise for a week.
Drive only said four banger for that week, then return and get back in your ride.
Repeat as necessary.

[WhiteonWheat]

So true man. Know a cheap way to "fix" that?
Park your ride in the driveway for a week and rent the economy four banger of your choice at your local Enterprise for a week.
Drive only said four banger for that week, then return and get back in your ride.
Repeat as necessary.

^

SOOOO True!

[ian2002525]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

So true man. Know a cheap way to "fix" that?
Park your ride in the driveway for a week and rent the economy four banger of your choice at your local Enterprise for a week.
Drive only said four banger for that week, then return and get back in your ride.
Repeat as necessary.

this is what i do! have my gas saver civic for daily drive, and drive GTR on weekend!

[gustnyc]

I bought my car with the BMW tune.. The torque is amazing.. But I still went out to get a jb4 for my n55.. The BMW tune got real old quick.. Lol

[BMW_Belgier]

Very helpfull post

You have to pay $ 1600 for the software here in Switzerland ...

[cdauito]

Originally Posted by WhiteonWheat

Nice write up man! I might just be looking into doing the PPK Stg 1 now - I think you sold me bro!

I agree! great right up, thanks for the info.

[Q4P]

Are we talking about crank hp/tq here? Because I honestly have no idea how you guys can feel the improvement in performance with such low numbers.

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by Soliditude

Thanks guys! I wouldn't have wasted all that time writing if I wasn't impressed. I highly recommend getting it for whoever is looking into one. It's a must-have mod for me. More pleasure of driving, a beastlier sound, no warranty issues, no fuel economy decrease and totally legit. They stick your car with markers and send you an entire envelope proving, by VIN, that your car has the tune installed. Resale value! Not something you'll get from aftermarket.

Did they mail you this envelope or give it to you when you picked up the car after installation? What does it include?
I had the PPKI installed on mine in Dec, got the stickers but not proof from the dealer/BMW that it was installed on my car. I guess I should give them a call.

[Soliditude]

Originally Posted by Q4P

Are we talking about crank hp/tq here? Because I honestly have no idea how you guys can feel the improvement in performance with such low numbers.

Well, you do know that when you gain 20/32 at the crank, you gain just as much at the wheels? Stock N55 runs about 270 torque at the wheels; after tune, it averages close to 300. That's a very feel-able difference. On average, your Bimmer goes from 270/270 at the wheels - to 290/300 at the wheels. Give or take.

[Soliditude]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

So true man. Know a cheap way to "fix" that?
Park your ride in the driveway for a week and rent the economy four banger of your choice at your local Enterprise for a week.
Drive only said four banger for that week, then return and get back in your ride.
Repeat as necessary.

I do the exact same thing with my mom's and dad's cars, lol. I drive them to work instead for a few days, and then when I get into my BM: =

[Soliditude]

Originally Posted by NYC6

Did they mail you this envelope or give it to you when you picked up the car after installation? What does it include?
I had the PPKI installed on mine in Dec, got the stickers but not proof from the dealer/BMW that it was installed on my car. I guess I should give them a call.

They left it on my seat in the car. It's a red envelope straight from Germany, and your dealer/service adviser signs off on the paperwork, which includes the part numbers for the software along with your VIN. It's legit. Call them and demand it, lol. You should've gotten one along with the stickers that they place under the hood. I'll try and post a pic later.