Who has flashed their N54 Powered BMW?

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I am really really tempted to flash my 135i but its pretty much going to void the rest of my base warranty and my CPO warranty. I'm wondering if anybody has flashed theirs, with what tune and how many km you got. Any turbo, engine or driveline related failures?

Another issue I worry about is how high my oil temp gets on a day like today in traffic, and I do believe I have an oil cooler on this car as standard.

[R-Audi]

I think most do the JB4...cheap and its removeable.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

BMW can tell how many times the software has been changed so they can tell pretty easy if you've been playing with it. I would probably go with the GIAC flashloader from Tunerworks.

[realazy]

I had an engine failure at 19,500 kms completely stock. It was covered under warranty at a dealer cost of $28,000. A non-warranty job would've been over $30,000. Full long block and both turbos were replaced.

I'm weary of flashing it with aftermarket tunes after this happened. I'm considering Dinan just because of the warranty.

In the summer, I'm seeing 120°C average oil temperature just daily driving it. I have the stock oil cooler as well.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[benyl]

JB4

[realazy]

Originally posted by realazy
I had an engine failure at 19,500 kms completely stock. It was covered under warranty at a dealer cost of $28,000. A non-warranty job would've been over $30,000. Full long block and both turbos were replaced.

I'm weary of flashing it with aftermarket tunes after this happened. I'm considering Dinan just because of the warranty.

In the summer, I'm seeing 120°C average oil temperature just daily driving it. I have the stock oil cooler as well.

The engine sucked in a foreign metal object, not sure where it came from as the intake filter showed no damage and the car's only been in for one brake service in its life.

The foreign metal object passed through the intake valves, melted on piston 3 and out the exhaust valves damaging the turbo manifold, both turbos and both cats.

I'm sure this was an extremely rare case and has nothing to do with the reliability of the engine. It's just strange how a peice of metal got into the engine.

[TunerF1]

The JB4 is a good unit and we do carry them here but it is still a piggy back system that will need to be removed if you go to the dealer. You run a higher risk of damaging the vehicle/bending pins/incorrect installs with piggy back systems. The GIAC software is great because you dont even have to pop the hood to do it. Everything is done directly through the OBD port. We do A LOT of the GIAC software flashes here and customers are very happy with them. Im a big supporter of them as safety and reliability are very important to us here and GIAC is excellent in terms of engine safety and long term use. Reverting back to stock takes seconds and everything is done in house here so if you have questions or issues, we are always here to help! Feel free to come by the shop if you have any questions or would like it explained more in depth!

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Hmm well I am at 27400km now and I plan on keeping the car until 150000-200000km. I know it's about $1000 for the GIAC Flashloader I think.

[jaylo]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo
Hmm well I am at 27400km now and I plan on keeping the car until 150000-200000km. I know it's about $1000 for the GIAC Flashloader I think.

Don't flash it if you are keeping the vehicle for that long.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

After some debate I have decided to get the GIAC done at Tunerworks next week, if something fails I only have myself to blame.

[JZS_147]

Get Dinan, and keep your warranty.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by JZS_147
Get Dinan, and keep your warranty.

Dinan costs $800 more than GIAC and it only retains warranty for the 4 years 80000km so come September 20th of this year my bad warranty would be out and the Dinan warranty will be out as well.

[Aleks]

I got the Dinan Flash a few months ago. Wanted to keep my Original Warranty in tact. Also have CPO and I was told it should still be valid other than on parts that fail directly due to higher boost (turbos).

Debated Dinan vs COBB but chose Dinan due to the very conservative tune that's made to be reliable. Driveability is great. What I'm also happy with is the fuel economy for a car with this much power is excellent still.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by Aleks
I got the Dinan Flash a few months ago. Wanted to keep my Original Warranty in tact. Also have CPO and I was told it should still be valid other than on parts that fail directly due to higher boost (turbos).

Debated Dinan vs COBB but chose Dinan due to the very conservative tune that's made to be reliable. Driveability is great. What I'm also happy with is the fuel economy for a car with this much power is excellent still.

What the guys at BMW tell me is the Dinan tune warranty is only good for 48/80000 however Dinan is good at taking care of their customers if there is a failure out of warranty. How noticeable was the power increase? I'm hoping to gain 50HP at the crank safely.

[T-Dubbs]

if you would like to drive a dinan n54, msg me i have stg2.

but if i was to upgrade, id go for JB4........

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Not a fan of the juicebox tunes, I trust Tunerworks when they recommend me GIAC.

[T-Dubbs]

what do u have against "juicebox" tunes?

JB4 and Cobb just offer more maps, if you decide to add parts. Just saves the trip to the tunershop to be re flashed, once you add parts.



Warrenty should be the only deciding factor with your low kms, esp on a BMW.

Dinan costs more, but with full Warrenty, its more than WORTH it.


and oil temps? mine has never gone over 120 with the dinan

power difference? shoot me a PM to find out
WAY more than 50hp crank LOL
dinan claims mine is 390 hp and 415 tq i believe

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Like I said if I bought the Dinan I would have the Dinan warranty for 2 more months and then its nothing. Might as well save that $800 towards any future repairs, also I don't plan on doing any more mods as I'd rather wait for the forthcoming BMW M2.

[T-Dubbs]

better some warranty than NONE with GIAC

if something breaks , 800$ wont get you much

Dinan>GIAC