Any Chips Really Work?

[BimmerDom]

Does anyone have specific independant feedback on the chip for the e46 model 325i (MY 2004).

I previously had a Upsolute chipped Jetta 1.8T, loved the performance. I realize that I can't get the same results from the bimmer (no turbo), but most BMW boards claim that chipping the 325 does not producce any gains whatsoever, www.upsolute.com data shows an increase from 192PS to 208PS and a nice torque gain too.
Just looking for independant confirmations

http://www.upsolute.com/db/new/date..._Marke=4&ID=679

[rsn48]

I can't speak to the E46 upgrade of the 325, for a couple of reasons. I order a Conforti shark from Turner Motors (or whatever its name is), actually the service station order it. In fact, I ordered two Conforti sharks one for the 330 and one for the 528, without a long boring story, neither shark worked. Paranoid it was my car, I took the 528 in for a Dinan software upgrade, spent a lot and was paranoid I had wasted my money. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I can't say the car was much more significantly powerful, but I noticed more punch in the lower gears, where I wasn't expecting it. The software not only changed a number of factors affecting the motor and combustion but re-mapping the transmission as well. I think the significant boost at the lower end was from the rejuvenated transmission.

It was unfortunate I had such a negative experience with the Conforti products - I'm convinced something is wrong with them. I would have preferred the Conforti product as you get to keep it. Whereas, the Dinan software upgrade (done at a local BMW dealership) was a one time only deal; if I lose the software for whatever reason, I have to pay again for another reinstall, which I'm not to thrilled about.

[BimmerDom]

Originally posted by rsn48@Feb 25 2005, 02:21 AM
The Dinan software upgrade (done at a local BMW dealership) was a one time only deal; if I lose the software for whatever reason, I have to pay again for another reinstall, which I'm not to thrilled about.

[snapback]298981[/snapback]

What??? If BMW updates the ECU file for whatever reason and it overwrites the Dinan file, you must pay again?? n

[rsn48]

When you take your Dinan'd car in, you tell them about the software upgrade and not to overwrite it with a new upgraded software. I have been told they will know something is up on the read out anyways, even if I forget. But the service department prefers - for obvious reasons - to know about a car that has been performance chipped or sharked.

[jkloese]

My previous 323i was sharked, by conforti. I never had a problem installing it, and it did have some noticable gains. I did have an ECIS CAI and UUC TSE2 Exhaust already installed too. Its not a huge difference, but throttle response was better. I have a G-tech pro and did a couple runs with and with out the software installed. I was about a 10th of a second faster with and slightly higher max HP, most likely because my new shift point was at 6700rpm . So like I said it deos help. I would recommend it, not having any experience with dinan of course though. Now for the bad part. While my car was under warranty I brought it in for an inspection and for whatever reason they didnt tell me that they were going to "update" the software in my ECU. When i was driving home I did feel a difference in the driving, I called and asked them what they had did and the service tech advised me of the upgrade. Well I tried to reinstall my Shark injector and I did not work. I called UUC where I had purchased it and they said that I would have to buy a new one. I wasnt very happy, so I called Conforti. I actually spoke with Jim Conforti himself (of course after a week of calling) and he explained to me that they were not responsible for what BMW deos to my car, but do did however call UUC and demand they "fix" mine. I did get a call from UUC and they had me send my injector to them, and 1 month later I recieved it back in the mail and it worked. From then on I made sure BMW did not change anything in the ECU when I went there.

Hopes this helps with making your decision.

[BimmerDom]

Shark does not work on Feb 2003+ production 325i's

[rsn48]

How do you mean it doesn't work - it won't install, or you don't notice any performance gains?

[325isBaby]

Well, as I heard it from Steve Dinan himself, the thing is the new BMW's are adaptive enough to learn something has been altered from the way it should be and re-adapts to bring the car back to "stock"...usually happens after about 3 WOT signals. Take it or leave it, just heard it straight from the "horses" mouth so to speak.

[jkloese]

Wow, thats the first Ive heard of that. These computers are really outsmarting us now. So what it sounds like is that it stores a program in the memory that will run when ever the ECU "loses" its stock programming. I wonder how it deos that while your driveing, or if the car is off, what would happen if you start the car when its reprogramming? Hope somebody knows some more about that, I would really like to hear how that works.

[325isBaby]

Basically what it is, is BMW programs the DME with certain values that the vehicle recognizes as "normal operation". When these values are exceeded the vehicle adapts any way it sees it needs to to bring these values back to "normal". It's more of an adaption than a "reprogramming" proceedure. I hope you find this to be of benifit.

[dclaw]

well, if anyone has noticed, dinan now has a software upgrade for 04+ 3 series. problem is, it's only 49 state legal, meaning california is left out in the cold (and slowness) of its stricter smog regulations. As it is, the first 04 software I saw didn't appear till October of 2004, which, I think is really a pain. Newer regulations in 2004 prevented you from being able to use software for prior models, even though, overall the engine and ecu was the same.

anyone know any california legal 04 325i software?

I've been dying to find some decent software, but, as of yet, no one is producing.