Project: 2014 328i xDrive Wagon F31

[GTBrandon]

I always dealt with BMW of Sterling and it was a good experience but they experienced a management change recently so I can’t speak to how it operates now.

Yeah those are the guys that wanted to charge me $4000 to replace the OFHG and a rear shock mount.  GTFO.

Even going into the ECU with a reflash, they can, and should know, depending on how much they want to dig - new ECU's are pretty damn sophisticated.  Warranty service is too expensive not to.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthr...?t=1268166
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthr...p?t=695431

They can also look at the ECU logs to see if anything is happening outside of expected parameters, or look at the flash count and see if it doesnt add up compared to what is in the VIN history.  It just depends how far they want to dig into it and what the relationship with the shop is.

I much prefer that approach over a plug-in device like the JB4, I feel like there are too many potential compromises to be made there.

Yes the Dinan is more conservative, but, I'll take that all day long for a car I plan to keep a long time - if you get an extended factory warranty, you have at least some room for support where as if you had your ECU changed by, what they will view as "some guy at non-bmw shop" they will tell you to GTFO. 

Does BMW have a 'power pack' available like they did for the N54/N55 motors?

Only BMW-NA can see those parameters which would involve de-encrypting the flash tune which is hidden in the stock encryption, and wipes any data such as going above 155mph, over revs, etc. Also the only time it would get that deep is a damn new car under failure, I’ve known people to get entirely new engines and all they did was flash back to stock before going in. Also ECU does not trip flash counter as it’s tuned directly from DME, not through OBD. BUT there is a new cable out that allows tuning through OBD without tripping the flash counter but this is pretty new to the market so I don’t know much about it.

Yes they have a powerpack, it’s exhaust, intake, and a tune that ads like 20hp and more burbles with the exhaust. I believe around $2,500. Not worth it IMO as the exhaust included isn’t that great sounding.

Edit: I’m thinking of N55, not sure of N28 for powerpack