Project: 2014 328i xDrive Wagon F31

[Jake]

Glad it's treating you well! I don't think I've driven an F30 with the adjustable dampers so good to hear they make a difference, however subtle.

[KettleKooked]

Glad it's treating you well! I don't think I've driven an F30 with the adjustable dampers so good to hear they make a difference, however subtle.

You have driven Brandon's haven't you?

[Jake]

Glad it's treating you well! I don't think I've driven an F30 with the adjustable dampers so good to hear they make a difference, however subtle.

You have driven Brandon's haven't you?

I drove his (very hard at Summit Point, as a pace car all weekend) but his also weighed as much as a studio apartment, so I don't feel like it's the best comparison. It did handle well for being so heavy though.

[GTBrandon]

As for lowering, look into Dinan software tune that goes along with the springs if you have EDC in the car.

For power, look into Frank Smith or BM3 for the best power increase. With a charge pipe (Terrible from the factory), less restrictive down-pipe, *and intercooler if you want* you'll be pushing an extra 110 wtrq/whp.

Not sure where you're located but I found a great indie shop in Chantilly called GTPeace who worked on my F30 and has one himself with all the same modifications.

Great pick-up though! Would love to see something like that first pic you posted!

[.RJ]

I would take a Dinan tune over the others, IMO.

It will be done at a dealer so you have a lot more backing for any warranty work if you decide to get one.

[GTBrandon]

My tune was undetectable by the dealer, and with the new software that was just released, you can flash back to stock if you're truly worried at any time, and it DOES NOT trip the flash counter anymore, meaning no evidence.

Also I have heard horror stories on the forums of BMW NA having hissy fits with Dinan and this is leading a lot of big dealers to be forced into cutting ties with Dinan installations/support at their locations.

[GTBrandon]

I don't think I've driven an F30 with the adjustable dampers so good to hear they make a difference, however subtle.

Mine had the adjustables, sport and sport+ tightened them up a lot. Although going back I would have opted for non EDC as now you are forced into either getting EDC coilovers (extra $1k), or getting regular coil overs and coding out EDC (Also extra $$)

[.RJ]

My tune was undetectable by the dealer

I would be VERY surprised if this was true.

[GTBrandon]

My tune was undetectable by the dealer

I would be VERY surprised if this was true.

Only thing they can see is the bolt ons which can lead to assumptions but no proof. Depending on your dealer, you can just take off the downpipe/intercooler if you are having anything big replaced.

My transfer case was replaced with no questions asked and this was with my tune on and all bolt-ons still in place.

Edit: depends on the tune. A simple JB4 is detectable, I’m talking about a full ECU re-flash.

[Steve85]

I hadn't heard of the BM3...looks promising after a quick look and thanks for the heads up on the shop in Chantilly. I work from home in Winchester, but occasionally go into an office in Chantilly. I'll have to stop by there next time.

The JB4 from BMS is tempting as they are routinely available on the forums and have a good bang for buck. I think if I were to plan anything serious, I would likely go with a Dinan type package as their tuning seems more comprehensive and would work with their supporting parts as a more cohesive solution. (That's just from inital research, no deep dives yet)

Isn't the JB4 plug and play module completely removable though? Or would there be traces of the impacted tune?

For now, I'm still in the "should I get a warranty" stage though.   I realllllly like it and don't want to end up hating it over a repair that costs way more than it should.

[GTBrandon]

I hadn't heard of the BM3...looks promising after a quick look and thanks for the heads up on the shop in Chantilly. I work from home in Winchester, but occasionally go into an office in Chantilly. I'll have to stop by there next time.

The JB4 from BMS is tempting as they are routinely available on the forums and have a good bang for buck. I think if I were to plan anything serious, I would likely go with a Dinan type package as their tuning seems more comprehensive and would work with their supporting parts as a more cohesive solution. (That's just from inital research, no deep dives yet)

Isn't the JB4 plug and play module completely removable though? Or would there be traces of the impacted tune?

For now, I'm still in the "should I get a warranty" stage though.   I realllllly like it and don't want to end up hating it over a repair that costs way more than it should.

JB4 will trip the flash counter which will immediately give your dealer the right to void warranty. 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. Also JB4 isn’t as consistent with power delivery compared to an ECU flash.

Don’t get an extended warranty. I purchased one just to find out that ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is covered unless essentially your car’s engine or trans fails. I have countless records of going to dealer and having lists of things they normally covered under my original warranty, but as soon as it switched to extended, everything was denied and accompanied with a service charge for “looking into the issue”

Dinan IMO is too expensive with too little gains, and there is more experience and troubleshooting with BM3 or Frank’s than Dinan by far.

[Steve85]

JB4 will trip the flash counter which will immediately give your dealer the right to void warranty.

Ahh, got it.

I purchased one just to find out that ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is covered unless essentially your car’s engine or trans fails.

I've ruled out the aftermarket ones and looking into the BMW Extended Service Contract that is sold through the dealers. Powertrain Plus gets me most of the way there but doesn't cover gaskets. But I'm also hesitant because of things like the VANOS or Timing chain "guide" not mentioned anywhere.

[GTBrandon]

JB4 will trip the flash counter which will immediately give your dealer the right to void warranty.

Ahh, got it.

I purchased one just to find out that ABSOLUTELY NOTHING is covered unless essentially your car’s engine or trans fails.

I've ruled out the aftermarket ones and looking into the BMW Extended Service Contract that is sold through the dealers. Powertrain Plus gets me most of the way there but doesn't cover gaskets. But I'm also hesitant because of things like the VANOS or Timing chain "guide" not mentioned anywhere.

This is what I purchased from my dealership, NOT a third party. Still won’t cover most things, again unless your engine is failing or you have a REALLY cool service advisor but even then.

[.RJ]

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?

[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

[.RJ]

Only BMW-NA can see those parameters

Yeah, the guy plugging your shit in to check for software updates isnt going to see it, it just depends on how big the warranty bill and how the dealership runs things before they go there.

Auto electronics systems have gotten so fucking complicated - even changing batteries you really need to be using dealership tools.

[Steve85]

48,256

Oil change done (not needed for another 8K miles according to the compooper  ) and had the tech do a once over to look for anything I should get handled by warranty. I paid for his extra time so it wasn't a half-ass "didn't see anything while I was on FB and changing your oil". They sell a lot of these 3 series so they are pretty familiar with them.

I had a good conversation with the tech when he was done, he did recommend more frequent alignments to keep up with wear since the staggered setup prevents full rotation. Brakes have plenty of life left but tires are nearing end of life. I thought I was hearing something with the front end so he checked it all out and everything seemed tight and in order. They have not finish paved our street yet so I think I was just being paranoid, the seams from finished paved to not finished are just 2" cliffs, no transition smoothing. Still adjusting to not being in an "absorbs everything" CUV suspension. I would like to do some nicer summer wheels/tires and put winters on the stock wheels so it looks like we will be getting new blinds for the house. 

Oh, we went to Snowshoe last weekend and ended up taking the CX-5 which does not have turny headlights and it really made me appreciate having them.

Front splitter coming soon...

[GTBrandon]

I had a clunk that came from my front end for a while that they dealer never seemed to be able to find. I believe it was my belly pan flapping around since those screws love to strip and fall out.

[JustinG]

Getting the factory splitter?

[Steve85]

Yup, actually got it from BavAutosport, it was $200 less than the cheapest I could find the BMW one. Based on my research, the aftermarket ones seem to be just as good and fit well. As soon as it's not 30 degrees, I'll do a test fit and make sure it's good before the final install.

Also considering if I want to do something with it or just install as the matte black it comes.