2008 BMW 135i: Thoughts on the Reflash

I'll be a fan if it remains undetected / doesn't ruin the warranty.

So can we get confirmation- does this reflash void the warranty?

Yeah a reflash is great on the 3.0 twin turbo engine. I have the Dinan on my 335i and it is amazing too. Definitely takes it to 11.

@miller24. The only reflash that still maintains the warranty is the one from Dinan, but it runs ~$2k. Well worth the additional expense if you are concerned about any warranty concerns. But note that a modification does not void a warranty, it just may void coverage on parts that a modification may be affecting (yes this is a grey issue and dependent on the specific situation), but it never voids the whole warranty.

Magnusson Moss Act, folks. Google it.

The Magnusson Moss Act definitely applies here… but I’d just note that the *entire* warranty will not be voided, only anything that could be deemed related to the modification. If the engine gets “grenaded,” good luck. If there are problems with the high pressure fuel pump, etc (and there have been sooo many HPFPs replaced on cars that haven’t even been tuned).

I’m very much subscribed, but tend to side with the thought that “BMW engineers know what they are doing.” IMHO I don’t particularly buy that the N54 has been detuned to avert competition w/ the M3. I suspect it may have been conservatively tuned for reliability... and who knows, perhaps to leave the door open for the BMW Performance reflash (anyone know if / when that will ever be offered in the US?)

Cheers!
T

I'm quite aware of the Magnusson Moss Act and it does apply here. The post by @indy_mistert has it right the entire warranty will not be voided, that was my point.

I agree that BMW did not detune the engine to avoid competition with the M3, the M3 is much more than horsepower numbers anyway, as any respectable enthusiast knows. I do agree they probably did leave it open to tweaking via their Performance aftermarket line though we have seen very few 335i performance products to come yet for the twin turbo engine. Hopefully that will change. And no I haven't heard any dates or info about a OEM offered reflash.

While it's true that it won't invalidate the entire warranty, this mod could potentially affect all the most expensive oily bits (engine, transmission, differential, axles, etc), so if something happened to anything in the drive train, you might be at risk for having to pay out of pocket.

"Performance aftermarket reflash on a luxury sport coupe at this price point should be standard, period."

Holy hell! That car is DIRTY!

"Performance aftermarket reflash on a luxury sport coupe at this price point should be standard, period."

Where is that quote from 1486?

Its not like the BMW I6TT was a bad engine to begin with as it offers best in class performance and decent fuel economy. On that note I dont agree with the quote above as just about any engine currently offered more than likely would see some sort of performance benefit from a reflash or better tuning.

@indy_mister: I'm on the side of 'tuned conservatively to avoid competition'. BMW will be releasing its OWN aftermarket performance tune for the N54 this summer:

http://www.motorauthority.com/bmw-releases-performance-power-kit-for-135i-335i-n54-straight-six-engine.html

(The kit will also include an additional water cooler.)

jkp1187;

I posted this official description from the BMW GB page on 5/22:

The BMW Performance engine tuning kit for the BMW 335i and BMW 135i further enhances your vehicle’s already impressive engine output. The key to its effectiveness is the way that all the components have been designed to work together. The modified engine tuning parameters mean the engine generates higher temperatures – and so an additional radiator and air intakes, and a powerful 850-watt fan have been incorporated to deal with this extra heat. The effect that these modifications have can be seen in the graph. The maximum torque of the in-line six-cylinder engine is increased from 400 to as much as 450 Newton-metres, depending on the type of transmission, and power output rises from 225 to 240 kW. This improves acceleration both from 0 to 60 mph (by 0.2 seconds over models without the engine tuning kit) and from 50 to 75 mph (by 0.5 seconds in fifth gear).

"This improves acceleration both from 0 to 60 mph (by 0.2 seconds over models without the engine tuning kit) and from 50 to 75 mph (by 0.5 seconds in fifth gear)."

5th gear? Who uses 5th gear? I'm not sure I've ever used 5th gear in any of my last 3 BMWs (4 if you include the Mini).

If I need power I always go 6 to 4. 5th might as well not exist.