Being the guy who shepherded our longterm 2008 BMW 135i to and from DME Tune, the test track and all over southern California, I've spun up quite a few digits on the odometer in its newly invigorated state. And here my impressions.
The first thing I noticed immediately after DME Tune reflashed it is that driveability around town is actually better than stock. In these off-boost conditions, the 135i now accelerates more brightly, as if it just downed a half-serving of espresso. Miata guys would describe this as "crisp."
Then, when you lay fully into the throttle, the 135i pulls with a vigor that in no way can be mistaken for stock. There's loads of midrange grunt on tap, and the redline comes up right quick. And as other editors have noted, there is indeed no downside to the way this thing now drives--it's all gravy and no lumps.
An observation: the oil temperature gauges now stabilizes at about 10-20 degrees cooler than it did with the stock flash. Could it be that the DME Flash also includes tweaks to the (electronically controlled) thermostat?
Also, I'm convinced that the performance test results we measured for the reflash don't fully represent what this car can do. The reason? It was about 20 degrees hotter when we tested the reflash.
Now, we don't weather-correct turbocharged cars since they largely compensate for ambient conditions. However, when you modify a boosted car, you eat up a bit of this ability to compensate. I'd really like to re-test in in weather conditions that more closely match the test conditions of the stock flash for a more apples-to-apples comparison.
Hmm. With the variables associated with acceleration testing, maybe we just need to suck it up and do a full-on dyno geek-out comparison of stock vs reflashed.
That's a lot of work, though. And I'm busy enjoying this 135i.
Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor @ 22,620 miles.
e10rice says:
01:55 PM, 06/ 8/09
I'd actually like to see the full dyno comparison. Have you noticed a difference in the MPG average? And would BMW notice the change if you took it in for service?
bryan__t says:
02:07 PM, 06/ 8/09
Two questions: First, is a similar service available for the Audi/VW 2.0T? I have a 2006 A3 with about 20,000 miles on it that just fell out of the warranty.
Second, if this is available for my car, any recommended shops in West LA for having this done? I work across the street from the Edmunds offices in Santa Monica for reference.
mikeolan says:
02:10 PM, 06/ 8/09
I'm sorry but that picture reveals what a horribly ugly car that is.
adavis2493 says:
02:34 PM, 06/ 8/09
Are you sure this Tuning is not just a placebo?
desmolicious says:
02:48 PM, 06/ 8/09
Does this reflash void the warranty?
tekbiscuit says:
02:51 PM, 06/ 8/09
I'd love to see a "full on dyno geek out" comparison. My friend has a 335i coupe with a Vishnu tune and it's an animal. We dynoed it before and after the tune and it's definitely not a placebo. If DME does something like Vishnu since the engines are the same, then I'm sure this mod is definitely worth it.
PDXLager says:
04:45 PM, 06/ 8/09
@mikeolan you have a history of tossing out wild hyperbole regarding the 135i and I'm comforted by your consistency.
And, PS: someone on the Internet thinks you're wrong.
mikeolan says:
09:08 PM, 06/ 8/09
@PDXLager: that's ok, plenty more people think I'm right.
sodaguy says:
02:09 AM, 06/ 9/09
Bryan: APR (www.goapr.com) has a software for your VW/Audi 2.0T.
bkochuk says:
06:49 AM, 06/ 9/09
bryan_1: the APR product is really good. I had it done on my S4 when the warranty ran out. if you can park your car for a couple of days, send them the ECU and have them bench flash it.
you'll experience a driving sensation much like they're talking about here, and you'll get slightly better gas mileage to boot.
blueguydotcom says:
08:53 AM, 06/ 9/09
@mike - in my eyes it's a far better looking vehicle than anything else produced by BMW or Mercedes. Not so much Audi but they have the R8. Otherwise the 1 series proportionally is as close to ideal as I've seen a two door car in years. Small, upright, good greenhouse, blunt proportions. Reminds me of the 2002 or the E30 (not as nice looking as either).
joefrompa says:
11:06 AM, 06/ 9/09
Desmo - Though the reflash is just about indetectable, yes it does void the warranty on select parts. But there is no such thing as "voiding the warranty" altogether.
J to the K - Are you sure it's not running cooler because it's now running richer?
MikeOlan - History is riddled with butt-ugly cars. When they run 13 second quarter miles, people tend to forgive them.
jkavanagh says:
01:10 PM, 06/ 9/09
joefrompa--it had better not be running richer at a steady cruise, when operating in closed-loop....