Mapping of M5's

Mapping of M5's

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ecain63

Original Poster:

10,588 posts

175 months

Monday 24th September 2012
quotequote all
Out of pure interest (and possible near-future intent), who are the 'right' people to see when mapping E60/1 M5's? I know of 3 main providers in the UK: DMS, Evolve and CA Automotive but im sure there are more.

Of these 3 providers ive read a fair bit about hype and hope, actual figures vs promised figures, value vs non-value and limits of performance vs durability. From this reading ive got an order of preference in my head, but as much of the research is from slightly less well heeled members of the M-brigade on other forums and video hosting sites im keen to know what the PH guys would suggest, preferably from experience.

My criteria are:

Not interested in peak power claims, but obviously a good increase is nice.
Better drivability, as is much talked about when mapping M5's. More torque through the range etc. Would be nice to see if the M5 can really be made more user friendly when you dont want to be pedalling it around the rev range when just pottering through town.
Safety is paramount. Map must be safe and professional and i dont do 'chip tuners' who just plug and play a code that'll get me a 1-billion BHP boost for £5.
De-limit (might do VMax at some point).
Good aftersales reputation. Want someone who will offer support if there's a niggle rather than a tuner who takes the money and runs. Also, should my dealer rewrite software id want a guarantee that the tuner will reload the map FOC.

Ive had cars tuned correctly and incorrectly in the past and although often the peak BHP is very similar the differences between the driver experiences is monumental. I had a supposed MTM stage 1 map loaded on to my RS6 soon after i bought it in 2008. The peak power figure was great and as advertised but i was convinced something was up. Being a noob to the prestige tuning world (had tuned Pug 205 GTi-6's previous and Mitsi Shoguns with piggyback ECUs but thats all simple stuff) at the time i hadnt really done any research and went for the first bright spark i saw. Turned out the RS6 gearbox has to be mapped to suit the revised engine map else the gearbox tells the engine to cut torque above standard output. The engine could still put out an increased BHP but it was regulated by the gearbox software in order to protect itself. The box was not mapped in my case and result was that i had it redone by a superb company called MRC who only really advertise via the RS and Porsche forums. They are now world renowned in the RS tuning field and its this kind of tuner that im looking for with the BM.

Who's your recommendation?

Eddie

ecain63

Original Poster:

10,588 posts

175 months

Monday 24th September 2012
quotequote all
That was always my opinion but as much as the BHP claims might not amount to much i have heard the M5 can become a better drivers car with an expert map. Thats what im looking for. No sparks or record breakers, just a genuine improvement for what is already an epic car.

ecain63

Original Poster:

10,588 posts

175 months

Monday 24th September 2012
quotequote all
Yeah, Evolve are currently my #1 choice given the views of the paying public. Not sure on the remote mapping as id prefer to go to the site but im sure it works just fine. CA are also pretty well thought of but need more info.

ecain63

Original Poster:

10,588 posts

175 months

Monday 24th September 2012
quotequote all
omniflow said:
I'd think long and hard before you do this, especially if you have a warranty. I am SURE that a dealer will be able to spot it. On mine the red line indicator had moved very slightly.

VMax is alot of fun, but the E61 is a heavy car, and the slowing down bit at the end is very scary. Realistically you're not going to get more than 185 without seriously expensive mods. The guy from Evolve was at VMax when I was there - very nice guy, and an awesome valvetronic exhaust. Just to be clear, they're NOT the people I used for my re-map.

My car is now throwing up engine management errors, and on Saturday went into reduced power mode. I am almost certain I'm going to ask for it to be returned to stock.
Ouchy! Who did you use? PM me if youd prefer.

ecain63

Original Poster:

10,588 posts

175 months

Tuesday 25th September 2012
quotequote all
Mine made quoted factory figures when dyno'd last year. Took 3 hard runs to rid the ecu of my grandma like driving habits though. Damned intelligent programming.

As I've said, we all know you can't get much more zip from the S85 engine with just a map, but the drivability thing does seem to have some foundation.

ecain63

Original Poster:

10,588 posts

175 months

Wednesday 26th September 2012
quotequote all
Aeroresh said:
Eddie

Might we worth speaking with the previous owner of my car as hes a tuner based down in Middlesex and an authorised DINAN dealer.

PM me if you want his details.

Like Ive said in previous posts my car does feel subjectively quicker than the standard car and puts out 567 bhp but its likely to be a combination of the map and the intake.
Thanks mate. I'll email you tonight.