Remap on 3.0si and NA engines generally

[Z4MCSL]

So I was previously if the opinion that recapping on NA cars seemed s waste of time. This was mostly based on comparing the minimal gains vs turbo cars.

I recently hought a clio 182 and it seems that the engine responds well to remapping and it is pretty common for them to be remapped (admittedly after minor mods, exhaust and intake).

It's made me start thinking that actually 10hp and a better curve would be absolutely worth it in a 3.0si, although I may do exhaust first.

Any ideas on this or any recommendations on tuners who have experience of the N52 engine?

Cheers

[mmm-five]

A 10bhp increase for a remap and some intake/exhaust mods doesn't sound a lot, but on a 1100kg car with almost 200bhp may feel like a great performance boost (I don't think I'd notice it myself if it's purely peak power).

10bhp on a 1400kg car with 270bhp as standard may not feel as different - especially if you're not doing any other mods.

[d_a_n1979]

mmm-five said:

A 10bhp increase for a remap and some intake/exhaust mods doesn't sound a lot, but on a 1100kg car with almost 200bhp may feel like a great performance boost (I don't think I'd notice it myself if it's purely peak power).

10bhp on a 1400kg car with 270bhp as standard may not feel as different - especially if you're not doing any other mods.

I'd usually say with an NA car that remapping is a waste of time unless you go full custom exhaust and intake and even then, it'll be marginal gains for quite an outlay.

I think what it'll do is smooth out the acceleration and give you the placebo of faster speeds etc.

I'd personally spend my money on more aggressive brakes, a panel filter and maybe a sports decat for better breathing etc

[bodhi]

I've had the N52 mapped in mine and it completely transformed it, however mine is in a 125i Coupé which was heavily restricted by BMW from the factory, so gains were substantial. 280 bhp seems to be the maximum tuners are getting from it, so I think if you were looking for a massive increase in performance you'll be disappointed, but the remap also made mine even nicer to potter around in. Pickup was much cleaner from low revs, and any hesitancy I had before was gone.

However without the extra 50 bhp I doubt I would have bothered straight away, and probably looked into the BMW Performance intake and exhaust instead.

[Mr Tidy]

I've had 2 Z4 Coupes with the N52 engine and currently have a 330i with the same engine and don't have any issues with how they perform or responsiveness.

Based on what I've read for the minimal potential gain a remap may give I'd rather spend my money on something else!