Advice please! 325i M Sport Touring (E91, LCI, 2011)
Discussion
Hello!
I bought a second-hand BMW 325i M Sport Touring (E91, LCI, 2011) in July last year. About 45k on the clock at the time.
It was a Cat N write-off, for bodywork damage (apparently a lorry hit the passenger side while parked and messed up three panels). Anyway, I got a mechanic to do a detailed pre-purchase check and he was more than happy with it. Seven months on, I'm in love with it...except for one small niggle...
Here it is:
The niggle is...it feels like it lacks a little power, particularly at the low end. Don't get me wrong, it's a lovely cruiser, and wonderful to drive at higher speeds. But it feels a little sluggish getting off the mark.
I was wondering if anyone had any tuning tips: stuff I could do myself, or stuff I could get done in a garage. I'm not looking to spend thousands upon thousands (I'm no boy racer!) but I'd love to know if anyone's had any tuning successes!
Thanks all!
I bought a second-hand BMW 325i M Sport Touring (E91, LCI, 2011) in July last year. About 45k on the clock at the time.
It was a Cat N write-off, for bodywork damage (apparently a lorry hit the passenger side while parked and messed up three panels). Anyway, I got a mechanic to do a detailed pre-purchase check and he was more than happy with it. Seven months on, I'm in love with it...except for one small niggle...
Here it is:
The niggle is...it feels like it lacks a little power, particularly at the low end. Don't get me wrong, it's a lovely cruiser, and wonderful to drive at higher speeds. But it feels a little sluggish getting off the mark.
I was wondering if anyone had any tuning tips: stuff I could do myself, or stuff I could get done in a garage. I'm not looking to spend thousands upon thousands (I'm no boy racer!) but I'd love to know if anyone's had any tuning successes!
Thanks all!
P Torque suggest pretty good figures from a remap…
https://www.p-torque.co.uk/vehicle-database/
I took my other half’s 125i cab to them last month and it’s noticeably better than it was stick (albeit that is an N52).
https://www.p-torque.co.uk/vehicle-database/
I took my other half’s 125i cab to them last month and it’s noticeably better than it was stick (albeit that is an N52).
Trade it in for a 335i or 335d instead! 
All joking aside, these cars definitely suit forced induction I think because of their weight. I remember the first time that I put my foot down in the E90 330i auto that I had(I'd previously had a E90 330d for 6 years which definitely didn't help), and I laughed out loud at how gutless it felt! My missus laughed even more than me to be fair, she thought the engine was crap performance wise.
I kept telling her that the N52 engine was legendary on PH...but she still wouldn't have any of it! I do miss how smooth the N52 engine is though, and the VQ V6 engine that I have in a 370Z feels proper rough to use(especially at high revs) in comparison to the N52.
As said...a nice remap should liven your engine up nicely I think.
All joking aside, these cars definitely suit forced induction I think because of their weight. I remember the first time that I put my foot down in the E90 330i auto that I had(I'd previously had a E90 330d for 6 years which definitely didn't help), and I laughed out loud at how gutless it felt! My missus laughed even more than me to be fair, she thought the engine was crap performance wise.
I kept telling her that the N52 engine was legendary on PH...but she still wouldn't have any of it! I do miss how smooth the N52 engine is though, and the VQ V6 engine that I have in a 370Z feels proper rough to use(especially at high revs) in comparison to the N52.
As said...a nice remap should liven your engine up nicely I think.
When was it last fully overhauled (ie plugs, oil, filters, brake fluid, discs/pads etc)?
Have you had the car plugged into diagnostics to see if there are any stored error codes (fuel / air trim, autobox etc)?
As said above, a gentle remap could pep it up a hit, but it won't be a lot as its an NA engine...
More aggressive brake discs/pads/braided lines will always help you to stop better (want to drive faster, you need to stop better).
Again same with tyres (something like Vredestein Ultrac Vorti's, Michelin PS4s etc)
You could look into a 200CEL sports cat and a stainless exhaust for better breathing too (leave the OEM air box in situ IMO)
Have you had the car plugged into diagnostics to see if there are any stored error codes (fuel / air trim, autobox etc)?
As said above, a gentle remap could pep it up a hit, but it won't be a lot as its an NA engine...
More aggressive brake discs/pads/braided lines will always help you to stop better (want to drive faster, you need to stop better).
Again same with tyres (something like Vredestein Ultrac Vorti's, Michelin PS4s etc)
You could look into a 200CEL sports cat and a stainless exhaust for better breathing too (leave the OEM air box in situ IMO)
I have an N53 engined 330i of 2007 vintage, so about 270bhp.
My feels a bit 'ordinary' at lower revs, but great when going up the rev range. Before I had a turbocharged car and that 'low' down shove of a turbo is distinctly different and feels quicker than the linear acceleration of a 6 cylinder normally aspirated engine. Reality is the 6 cylinder might be as quick despite not feeling like it.
People do recommend a walnut blast to get the engine running well, but I am happy with mine.....
My feels a bit 'ordinary' at lower revs, but great when going up the rev range. Before I had a turbocharged car and that 'low' down shove of a turbo is distinctly different and feels quicker than the linear acceleration of a 6 cylinder normally aspirated engine. Reality is the 6 cylinder might be as quick despite not feeling like it.
People do recommend a walnut blast to get the engine running well, but I am happy with mine.....
Wow, thank you everyone for all your advice! And sorry for the delay replying, I was away the weekend just gone.
Court_S +47 hp and +45 Nm torque (per P Torque) does indeed seem like quite a hefty boost! Are there any downsides to getting one done? I've not had one before. And among those of you that have had a remap done - what was your experience with it? Did it live up to the stated stats/was it worth the money??
cerb4.5lee Funny, I was speaking to my neighbour (330i owner) about all this a week or so ago, and he said he the same about wanting a 335i!
d_a_n1979 Getting most of this done during full service early next month. Already replaced all the tyres with Bridgestone Potenza Sport. Brakes seem up to scratch for now but they'll be the next up for a change! Oh and the mechanic I got for the pre-purchase report did full diagnostics and didn't find any error codes.
naturalaspiration Never used LM Ceratec - what are the pros and cons?
MrBen1 Any idea how much it would cost to get a 330i inlet manifold fitted (inc parts)?
bmwmike I hear you. At high revs and higher speeds it's good fun.
mike9009 This is the first I've heard of a walnut blast. I didn't realise it actually involved walnuts!! Haha. Did it improve performance?
Court_S +47 hp and +45 Nm torque (per P Torque) does indeed seem like quite a hefty boost! Are there any downsides to getting one done? I've not had one before. And among those of you that have had a remap done - what was your experience with it? Did it live up to the stated stats/was it worth the money??
cerb4.5lee Funny, I was speaking to my neighbour (330i owner) about all this a week or so ago, and he said he the same about wanting a 335i!
d_a_n1979 Getting most of this done during full service early next month. Already replaced all the tyres with Bridgestone Potenza Sport. Brakes seem up to scratch for now but they'll be the next up for a change! Oh and the mechanic I got for the pre-purchase report did full diagnostics and didn't find any error codes.
naturalaspiration Never used LM Ceratec - what are the pros and cons?
MrBen1 Any idea how much it would cost to get a 330i inlet manifold fitted (inc parts)?
bmwmike I hear you. At high revs and higher speeds it's good fun.
mike9009 This is the first I've heard of a walnut blast. I didn't realise it actually involved walnuts!! Haha. Did it improve performance?
Court_S said:
P Torque suggest pretty good figures from a remap…
https://www.p-torque.co.uk/vehicle-database/
I took my other half’s 125i cab to them last month and it’s noticeably better than it was stick (albeit that is an N52).
Will at Performance Torque quoted £350 for the remap, which seems cheap given the stated gains. Sadly I then realised from a proper look at the website that Performance Torque is based near Wolverhampton, and I'm in South East London. Doink.https://www.p-torque.co.uk/vehicle-database/
I took my other half’s 125i cab to them last month and it’s noticeably better than it was stick (albeit that is an N52).
No plans to head up to Wolverhampton in the near future, sadly. Does anyone know of a reputable place nearer to where I am?
meddler said:
Will at Performance Torque quoted £350 for the remap, which seems cheap given the stated gains. Sadly I then realised from a proper look at the website that Performance Torque is based near Wolverhampton, and I'm in South East London. Doink.
No plans to head up to Wolverhampton in the near future, sadly. Does anyone know of a reputable place nearer to where I am?
That’s a pisser. No plans to head up to Wolverhampton in the near future, sadly. Does anyone know of a reputable place nearer to where I am?
BW Chiptune in Hayes have a good rep so might be worth a call.
I also have the n53 in a six series (272 ps/268 bhp), your engine is just a detuned version. Mine has no problem hauling the six's back side along.
As everyone has said up and running it makes linear solid progress, like a freight train. Take off from stand still can be a bit flat until the revs pick up.
You should notice a considerable difference. the potential is sitting thier waiting to be opened up with your engine
As everyone has said up and running it makes linear solid progress, like a freight train. Take off from stand still can be a bit flat until the revs pick up.
You should notice a considerable difference. the potential is sitting thier waiting to be opened up with your engine
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