ECU Remap - ChippedUK

ECU Remap - ChippedUK

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Trellis

Original Poster:

583 posts

240 months

Monday 15th January 2007
quotequote all
Has anyone used ChippedUK.com in Bromsgrove for an ECU remap?

They claim to be able to develop an extra 30bhp from a stock E39 M5 for £300. lick

Too good to be true?!?

off_again

12,340 posts

235 months

Monday 15th January 2007
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Not sure about an M5, but mine has had a rolling re-map and it was rated around the 10% improvement on the standard figures. Was 245BHP before and with another 20(ish)BHP is OK on me. Probably accurate too and MPG jumped up too. Oh, and I also went for faster shifting on the steptronic box too - but shouldnt affect you hehe

I was pleased and I know a few other owners who did the same and are happy too. Not expensive and in line with the standards that others offer. From what I understand the maps are a touch more aggressive than the equivalent Superchips one, but that is not a bad thing I suppose. The M5 engine is in pretty high tune as standard and its not going to be a massive change with a re-map. That said, there should be a little they can get - however, might be worth making sure that yours is running at 100% before doing it as it might mask a problem. They can drop on power due to MAF sensors and the like, so check it first....

Drewtastic

1,111 posts

220 months

Monday 15th January 2007
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I know of www.chiptuninguk.com in Bromsgrove, but not chippeduk. I can vouch for the team at Chiptuning, they have looked after 3 of my cars previously all with good results albeit not M-Power cars. They are into Motorsport too, so pretty clued up and use RICA software.

Good luck.

Andrew

Trellis

Original Poster:

583 posts

240 months

Monday 15th January 2007
quotequote all
This is a subject that always divides opinion - some say its a waste of time and money on NA Cars. Others say its cheap BHP.bandit

I'm not looking to raise the whole debate - just hoping someone can vouch for the company on an 'M' of some sort........type

option click

1,164 posts

227 months

Monday 15th January 2007
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I know that several members on the z3mcoupe.com and zroadster.net forums have used ChippedUK and been very happy with the results. Do a quick search on either forum for more info.

Trellis

Original Poster:

583 posts

240 months

Tuesday 16th January 2007
quotequote all
off_again said:
I was pleased and I know a few other owners who did the same and are happy too. Not expensive and in line with the standards that others offer. From what I understand the maps are a touch more aggressive than the equivalent Superchips one, but that is not a bad thing I suppose. The M5 engine is in pretty high tune as standard and its not going to be a massive change with a re-map. That said, there should be a little they can get - however, might be worth making sure that yours is running at 100% before doing it as it might mask a problem. They can drop on power due to MAF sensors and the like, so check it first....


I can't say what mine is outputting but I reckon its in fine shape - having driven several M5's I think mines on the money.

My concern is I end up with something 'peaky' with flat spots. (though an improvement in MPG would be welcome!!yes)

naetype

889 posts

251 months

Tuesday 16th January 2007
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He generates a lot of heated debate over on e36coupe and other forums that's for sure.

off_again

12,340 posts

235 months

Tuesday 16th January 2007
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Trellis said:
off_again said:
I was pleased and I know a few other owners who did the same and are happy too. Not expensive and in line with the standards that others offer. From what I understand the maps are a touch more aggressive than the equivalent Superchips one, but that is not a bad thing I suppose. The M5 engine is in pretty high tune as standard and its not going to be a massive change with a re-map. That said, there should be a little they can get - however, might be worth making sure that yours is running at 100% before doing it as it might mask a problem. They can drop on power due to MAF sensors and the like, so check it first....


I can't say what mine is outputting but I reckon its in fine shape - having driven several M5's I think mines on the money.

My concern is I end up with something 'peaky' with flat spots. (though an improvement in MPG would be welcome!!yes)


For me the map sorted out a few issues. The idle was always a little rough but is now much smoother. In addition to this there is a real sense of urgency at around 2500RPM when you give it full throttle - before it was a bit of a sloth. Also, get it to around 4750RPM and it starts to push harder - which is nice.

Is the car any faster? Its probably touch and go. Is it more economical? Definately. Is it a better car? Yes, because its more responsive, prompter to react and more driver focused. Does it go better on Super Unleaded? You betcha...

I think that a lot of people are underwhelmed by chipped N/A cars because they simply do not get the gains that a Turbo or super charged model will. I think that there is an expectation that a chip will transform your car into some snarling fire-spitting monster (well thats been the expectation I have seen on other forums). Small improvements here and there do make a difference and improved mine. Would +30BHP be noticeable on an M5? I think you might struggle, but dont forget you can of course re-set it back to normal if you are unhappy. The chipper will normally give you your money back. Though, with a BMW rolling map you need to add a few hundred miles before there is any real improvement as it needs to learn its now configuration.

I am pleased with mine and well worth the £200 that it cost. Would I do it again? Yes.

off_again

12,340 posts

235 months

Tuesday 16th January 2007
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Trellis said:
My concern is I end up with something 'peaky' with flat spots. (though an improvement in MPG would be welcome!!yes)


That's a good point but a modern ECU can (not sure about BMW's but other manufacturers can do this) smooth out any flat spots. The ECU will often self-adjust itself to certain situations and try to improve fuel / air mixtures to eliminate any irregularities. This doesn't help in fault diagnosis but can often hide a whole multitude of issues in the background. The ECU is supposed to even out the power delivery, maintain efficiency for fueling and running as well as deliver power when required. However, almost all modern ECU's are designed to have a massive safety margin in them. Many are global sealed solutions and have to cope with varying fuel octane ratings and the issues that this gives. In the case of chipping (or more accurately, changing the map) all they do is reduce these margins to much smaller ones. In the case of octane rating - we cannot buy 91 RON here, so you might as well change the map accordingly. Also, the additives do vary from market to market and all Euro fuel is the same. So no real issues there. Typically, from what I am told, most major manufacturers build in around 10%-15% margins so a small gain is pretty easy. Look after your car and make sure it is running at top condition with decent fuel and the gains can be quite good. Try and chip a car in Africa and the gains will be negligible....

I think it would be a little surprising if there was the facility to re-set an ECU to its standard program just to see if it is masking something - though how you do this I am not sure. If we are honest, chipping is seen as a bit of a black art, but in reality its a bit of smoke and mirrors - a tweak here and a change there and hey presto - 10% gain in power.... If you have a turbo engine then its a case of taking the boost pressure limit to a higher number and you get 20% gain. Its not rocket science and easily done. A bit like snake oil really...

Trellis

Original Poster:

583 posts

240 months

Wednesday 17th January 2007
quotequote all
Thanks Off_again - all valid sentiments -

I'm really looking for someone who's been to ChippedUK and had their M5 done (given they are already in a high state of tune) - guess theres no-one out there at the moment!!

paramount

103 posts

213 months

Tuesday 23rd January 2007
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Hi Chipped UK are very good, Jason (owner) really knows how to remap cars properly, he has been in the industry for years.

Jason runs multiple software solutions and he really does a thorough job, not just flash tuning a new map written by a third party over the old map as many “tuning” outfits do, but properly remapping, he will take the time to open all of the relevant maps inside the ECU and demonstrate what he is changing and why.

When we get jobs in that are close to him (Bromsgrove) and the customers don’t want to travel south to us, we use his services. He is also a nice chap, very friendly and approachable.

They also have a nice rolling road set up which is vital if you want to remap a car properly. And you will get to see exactly what BHP gains have been made !

Good luck

Paramount Performance
www.paramount-performance.com

Levinson

21 posts

208 months

Thursday 25th January 2007
quotequote all
Trellis said:
Has anyone used ChippedUK.com in Bromsgrove for an ECU remap?

They claim to be able to develop an extra 30bhp from a stock E39 M5 for £300. lick

Too good to be true?!?


30BHP for £300,wow do they use a magic wand.

Remapping a M5 is a waste of money unless you have other mods like headers,race cats,cai ect.With those mods you would deffo see 30bhp.



derin100

5,214 posts

244 months

Friday 26th January 2007
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They quoted me about £300 for a 'live re-map' on a an M62 4.4L engine in an 840Ci Sport. They reckoned they should easily get 22+ bhp extra (can't remember what the torque increase was). Does that sound reasonable? It's a bit under a 10% increase but I thought it sounded 'useful'?

Podie

46,630 posts

276 months

Friday 26th January 2007
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I know a number of people that have had Ford's chipped there and have been very happy with the results...

caneswell

44 posts

224 months

Saturday 19th January 2008
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I wouldn't go near ChippedUK. Absolute joker. Do not waste your money.

Pretty much every car forum i've been on, his name has come up in a negative way. He also got banned from most of them too.

breezy

180 posts

227 months

Saturday 19th January 2008
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caneswell said:
I wouldn't go near ChippedUK. Absolute joker. Do not waste your money.

Pretty much every car forum i've been on, his name has come up in a negative way. He also got banned from most of them too.
4 posts and 2 of them complaining about ChippedUK?

Doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

To the OP - I have no experience of ChippedUK although I would say that E-maps did a very good job on my E36 Evo. I doubt peak power changed by much but the engine characteristics were improved significantly (particularly vanos) and it certainly felt smoother. Raised rev limit and top speed de-limit were also notable benefits...

houlbt

738 posts

266 months

Saturday 19th January 2008
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No personal experience of ChippedUK but remember him surfacing on a number of BMW forums and developing heated debate around his claims and how they were acheived.

What about Bexley Motorsport - www.bmsport.com

Why don't you take your car to a known BMW specialist with proven experience. For example I'm a happy customer with Bexley Motorsport in Kent. They've a well established track record building and tuning BMW engines. They will give you an honest assessment of what you can and cannot acheive on your car & at what price.

Besides... one of the guys who owns the business has a tuned E39-M5 so I am pretty sure he knows what he is doing wink





Edited by houlbt on Saturday 19th January 22:05


Edited by houlbt on Sunday 20th January 08:46

Broccers

3,236 posts

254 months

Saturday 19th January 2008
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breezy said:
4 posts and 2 of them complaining about ChippedUK?

Doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

To the OP - I have no experience of ChippedUK
Me neither so for that reason I don't comment ...

french

520 posts

201 months

Sunday 20th January 2008
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I had a re chip on a 540 manaul by Jason.
Very pleased with & after awhile I phoned him up as I got used to it (as you do) he steered me clear of spending anymore money with him & suggested a lsd & shorter diff ,I did & with his chip that car flew along, in fact mid range my M3 would'nt stay with it until around 100mph then as usual the M3 is King !
Jason's a good kid & he is trying hard to establish a good customer base .Go for it !

E36GUY

5,906 posts

219 months

Sunday 20th January 2008
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naetype said:
He generates a lot of heated debate over on e36coupe and other forums that's for sure.
He's been banned from a lot of those forums too.