Will a remap be worth it? 430d

[Chestrockwell]

So I’ve always been against remapping my car and I’ve never seen the need to remap it, always wanted more sound really and considered changing my car on that basis until today.

Friend of mine turns up on a 150k mike E60 LCI 535d, remapped with a decat and the DPF removed.

Wow, I was in for a massive surprise when he took me out in it, unbelievable acceleration, second to third gear especially, my 430d wouldn’t see where it went, and mine is a newer car with a newer faster gearbox etc etc.

BMW sell a power kit for 1200 quid that’s warranty approved, I’ve read reviews about it and a man said the gains aren’t noticeable in the sense of being punchier or head back type of action, he said it’s more Linear and a lot smoother. I’m not sure I’d be up for paying that money for something I’d struggle to feel, this 535d had neck back in the seat type acceleration and it just pulled and pulled unlike mine.

Would a BMW approved powerkit give a different effect to a company like DMS to my car?

My warranty runs out in September and I’m looking to extend it however I’m not too worried about something going wrong with the remap as every man and his dog seem to have their car remapped with no problems at all.

Any help would be appreciated

[Chestrockwell]

One more thing, if there’s one thing i don’t want, it’s the health threatening fumes and stink it made as he floored it off, diesels are dirty aren’t they.....o well we have torque to compensate

[goldieandblackie]

And come MOT time with no DPF it will fail.

[Ninja59]

If you go down just a remap route then it is not the engine that just watch the torque, as if you go above 700 nm (which so many remaps on these do in my experience), then the gearbox is only rated to the above and nothing more. It does not mean it won't take it, but be careful.

[Smuler]

If you go the remap route, why would you spend on a warranty?
Below is from the terms of my policy document.

And I assume if you went diesel, it's cos your mileage p/a is high - surely over 20k So a warranty after 3 years (60k) is in the higher price bracket. Would seem better to put the monthly payments in a 'slush fund.'





6. This BMW Insured Warranty will
not cover:
an an insured vehicle that has been
subject to alterations, has had
experimental equipment fitted or
has in any way been modified from
BMW’s approved specification,

[aeropilot]

Chestrockwell said:

BMW sell a power kit for 1200 quid that’s warranty approved, I’ve read reviews about it and a man said the gains aren’t noticeable in the sense of being punchier or head back type of action, he said it’s more Linear and a lot smoother. I’m not sure I’d be up for paying that money for something I’d struggle to feel, this 535d had neck back in the seat type acceleration and it just pulled and pulled unlike mine.

For a start your not comparing like for like, in that the 535d has the extra turbo your 530d doesn't have.....

Secondly, the BMW kit has been designed by BMW to perform within the design limits of the original engine, and associated components which is why if feels smoother and more liner and doesn't give the pinch in the back.....that's why it retains the warranty

The guy designing an aftermarket map is extracting the most out of the hardware (often beyond what the hardware can support) and without any real consideration of the service limits and longevity of all the other components (gearbox, t/c or clutch, turbo's etc.,etc).......and that's why they feel punchier etc.
Some mappers are more conservative than others and this is part of the game in choosing a remap.
Of course, given you have a F-series car, you won't be going down the decat and DPF removal route, so again, comparing a map on an older E60 setup like that and with what you'd get with a remapped 430d is again, an unrealistic comparison.
I also know of two people that lost their BMW extended warranty when putting their cars in for a standard service and dealer techs found the remap......

Yer pays yer money and takes yer choices/chances........

[Mike335i]

Smuler said:

Would seem better to put the monthly payments in a 'slush fund.'

This, if you must have a warranty, then don't modify.

I would ensure car is healthy, then remap via the best BMW remapper I could find (do your research) and put the warranty payments aside each month.

[Chestrockwell]

The extended warranty is *only* (?) 300 quid for an extra year so I thought I’d get it.

Judging by the answers in this thread, I don’t think it’s a good idea as clearly the result I’m after isn’t going to be in my best interests in the future, probably affecting the value of the car as well!

I realise the 535d has a twin turbo set up but I couldn’t believe the difference, I know more power means the car will be faster but the in gear acceleration was night and day difference, I guess it isn’t the difference in figures, probably the delivery of the power

[Lozw86]

I’ve thought about a remap for our 30D BMW but actually, i’ve Not had a situation where it’s stock output is insufficient, so haven’t bothered

[Rrh8]

For what it’s worth I’ve just had mine remapped. Granted it’s not a 3.0d it’s a 2.0 but...
Having deliberated for months I decided to get it done via a reputable company.
The everyday drive is smoother
Gear changed (auto) smoother
More power if needed
Quieter engine
Just an all round improvement on the car.
For the money it’s probably the best upgrade you could do.
Decide what you want from your 3.0d. If the above points seem a “yes”. Go for it.

[Mike335i]

Rrh8 said:

For what it’s worth I’ve just had mine remapped. Granted it’s not a 3.0d it’s a 2.0 but...
Having deliberated for months I decided to get it done via a reputable company.
The everyday drive is smoother
Gear changed (auto) smoother
More power if needed
Quieter engine
Just an all round improvement on the car.
For the money it’s probably the best upgrade you could do.
Decide what you want from your 3.0d. If the above points seem a “yes”. Go for it.

All fine and well, but how is the engine quieter after a remap?

[Chestrockwell]

Lozw86 said:

I’ve thought about a remap for our 30D BMW but actually, i’ve Not had a situation where it’s stock output is insufficient, so haven’t bothered

Neither have I, until I got in that 535d! Haha changed my view completely.

I’ve had my car nearly 2 years now and haven’t done a single thing to it, not like I should but my point is, I’ve been content with it, I feel like I need to do something to spice things up a bit, I could change it but the only car I’d replace it with would be an M4, don’t see the point in getting anything less as it won’t be as good or will be just as good, no need to lose the money.

I’ve considered an MPE (yes for a diesel, that’s how bored I am) but I ruled against it as it’s 1500 pound mod to create a fake noise.

After that I decided to leave it , until I got in that mapped 535

[Ninja59]

Mike335i said:

All fine and well, but how is the engine quieter after a remap?

I would love to know how the gearbox was smoother as well (unless that was remapped as part of the tuning done?)

[Chestrockwell]

Ninja59 said:

Mike335i said:

All fine and well, but how is the engine quieter after a remap?

I would love to know how the gearbox was smoother as well (unless that was remapped as part of the tuning done?)

If it the F series and has the 8 speed, I’m sure it’s possible, the 2.0 diesels are noisy so I reckon if mapped with more power, the gearbox could be re calibrated to change sooner creating less noise

[Aletank]

Rrh8 said:

For what it’s worth I’ve just had mine remapped. Granted it’s not a 3.0d it’s a 2.0 but...
Having deliberated for months I decided to get it done via a reputable company.
The everyday drive is smoother
Gear changed (auto) smoother
More power if needed
Quieter engine
Just an all round improvement on the car.
For the money it’s probably the best upgrade you could do.
Decide what you want from your 3.0d. If the above points seem a “yes”. Go for it.

Which h company done your remap ?
Thanks

[Rrh8]

I can only say the difference I’ve noticed following the remap. It’s not in my head.
The clatter on tick over is not as noticeable, less agricultural. It’s certainly more linear in power delivery which does suit the 6 speed box. I’ve driven the newer 8 speed models. It’s not as good as those but more comparable than it was as standard.
I appreciate some are dubious. I’m not trying to promote remaps or a certain company.
As is the way in forums. Just trying to give my honest thoughts.
For a 2.0d.... I’m happy.