MK5 Golf GTI

General => Random Chat => Topic started by: SO8 on January 26, 2011, 09:30:52 pm

Title: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on January 26, 2011, 09:30:52 pm
I know this is a Golf forum .... but diverse advice is always good  :laugh:

I had an Edition 30 ... mapped to 300bhp.
I sold it and bought a Z4M Roadster
...and sold that due to it's awful gearbox and an impending work move ... and bought a BMW 320d auto coupe.

Now, I am suffering a bit on the power front - not that there is even one thing wrong with the mint 320d I own (well apart from the run flats) ... it's 8 secs to 60 and low down diesel pick up is fine - but I want more  :wink:  Economy still matters and it must be auto.

I tried remapping the 320d via Superchips but didn't like the effect on the car with it's auto box so put it back to standard.

Now, do I try BMW's own performance kit : a remap / intercooler / fan kit for £1K which is half way between standard and the power levels of the Superchips map ... spend ££££  and buy a 330d which is 6 secs to 60 and 15 to 100 .... or have a look at a Golf R  :evilgrin:

Opinions welcome .....
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: swf7y on January 26, 2011, 10:09:55 pm
Personally, I would have gone for the 335D after selling the Golf. You can spend money trying to make the 320D faster but Beemers are heavy cars and NEED a big engine. The 335D is fantastic with it's two turbos. I had a 330ci before the GTI, the build quality was far superior but it felt heavy and I had a manual box which was brilliant when driving enthusiastically but utter crap when driving normally and in traffic! However, I do love my DSG  :grin:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: Oli on January 26, 2011, 10:23:03 pm
I know where there's a nice 335d for sale............
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: Beddie on January 26, 2011, 10:24:35 pm
How a bout a 123d coupe? Really impressive drive as standard and 250Bhp ish when mapped  :evilgrin:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on January 26, 2011, 10:35:13 pm
Drove a 335d .... liked it but the 330d feels as quick at the speeds I will do ... though won't rule one out.  FWIW the newer 330d makes a growl unlike any diesel I have heard - 335d included!  They must have done something to it .... it was addictive .... I was very surprised as under hard acceleration it sounded like a petrol '6 ....

Drove a 123d .... prefer the 3 series coupe size and looks - though the 123d is a mighty good car !
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: swf7y on January 26, 2011, 10:48:08 pm
I haven't driven the new 330D so can't comment on that but I wouldn't spend my hard earned cash on a 1 series, I have a personal dislike for them, especially in coupe form  :sick:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on January 27, 2011, 10:34:34 am
I haven't driven the new 330D so can't comment on that but I wouldn't spend my hard earned cash on a 1 series, I have a personal dislike for them, especially in coupe form  :sick:

They drive well .... but the looks are marmite.

The size is not too different from a 3 series on the outside but they are noticeably smaller inside for some reason.
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: JLCoad on January 27, 2011, 10:37:27 am
I like the 123d. Looks like a top car.

Quick but not at the petrol station every 10 minutes.
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: tony_danza on January 27, 2011, 10:41:23 am
If you want a fast car, first buy a fast car.

I'm fairly certain the 325d maps to the same as a 330d and doesn't attract the same 'tax'. maybe worth a look?
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on January 27, 2011, 11:43:48 am
If you want a fast car, first buy a fast car.

I'm fairly certain the 325d maps to the same as a 330d and doesn't attract the same 'tax'. maybe worth a look?

I've always bought fast cars .... this has been my first 'sensible' car in 20 years  :laugh:

The 325d maps to near the 330d but AFAIK has a different turbo and different injectors.  Having driven a standard 325d they are really nice ... and surprisingly quick - being able to keep up with a standard Focus ST ... but don't have the bite of a 330d.  RFL is the same.

As for remaps - I don't want to remap a diesel ideally as the way they feel post map is not what I want ... unless a mild map such as BMW's own.  Compared to petrol the mapped diesels have so much torque early on you get slammed in your seat for 2 or 3K revs ... petrol cars may not remap as well but are much more driveable IMO. 

I may try a 325d if I see one .... though a Golf R is still not ruled out at the price level I am looking at  :wink:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: tony_danza on January 27, 2011, 01:16:11 pm
Ahh, I meant 'tax' as in terms of inflated sale price of 330ds compared to the 325ds.

Having driven mapped 330ds in both manual and auto flavour, I think you'll be much more pleased with the lump. It's just better.

My opinion is it is better to make an already fast car a little bit faster, than to try and wring every last ounce out of something that isn't trying to achieve the same result. You always end up with highly strung and compromised with the latter.
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: Edition30 on January 27, 2011, 07:18:46 pm
You sound like your missing the 2.0TFSI so its obvious your wanting the R  :evilgrin:


DO IT. You only live once and all that  :grin:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on January 27, 2011, 08:48:12 pm
You sound like your missing the 2.0TFSI so its obvious your wanting the R  :evilgrin:


DO IT. You only live once and all that  :grin:

I always have missed the Edition 30 ....  :wink:

330d or 335d would be nice but needs to be at the right price.  Now, if I can find an R at the right price  :laugh:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: Nick S on January 27, 2011, 09:55:24 pm
My mates E39 M5 got a bit of a surprise from the mapped e90 330d these guys used in the gumball

http://antandpete.vault5.com/tuning.htm
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on January 27, 2011, 10:21:39 pm
I can imagine how a 330d feels mapped .... it starts at 6 to 60 and 15 to 100 so should be good to keep up with a stage 1 Edition 30 ....
Title: Focal Solid 4
Post by: SeanM on February 04, 2011, 05:37:09 pm
Hi Nick,

Your amp may be just the thing I am looking for...I live in Ashton, so I'm in the Manchester area. Please get in touch via my hotmail account.

Cheers Sean.
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: PDT on February 04, 2011, 10:55:49 pm
We map a LOT of Bm's. Probably more than VW's infact.

Which model 320d coupe do you have? Which engine version? (150hp - 163hp - 177hp)

We are tuning a BMW 2.0d engine thats competing in thus years BTCC and the later 2.0d engines are good for 240+ bhp with the stock turbo. We have 2 320d's ourselfes which are both mechanically standard the first is a 150hp e46 which makes 207bhp and the other is a e90 163hp which makes 221hp so dont dismiss the 2.0d engine, its a very tunable and capable unit.

Superchips, dont bother as you have found out they simply dont have tne ability to map for the complex auto box, it often becomes jerky with odd shift points, is this what you discovered?

Our own BMW tech has 20+ years of tuning and now runs a dedicated BMW tuning outlet, if you want some free help or advice just give us a call.   
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on February 04, 2011, 11:13:05 pm
We map a LOT of Bm's. Probably more than VW's infact.

Which model 320d coupe do you have? Which engine version? (150hp - 163hp - 177hp)

We are tuning a BMW 2.0d engine thats competing in thus years BTCC and the later 2.0d engines are good for 240+ bhp with the stock turbo. We have 2 320d's ourselfes which are both mechanically standard the first is a 150hp e46 which makes 207bhp and the other is a e90 163hp which makes 221hp so dont dismiss the 2.0d engine, its a very tunable and capable unit.

Superchips, dont bother as you have found out they simply dont have tne ability to map for the complex auto box, it often becomes jerky with odd shift points, is this what you discovered?

Our own BMW tech has 20+ years of tuning and now runs a dedicated BMW tuning outlet, if you want some free help or advice just give us a call.   

Thanks for the comments - my 320d is a 177bhp model.

Yes, Superchips map would be fine for a manual but on my auto it created very jerky shifts and even felt like the changes were going to break the box !   The box didn't seem to adapt to the levels of torque ?  I had one of their maps on my Edition 30 and loved it ... but not this time.

FWIW on their rolling road my car produced dead on 177bhp and then remapped produced 215bhp.  Torque was up from 350Nm to 445Nm IIRC.  I simply didn't like the feel of the car though it did make it rather swift  :evilgrin:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: PDT on February 04, 2011, 11:19:55 pm
Thought as much, thats the problem most people have with superchips on their auto bmw's.

Where about are you in the UK?
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on February 04, 2011, 11:42:35 pm
Saarrrth ....

Bit too far from you I feel ....
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: joesgti on February 04, 2011, 11:53:55 pm
my brother has a 330d (e46) mapped by shark, fmic and uprated sachs clutch and its is stupid quick, id say stage 2+ ko3 power easy!!  :driver:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: PDT on February 05, 2011, 12:06:01 am
Saarrrth ....

Bit too far from you I feel ....

Our BMW outlet is in Hounslow near london:

http://www.bmwautorepairs.co.uk/chiptune/index.htm

Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: Msportman on February 05, 2011, 12:11:55 am
I have this E90 330D for sale with a lovely spec and benefits Bi Xenons which can be difficult to source.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201104377933080/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/model/3_series/make/bmw/page/1/radius/1/postcode/ta82ep?logcode=p

It has full BMSH and am open to sensible offers

Ian
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on February 05, 2011, 12:17:38 am
I have this E90 330D for sale with a lovely spec and benefits Bi Xenons which can be difficult to source.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201104377933080/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/model/3_series/make/bmw/page/1/radius/1/postcode/ta82ep?logcode=p

It has full BMSH and am open to sensible offers

Ian

Thanks but I would be looking at something with 10K on it ... though I am sure my bank manager would rather I didn't !
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on February 05, 2011, 12:19:46 am
Saarrrth ....

Bit too far from you I feel ....

Our BMW outlet is in Hounslow near london:

http://www.bmwautorepairs.co.uk/chiptune/index.htm



Ah, OK  ... if I look at a remap will givew them a ring ... though TBH having driven a 59 plate 330d I am a bit torn !
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on February 05, 2011, 09:36:54 pm
I work near Hounslow so may have to visit ;)
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: Beddie on February 06, 2011, 05:34:06 pm
We map a LOT of Bm's. Probably more than VW's infact.


What kind of figures would you expect to see on a 123d with the auto box?  :smiley:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: PDT on February 06, 2011, 05:44:22 pm
All our stg1 figures are here: http://www.pdtuning.co.uk/ecuRemapping/bMW.asp


330d I mapped today:

Stock power: 233bhp
Stock torque: 378ft/lb

Tuned power: 279bhp  (gain = 46hp)
Tuned torque: 450ft/lb (gain = 72ft/lb)

Have the graph if anyone wants a look. The 330d E90 are a bargain car, didnt realise you could get them under £10k now!
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: Beddie on February 06, 2011, 05:47:04 pm
All our stg1 figures are here: http://barnsdale.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/custard.jpg


Whats the conversion factor for custard to Bhp?  :signLOL:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: PDT on February 06, 2011, 06:06:53 pm
 :signLOL:

Fixted now. Bloody ipad.
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: winrya on February 06, 2011, 06:46:33 pm
All our stg1 figures are here: http://barnsdale.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/custard.jpg


Whats the conversion factor for custard to Bhp?  :signLOL:

Love it :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on March 21, 2011, 05:49:26 pm
320d has gone ...

No remap in the end ...

330d facelift Coupe has arrived  :evilgrin:

242bhp and rather nice 19" alloys ...

I knew I couldn't cope with the lower power of a 320d for long  :smiley:

I would post a few pics ... but this is a Golf forum and I have managed to do 400 miles and get it filthy in the week I've had it  :laugh:

I was going to look at a Golf R but it got sold before I got to it so obviously I am meant to stay diesel for a bit  :wink:

Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: rdfcpete on March 21, 2011, 06:36:45 pm
^ Don't be shy fella, some pics would top the thread off nicely mucky or clean TBH :happy2:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on March 21, 2011, 08:09:27 pm
^ Don't be shy fella, some pics would top the thread off nicely mucky or clean TBH :happy2:

OK ... sounds reasonable ...

I will try and get the wife to take some when it's clean - she is a professional photographer ... and photographs cars so best I let her do that when I have cleaned it  :wink:

The last car she photographed for me (Z4M R) she spent a week thinking of a good location for it and then made me drive 65 miles !  The photos were special though .... She killed me when I sold it after 7 months  :laugh:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: berg on March 22, 2011, 02:53:36 pm
curve ball and prob above your price bracket but i know a chap who has just sold a mint Nissan GTR for £37k! They are starting to come down in price quite a lot and the problem I would have spending, say £26k on a Golf R would be that for another £10k you can go supercar territory without the supercar price tag...
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: SO8 on March 22, 2011, 05:53:07 pm
I've bought a 330d coupe .... TBH a GTR is not my cup of tea ... it would be if I could afford the servicing and had a garage to house that and my other 2 (say) cars  :laugh:
Title: Re: BMW Advice
Post by: rdfcpete on March 22, 2011, 05:56:22 pm
^ Don't be shy fella, some pics would top the thread off nicely mucky or clean TBH :happy2:

OK ... sounds reasonable ...

I will try and get the wife to take some when it's clean - she is a professional photographer ... and photographs cars so best I let her do that when I have cleaned it  :wink:

The last car she photographed for me (Z4M R) she spent a week thinking of a good location for it and then made me drive 65 miles !  The photos were special though .... She killed me when I sold it after 7 months  :laugh:

Sounds good  :happy2:

I quite like the 330D and it's a handsome car, so showing us what you ventured for is only right  :laugh: