Quote:
Originally Posted by FogCityM3
Also, on another note not so sure about the car being a 'tuner's dream' is correct. Given all the cooling tech and that adding 30+ extra hp for bragging rights would have been a minor tweak in the software, they decided not to do that. Would seem plausible that not adding more hp was probably due to issues in making consistent power in sustained high performance driving.
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Not sure why you think this is the case. Most turbo cars in existence the past 10 years have had a 10-20% horsepower increase with a tune or tune + exhaust (in some cases, 30% with those).
The reason for this is simple: A mass- manufacturer MUST create their car to meet reliability targets, emissions targets, and other operating targets within the wildest possible set of ranges including wild atmospheric conditions and/or questionable fuel. The manufacturer also needs lots of associated parts to handle the stress well.
A tuner typically pushes the envelope a bit more within a narrower set of conditions: Let's say they test air/fuel ratio and EGT and power output within 30-100 degree temps using a consistent 91 or 93 octane quality fuel, within 2000 feet of sea level, etc. They also aren't worried as much about clutch life, diff life, etc.
And they don't need to, in many cases, honor extended CPO warranties of 100k miles on parts like turbos.
I fully expect the m3 to be tunable by 2016 up to 500 crank HP (+70 or less than 20% HP bump). The reason is simple: BMW, by nature, will not be as aggressive as some tuner is willing to go. And they will also leave some room on the table for performance kits.