Thinking about stage 1? Advice

[BmwFan91]

Have a 2015 M4 convertible. Looking into putting her to stage 1. Based in the UK in the London area.

Anyone got any solid recommendations with who to go with?

[joooiiiiii]

Originally Posted by BmwFan91

Have a 2015 M4 convertible. Looking into putting her to stage 1. Based in the UK in the London area.

Anyone got any solid recommendations with who to go with?

BM3 is the easiest option. Definitely, gonna be feeling the extra tune.

[MrJnw97]

BM3 all the way. That's what I got on mine. No regrets

[BmwFan91]

Might be a silly question. How does the reliability sit at stage 1?

[Eric SS]

Originally Posted by BmwFan91

Might be a silly question. How does the reliability sit at stage 1?

You'll be fine until your not. The crank hub is always going to be a roll of the dice. 99% will be fine but that 1% is random.

[BmwFan91]

Originally Posted by MrJnw97

BM3 all the way. That's what I got on mine. No regrets

What's the power difference like? Any troubles or concerns with reliability?

[M4theWIN1]

Originally Posted by BmwFan91

What's the power difference like? Any troubles or concerns with reliability?

+1 on BM3. Huge difference from stock to stage 1. I was on the fence for the longest time contemplating to tune or not. Like others have said, 99% of us have had zero issues. Just do it and thank us all later. Stock the car is no joke, but the stage 1 difference is nuts and addicting. I can only imagine what the E85 guys feel. I've had zero issues since tuning and a crap ton of smiles.

[sacowich]

Consider me the 1%.
Spun the hub within 24hr of going stage 1.
Sh!t happens. Repaired it with pinned hub, and I'm back on stage 1. Only cost me my warranty and $$$. Guess got to pay to play.

[icegrill]

I'm also leaning towards a mild tune cs style power. Ecutek seems like the safest route.

[BlackF82]

Stage 1 is a very noticeable jump. Let me list some cars that got smoked by my M4 stage 1.

2016 M6 grand coupe with BM3 stage 1.
2014 M6 coupe stock.
2016-ish cammed Camaro...who knows what else he had sounded like a beast.
2016-ish Mustang, possibly stock.
2018-ish Charger.. one of the SRT models, idk much about those.

Crank hub! No comment

[MrJnw97]

Originally Posted by BmwFan91

What's the power difference like? Any troubles or concerns with reliability?

As many people before have said it's completely different. I've driven many stock M cars being a mechanic and the stage 1 just feels smoother if you get what I mean (less snappy and more predictable), obviously it has a very noticeable difference in power too.

As for reliability I haven't had one problem as of yet, been absolutely flawless.

[masab321]

I have a stock 2018 F82 ZCP. I am also interested in stage 1. But I am thinking to wait until my warranty expires and to get the crank hub fixed before doing a stage 1.

[ringo9]

Asking the more experienced M3/4 owners: would a piggyback like the JB4 make more sense than a BM3 for a car that has just got acquired? In the sense of getting to know/reveal existing weaknesses or faults for some months, maybe a year, and ensuring everything is good before switching to a remap and kissing warranty good-bye?

If the JB4 on the F80 is as in other platforms it is essentially removable without a trace in the event of say crank hub which would be then covered by warranty and probably wasn't the tune's fault to begin with.