BM3 Stage 1 93 - My review

[Humdizzle]

After a few months of thinking about the BM3 tune and having friends egg me on to do it I finally went with it. I've tuned some of my previous cars so this wasn't a new thing to me. The weather is finally starting to warm up now which means more traction.

the entire process was easy as i expected. I had my obd2 to usb cable from when i coded the car previously. Bought the tune. downloaded software. plugged up to the car and did the 93 octane tune.

The cold start removal is great as that usually sounds annoying. The GTS startup burble is ok, i'm sure it sounds better if you have DPs or MP. I experimented with the custom burbles but didn't really care for it being louder. I think OTS burble map is perfect for those with stock hardware. and how the car should have come. There is actually a big difference in sound now between comfort and sport. But its not so loud that its annoying to others or getting in the way of convos/music in the car.

Another thing that I think is HUGE for us 6spd owners is the ability to tailor rev match to each mode. I can turn rev match off for sport when i'm cruising around town and having fun (where i need to practice my heel-toe). And when i put the car into full 'time attack' mode with traction off... i can have the rev match enabled as its way faster at downshifting than i am and won't ever mess up and upset the balance of the car.

To add to that the throttle response is improved. heel-toe or just simple rev matching without braking is much easier now. Its a small detail but it makes a big difference.

As for the power. Its definitely there! I feel pinned to my seat much harder now. Its a 70 degree sunny day here and flooring it in 3rd at 40mph gets the back end nice and squirrely .... kind of like how the stock tune was on a chilly 40 degree day... except now its when the tires and streets are warm lol. 2nd gear at WOT leaves the tires howling to redline most of the time.

overall great purchase for the money. i think this is the limit for the oem tires. I'll have to upgrade those first (probably along with the CH) before stage 2 and downpipes and e85.

One question i had though is if its possible to switch maps on the fly? My GTR with cobb tune had this feature and i could adjust between stage 1 and 2 on the fly while driving. Also, are there flex fuel setups out there for the S55 ? I'd like to go E85 as there is plenty around me, but it varies in quality from e60-e80 and sometimes on trips there is none around and i fill up with 91/93.

[dcpatters]

Congratulations on BM3.

As for Flex Fuel, the S55 fuel system (DME) doesn’t support this option. Comes down to adjusting for varying ethanol blends.

You do have some other options:

• BM3 E30 Tune
• Custom E85 tune

On the fly map switching, not supported.

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by dcpatters

Congratulations on BM3.

As for Flex Fuel, the S55 fuel system doesn’t support this option.

You do have some other options:

• BM3 E30 Tune
• Custom E85 tune

On the fly map switching, not supported.

thanks. however if i do e30, will it be ok to put full e60 or e80 in the tank? will the fuel flow adjust for that? I dont want to have to test the e85 each time and then calculate how much 93 i need to add in to it to make e30.

[tomlong]

See thread on Ecutek if you want ECU tuning platform with a flex fuel sensor option.

To your point, the S55 tuning platform, as great as it is, still remains limited versus what other platforms have in regards to features/capabilities, e.g. GTR.

[MINERALGREY_F80M3]

Your question regarding on the fly map changes is one I also have. Currently running JB4 on MAP2 with DP, Chargepipe and Injen intakes. I pump 5-6 gallons of E85 whenever I have the chance and do not have to make any changes with the JB4.

It is one of the reasons why I wanted to add BM3 for its optional configurations ( GTS DCT, GTS roar, CEL fix for DP and burbles) all while leaving the JB4 on Map2.

The more I read online, the more I see Stage 2 BM3 is supposed to be significantly better than any combo I run with the JB4.

Congrats on the pick up, will def need better tires now haha

[BYT_M4C]

I swear I just saw a post from PTF where they have added map switching using brake/gas pedals now and the tach displays which map is active.

edit:
https://www.facebook.com/protuningfr...82155781903324

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats on your bootmod3 and thank you for the review

[MINERALGREY_F80M3]

Originally Posted by BYT_M4C

I swear I just saw a post from PTF where they have added map switching using brake/gas pedals now and the tach displays which map is active.

edit:
https://www.facebook.com/protuningfr...82155781903324

Now that is bad ass!

[dcpatters]

Originally Posted by MINERALWHITE_F80M3

Now that is bad ass!

Time for BM3

[jspiroNJ]

I am considering BM3 stage 1 tune w/ an ARM res DP on my f80 M3 comp/manual w/ Active Autowerks non res midpipe and Remus cat back exhaust.

I know the power gains are there, but what about overall performance through gears etc. I have heard mixed reviews if its worth messing around with the stock mapping versus going stage 1. Do you feel the car functionally through the gears is the same as before but with added power or there is a difference in feel of the overall performance? I would hate to pay the money just for better straight line speed.