[hyperzulu]

^kind of like a good hole in the wall restaurant. Great food, but shitty presentation. lol

[FC4]

Originally Posted by hyperzulu

^kind of like a good hole in the wall restaurant. Great food, but shitty presentation. lol

HAH. Yeah...it doesn't get points on appearance out of the box or presentation. Not like it matter, though.

[jmr0311]

Which type of the BMS JB4 Stage 1 unit we need for our M235i, type A or Type B.

[G-Mann]

B harness

[JustinCredibleM]

Originally Posted by jmr0311

Which type of the BMS JB4 Stage 1 unit we need for our M235i, type A or Type B.

You want the B because A is up to 2012 and you have a 2014 car :P.

[FC4]

Originally Posted by jmr0311

Which type of the BMS JB4 Stage 1 unit we need for our M235i, type A or Type B.

Hmm...tough call. One option states 2011 cars to early-2012. The other is 2012+. Depending on what year your M235i is, there is a lot of gray area there. You don't want to leave this to a 50/50 crapshoot...I'd wait for some more people to chime in so you could be sure before you pull the trigger.

Best of luck in your decision.

[///MCFC]

Originally Posted by FC4

Hmm...tough call. One option states 2011 cars to early-2012. The other is 2012+. Depending on what year your M235i is, there is a lot of gray area there. You don't want to leave this to a 50/50 crapshoot...I'd wait for some more people to chime in so you could be sure before you pull the trigger.

Best of luck in your decision.

heh. not bad.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by FC4

Hmm...tough call. One option states 2011 cars to early-2012. The other is 2012+. Depending on what year your M235i is, there is a lot of gray area there. You don't want to leave this to a 50/50 crapshoot...I'd wait for some more people to chime in so you could be sure before you pull the trigger.

Best of luck in your decision.

All F series are TypeB.

Mike

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Delnari

After trying my hand at two different tuner boxes previously on the M235i, BMS N55 Stage 1 and Dinan Stage 1, I'm now trying the aFe Scorcher Module. It connects to the MAP and TMAP sensors only like the BMS box but unlike the BMS, the aFe has only the two connections on the harness. The BMS box has additional connectors that are not used on the M235i and have to be stored out of the way.

I went with the Scorcher for its straight forward design of connections, nicely insulated harness, and small control box. Installation was straight forward with only the two connections needed requiring the engine cover removal along with disconnection of the negative battery terminal in the trunk. Verification you have put the connections on correctly are nearly idiot proof with a blue LED light on the control box that will illuminate when made properly. A little gimmic like, but hey they are selling to BMW owners

Single test drive so far and the torque delivery is very strong. Without having an actual Dyno numbers yet to show, it did break traction much easier and faster in Sport + mode. During my limited ride in manual Sport + doing 2-->3-->4 shift under full throttle I heard a change in the exhaust sound. I have the M Performance muffler and as we have seen in the videos and experience ourselves shift sound like short farts (lack of better way to describe them). With the aFe Scorcher the shift sound was louder and longer in duration. Had to do it a few times to verify it wasn't a fluke. What was a fart now sounds like a explosion out the exhaust pipes. More driving impressions needed, but it will make small children jump off the sidewalks and into the grass when it happens.

This was my first initial impression. Was lucky to score this one from EBAY for $312 (used - like new condition). aFe is running a intake/tune combo special on their site for the same setup I have (Momentum Intake and Scorcher Module) for $734 which is good deal for both items.

Nice

[Delnari]

Warranty not at issue at all. BMW confirmed my warranty is in full effect and car will be CPO after turn in. Your information must be old; maybe back in the days when Dinan flashed the ECU that was true. No problems running the aFe piggyback either.

[Delnari]

Parked the new motorcycle earlier today after a 400 mile riding weekend . Took the car out for dinner with the wife tonight. While at the front of a red light a 370Z pulled up next to me and I didn't really pay it much mine. As we sat waiting for the light, he keep creeping up and past the line looking to jump the light. Seeing this, I told my wife, "what this" and put car in Sport+ mode and it fired up out of Comfort mode. Waiting for the light to go green and letting the Z get a start on me to see how hard he was going to launch. He pulled out fast, but not full throttle (at least it appeared that way), so I gave my car a full press of the throttle once the Z got a couple lengths in front and was surprised (including my wife) how if broke traction and gave a little wheel spin before ripping past the Z! Dry cool evening in the high 60's and had the windows down which made it even more fun to hear as well as feel. Think the automatic sport shift sound scared the Z down and he immediately backed off then I followed suit.

Really thinking maybe instead of getting a new downpipe next Spring the locking rear differential might be better choice for the car next. Anymore power and the right rear tire will need replacing often

[Spieltag]

I was reading the installation PDF for the scorcher/momentum intake and noticed it said it is illegal in california except on race vehicles... Does this mean it will fail emissions or throw codes or is it purely "visual" inspection. Just curious, because everything I have heard is that it doesn't throw codes, etc... but its like having illegal tint where if you get stopped they can write you up or just not give a F*ck.

[Delnari]

No fault codes are generated. In CA if you alter the emission system in anyway and not have a CARB certification for the part being added or changed you violate the clean air laws for motor vehicles and can be cited, fine, and repair/replace order issued. I don't live in CA, so I don't know if your car sounds unusual if the police will do a visual inspection for the CARB sticker(s) or not.

[mmmmm235i]

Originally Posted by Delnari

No fault codes are generated. In CA if you alter the emission system in anyway and not have a CARB certification for the part being added or changed you violate the clean air laws for motor vehicles and can be cited, fine, and repair/replace order issued. I don't live in CA, so I don't know if your car sounds unusual if the police will do a visual inspection for the CARB sticker(s) or not.

Delnari, thanks for your reviews they are very helpful. Have you had any problems throwing codes with the AFE module. I want to be able to just pull it out for warranty work.

I can understand that BMS manufacturers one harness due to cost effectivity, but that messy setup is my main reason for choosing the AFE module. I have 93 readily available in my area so boost is not an issue, as you said it just seems idiot proof. When messing with such a delicate area of the car, I want the product to be as user friendly as possible. I don't want to guess which cables go where and try to figure out where to hide the rest of the wires, especially when the manufacturer knows most people remove and reinstall when warranty work is done

[Delnari]

Finally able to drive again after being in a foot cast for 3 weeks. Took the car and wife out to the Skyline Drive on Sunday to enjoy the Fall colors. Exit off at Rt. 33 (my favorite road in the area) and gave the car a good little down the mountain fun. The aFe Scorcher is working perfectly, although the car had been sitting for 3 weeks. Running just as stout as when I first installed it. No codes coming up during my OBDII scans so no issues with emissions at this point.

Did a run this morning after adjusting my tire air pressures as I forgot to do that on Sunday. Did a quick run afterwards and launched the M Laptimer app to see my 0-60 times again. Not very good, as my one run on cold just inflated tires netted a 5.1 seconds. Getting wheel spin off the line and more than usual on the 1st --> 2nd shift (automatic). My guess the Summer PSS tires don't really like 50 degree weather as much as the high 70's. Won't be long when both the car and Yamaha are parked and I will be back to riding the Winter equip'd Husqvarna.

[HX_Guy]

@Delnari so would you recommend the Scorcher? How does the car drive day to day, is there any indication that it's modified at all drivability wise (rough idle, surging, anything odd) or would someone not even know it's there aside from the added power?

Seems both the Scorcher and the Momentum intake can be had for about $680 combined which seems like a pretty smoking deal.

[Delnari]

No issues. When I do a cold start I let the idle drop after a few seconds before putting it in gear. No driving issues, and like you said just more torque and power.

[Delnari]

Took the car out for a long weekend drive and still running good with the aFe Scorcher. Still the best bang for the M235i for under $400.

[mazerrackham]

It sounds like your M235i isn't your daily driver. If not, how many miles a week do you put on it? I average about 12,000 miles a year and now wonder if the aFe might be a little too aggressive for a DD

[G-Mann]

Originally Posted by mazerrackham

It sounds like your M235i isn't your daily driver. If not, how many miles a week do you put on it? I average about 12,000 miles a year and now wonder if the aFe might be a little too aggressive for a DD

I think your driving style will play a bigger factor then the piggy back itself. If your always driving like you stole it and living in the upper rpms would be a bigger concern than adding a little extra boost for occasional use.

Data logs are a good way to confirm everything is running ok. Not sure how to do that with the AFE. It would certainly be interesting to see one for comparison.

[alz0rz]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

It's based on the same analog technology as the BMS Stage1, only instead of being set to 3.5psi as the Stage1 is, they set it to 4.5psi. BMS prefers to have CAN bus access in place for the higher boost levels so keeps those for JB4 level performance.

FWIW awhile ago BMS added the DB9 port back to their Stage1 tune so technically it can be adjusted from 0-6psi using the Stage1 interface and USB cable. So to match it up with the AFE set it to 4.5. The better solution though is to add the extra wires and JB4 box at that point.

The rest of the connections on the harness are meant for upgrading to the JB4. The idea is you just swap the box out for $150, connect the extra wires in the harness, and have a full JB4.

Mike

Mike.. I thought that the BMS Stage 1 (and JB4 Map 1) were both only 12.5psi (2.5 psi over stock).. is that correct?

Or is that the Stage 1 pushes 13.5 psi but the JB4 Map 1 does 12.5psi?

[Delnari]

Originally Posted by mazerrackham

It sounds like your M235i isn't your daily driver. If not, how many miles a week do you put on it? I average about 12,000 miles a year and now wonder if the aFe might be a little too aggressive for a DD

Guilty. The BMW is only a recreational vehicle I drive on the weekends. Ride my motorcycles to and from work during the week, and the wife does all the errand driving in her car. I've had the car since the middle of March and it hasn't turned past 3K miles yet. Maybe next Summer I will be able to get behind the wheel more often, but for now other pursuits take priority.