[Béhème]

Many stage 1 tunes have been discussed at length on this board, but it would be good if we could concentrate the comments in one thread.

The question is which tune, for an otherwise stock 235 (without bolt-ons), performs the best independently of costs, warranty issues or other considerations?

Ease of installation/removal is a practical aspect worth mentioning.

Please chime in from personal experience and, hopefully, some objective dyno runs.

The candidates are (feel free to add):

• AC Schnitzer
• Active Autowerke
• AFE Scorcher
• BMS Stage 1
• Dinan Stage 1
• ESS E-Tronic
• Hartage
• JB4 map1
• Manhart
• RaceChip Ultimate
• Remus

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by Bhme

Many stage 1 tunes have been discussed at length on this board, but it would be good if we could concentrate the comments in one thread.

The question is which tune, for an otherwise stock 235 (without bolt-ons), performs the best independently of costs, warranty issues or other considerations?

Ease of installation/removal is a practical aspect worth mentioning.

Please chime in from personal experience and, hopefully, some objective dyno runs.

The candidates are (feel free to add):

AC Schnitzer
Active Autowerke
AFE Scorcher
BMS Stage 1
Dinan Stage 1
ESS E-Tronic
Hartage
JB4 map1
Manhart
RaceChip Ultimate
Remus

I'd like to see a table with boost , sensors that connects to and price for comparison too

[mike@x-ph.com]

JB4 is the the best tune (in my opinion), no matter which mods you have.
If you are on a budget and staying stock any of these tunes on the list will do.
JB stage 1 is the most popular

Originally Posted by pikcachu

I'd like to see a table with boost , sensors that connects to and price for comparison too

We offer a bunch of the tunes on the list so you can use our website for price comparison

[BD_F22]

The only reason I highly recommend the JB4 is if you just drive on map 1 daily and decide down the road to increase mods you don't need to change tunes and sell what you previously bought.. It can progress with your mods

[1drumshark]

Originally Posted by BD_F22

The only reason I highly recommend the JB4 is if you just drive on map 1 daily and decide down the road to increase mods you don't need to change tunes and sell what you previously bought.. It can progress with your mods

It just seems like tunes like Manhart and Racechip can get your hp so high (just from what I've read, I'm still stock, myself) that any further mods are almost not necessary. And the simplicity of the racechip or scorcher are hard to ignore.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by 1drumshark

It just seems like tunes like Manhart and Racechip can get your hp so high (just from what I've read, I'm still stock, myself) that any further mods are almost not necessary. And the simplicity of the racechip or scorcher are hard to ignore.

the JB stage 1 is very simple to install, only 2 plugs.
Keep in mind that advertised gains should be taken with a grain of salt. I would only trust a direct comparison done on the same car, same day, same dyno.

[ocN55]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

the JB stage 1 is very simple to install, only 2 plugs.
Keep in mind that advertised gains should be taken with a grain of salt. I would only trust a direct comparison done on the same car, same day, same dyno.

I have the bms stage 1 along with the bms intake. With this setup, will my gains be minimal with the stage 2 jb4? I would probably run map 1

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by ocN55

I have the bms stage 1 along with the bms intake. With this setup, will my gains be minimal with the stage 2 jb4? I would probably run map 1

Since you already have the JB i recommend that you keep it.
Once you get the catless DP, you should get the Jb4.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

JB4 is the the best tune (in my opinion), no matter which mods you have.
If you are on a budget and staying stock any of these tunes on the list will do.
JB stage 1 is the most popular

We offer a bunch of the tunes on the list so you can use our website for price comparison

[Béhème]

Please feel free to add to and/or correct the boost increases listed below.


• AC Schnitzer:
• Active Autowerke:
• AFE Scorcher: +4
• BMS Stage 1: +3
• Dinan Stage 1: +2
• ESS E-Tronic:
• Hartage:
• JB4 map1: +3
• Manhart stage 2: +4
• RaceChip Ultimate: +3.6
• Remus:

[Buckeyes]

Bms stage 1 is 3.5 default. I bumped mine up to 4.25.

[The Nerd]

Originally Posted by Bhme

Please feel free to add to and/or correct the boost increases listed below.


• AC Schnitzer:
• Active Autowerke:
• AFE Scorcher: +4
• BMS Stage 1: +3
• Dinan Stage 1: +2
• ESS E-Tronic:
• Hartage:
• JB4 map1: +3
• Manhart stage 2: +4
• RaceChip Ultimate: +3.6
• Remus:

I believe Dinan Stage 1 is +3. At least, that's what the Dinan rep told me

[Delnari]

I can say for sure the performance feel from the RC Ultimate is better than BMS Stage 1, Dinan Stage 1, and aFe Stage 1. Didn't spend time getting the RC or aFe dyno'd after spending 2 trips and $300 (for the BMS and Dinan runs) it wasn't needed to prove to myself the RC was best Stage 1 of the 4 I have installed. These were all tested with 93 R+M/2 Octane gas. YMMV

[BD_F22]

Originally Posted by 1drumshark

It just seems like tunes like Manhart and Racechip can get your hp so high (just from what I've read, I'm still stock, myself) that any further mods are almost not necessary. And the simplicity of the racechip or scorcher are hard to ignore.

The difference is most other companies advertise base hp gains opposed to what bms advertises which is wheel hp gains.. If you follow BMS long enough too you will notice almost no company is constantly trying to improve their product and create updates with the customer in mind. I have been a JB4 user for almost 3 years now on my previous BMW's and now my m235 and they have never disappointed me and Terry is a pleasure working with and usually answers emails within an hour even on Sundays.

[Lucky13]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

the JB stage 1 is very simple to install, only 2 plugs.
Keep in mind that advertised gains should be taken with a grain of salt. I would only trust a direct comparison done on the same car, same day, same dyno.

Why do you say 2 plugs when pictures show 6 plugs? This is a serious question, I was interested but every time I see one it looks like it takes 15 minutes minimum to put on. I had a 1 step plug and play on my N54.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

Why do you say 2 plugs when pictures show 6 plugs? This is a serious question, I was interested but every time I see one it looks like it takes 15 minutes minimum to put on. I had a 1 step plug and play on my N54.

I guess i was not clear.
It is 2 plugs ( 2 connection each) . The pic is old, all the stage 1 BMS are now only 4 connections not 6.

[Béhème]

Please feel free to add to and/or correct the boost increases in the revised list below.


• AC Schnitzer:
• Active Autowerke:
• AFE Scorcher: +4
• BMS Stage 1: +3.5 (default, according to Trcb777)
• Dinan Stage 1: +3 (according to The Nerd)
• ESS E-Tronic:
• Hartage:
• JB4 map1: +3.5
• Manhart stage 2: +4
• RaceChip Ultimate: +3.6
• Remus:

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by Bhme

Please feel free to add to and/or correct the boost increases in the revised list below.


AC Schnitzer:
Active Autowerke:
AFE Scorcher: +4
BMS Stage 1: +3.5 (default, according to Trcb777)
Dinan Stage 1: +3 (according to The Nerd)
ESS E-Tronic:
Hartage:
JB4 map1: +3.5
Manhart stage 2: +4
RaceChip Ultimate: +3.6
Remus:

shouldnt manhart be stage1?

[chaddy74]

Manhart have a stage 1 and 2 tune. They have also just upgraded there hardware to tap into fuel pressure, maf,map and canbus ! I have spoken to the techs at Manhart and the canbus integration is for safety and and all round better result! Expensive yes but IMHO its the best.

Originally Posted by bimmercar

shouldnt manhart be stage1?

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by chaddy74

Manhart have a stage 1 and 2 tune. They have also just upgraded there hardware to tap into fuel pressure, maf,map and canbus ! I have spoken to the techs at Manhart and the canbus integration is for safety and and all round better result! Expensive yes but IMHO its the best.

thanks for the info , but isnt this topic best stage 1 tunes?

[chaddy74]

Well as such tune doesn't control the EWG solenoid for additional boost over the advertised +4 it is effectively a stage 1 tune for new players !

Originally Posted by bimmercar

thanks for the info , but isnt this topic best stage 1 tunes?

[bimmercar]

Originally Posted by chaddy74

Well as such tune doesn't control the EWG solenoid for additional boost over the advertised +4 it is effectively a stage 1 tune for new players !

i thought manhart stage 2 needs DP