[wantam235i]

Hey guys,

Planning on modifying my car for the first time and wanted to double check that I am doing everything right.

I have a 2015 m235i with 27k miles on it. AFAIK coils/plugs have never been changed.

I plan on running BM3 stage 1 93 octane, also going with VRSF Charge Pipe and VRSF high flow downpipe.

Questions/concerns are:

Is the high flow DP worth it for stage 1? I've decided the exhaust/spool/HP gains are worth - unless someone can talk me out of it.

No need for FMIC - most of the stuff I read doesn't require this for stage 1, I live in Canada and will be on OEM tune for half the year so doubt it will be worth.

Replace stock plugs or get one step colder? Some sites say I should one or the other, but most people here don't seem to do any for stage 1. Since I plan on reverting to stock tune in winter, would it cause a problem for colder plugs?

EDIT: Thanks guys! I am getting everything installed tomorrow and super excited!

Plan to do my first few runs BM3 Stage 1 93 octane, I plan on filling up with Esso 93 octane. I've seen some people talk about super knock events - is this something I should be concerned about? I plan on logging the first few runs, any specific parameters I should look out for or will BM3 give a warning if I get knocking?

[jb-slow]

You don't need a cat at all, go catless, save money and make more power. The tune will remove any check engine lights from it. You don't need to change the tune for the winter either, just don't drive crazy if it's super cold. And you should be ok with stock plugs for stage 1 although they're cheap if you wanted to do them anyway.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Although the intercooler is not mandatory, I recommend upgrading the stock one. It's pretty bad.
Since you live in Canada and are running stage 1 only, a 5" core will do.

[Info@mad-us.com]

Here is everything you need.

Downpipe - https://mad-us.com/mad-n55-downpipe-...2-335-435-4-0/

Charge pipe - https://mad-us.com/mad-n55-charge-pi...-435-rwd-only/

5 inch Hd intercooler https://mad-us.com/mad-bmw-5-stepped...55-1-2-3-4-m2/

[Efftooto]

I am also in Canada (Ottawa) and I ran bm3 Stage 1 93 for a year with just the charge pipe upgrade - no problems whatsoever. I then went Stage 2 and added a high flow cat DP and a 5" intercooler. Stage 1 is a real blast and a bigger gain over stock than the Stage 2 is over Stage 1.

Chris

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Efftooto

I am also in Canada (Ottawa) and I ran bm3 Stage 1 93 for a year with just the charge pipe upgrade - no problems whatsoever. I then went Stage 2 and added a high flow cat DP and a 5" intercooler. Stage 1 is a real blast and a bigger gain over stock than the Stage 2 is over Stage 1.

Chris

+1 stock to stage 1 is the best value power modification

[KennyFSU]

I LOVED bm3 stg1 93, my only supporting mods were CP and CSF IC, made such a huge difference and when you back it up with xhp stg 2 trans flash (zf8), it was perfect.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by KennyFSU

I LOVED bm3 stg1 93, my only supporting mods were CP and CSF IC, made such a huge difference and when you back it up with xhp stg 2 trans flash (zf8), it was perfect.

[atek]

Originally Posted by KennyFSU

I LOVED bm3 stg1 93, my only supporting mods were CP and CSF IC, made such a huge difference and when you back it up with xhp stg 2 trans flash (zf8), it was perfect.

Yes!

I just did BM3 Stage 1 literally yesterday. My mods are Straight pipe exhaust, stock DP, intake and charge pipe. Definitely a night and day difference with the torque output. That 25% hp & tq claim most be accurate. The turbo spool and sound is just as intoxicating as the power increase.

I plan on doing catless dp, fmic and zhp trans tune next!

[wantam235i]

Thanks guys! I am getting everything installed tomorrow and super excited!

Plan to do my first few runs BM3 Stage 1 93 octane, I plan on filling up with Esso 93 octane. I've seen some people talk about super knock events - is this something I should be concerned about? I plan on logging the first few runs, any specific parameters I should look out for or will BM3 give a warning if I get knocking?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by wantam235i

Thanks guys! I am getting everything installed tomorrow and super excited!

Plan to do my first few runs BM3 Stage 1 93 octane, I plan on filling up with Esso 93 octane. I've seen some people talk about super knock events - is this something I should be concerned about? I plan on logging the first few runs, any specific parameters I should look out for or will BM3 give a warning if I get knocking?

Not an issue as long as you are not running a map too aggressive for your octane

[wantam235i]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Not an issue as long as you are not running a map too aggressive for your octane

Thanks so much Mike! While I have you here, would you say its safe to run a somewhat aggressive burble tune on a catted VRSF downpipe (200 cell)? I seem to recall you saying in an old thread that you did the same to your shop's car with high flow downpipe and had no issues.

I emailed protuningfreaks as well and they said I can run it on max safely, not sure how they can make that claim since the downpipe I intended to use is still catted.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by wantam235i

Thanks so much Mike! While I have you here, would you say its safe to run a somewhat aggressive burble tune on a catted VRSF downpipe (200 cell)? I seem to recall you saying in an old thread that you did the same to your shop's car with high flow downpipe and had no issues.

I emailed protuningfreaks as well and they said I can run it on max safely, not sure how they can make that claim since the downpipe I intended to use is still catted.

In Theory, I was under the impression it's not safe but after all these years and not seeing a single issue caused by the burble I'm happy to admit I was wrong.

My answer now is yes you are safe to run max burble on any downpipe