BMW Performance to offer power kit for twin-turbo'd 3.0-liter
When the BMW 335i arrived in 2007, tuners jumped at the chance to boost the boosted 3.0-liter inline-six. After a few ECU tweaks, the new 3 series was putting out an additional 70-80 hp and a commensurate increase in torque, and once the 135i and 535i arrived, the market grew accordingly.
Recognizing that owners are willing to let their new rides go under the electronic knife, BMW has decided that the aftermarket shouldn't be the only avenue available for drivers looking for more punch from the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter. The automaker will begin offering an upgrade for the 135i, 335i and 535i in Europe, and it's rumored to be available in the U.S. sometime in April.
However, owners opting for the BMW Performance Power Kit shouldn't expect the same output available from the aftermarket. The kit, which consists of a software upgrade and a new cooling apparatus, will only net an additional 20 hp and 37 lb-ft of torque. That pales in comparison to the 400+ hp that Vishnu customers enjoy, but for those wary of venturing into the aftermarket, it's a solid offering that doesn't risk a warranty-voiding trip to the dealer.
[Source: Bimmerfile]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Steve Bennet 11:10AM (2/16/2009)
More manufacturers should be doing this, the latest upgrade kit from gm for the solstice gxp gives you an additional 30hp and 80ft/lbs of torque and adds a nifty no-lift-to-shift feature.
Reply
mapoftazifosho 11:18AM (2/16/2009)
That same kit will be available on the Cobalt SS as well.
Slizzo 11:35AM (2/16/2009)
Agreed, but this really isn't that bad of a gain. On average a custom tune for the L76 (G8 GT 6.0L V8) will return about 30hp to the wheels.
Reply
mapoftazifosho 12:25PM (2/16/2009)
Yeah, but I doubt BMW and GM are talking about whp.
xspeedy 12:26PM (2/16/2009)
I'm not sure what the price is for this "kit", but I would think the Dinan upgrade makes more sense. Dinan backs the factory warranty but puts out more power/torque.
Reply
Illegal Machine 12:54PM (2/16/2009)
All of these aftermarket tunes are invisible to the dealer anyway.
Reply
Turall 1:18PM (2/16/2009)
Why bother when you can go to a BMW dealer that is an authorized Dinan vendor, and get a 380hp/421 lb-ft ECU program that won't void the factory warranty...
Reply
YouFaceTheTick 1:22PM (2/16/2009)
Yep, go dinan if you're worried about the warranty.
Eddie 1:38PM (2/16/2009)
I wonder if they'll eventually offer an upgrade for the V8TT 7 series. I bet 430-440hp is obtainable with a simple reflash.
Reply
Noah 1:47PM (2/16/2009)
Nice. Gives you a noticeable bump in power, probably won't affect fuel mileage. But knowing BMW, this simple upgrade will cost too much.
Reply
JZeke 2:34PM (2/16/2009)
BMW really needs to get on bringing a petrol turbo 4 cyl here stat. No need to do an NA model, just offer power upgrades from a healthy base spec.
Reply
john05srt4 3:11PM (2/16/2009)
Well actually the Dinan DOES void your factory bmw warranty. When you buy it they make you sign a form understanding this and that Dinan is now responsible for all repairs.
So it tends to be a blame game with finger pointing when something does go wrong...
PLUS once its installed your car is no longer availbale to be CPO so you lose trade in value.
Reply
mkM3 5:24PM (2/17/2009)
Sounds like the upgrade basically increases the tune of the motor to match the specs of the motor in 740i.
Reply