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      02-09-2021, 08:38 AM   #1
quandary
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ECU Tune Recommendations

Please provide a list of ECU tuning options and why they would be recommended above their competition? They seem to be scattered across many posts so it would be nice to find them in one spot.

I will start with a few that I have seen so far for the F15 (N57 for mine):


www.Protuningfreaks.com BM3 $595 USD (seems to be popular on this thread)
www.dedmd.com Stage 1/2 $515-615 USD
www.malonetuning.com Stage 1/2 $749-849 USD. DPF, EGR, SCR delete is $249 extra
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      02-09-2021, 10:31 AM   #2
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Few members went with Malone and seem to be very happy with results:
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1620912&page=2
I did not know that BM3 offered tune for N57, this is new.
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      02-09-2021, 10:55 AM   #3
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Make sure you don't have the latest DME update from BMW or your DME will be locked and not OBD tunable you'd have to get it bench unlocked. Wish I knew this before I purchased my tune now I'm waiting for the tuners to crack this lock, don't feel like taking off my DME and have no vehicle for a week.
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      02-09-2021, 12:15 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quandary View Post
Please provide a list of ECU tuning options and why they would be recommended above their competition? They seem to be scattered across many posts so it would be nice to find them in one spot.

I will start with a few that I have seen so far for the F15 (N57 for mine):


www.Protuningfreaks.com BM3 $595 USD (seems to be popular on this thread)
www.dedmd.com Stage 1/2 $515-615 USD
www.malonetuning.com Stage 1/2 $749-849 USD. DPF, EGR, SCR delete is $249 extra
https://stagefp.com/ offers the tune as well. The shop is run by Bob who used to be main tuner for BPC.

This is most likley what you are looking at with stagefp: https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1359925

This is what they did with n57 when they pushed it:
https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1450938
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      02-09-2021, 01:07 PM   #5
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What about RaceChip GTS black? Is this tune old news these days?
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      02-09-2021, 01:34 PM   #6
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RaceChip is piggyback tune, which is less ideal and individual results may vary.
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      02-10-2021, 11:07 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RED_Y_ View Post
RaceChip is piggyback tune, which is less ideal and individual results may vary.
Correct, it is a piggyback. I guess what I'm asking is for those users that don't have plans for changing the downpipe. Would an off the shelf tune like the BM3 stage 1 feel any different than the RC GTS black piggyback?
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      02-10-2021, 11:31 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M302_imola View Post
Correct, it is a piggyback. I guess what I'm asking is for those users that don't have plans for changing the downpipe. Would an off the shelf tune like the BM3 stage 1 feel any different than the RC GTS black piggyback?
Generally speaking-no, if you just want a little bit extra dynamics and don't want to go too technical piggybacks are good enough.
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      02-11-2021, 04:48 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RED_Y_ View Post
Generally speaking-no, if you just want a little bit extra dynamics and don't want to go too technical piggybacks are good enough.
Well that's a relief, but knowing me I'm still going to wonder "what if", and that will prob drive me to eventually selling my RC GTS Black to give the BM3 tune a try.
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      02-12-2021, 02:37 PM   #10
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My 50i F15 is hitting 0-60 in 3.7s with just a JB4, no other mods. Pretty good for just plugging in some wires.
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      03-04-2021, 04:31 PM   #11
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Subscribed in case this thread really gets long. Curious about Malone now, never heard of them.

TTFS has some phenomenal tunes for my E46 M3 and E92 M3, I wonder if they have something good for the N63TU as well...

EDIT: looks like TTFS is selling the BM3 as well:
http://tuningtechfs.com/bmw-bootmod3-s63tu-n63tu/
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      03-06-2021, 11:25 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LeopardM3 View Post
Subscribed in case this thread really gets long. Curious about Malone now, never heard of them.

TTFS has some phenomenal tunes for my E46 M3 and E92 M3, I wonder if they have something good for the N63TU as well...

EDIT: looks like TTFS is selling the BM3 as well:
http://tuningtechfs.com/bmw-bootmod3-s63tu-n63tu/
This thread is for the N57 diesel engine which has way less options for the tune compared to N63TU.
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      03-07-2021, 01:41 PM   #13
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Is there a software only mild tune outside of the BMW performance tune that is actually safe for the N55? I had an ESS flash on my N54 which was incredible but it's been nearly 10 years since I had that car or thought about modifying another.
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      03-08-2021, 10:00 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3_Dust View Post
Is there a software only mild tune outside of the BMW performance tune that is actually safe for the N55? I had an ESS flash on my N54 which was incredible but it's been nearly 10 years since I had that car or thought about modifying another.
I think they are all pretty safe. I've got the Racechip GTS black w/ bluetooth function, and I've had no issues in the 1.5 years of ownership. Seems as though the BM3 (Bootmod) is safe as well.
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      03-22-2021, 08:29 AM   #15
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MHD stage 2 has been awesome on our wife’s x5 with downpipe and intake.
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      03-23-2021, 09:19 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RED_Y_ View Post
This thread is for the N57 diesel engine which has way less options for the tune compared to N63TU.
I don't have the N57 (or an X5d yet, soon) but you can add OETuning to the list.

https://www.oetuning.com/products/bmw/x5/bmw-x5-30d-f15

I've got their Stage1 tune on my GLK250 and it's been excellent for the past 2 years. No hardware modifications required, DPF regens still occur.
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      06-10-2021, 02:53 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quandary View Post
Please provide a list of ECU tuning options and why they would be recommended above their competition? They seem to be scattered across many posts so it would be nice to find them in one spot.

I will start with a few that I have seen so far for the F15 (N57 for mine):


www.Protuningfreaks.com BM3 $595 USD (seems to be popular on this thread)
www.dedmd.com Stage 1/2 $515-615 USD
www.malonetuning.com Stage 1/2 $749-849 USD. DPF, EGR, SCR delete is $249 extra
Can someone breakdown the differences between the “stages?” Specifically the Malone Stage 1, 2, 2.5 in regards to hardware changes needed. Also, how it would affect the DPF and regen schedule.
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      07-24-2021, 09:15 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tritan84 View Post
Can someone breakdown the differences between the “stages?” Specifically the Malone Stage 1, 2, 2.5 in regards to hardware changes needed. Also, how it would affect the DPF and regen schedule.
Tempted to hear as well... In the market for a tune now
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      07-27-2021, 10:00 AM   #19
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I recently purchased and loaded a Bootmod3 (BM3) tune on my X5 F15. I got a deal during a 4th of July sale with Extreme Powerhouse. I think I paid $515 for the license, one OTS tune, Enet cable and BM3 stickers.

I am very happy with the tune. I test drove a 2021 X3M Comp and was not impressed with it. I think my X5 has the same/more power. BM3 states I gained 27% HP

2018 X5 F15 35i sdrive

Last edited by ggunn9; 07-27-2021 at 10:16 AM..
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      07-27-2021, 10:12 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ggunn9 View Post
I recently purchased and loaded a Bootmod3 (BM3) tune on my X5 F15. I got a deal during a 4th of July sale with Extreme Powerhouse. I think I paid $515 for the license, one OTS tune, Enet cable and BM3 stickers.

I am very happy with the tune. I test drive a 2021 X3M Comp and was not impressed with it. I think my X5 has more power. BM3 states I gained 27% HP
50i or 35i?
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      07-27-2021, 10:13 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ggunn9 View Post
I recently purchased and loaded a Bootmod3 (BM3) tune on my X5 F15. I got a deal during a 4th of July sale with Extreme Powerhouse. I think I paid $515 for the license, one OTS tune, Enet cable and BM3 stickers.

I am very happy with the tune. I test drive a 2021 X3M Comp and was not impressed with it. I think my X5 has more power. BM3 states I gained 27% HP
I have never seen BM3 for N57 engine, and can't find in on their site. How did you get it?
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      07-27-2021, 10:15 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackoutF15 View Post
50i or 35i?
35i
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