Chip Tuning for the SDRIVE35I

[MADZ4U]

Finally got some good weather so I took the car out for a run. Everything was working well, until it wasn't!
It was performing well and accelerating well, then suddenly it just started to drop cylinders. I managed to limp back home and get it up to my garage. I placed the car in park and everything was back to normal.
I installed the wifi dongle and accessed the error codes through the app. It said misfiring on cylinders #1, #3 and #6.
I cleared the codes and I want to take it out for a run again. But I just want to know if I have over-staged the ability for the car to run with the stage II-plus upgrade.
Is this the reason it then goes into a "safe-mode" by taking out cylinders #1, 3 & 6?
Does the MHD firmware (which is installed) cause this? Has anyone else had this happen?
I will be sending a query to MHD, but just thought I would check here for feedback first.

[Y888]

you need new spark plugs and ignition coils its a wear item on bmw,dont be surprised if gaskets start to leak..

[KennyP]

You could still be on original coils... bmw has changed the coils they use from factory multiple times...
first it was Bosch then Delphi and after that came Eldor branded coils..
Each time coils got heavier and better.

Also tuned N54 goes through spark plugs twice as fast compared to a stock car...

Try to find a set of Eldor coils...if you cant get them then Delphi should be ok too.. I have Delphi installed on mine. And get a set of sparkplugs aswell..


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjsx-K1mjkQ

[Y888]

always a good idea to get the last year of production or at least facelift because they figure all the bugs out

[KennyP]

Well with N54 bmw had 3 years to work out its kinks in e9x 335i (started production in 2006) before it made it into new e89 Z4 model in 2009.

[Y888]

n55 injectors are a lot cheaper but im glad they kept the n54 in a z4 all the way to 2016 because its stronger than n55 but why they used n55 in e9x lci i dont know

[MADZ4U]

Well ...I finally had a chance to take the Z4 out for a ride with new plugs and Eldor Coils.
What a Rush...The car screams and I was conservative in some ways. It has to be the fastest car that I have been in and driven. Having a sport bike, I am quite comfortable to hit the 3 digit numbers on the speedo in short distances....but a Z4 is a new experience, especially when you approach the corners. I would have never really thought that the coils and plugs would be, the make or brake decision, on the performance. I thank the forum for the advice and can have a smile on my face when I take the Beast out again....the Wife is not smiling...worry wart.
To have the complete Stage II setup I will be looking at an air cleaner mode as well.
I think Bimmerworld had a nice one...about $400.00. Any suggestions...???
Thanks Again
Geoff

[Y888]

i wouldnt go with dual cone intake since it allowes a lot of dirt to go into the engine

[B21]

Originally Posted by MADZ4U

Well ...I finally had a chance to take the Z4 out for a ride with new plugs and Eldor Coils.
What a Rush...The car screams and I was conservative in some ways. It has to be the fastest car that I have been in and driven. Having a sport bike, I am quite comfortable to hit the 3 digit numbers on the speedo in short distances....but a Z4 is a new experience, especially when you approach the corners. I would have never really thought that the coils and plugs would be, the make or brake decision, on the performance. I thank the forum for the advice and can have a smile on my face when I take the Beast out again....the Wife is not smiling...worry wart.
To have the complete Stage II setup I will be looking at an air cleaner mode as well.
I think Bimmerworld had a nice one...about $400.00. Any suggestions...???
Thanks Again
Geoff

Stock airbox is efficient and good for 400 BHP …crank..

You can do a Mr.5 mod if you want a little more noise / air..

DCIs give a good boost to mid range torque and hold rpm well at the expense of heat soak, dirt ingestion to the engine and noise…most aftermarket air boxes seem to be placebo affairs..

[Y888]

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...m/000951ecs~a/ this is interesting

[B21]

Originally Posted by Y888

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...m/000951ecs~a/ this is interesting

Yup my Italian buddy bought this but was very disappointed with it when it arrived…sent it back..back on stock airbox with a mr.5 mod I’m supplying ..he and I are on around 525-550 bhp crank

[Y888]

What is your fuel economy with that much hp? Im stock and i average 11.5L/100km

[MADZ4U]

Re: the post above
I didn't purchase this car for the economy. I really don't know what I will be getting for fuel mileage yet, but like anything else, it all depends how heavy your foot is

Presently, the fuel prices per gallon in the U.S. are fairly reasonable, and the more electric cars are sold, the fuel prices will hopefully drop just to make a profit.

Thanks for the info on the air filter. I'll save my money on that upgrade.
I have the stock filter. Should that be changed to a K&N filter? If they make one for this car, I don't know if they do.

[KennyP]

That K&N drop in panel filter is basically the same as dualcone intakes... similar filtration method....
Honestly i dont get the hate on DCI-s... there are alot of cars out there running them... they all work ... have anyone had any breakdowns becouse DCI-s on their car? If they allow debris in, then first hings to go would be turbos intake side that would get chewed up, that would make them un balanced and then in the end it would develop a wobble and hit the wall or something like that... but this isnt really happening... no horror stories out there....

I have recently taken my DCI off to install new Forge diverter valves... and my inlets and the inside of the cone filters were totally clean... have had them installed for a couple of years...going to buy replacements probably next year...

I do get it if you dont want to install them in extreme conditions... like if you drive alot on desert dirt roads and so on.... but if you are on paved roads and in a city then i dont see an issue...

Also the quality of those cone intakes varies from manufacturer to manufacturer... BMS DCI is made by S&B filters... i did do some reading about it and they have more layers in the filter than many others like K & N....

Heat soak isnt really an issue if you have upgraded your intercooler... on NA engines its very important to have a cold air intake because there isnt anything to cool it down... but with a turbo engine ... turbos heat air up anyway... and it gets cooled down anyway... good cooler then no issues...
but to run stock cooler and DCI... thats not optimal...

All in all run whatever you want... if you like to mod stock airbox then mod it. if you like dci then go with that... if you want to spend big bucks on a carbon fiber intake than by all means do it.. its your car...

Last time this filter discussion went quite deep... who wants can search for it and read... no need to do this debate again...

Enjoy your car!

[B21]

Originally Posted by MADZ4U

Re: the post above
I didn't purchase this car for the economy. I really don't know what I will be getting for fuel mileage yet, but like anything else, it all depends how heavy your foot is

Presently, the fuel prices per gallon in the U.S. are fairly reasonable, and the more electric cars are sold, the fuel prices will hopefully drop just to make a profit.

Thanks for the info on the air filter. I'll save my money on that upgrade.
I have the stock filter. Should that be changed to a K&N filter? If they make one for this car, I don't know if they do.

A stock air filter from Mann or Mahle are your best options…avoid K+N for poor filtration reasons…

[B21]

Originally Posted by KennyP

That K&N drop in panel filter is basically the same as dualcone intakes... similar filtration method....
Honestly i dont get the hate on DCI-s... there are alot of cars out there running them... they all work ... have anyone had any breakdowns becouse DCI-s on their car? If they allow debris in, then first hings to go would be turbos intake side that would get chewed up, that would make them un balanced and then in the end it would develop a wobble and hit the wall or something like that... but this isnt really happening... no horror stories out there....

I have recently taken my DCI off to install new Forge diverter valves... and my inlets and the inside of the cone filters were totally clean... have had them installed for a couple of years...going to buy replacements probably next year...

I do get it if you dont want to install them in extreme conditions... like if you drive alot on desert dirt roads and so on.... but if you are on paved roads and in a city then i dont see an issue...

Also the quality of those cone intakes varies from manufacturer to manufacturer... BMS DCI is made by S&B filters... i did do some reading about it and they have more layers in the filter than many others like K & N....

Heat soak isnt really an issue if you have upgraded your intercooler... on NA engines its very important to have a cold air intake because there isnt anything to cool it down... but with a turbo engine ... turbos heat air up anyway... and it gets cooled down anyway... good cooler then no issues...
but to run stock cooler and DCI... thats not optimal...

All in all run whatever you want... if you like to mod stock airbox then mod it. if you like dci then go with that... if you want to spend big bucks on a carbon fiber intake than by all means do it.. its your car...

Last time this filter discussion went quite deep... who wants can search for it and read... no need to do this debate again...

Enjoy your car!

The primary filtration issue is that the k+n allows fine grit to enter the system..part of that gets carried in the oil and acts as a grinding paste…you see it as elevated silicon levels ..so it’s causes long term wear on various components..bit like smoking.,it’s not going to kill you in the short term..

Interestingly FWIW all the Jeep guys swapped back from K+N to foam or stock filters..

My Italian ‘boyfriend’ with another yellow 35is has reverted from DCIs due to heat soak..but that is Rome..

[B21]

Originally Posted by Y888

What is your fuel economy with that much hp? Im stock and i average 11.5L/100km

Doesn’t materially change fuel consumption as realistically I hardly ever press the ‘go pedal’ that hard or often..