Just wanted to mention for those who might be interested in this upgrade that the JB Stage 1 was installed on my car and I couldn't be happier. :thumbsup: I probably read most to all the threads about Stage 1 here on F30post and pretty much everything others have stated is true and accurate. For those on the fence, don't be. It's a worthwhile, basically must-do upgrade IMO.
The performance to the car with this upgrade is no question improved significantly. Enough so to alter the car's overall personality. And yes, I do understand that may vary from person to person based on experience/previous vehicle ownership. I did read the various threads about the MPPK upgrade and how some felt it was just a minor upgrade while some raved about the performance differences (although from my understanding MPPK has slightly less power and even less torque than Stage 1).
However, I've owned cars that were into the mid 11's (daily driven single turbo 3rd gen Mazda RX7) and so I'm not one to exaggerate in this area.
With Stage 1 and in Sport + mode, the car just pulls much harder off the line. So much so, I've had issues with traction (WAY more than normal) with the stock Pirelli's. I've also noticed that the annoying turbo lag of the stock N55 has reduced slightly and the car's top-end is MUCH improved. This is where it was definitely needed as the N55 motor basically runs out of gas past 5000K+ at higher speeds. Comfort mode is pretty much the same as stock, with just a bit of more boost if you really get on the throttle.
MPG's I would say are the same as long as you stay in Comfort mode and don't have a lead foot. Car idles just like stock. No difference there. One word of advice though. I would NOT recommend disconnecting the battery to do this install. You can install it straight up. I disconnected my battery once (for an unrelated issue) and when I reattached the battery cable, I got a "Drivetrain Malfunction Error." I searched online and read that this sometimes happens when you disconnect the battery. All you have to do is turn off the car and start it again to clear the error, but I would imagine several Drivetrain errors would look suspicious. But that's just me being paranoid I guess.
Install was a breeze. Took just a few minutes. It's really, really ridiculous how easy the install is. It harkens me back to the good ol days of installing aftermarket boost controllers and how much of a pain they were. :thumbdown (HKS EVC or Greddy Profec B anyone? LOL) I actually had a much harder time putting the left side plastic engine cover perfectly back in place than the actual install of the tune. For some reason, it just would not seal/clasp just right. I also decided to tie wrap the dangling cords that aren't used (JB4 use only) and wrap the module in a black cloth that I cut out and then placed it in a couple plastic ziplock bags to prevent any water from getting in, just in case. This is really unnecessary, but I'm just really anal with things like that.
I know some folks are concerned with warranty issues with an aftermarket part, however, after reading all the threads from those who've owned/installed Stage 1 on their cars (multiple upon multiple threads from the X1, 5-series, older 3-Series, and here on F30post and other BMW owners), the overwhelming positive consensus from owners definitely alleviated my fears.
But all in all, if you're on the fence, I would say definitely go for it. For ~35hp to the wheels (~60hp to the crank) for in the $300 range, it is pretty much a no-brainer in my book. And just from a pure estimate standpoint based on past experiences with other cars, I would say the car now with Stage 1 could definitely be in the 12's with stickier summer tires AND on a cold day LOL. Not bad for for just a few hundred dollars, a few minutes for installation, and nothing else whatsoever. Pretty much unheard of if you ask me.
The performance to the car with this upgrade is no question improved significantly. Enough so to alter the car's overall personality. And yes, I do understand that may vary from person to person based on experience/previous vehicle ownership. I did read the various threads about the MPPK upgrade and how some felt it was just a minor upgrade while some raved about the performance differences (although from my understanding MPPK has slightly less power and even less torque than Stage 1).
However, I've owned cars that were into the mid 11's (daily driven single turbo 3rd gen Mazda RX7) and so I'm not one to exaggerate in this area.
With Stage 1 and in Sport + mode, the car just pulls much harder off the line. So much so, I've had issues with traction (WAY more than normal) with the stock Pirelli's. I've also noticed that the annoying turbo lag of the stock N55 has reduced slightly and the car's top-end is MUCH improved. This is where it was definitely needed as the N55 motor basically runs out of gas past 5000K+ at higher speeds. Comfort mode is pretty much the same as stock, with just a bit of more boost if you really get on the throttle.
MPG's I would say are the same as long as you stay in Comfort mode and don't have a lead foot. Car idles just like stock. No difference there. One word of advice though. I would NOT recommend disconnecting the battery to do this install. You can install it straight up. I disconnected my battery once (for an unrelated issue) and when I reattached the battery cable, I got a "Drivetrain Malfunction Error." I searched online and read that this sometimes happens when you disconnect the battery. All you have to do is turn off the car and start it again to clear the error, but I would imagine several Drivetrain errors would look suspicious. But that's just me being paranoid I guess.
Install was a breeze. Took just a few minutes. It's really, really ridiculous how easy the install is. It harkens me back to the good ol days of installing aftermarket boost controllers and how much of a pain they were. :thumbdown (HKS EVC or Greddy Profec B anyone? LOL) I actually had a much harder time putting the left side plastic engine cover perfectly back in place than the actual install of the tune. For some reason, it just would not seal/clasp just right. I also decided to tie wrap the dangling cords that aren't used (JB4 use only) and wrap the module in a black cloth that I cut out and then placed it in a couple plastic ziplock bags to prevent any water from getting in, just in case. This is really unnecessary, but I'm just really anal with things like that.
I know some folks are concerned with warranty issues with an aftermarket part, however, after reading all the threads from those who've owned/installed Stage 1 on their cars (multiple upon multiple threads from the X1, 5-series, older 3-Series, and here on F30post and other BMW owners), the overwhelming positive consensus from owners definitely alleviated my fears.
But all in all, if you're on the fence, I would say definitely go for it. For ~35hp to the wheels (~60hp to the crank) for in the $300 range, it is pretty much a no-brainer in my book. And just from a pure estimate standpoint based on past experiences with other cars, I would say the car now with Stage 1 could definitely be in the 12's with stickier summer tires AND on a cold day LOL. Not bad for for just a few hundred dollars, a few minutes for installation, and nothing else whatsoever. Pretty much unheard of if you ask me.
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