[tjbuggy2b]

I was talking to a fellow Bimmer enthusiast last night about planned upgrades. I mentioned that I eventually want to do the BM3 2+ tune on my 2018 540ix, but he recommend stopping at stage 2. He said the xDrive front CV joints are a little on the small side and a stage 2+ would wear them out quickly.

Anyone have any thoughts on this, especially anyone running BM3 2+ tune on their 540i xDrive long term?

[buddyboy]

Originally Posted by tjbuggy2b

I was talking to a fellow Bimmer enthusiast last night about planned upgrades. I mentioned that I eventually want to do the BM3 2+ tune on my 2018 540ix, but he recommend stopping at stage 2. He said the xDrive front CV joints are a little on the small side and a stage 2+ would wear them out quickly.

Anyone have any thoughts on this, especially anyone running BM3 2+ tune on their 540i xDrive long term?

Stage 3 setup here, no issues with front axles or joints yet. If you launch it hard on a daily basis though, you can expect due reduce the life span of certain components

[tjbuggy2b]

Cool! How long have you been running stage 3?

[buddyboy]

Originally Posted by tjbuggy2b

Cool! How long have you been running stage 3?

About 18 months . Mechanical sympathy, Good fueling and short service intervals keep these cars happy

[tjbuggy2b]

Thank you!

[Tpriest7893]

Originally Posted by buddyboy

About 18 months . Mechanical sympathy, Good fueling and short service intervals keep these cars happy

When you say short service? Do you mind elaborating on that or what recommendations you have?

[tjbuggy2b]

He means like doing 6000 or 8000 mile oil changes, instead of 10000.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by buddyboy

Stage 3 setup here, no issues with front axles or joints yet. If you launch it hard on a daily basis though, you can expect due reduce the life span of certain components

When you say stage 3, do you mean upgraded turbo?

[thecooltype]

Originally Posted by tjbuggy2b

I was talking to a fellow Bimmer enthusiast last night about planned upgrades. I mentioned that I eventually want to do the BM3 2+ tune on my 2018 540ix, but he recommend stopping at stage 2. He said the xDrive front CV joints are a little on the small side and a stage 2+ would wear them out quickly.

Anyone have any thoughts on this, especially anyone running BM3 2+ tune on their 540i xDrive long term?

running stage 2+ for 18 months... knock on wood no issues

[thecooltype]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

When you say stage 3, do you mean upgraded turbo?

I am curious also

[buddyboy]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

When you say stage 3, do you mean upgraded turbo?

Yes Mike, I've a Pure800 cast on mine, so stage 3 as everyone calls it, I'm also running XHP stage 3 OTS tune

[buddyboy]

Originally Posted by Tpriest7893

When you say short service? Do you mind elaborating on that or what recommendations you have?

The factory service intervals for my UK spec car is 18k miles or two years. Probably overkill, but i change my oil and oil filter every 5k-6k miles, clean my air filter(aftermarket MST air intake) i change the spark plugs every 2nd oil change, as i run ethanol mixes.

Also i do the transmission and other drivetrain fluids between 50-60k~ miles, so far i've done the transmission and transfer case, rear diff and front diff will be done soon as I'm just over 60k miles.

ill be keeping this car for another few years at least so, ill look after it the best i can and do all the servicing myself so its pretty cost effective to keep the car well maintained

[BWilson263]

Originally Posted by tjbuggy2b

I was talking to a fellow Bimmer enthusiast last night about planned upgrades. I mentioned that I eventually want to do the BM3 2+ tune on my 2018 540ix, but he recommend stopping at stage 2. He said the xDrive front CV joints are a little on the small side and a stage 2+ would wear them out quickly.

Anyone have any thoughts on this, especially anyone running BM3 2+ tune on their 540i xDrive long term?

I've been running stage 2+ for over 6 months. No problems and very happy with the upgrade.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by BWilson263

I've been running stage 2+ for over 6 months. No problems and very happy with the upgrade.