[CaliBMW86]

Got quoted $990 with install for the version 1 performance power kit (tune). I realize there are cheaper options like JB4, Dinan, Cobb... I still got 2.5 yrs of warranty left, and do not want to deal with issues that are sometimes associated with aftermarket tunes which can result in the voiding of my warranty.

Have any of you gotten the performance power kit installed or know anyone that has it installed? Is it worth it? I hear the boost is significant (not as much as JB4). The turbo lag is gone with the kit. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I was thinking of getting the Performance Power Kit, and a 5" ETS FMIC as my only performance upgrades.

2009 BMW 335i E90.

[jaykayelemenohpee]

Significant boost and decreased turbo lag would be lies. If you plan on getting anything aftermarket such as an IC you may as well just get a cobb and run stage 1 and remove it before dealer visits.

[CombatNinja]

I have the PPK. i got it when you could pick up the whole deal for less than $600 installed. A no-brainer at that price. $900+? Not so sure about that.

I am very happy with the kit. Completely smooth, noticeable diference in power and warranty-friendly. I would say that it makes the car feel about 10% more powerful, which jives with the claimed power increase. It doesn't do anything to the "turbo lag" which the N55 doesn't have anyway so I have no idea what that is about. It does seem to have a bit of throttle smoothing to eliminate that pronounced dead spot at the top of the throttle pedal. Maybe that is what you are referring to?

Overall, great kit.

[thenewrick]

If your car has a turbocharger it has turbo-lag.

My advice is to buy a JB4 and if you run into any problems uninstall it.

[Lucid Moment]

I have the ppk as well, but with the upgraded radiator fan and oil cooler. In terms of lag, I have hardly any, it is a blast to drive. I would not pay 900 for the tune itself, maybe in combination with the hardware and a little extra money on top it would be worth it. I think if you are only going for the tune, I would think cobb ap or jb4 would be better option.

[CaliBMW86]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

It does seem to have a bit of throttle smoothing to eliminate that pronounced dead spot at the top of the throttle pedal. Maybe that is what you are referring to?

Yes, that dead spot annoys me with all automatic transmission cars.

[Kernel Kurtz]

I have the PPK2 and the PE and it is noticeably, but not exceptionally, faster than my previous stock N55 335i.

Both are pricy options, though (came standard on my car as part of an SE package) and it would be hard to justify the cost objectively starting from stock.

That said, I would like to see a comparison between the PPK, JB, Cobb, Dinan, etc with their respectively appropriate (ie safe) maps on otherwise completely stock cars.

It's easy to say "just remove it if you have to take it for service while under warranty", but apart from the tune most other FBO mods can't just easily be removed every time you take it for service. My car is a lease so FMICs and downpipes and even likely CAI are out of the question to take on and off all the time.

That is mostly why PPK and Dinan do have a niche. Can anyone here comment on the other tunes on otherwise totally stock cars? How big a difference do you notice?

[Lucid Moment]

There are several threads out there with numbers for the ppk. The numbers for ppk are better than what they advertise, but you'll get better numbers with other tunes, stock for stock.

[BMV///M3]

There are a lot of threads about the PPK. Right now its over priced. I believe back in 2011 it was going for $599 installed. I'd do it in a heart beat for that.

There are tunes that offer much better performance but for those concerned with warranty the PPK is a good way to go.

I thought long and hard about Cobb but with being limited to 91 octane and no desire to go FBO, I think for me it would be a waste not being able to run higher stages.

[ihc95]

I never understand threads like these. Just buy a Cobb and uninstall it before dealer visits. NO MECHANICAL ABILITY REQUIRED.

[Kernel Kurtz]

Originally Posted by ihc95

NO MECHANICAL ABILITY REQUIRED.

But can you easily uninstall it on the roadside while you are waiting for the flatbed from BMW Assist? That's important to people considering risking warranty for lower cost/better gains.

[mithiral67]

Originally Posted by Kernel Kurtz

But can you easily uninstall it on the roadside while you are waiting for the flatbed from BMW Assist? That's important to people considering risking warranty for lower cost/better gains.

you can uninstall a cobb in 20 mins while napping, literally

[mithiral67]

PS, see sig and I have 39k miles and 2.5 years left on my warranty

[ken1137]

Let's see....what could I have purchased instead of the PPK1 for $900 (?) M-Tech front bumper painted I dont recommend the PPK1 at all...I had it and it was a total waste of money. I've had Cobb and now GIAC Stage II. Remember...the PPK1 is also an aftermarket tune, it's just from BMW. The Mag Moss Act also states the mfg cannot prevent competition. You will not lose your warranty unless BMW can prove the or a tune broke whatever part you are asking them to replace. They have to prove it. GL with your decision.

FYI...our local dealer is selling a 1M with an ESS tune

[CaliBMW86]

Ill do a search on PPK in the forum, which is probably what I should have done in the first place, but I'm new to this forum.

Thanks for the suggestions.

I definitely will either do Cobb or PPK 1 or 2. I like JB4, but that cannot be swapped out on the side of the road while I wait for a tow truck.

[crypticc]

Originally Posted by Kernel Kurtz

But can you easily uninstall it on the roadside while you are waiting for the flatbed from BMW Assist? That's important to people considering risking warranty for lower cost/better gains.

You can. Though your car will reboot and lose something called emissions test ready which is an amber flag

[ken1137]

[QUOTE=crypticc]

Originally Posted by Kernel Kurtz

But can you easily uninstall it on the roadside while you are waiting for the flatbed from BMW Assist? That's important to people considering risking warranty for lower cost/better gains.

Yeah, but it only takes about a week of driving to become emissions ready, or there is a set of specific instructions to become emissions ready in about 10 min. You'll have to google but it has been posted in the 1Addicts forum.

[Kernel Kurtz]

Originally Posted by ken1137

The Mag Moss Act also states the mfg cannot prevent competition. You will not lose your warranty unless BMW can prove the or a tune broke whatever part you are asking them to replace. They have to prove it. GL with your decision.

Fair enough. I'm in Canada - don't know if we have an equivalent to Mag-Moss. I do know in my province we don't have emissions testing so I don't worry about that.

Also, if I owned my car, I would likely be less sensitive about potentially voiding warranty, but I'm leasing, and voiding warranty on a car I don't own could be a major hassle.

That said, I do already plan to buy my car out at lease end. I'll just enjoy the PPK/PE for now and probably do some aftermarket FBO stuff when that time comes. :-)

BTW, I assume removing Cobb means flashing the stock software back. Should be easy if you are broke down with mechanical problems. What if you have electrical problems?

[mave198]

Originally Posted by CaliBMW86

Got quoted $990 with install for the version 1 performance power kit (tune). I realize there are cheaper options like JB4, Dinan, Cobb... I still got 2.5 yrs of warranty left, and do not want to deal with issues that are sometimes associated with aftermarket tunes which can result in the voiding of my warranty.

Have any of you gotten the performance power kit installed or know anyone that has it installed? Is it worth it? I hear the boost is significant (not as much as JB4). The turbo lag is gone with the kit. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I was thinking of getting the Performance Power Kit, and a 5" ETS FMIC as my only performance upgrades.

2009 BMW 335i E90.

Seriously and with all due respect, for that price just get a Cobb. A breeze to install and uninstall and you can always flash back to stock for any dealer visits.

Get it thru Protuning freaks for $995 which includes a customer e-tune. You can't beat that.

[CaliBMW86]

Originally Posted by mave198

Seriously and with all due respect, for that price just get a Cobb. A breeze to install and uninstall and you can always flash back to stock for any dealer visits.

Get it thru Protuning freaks for $995 which includes a customer e-tune. You can't beat that.

Does Cobb only tune the ECU, or can I do things like water pump remapping? The only benefit other then not worrying about my warranty with the PPK, is that BMW remaps the whole system not just the ECU.

[mithiral67]

N54 is bullets proof as long as you run the right fuel. E85 and meth are just as safe if maintained and monitored. But downpipes, fmic and filters are near impossible to break the engine if you run the map appropriate to the fuel and hardware.

[rondocap]

I had the ppk on my 335i. It was a nice difference, better throttle response and a little more lower you could feel.

I was also doing it for warranty reasons. Then I got a Cobb stage 1 aggressive.

Big difference, power you will absolutely feel. Bigger torque push in the back.

So far, no issues at all. At that price it is a great value, and lets you continue to mod as you go.

I like oem feeling things - and this is good and safe enough for me.

Everyone says it because it's true. Just get the Cobb.