COBB Tune for N55 (Was: Dinan Stage 2 N55 Tune w/ 9 Months of Warranty Remaining)

[BBursey]

Hey -

I sorta know the response I'm likely to get for this, but wanted to post and check the feedback anyway.

I've got a 2011 135i with N55 engine and a bunch of Dinan suspension parts from my local dealership (see signature for details). I wish I'd done it before now, but with 9 months of warranty left and fully sorted suspension, I'm ready to pull the trigger on a tune. I think I'm going with a Dinan tune for a couple of reasons:

- ECU flash means no cables under the hood
- Dealership will re-flash in future if there are BMW software upgrades
- Relatively conservative tune means less likely to have future out-of-warranty issues

I know the JB4 is probably better HP/$ value, but I don't want to deal with connectors under the hood. COBB would be interesting, but unless I'm reading their data wrong, the performance bump for Stage 1 looks like same / worse value than the Dinan tune?

And, finally, while I might do a FMIC upgrade in the future, I don't see ever running catless down pipes.

Am I way off base in considering the Dinan tune given my priorities? If there another ECU flash tune that I should be considering?

Cheers,
Bryan

[BavarianN54]

If you plan on the FMIC then I would get the Cobb. Their tune for intercooler only should easily surpass the dinan. I wasn't too impressed with what you get with dinan given the high cost of purchase.

[vivanapoli806]

I don't really see how cobb tune is same or worse value. I see v2 accessports on here going for $500 or less. I just bought a fmic and will be running cobb fmic aggressive map. I also am not interested in catless down pipes. I would get a cobb tune

[Zombie1]

cobb will poop all over dinan tunes in every way. your cars out of warranty in 9 months so that means dinan will only cover your car for the remainder of your intital 4years 50k warranty. idk its your money do what you want but your wasting your time with dinan. these motors are monsters no OTS maps from a tune will damage these motors. if the car was brand new and your were worried aout the warranty i can understand but you only have 9months remaing on the factory warranty.

[bmw5858]

You guys are saying that the dinan tune is fine for the warranty? Because I've already put intake and catback on my 2012 135, and I have a complete warranty till end of 2018 or 160,000km. Only 19,000km on the car, and I would like to get few more hp and torque.

[Zombie1]

Originally Posted by bmw5858

You guys are saying that the dinan tune is fine for the warranty? Because I've already put intake and catback on my 2012 135, and I have a complete warranty till end of 2018 or 160,000km. Only 19,000km on the car, and I would like to get few more hp and torque.

they wont extend the warranty past the 4year mark.

[Allen@MOTIV]

The Dinan stage 2 tune is good for a modest boost in power. However, it is nowhere near as fun as the stage 1 mapping Cobb provides. A great thing about going the Cobb route is that there is a map available at no extra charge for any bolt-on(like the FMIC) you add.

Also, if you want a map custom tailored to your car and driving style there are guys like us that can make that happen

[BBursey]

Thanks for the feedback. I've done some checking and there's a tuning shop near me that deals with COBB, so I've asked them for a quote (incl. installation of FMIC) and I'll see what they say. I have to stop by the dealership to pick up a few parts, so I'll have one last chat about Dinan with them too.

Cheers,
Bryan

[Chunner]

They got a 15% off sale till the end of March.

Go Dinan Stage 3! That is the route I'm going.

GET THE BADGE!

[zakyzozo]

Everyone above has given you great advice. Save yourself the money, go Cobb with VRSF intercooler, thats the route Im going. There are alot of good vendors on the forum that will give you a great price. Plus the Cobb support is very responsive. If you want the dinan badge, just order the letters from Bimmian.

[BBursey]

Based on the advice above and pricing out some options, I think I'm going to go for the COBB AP. Now that I've searched for "FMIC" and see the results, I guess I have a bunch more research to do.

VRSF, COBB or ER for my N55?

Cheers,
Bryan

[vivanapoli806]

I believe someone on here is selling cobb v2 for n55 for $530. Check the for sale threads. I bought vrsf 5" fmic will be getting it installed this week

[BBursey]

Done!

I've ordered the COBB V3 AP (N55) along with the Evolution Racewerks FMIC and CP for my summer power bump. Thanks to Mike@N54Tuning for answering questions and shipping from Canada!

And thanks to the folks above for swaying me from my original intention... I think I'm heading down the right path to have a really fun summer!

Cheers,
Bryan

[Canyon Carver]

Hey Bryan - Any updates? How is the car coming along? Inquiring minds want to know... :-)

[BBursey]

Originally Posted by Canyon Carver

Hey Bryan - Any updates? How is the car coming along? Inquiring minds want to know... :-)

Hey!

The parts arrived from Mike@N54Tuning this week. I'm away for the next two weekends, so it'll give me time to research the installation process and make sure I'm comfortable attempting it on my own and with the bumper cover still installed.



My car just came back from the detailer, so I don't want to mess anything up by pull off panels if I can avoid it.



Cheers,
Bryan

[Canyon Carver]

Thanks for the update and quick response...looking forward to hearing about it once it's adapted, etc. :-)