BMS vs AFE tune - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

roup23 · 12-28-2012, 02:03 AM

Hey guys, just picked up my f30 n26 about a month ago (coming from an e90).
Im really anxious to tune it after I break it in.

I know theres already many of these posts about n20/n26 tunes. But after searching and reading countless posts that have just confused me more and more, I still cant decide between the BMS tune and Afe scorcher.

So this is what I boiled it down to from the dyno charts they provided
1. AFE: 272 hp/ 300 tq for around $500
2. BMS stage 1: 265 hp/290 for $379

This is my first turbocharged car and I would really appreciate some advice with these piggyback tunes. Is it really worth paying extra $120 for the additional power Afe claims? Can you change settings via usb? Anyone with first hand experience with both?

Jamesons Viggen · 12-28-2012, 09:38 AM

So far I cannot really see/think of an advantage of the AFE tune over BMS. Might be a bit too early as not enough people have bought/dyno'd the AFE tune. Meanwhile, I think over 250 BMS tunes are said to have been sold.

bnekic · 12-28-2012, 11:16 AM

I have the BMS and am very happy with it. I installed it a week after I got my car, owners manual break-in is overrated just use the mototune break-in procedure for a strong long lasting motor!

Burger Tuning has been around for a while and has a lot of experience tuning BMW's. aFe on the other hand seems like they are new to BMW tuning.

Also with the BMS if they come out with updates you can update your unit via USB, aFe doesn't offer this.

roup23 · 12-28-2012, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnekic

I have the BMS and am very happy with it. I installed it a week after I got my car, owners manual break-in is overrated just use the mototune break-in procedure for a strong long lasting motor!

Burger Tuning has been around for a while and has a lot of experience tuning BMW's. aFe on the other hand seems like they are new to BMW tuning.

Also with the BMS if they come out with updates you can update your unit via USB, aFe doesn't offer this.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Yeah thats what I was thinking, I always thought aFe was mainly known for their filters, exhausts and intakes. I was suprised to hear about the scorcher. As for the break in I read about that, now that I think about it I guess your right, I haven't really been driving the car as slow as the owners manual suggests lol

Did you feel the difference immediately after installing it, or did it take the car some time to adjust completely to the new signals?

bnekic · 12-28-2012, 10:17 PM

Umm well I drove around normally for about ten minutes after installing it then I started to get on it and it felt great. Not sure exactly how long it takes to learn the new signals or if it's immediate. I would email BMS for that answer.

bbj · 12-28-2012, 11:11 PM

I wonder what the differences (except the price) are between aFe, BMS and all the other chips out there like Swiss Chiptech, Racechip, Speed-Buster, Kellener, Hartge etc.?

Dabaitu · 12-29-2012, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnekic

Umm well I drove around normally for about ten minutes after installing it then I started to get on it and it felt great. Not sure exactly how long it takes to learn the new signals or if it's immediate. I would email BMS for that answer.

I don't believe it "learns" anything. It's a basic type of piggyback feeding "false" information to the sensors.

roup23 · 12-29-2012, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbj

I wonder what the differences (except the price) are between aFe, BMS and all the other chips out there like Swiss Chiptech, Racechip, Speed-Buster, Kellener, Hartge etc.?

I'm assuming the differences would probably have to do with how well different companies can "trick" the cars computer, adjusting the fuel and boost pressure to give us that added power we all love, without damaging the engine.
I guess it really just comes down to who's dyno numbers and reliability we trust the most.
I feel like all the piggyback tune does is make the car think its in a really high altitude, but we get that additional power cause were in normal elevation. Can someone correct me if I'm wrong?

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 12-31-2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbj

I wonder what the differences (except the price) are between aFe, BMS and all the other chips out there like Swiss Chiptech, Racechip, Speed-Buster, Kellener, Hartge etc.?

The BMS tune has MAF control so it won't trigger warranty detection codes. Has solenoid control for cars with the pneumatic solenoids for smoother boost control. Has a laptop interface which lets you do datalog and enable race gas mapping that has even higher boost levels. And the BMS tune will have a Stage2 upgrade box out some day that connects to the Stage1 tune and adds even more hp, wheel controls, in dash gauges, etc....

Mike

///KM · 01-02-2013, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

And the BMS tune will have a Stage2 upgrade box out some day that connects to the Stage1 tune and adds even more hp, wheel controls, in dash gauges, etc....

Mike

Has this Stage 2 upgrade been confirmed as being in development? I'm also debating between the AFE and BMS tunes, and the Stage 2 possibility is enticing.

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 01-02-2013, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///KM

Has this Stage 2 upgrade been confirmed as being in development? I'm also debating between the AFE and BMS tunes, and the Stage 2 possibility is enticing.

There is no date set for it's release. But it's only a matter of time. Like all BMS tune upgrades before it you'll connect the new box to the existing harness. It's an upgrade kit for the Stage1 tune.

Mike

bnekic · 01-02-2013, 07:03 PM

^ can't wait!

pkim1079 · 01-10-2013, 01:49 AM

Are ppl just buying these tunes for the added hp? Are these high hp freight train acceleration tunes meant for a drag race ( 10+ seconds at a time) or more broad range power for track sessions for 20+ minutes at a time. Very different.

WLF · 02-15-2013, 02:23 AM

I bought the BMS one yesterday. Hopefully i have made the right decision, because it seems that the AFE one adds more power.

///KM · 02-15-2013, 02:44 AM

I went with aFe, and couldn't be happier. I've yet to dyno it, but the power gain can be felt immediately.

The install literally takes 5 minutes, and needs only to tap into two connectors/sensors.

Lastly, fuel economy has improved. I'm on my second full tank since installing the aFe unit, and I'm getting 30.5mpg avg across both tanks (actual measured at pump) in SPORT mode vs 29.6-ish stock in COMFORT mode.

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 02-15-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micta_7

I bought the BMS one yesterday. Hopefully i have made the right decision, because it seems that the AFE one adds more power.

The BMS tune definitely adds more power, does not trigger warranty codes due to the MAF manipulation connector, and will be upgradable to their stronger Stage2 tune that has in dash features, map switching, code read/delete, etc. Not to mention it costs less. You made the right choice.

Mike

WLF · 02-16-2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

The BMS tune definitely adds more power, does not trigger warranty codes due to the MAF manipulation connector, and will be upgradable to their stronger Stage2 tune that has in dash features, map switching, code read/delete, etc. Not to mention it costs less. You made the right choice.

Mike

Hey Mike,
I just installed it.No power increases

. I still do 0 -60 in 5.8 to 6.2 seconds.
I have a 328i sedan 2013 automatic. I just emailed john and sent him pictures on how i set it up i will be waiting for him to reply.

i turn off DSC, put the transimission in DS mode, and just floor the gas pedal.
Am i doing it wrong ? is there a faster way to accelerate?

Thanks

bnekic · 02-16-2013, 07:23 PM

You must have not installed it correctly or the BMS tune is defective.

WLF · 02-16-2013, 07:39 PM

i sent the pics to BMS if everthing looks right then i guess it is defected.

WLF · 02-16-2013, 07:53 PM

Here are the pics i took. Help would be appreciated .

Mike@N54Tuning.com · 02-18-2013, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micta_7

Hey Mike,
I just installed it.No power increases

. I still do 0 -60 in 5.8 to 6.2 seconds.
I have a 328i sedan 2013 automatic. I just emailed john and sent him pictures on how i set it up i will be waiting for him to reply.

i turn off DSC, put the transimission in DS mode, and just floor the gas pedal.
Am i doing it wrong ? is there a faster way to accelerate?

Thanks

You can email them for support if you need any help. If its not installed properly you would get a code. So its probably working fine. Use a laptop and the BMS USB cable to toggle it on and off and feel the difference.

Mike

WLF · 02-18-2013, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Use a laptop and the BMS USB cable to toggle it on and off and feel the difference.

I will order the usb cable can you please explain to me what you mean by toggle it and feel the difference?

12-28-2012, 02:03 AM	#1
roup23 New Member Drives: '13 328i sport line Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 16 iTrader: (0)	BMS vs AFE tune Hey guys, just picked up my f30 n26 about a month ago (coming from an e90). Im really anxious to tune it after I break it in. I know theres already many of these posts about n20/n26 tunes. But after searching and reading countless posts that have just confused me more and more, I still cant decide between the BMS tune and Afe scorcher. So this is what I boiled it down to from the dyno charts they provided 1. AFE: 272 hp/ 300 tq for around $500 2. BMS stage 1: 265 hp/290 for $379 This is my first turbocharged car and I would really appreciate some advice with these piggyback tunes. Is it really worth paying extra $120 for the additional power Afe claims? Can you change settings via usb? Anyone with first hand experience with both?
	Tweet

12-28-2012, 09:38 AM	#2
Jamesons Viggen Colonel Drives: '98 M Roadster stg 2 S/C Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,039 iTrader: (1)	So far I cannot really see/think of an advantage of the AFE tune over BMS. Might be a bit too early as not enough people have bought/dyno'd the AFE tune. Meanwhile, I think over 250 BMS tunes are said to have been sold. __________________ '98 M Roadster stg 2+ S/C @ 13psi +'13 EBII M Sport 328i 6mt BMS stg 1+

01-10-2013, 01:49 AM	#13
pkim1079 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: e90 ///M3 ZCP + e82 135i DCT Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: lost angeles Posts: 1,654 iTrader: (0)	Are ppl just buying these tunes for the added hp? Are these high hp freight train acceleration tunes meant for a drag race ( 10+ seconds at a time) or more broad range power for track sessions for 20+ minutes at a time. Very different. __________________ 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8.3 shift! (repeat!!) who needs software when you can tune the DRIVER?

02-15-2013, 02:44 AM	#15
///KM New Member Drives: 03 BMW M3 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: United States Posts: 27 iTrader: (1)	I went with aFe, and couldn't be happier. I've yet to dyno it, but the power gain can be felt immediately. The install literally takes 5 minutes, and needs only to tap into two connectors/sensors. Lastly, fuel economy has improved. I'm on my second full tank since installing the aFe unit, and I'm getting 30.5mpg avg across both tanks (actual measured at pump) in SPORT mode vs 29.6-ish stock in COMFORT mode. __________________ '12 F30 328i AW/Blk 6MT aFe Scorcher Tune \| H&R Sport Springs \| Bavarian Soundwerks Stage 1 '05 Honda S2000 '03 E46 M3

02-16-2013, 07:53 PM	#20
WLF Private First Class Drives: n54 e92 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 170 iTrader: (0)	Here are the pics i took. Help would be appreciated . Attached Images

12-28-2012, 11:16 AM	#3
bnekic First Lieutenant Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Sport Line Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 359 iTrader: (0)	I have the BMS and am very happy with it. I installed it a week after I got my car, owners manual break-in is overrated just use the mototune break-in procedure for a strong long lasting motor! Burger Tuning has been around for a while and has a lot of experience tuning BMW's. aFe on the other hand seems like they are new to BMW tuning. Also with the BMS if they come out with updates you can update your unit via USB, aFe doesn't offer this.

12-28-2012, 10:17 PM	#5
bnekic First Lieutenant Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Sport Line Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 359 iTrader: (0)	Umm well I drove around normally for about ten minutes after installing it then I started to get on it and it felt great. Not sure exactly how long it takes to learn the new signals or if it's immediate. I would email BMS for that answer.

12-28-2012, 11:11 PM	#6
bbj New Member Drives: F30 328i M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Thailand Posts: 8 iTrader: (0)	I wonder what the differences (except the price) are between aFe, BMS and all the other chips out there like Swiss Chiptech, Racechip, Speed-Buster, Kellener, Hartge etc.?

01-02-2013, 07:03 PM	#12
bnekic First Lieutenant Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Sport Line Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 359 iTrader: (0)	^ can't wait!

02-15-2013, 02:23 AM	#14
WLF Private First Class Drives: n54 e92 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 170 iTrader: (0)	I bought the BMS one yesterday. Hopefully i have made the right decision, because it seems that the AFE one adds more power.

02-16-2013, 07:23 PM	#18
bnekic First Lieutenant Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Sport Line Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 359 iTrader: (0)	You must have not installed it correctly or the BMS tune is defective.

02-16-2013, 07:39 PM	#19
WLF Private First Class Drives: n54 e92 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 170 iTrader: (0)	i sent the pics to BMS if everthing looks right then i guess it is defected.

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