Hey guys.. I'm new to the BMW tuning world. I have tons of experience modding jappy cars, but not too familiar with the euro aftermarket world. I might be picking up an '01 330ci this week. It's a 5 speed w/about 60k on it - the only engine mods are a gruppe-m rep intake and some pulley's (not alt or crank). I know companies like Dinan love to sell ecu upgrades for every single mod, but is it neccessary on these cars? I assume the factory ecu can 'learn' for these mods - am i correct?

Most ECU's can auto-tune to the mods. The reflash upgrades compliment the mods as it makes the fuel mapping more aggressive. Most of the time ECU upgrades/tuning is needed when you are forcing air or introducing something not part already part of the system.

yeah, thats what i figured. just found it weird that dinan had a different stage ecu for intake, then intake and pulleys, then intake, pulleys, and catback... doesn't really seem needed to me. thanks for the answer though.. i know bmw's can be touchy.

do you have any suggestions on companies that make afforable & reliable chips for our cars.. that actually produce some good power gains? The shark injector seems popular, but i dont know much about it...

The shark injector is decent. I can't really compare it to the dinan stuff. It's a decent price, and extends redline.

Power gains are minimal with chips compared to the cars you are used to, so don't expect TOO much from them.

gotcha.. best place to price out a shark injector??

bimmerworld.com / pelicanparts.com / uucmotorwerks.com

whoa!!!! 2-5rwhp gains! amazing..(sarcasim is hard to read) ill save my money for rear tires