[TreDirtyFive]

After 4 months of thorough testing with the N55 JB3 Stage 1 tune and working out all the kinks on my 135i DCT I got this thing really dialed in. It's such a joy to drive day in and day out. I'm not planning on any other mods outside of intake and maybe a BMW Performance Exhaust for sound, so this is perfect for me. Super easy to install and remove (15-20 min for me) and the corrugated oem-like plastic sleeve looks completely stock and makes it quite stealth looking in the engine bay. updating is easy as well with the usb cable being very accessible ...literally 30 seconds to monitor, log, or update. Those who want to go to the G4 for more performance, esp. with more modified cars will be able to do so shortly.

I previously had a mildly modified E92 335i AT with JB3, intake, and exhaust and the Stage 1 N55 feels definitely quicker, especially in city driving...although I know the N54 is mightier on the highway, in the upper RPMs, the N55 can still hold its own. The torque swell is immense, I mean this friggen thing PULLS, and the lag has been reduced so dramatically that the car feels almost like an electric car in terms of throttle tip-in..although a lot of that may have something to do with the twin-scroll single and valvetronic as well. It is also much smoother than stock as I've found the stock program to be quite coarse. The JB3 corrects that and is so much more predictable. I've found it to be very consistent as well.

The best thing, though, for me is the casual part throttle driving. It's so much better than stock that you'll think you are driving a different car. I also had GIAC Stage 1 on my N54 and as consistent and great throttle response was, it was a little-laggy till 4K on high gears. This thing responds with purposeful and useable torque at light throttle on 7th gear!...and smooth as well. None of that lurchy tip-in. I know GIAC has fixed this lag with Stage 1+ but I have yet to try it. We all know this is not max power like what the N54s are getting but this is simply the beginning. It can only get better and more refined over time with more R&D and what not. The power is simply more consistent, smooth, and accessible in all parts of the RPM range.

So, it looks like I'll be hitting the track soon to see what I can pull off. Hopefully I can get some grip with this cooler weather.

In closing, IMHO for the price, build, ease of use, and ultimately Terry's service I don't think this tune can be beat. Especially if you are looking for an advanced starter tune (much more advanced than a JB+) Terry has created an in between tune for those who want JB3 type reliability and power delivery without breaking the bank. I'm lovin it and fully recommend it to all! Good Job T

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Thanks for the review Nothing but happy customers so far with the JB3 and N55!

Mike

[Iwantm3]

n55 sounds so much nicer for sure

[vasillalov]

[IcebergM4]

[m3rxn]

Originally Posted by Iceberg3

..OP, glad you like the tune bro!

[TreDirtyFive]

runnin really strong in this colder weather!!

[Jean Paul Irastorza]

i was checking out the link on this, mines a lease and im thinkin about just chipping it for now, are there different maps on this tune, if so what's the highest map i can run? also that CAN tool taht comes with it, will that make it copmletely undetectable?

[TreDirtyFive]

as of now, being stage 1 and a great price point to boot, I believe there is only, stock pass-through (map 0), and every other is the same performance map for 91-93? But firmware is easily update-able and it is like a smoother, more consistent, and torque blasting version of the JB+ in terms of relative gains. it is nothing less than a full JB3 in terms of complexity and customization as well.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by jeamps01

i was checking out the link on this, mines a lease and im thinkin about just chipping it for now, are there different maps on this tune, if so what's the highest map i can run? also that CAN tool taht comes with it, will that make it copmletely undetectable?

Here is some more info

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=429954

Right now it comes with two maps (map0 and map1), and if you get the CAN Tool you will be able to clear the codes before going into service, and the best part is you can remove the tune and then clear the codes as the CAN Tool offers an external code clearing method.

Great combo.. and the CAN Tool is only 50.00 when bought with the N55 JB3, versus 179.00 on its own.

Mike

[Laguna3]

Thanks for the review. This and a down pipe are at the top of my list.

[Jean Paul Irastorza]

what's up with tht jb4 i was reading? how long till it's out, should i buy this now orwait for the jb4

[D.B.S]

I have to agree with the OP... The tune makes a world of difference in performance dynamics of the N55 engine.

I've personally been playing with the settings myself to get a good response out of my X5 (not saying the default settings suck). Even Matt@Cambertoe commented on how much pull my X5 had over another forum member with the N55 tune in a 335 (that's saying something considering the X5 weighs easily another half a ton or more over the 335).

I have yet to give a good review on my experience with the tune, but the OP's review would mirror what I would say

[minag3]

great review btw, thanks