BMW 328d (F30): Current options for engine tuning?

[stevehecht]

There doesn't seem to be much interest in the States or Canada regarding improving engine performance of diesel engines. I am considering purchasing a Bmw 328d next year and would like to have a bit more hp under my seat. I've found this website http://www.racechip.com/chiptuning/bmw/3er/f30/328d-134kw/index.php. They're out of Germany, sell internationally, and do have an outlet in the U.S. that sells and services their products. They certainly seem well-established and reputable.
They claim that their "chips" improve fuel efficiency a bit and boosts hp from 180 to 224 and lb/ft from 280 to 350. Sounds good to me but I don't know how dependable and safe that kind of tuning is--I guess you would call it a piggyback.
Does anyone have knowledge of this company or others that work with BMW diesels? It's clear from their website that Racechip.com has done a ton of work with VAG products.

 

[tditom]

Hi Steve-
Have you test driven a 328d? I have and did not find it lacking in power. Do you really want to spend that kind of money on a car and then give BMW something to deny you warranty with should something go wrong down the line?

I don't know what BMW's rep is for working with you on warranty coverage, but my guess is that VW would screw you if they found out about the mod.

 

[bmercer]

http://www.burgertuning.com/

 

[n1das]

boosts hp from 180 to 224 and lb/ft from 280 to 350. Sounds good to me but I don't know how dependable and safe that kind of tuning is-.

Pounds per foot (lb/ft)?

I have a 2014 535d w/XDrive AWD and Rocketchip (Jeff) says he can tune it no problem. He should be able to tune a 328d. Rocketchip is one of the favorite tuners on TDIclub.
www.rocketchip.com

While I know my 535d 3.0L 6-cylinder engine can be tuned, I'm not going down that slippery slope while the car is new and still under warranty. It's already plenty fast and torquey enough in bone stock form. Maybe I'll get it tuned after a few years and well past warranty.

"You are your own warranty" applies when it comes to tuning.

Good luck.

 

[tditom]

David- how's you car handling the snow?

 

[3turboz]

Looks like Kerma started selling 328d tunes in 2019 that leave the emissions intact. 2014-15 can be flashed and 16-18 require the ECU to be sent in.

For full race JR tuning has full delete tunes.

 

[Owain@malonetuning]

Mark's wife has been daily driving a 328d wagon m sport for more than a couple years now. 200whp on stock hardware is about as much as they'll do, which is pretty good considering the ZF 8 speed is a heck of a lot quicker than the older models.

 

[tomo366]

If I decide to get my 328D Tuned it will go to Jeff at ROCKETCHIP!

 

[n1das]

David- how's you car handling the snow?

The 535dx does quite well in the snow. I haven't had much experience in the snow with it because I usually drive my 2012 X5 35d in the snow during the worst part of the winter. The 535dx will be 7 years old this year (ordered July 1 2013, delivered mid-August 2013) and only has 140k miles on it now. I got the car in time to bring it to TDIfest2013 in Maine that year. The X5 35d only has 241k miles on it and still going strong.

Reliability of both cars has been very good and I would say overall better than the 3 TDIs I used to own.

 

[n1das]

If I decide to get my 328D Tuned it will go to Jeff at ROCKETCHIP!

What tomo366 said.

If I decide to get either of my BMW diesels tuned, they will only be tuned by Rocketchip. Jeff is the only tuner I will do business with based on tuning 3 TDIs I used to own.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Jeff at Rocketchip tuned my 335d. Made an impressive engine more so. I've driven a 328d and it performs well enough, but tuning would most likely make it better.

 

[tomo366]

Jeff at Rocketchip tuned my 335d. Made an impressive engine more so. I've driven a 328d and it performs well enough, but tuning would most likely make it better.

Actually I think I am going to leave the BMW alone....but am thinking of taking my 2015 Jeep Eco Diesel to Jeff

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

What's great about tuning (in addition to the power) is it takes stress off the emissions components: Car regens less often, FE is better, parts are likely to last longer. I've only added 1.5 gallons of Adblue to my 335d in 15K miles.

 

[pdh]

I have a 2014 328d X Drive purchased as a CPO in 2016. It now has 64k and has been excellent. It's stock and gets 46 highway mpg and is GREAT in snow.
The EGR cooler was replaced on a recall and just this week I received a letter that the warranty on the cooler was extended to 10 years.
Other than the cooler, I've done nothing other than the maintenance per the service as called for AND fluid changes on the trans and transfer case. ZF (not BMW) recommends fluid changes on the trans every 40-60k.