Buildjournal B-Spec Tune Review? / Megan Headers

[mrgizmo04]

I think our DMEs will take 15 flashes so they also offer a DME 'revirginizing' flash to reset that count.

Glad you are enjoying the tune except their SMG one.

DME can take 30. If you ever get your hands on Martyn's tool, please do NOT use the virginize button, there is a separate button to reset the flash counter. Former will wipe EVERYTHING from your DME and you will need other advanced tools to get the full bin, vin match, etc before you can start the car again.

[Arith2]

This almost sounds like you are making a joke but I think you are serious?

I would expect no less. Would you buy a tune, (or any product for that matter) where the company does not stand by it and eats their own dogfood?

I see what you mean now about how I said that. Tone gets lost in text because it would've made perfect to you if I said it in person. I wasn't joking about it and I really wouldn't buy a product someone isn't going to use themselves. That's one reason I typed this. Buildjournal isn't the end all, be all, I just wanted a tune that would refine my lack of cats a bit.

For me, I didn't feel the hp increase above 4500rpm but it was there according to number. I also had a 2015 335i to compare to that I knew was making around 330whp. We verified this the day my car blew up He was slightly faster, then after, we were dead even.

[Slideways]

Glad you are enjoying the tune except their SMG one.

DME can take 30. If you ever get your hands on Martyn's tool, please do NOT use the virginize button, there is a separate button to reset the flash counter. Former will wipe EVERYTHING from your DME and you will need other advanced tools to get the full bin, vin match, etc before you can start the car again.

I believe MSSFlasher is Paffy's tool. I don't think Martyn's tool will reset the flash counter or wipe the DME.

[Tbonem3]

Correct. And you can only "see" how many flashes/slots are left in INPA.

[r4dr]

One person says its trash and the next says they like it. Sheesh. I guess ill give it a try.

There's also no qualifier of what that person's credentials are to evaluate it. Just like people who say their $800 coilovers "ride great" are hardly suspension engineers.

There's a post a couple above this one talking about SMG shifting, when I'm wondering if all that happened was they flashed CSL software onto the SMG DME and CSL parameters onto the engine DME. Which anyone can do and takes zero skill or knowledge (aka me).

[maw1124]

TTgivenoFuckS?

Whoa, what’s this? When I was researching SMG tunes on the old board, people seemed to love TTFS. I just pulled the trigger on it a week or so ago. Did I miss something? I noticed that they don’t seem tied up with Active Autowerke anymore. Or maybe I’m misremembering — it’s not like I pay it much attention. Is there something going on I should be concerned about? PM for discretion if appropriate please. Thanks,

maw

[Tbonem3]

Nah maw I think research on m3forum showed that the smg tune can be done for very cheap on your own and ttfs is a rip off. There might be 2 smg tunes, maybe one is a good service. I don't smg. Ecu (engine) tune was shooting the moon so to speak. Pop.

[r4dr]

Completely depends on if the TTFS SMG tune is something they actually developed (maybe on top of BMW's CSL stuff) or if they're just flashing it to CSL spec. Their website seems to claim it's their own in-house thing, but no idea on if that's true.

As someone who just did the CSL SMG flash (following Martyn's very good and very free walkthrough), paying more than $20 or $40 is burning cash.

[COVID-19]

I had TTFS engine and Smg tune. Now I have full CSL software since I’m running a CSL airbox. I feel TTFS SMG tune was a bit harsh compared to the true CSL software. CSL feel smoother. If I was to do it again I would go with Martyns.

[maw1124]

That’s all fair commentary. Thanks. It’s hard for me to consider $200 a ripoff, but compared to $40 maybe not perfectly efficient. I’m not a DIYer, so there’s that. I also won’t be springing for a CSL Airbox and headers any time soon (at least I don’t think so), but if I do I’ll keep all this in mind. Thanks, Fellas.

Cheers,

maw

[Arith2]

No one mentioned that Buildjournal actually charges $100 for what I believe is the stock CSL SMG software. I had already modified my car with the binary tool and they left that alone when I put their tune on. I think the only thing they had, in terms of separate options from the map was cold start delete. The binary literally has everything else and instead of paying $20 everytime to change it, you pay $25 and get to refine what you want. Oh and CSL software is included where Buildjournal sells it separate.

[mrgizmo04]

I believe MSSFlasher is Paffy's tool. I don't think Martyn's tool will reset the flash counter or wipe the DME.

Sorry, no disrespect to anyone. I'll play the new dumb guy (since I only joined the forum a few years ago, compared to some members from early 2000s). I only see posts from Martyn so I thought he was doing the software dev, but agree, they are different tools. 👍

[IMOLA3]

I just had HTE do a tune on my car, after running the BJ tune for a while (have to look at my records but it's 6 months to a year). The car put out 291 whp with my baseline runs (with BJ tune), and Hassan was able to get me 310 whp. For the price, I wouldn't bother with the BJ tune. HTE and find out what your car can really do. I have Megan headers and a euro section 1.

This. I had the BJ tune on my car for a month and had nothing but idle issues and stall outs whenever I would roll to a stop. Car was never any quicker either. They sent me 3 different versions of the tune, none of which did anything to help. I also felt like I was talking to a robot with their copy/paste responses and lack of attention to detail. I removed the BJ tune and just used the MSS5X tool to modify my stock tune with a few features I wanted. At least the car drives properly now.

Also, I implore anyone to find a single dyno from Buildjournal or an independent dyno that shows a true A/B comparison of their tune. All of their dynos have additional modifications, and I can't find a single independent dyno anywhere.

[M3thebeast]

Buildjournal’s tune make the car dangerously lean. Hassan has confirmed this on the dyno multiple times when tuning cars currently running the BJ tune. I really suggest you contact Hassan at HTE performance first (his price is not much different from buildjournal price but the quality of the tune is far more superior as confirmed by multiple people).

[bimmerfan08]

Both Paul Claude and Hassan (HTE Performance) are competent tuners at very reasonable prices (rivals the Buildjournal pricing). I'd recommend a custom tune over a canned tune if you can live dyno the car too. Hassan recently retuned my M3. The car put down 315 whp and 249 lb-ft torque. This is just with Megan headers and 200 cell cats - no other engine mods. He also fixed a dip I was having on the top end (pulling timing). Stock baseline was 285 whp and 236 lb-ft torque IIRC.