Anyone remapped a 330d?..
 

Considering getting the 330d remapped, however I'm wondering if anyone else here has done this already, and what was the result like? Currently I find it does struggle for traction if the road is even slightly wet, so remap obviously won't help matters here.. but when it's dry it should really shift.

Anyone had any issues with slipping clutch, gearbox issues, or MPG knocked or anything?

Looking at going for a Bluefin map as they're easy to remove when the time comes to sell.

Not done it myself, but as my wife's car is a 320d touring (recent purchase due to very imminent baby), I have joined here: http://www.e90post.com/forums They seem particularly enamoured with the evolve remaps, several people suggest MPG actually improves, but read up on there and you'll find much more than here

I have previously owned an unmapped 184 bhp 330d (2001) and now own a 204 bhp (standard) 330d (2004). It was remapped by emaps and it's absolutely insane. No really, it's seriously fast!. I think it's faster (day to day driving, nothing track or high speed related) than my old e36 m3 evo.

Do it, you won't regret it.

Sean

Uh oh, I can see where this thread wil go.

Supprised "he" hasn't posted yet. ;)

If you have an auto box then dont do it. A couple of my frineds on BMW Mag forum have shredded the E46 ZF Gearboxes, which are approx £2.5k upwards. They cannot handle anymore torque, in fact they cant even handle the car as std. That along with traction issues means its a bit of waste of time IMO. A few of us own 330d's, I still have mine & on the motorway there is really nothing between my friends DMS mapped one & my std one. That was before his gearbox went pop!!

I have a manual and I hear the facelifted model (6 speed) has uprated box mounts to handle the increased power. As for traction, it's not a problem. Sure in the dry it's still possible to get a twitch at full throttle in 3rd, and in the wet you can get the traction control buzzing easily, but I would not say it's a problem. Anyway, that's what your right foot control is for.

"he" will be here soon i've no doubt about it! :rolleyes:

Thanks for the info :thumb: I'm probably not going to be able to resist getting it done, as standard (E90 model) 231bhp output goes up to 275-290bhp with a remap, but as mentioned I am a bit concerned about all the torque destroying the clutch or gearbox..

It is a manual however, but I actually understood it was safer getting the autos remapped as it's the same box used on the 335d. And they don't do a manual 335d, possibly due to all the torque destroying manual box/clutch?

There are loads of horror stories related to this model. I would leave well alone - although a filter/mapped/miltek'd 330d is loads of fun :D

These remaps seem to just go for 'max everwhere' - fine for bragging but annoying to drive after a while due to huge surge then taper.

This issue is solved by asking for a map that lifts top end power without increasing midrange torque by much.

Usually this would be done by bringing boost up similar to standard but then just holding it out as far as it will go (where standard will let it dip)

Job done - you get the top end lift, no increase in wheelspin, no broken gearbox (it's torque not power that kills it)

Use a reputable company like Evolve or DMS and you should be fine. Quite a few who hate autos go for the 330d and remap it. More wear and tear on the drivetrain and tyres but more fun too. You can get more or less 335d bhp and torque. As long as you are aware of the potential downfalls (tyres being munched quicker) you should be okkay.

Ordered a Bluefind remap :thumb: ... should be handy in the snow... :freak3:

What are the typical gains in bhp and torque from that one?

Peak power up to just shy of 275bhp (from ~230bhp), and peak torque up to 565nm (from 500nm). Not the biggest gain you can get, but the power delivery curve after the remap looks very similar to standard, so basically should be a nice increase throughout the rev range, but maintain similar characteristics. Looking forard to it! :D

http://www.superchips.co.uk/curves/B...bhp-Manual.pdf

Are you not tempted to get the 335d remapped?! Pretty impressive results from those :)

E46 330D
BMW 3-Series Saloon - 330d Sport 4d (03) - Facts & Figures - Parker's
E60 530D
BMW 5-Series Saloon - 530d Sport 4d - Facts & Figures - Parker's

With weight being almost identical and the E60 having more power to begin with, the 5 is a better buy imo.

;)

TBH I'm not tempted. Near 350bhp and 520lbs/ft possible but I plan to keep the car for a long time and it's already quick enough for me. For some reason I fear remaps (could have had the Astra done too) in cars I want to hang onto - they are 95% fine but a few have nightmares and tyre consumption goes mental - remapped 335ds suffer particularly bad inner rear tyre wear.

You get around half a second lopped off the 0-60 and about just less than 1.5ish off the 0-100 - pretty good but I honestly think it's quick enough as it is.

Yours is pretty much 335d power and torque now - should go very nicely.

Let me know your thoughts when you get it installed!

They are a lot better when mapped but quicker than an M3 Evo? Not quite... I had an Evo a few years back and sold my mapped E46 330d earlier this year and although a quick car, if the M3 was on it, the 330d wouldnt have seen which way it went. They're not seriously fast in the scheme of things, for a diesel yes, but not when compared to cars which were deisgned to go fast in the first place.

You're comparing the previous generation 3 series, with the current generation 5 series there.

The E90 330d is 80kg lighter than the previous generation (E46) 3, so 60kg lighter than the E60 530d, and power outputs are identical year-to-year between the current 330d and current 530d.

How's everyone finding their rear wheel drivers and especially their beemers in the snow?
Would appreciate some balanced responses from anyone,as I'm researching for my next car.
Cheers:thumb:

Everyone has an opinion; I think it's faster. The m3 evo didn't get going until more than half way up the rev scaleby then the 330d mapped is seriosly on song. I'd say under 100 the diesel is a faster car. Most driving is in the mid range, overtaking etc, the diesel is way faster for that i'd say without the drama of dropping a few cogs. As an everyday car, I think it's hard to beat.

Jespin - I'm sure you seen the 335d vs E46 M3 and M3 Evo vids on youtube? A mapped 330d will be pretty much as quick.

Billyray - had some ice down here but only a bit of snow. Have to say i'm taking it VERY easy. Already felt the rear wheels go a bit wayward and the traction light keeps flashing. They do most things very well but snow and ice are definitely not their strong points.

Have yet to drive mine in snow, but back in Feb when we got heavy snow during the day, some of the people in the office with BMW's had to abandon their cars...

The M-Sport models have pretty big rear tyres (255 on the 3-series and 275 on the 5) and as a result they don't dig into the snow at all so getting the car moving on the level proved tough, but getting up even the slightest incline was impossible. On roads which have been gritted, or churned up from loads of cars driving on them its ok.

I think there is definitely a place for a 4wd version of the 335D, but with BMW's naming schem is would be the 335Dix which is a bit unfortunate.

Jacko - there is a 4WD version in the States - can't remember if it's just the 335i or the d as well but it sounds like more of a "comfort" thing than an out and out performance set up.

Pete - the advantage of my "weedy" 17s is that they do cope with slippery conditions much better than huge rubber. Still not exactly an off roader though!

Apologies, i never picked up you were after an E90.

My E46 330D is terrible in the snow. The first sniff of a patch of ice and the traction control cuts all power; turn it off and the car just spins up a rear wheel instead. Monster torque + no LSD = hopeless.

I've just left it in the garage, I'll be using my P1 instead until the weather improves.

Here it is back in Feb, stuck on the road unable to make it over the dropped kerb back to my driveway :eek:

http://www.cawte.nildram.co.uk/snowday.jpg

Nice car though Andy - like the colour!

Mine has a DCT button meant for snow - I have no idea if it works or not - probably not.

At least we have the Jimny as back up!

How true, I had to abandon my 330d the other day, went back and only after deflating the tyres very low was i just able to get out, whilst other cars were happily wizzing past. Too wide tyres can be a dissdvantage sometimes..

I agree a mapped 335d is quicker than either M3 but standard ones aren't (in a proper race, none of this in gear malarky).

A mapped 330d is nowhere near as quick. As I have said, they are quick for what they are but 0-100 in 12 secs? I don't think so. After 100 mph the gap is only going to get bigger. Yes I know the performance of the diesel is more accessible and maybe as quick in 'the real world' but that doesn't mean much when you meet a M3 that's 'on it'.

Thanks for the updates guys.Am going to have to seriously think about buying a 335d as i just couldn't chance buying a car that is,in effect,unusable in certain conditions-a real shame...
Will have to re-look at the new sti or any other small estates/hatches.