[tboooe]

My 428 GC is at the dealer because I ran over a boulder on the freeway and blew out my front right tire, bent the wheel, and who knows what other damage I have to deal with but that is another topic.

While I wait for the damage to be assessed I was given a stripped down 430 GC to drive. When this model first came out, I was not really intrigued enough to consider trading in my 428 which I love. The cosmetic changes are minor though I do like the white color lettering of the climate control and the cup holder slide away cover.

What I really blew me away is the new 430 engine. While it will never fool anyone into believing its a 440, compared to my 428, it is so much more powerful. Even in comfort mode, the engine just feels more responsive. Since this car is my DD and kid hauler, a 4 cylinder is all I need 99% of the time but man its nice to have that little extra HP when my testosterone levels rise a bit from it normally lower than average state. Man, now I am thinking about trading in to get the 430!!

[YeaG30]

Just get the Dinantronics Sport and save yourself the trouble. It provides more than enough fun if you have access to 93 octane fuel and running it in "race" mode. I have been using one on my 2012 328i for the past few months and have a renewed love for the car and the N20.

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by YeaF30

Just get the Dinantronics Sport and save yourself the trouble. It provides more than enough fun if you have access to 93 octane fuel and running it in "race" mode. I have been using one on my 2012 328i for the past few months and have a renewed love for the car and the N20.

Thank you for the tip. I just checked out the Dinantronics and it $299 looks like a real cheap option. How does it drive? Jerky? What can you do with the bluetooth app?

[lo_xyooj]

I was just driving one of these 430GC the last couple days as a loaner as well. I on the other hand lets just say I couldn't wait to get back in my car.

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by lo_xyooj

I was just driving one of these 430GC the last couple days as a loaner as well. I on the other hand lets just say I couldn't wait to get back in my car.

Well, that doesnt surprise me since you have the 335. If I dont spend 99% of my time just dragging my kids around everywhere I would get the 440 or the M4! As I mentioned in my original post, the 430 wont make anyone think its a 6 cylinder but compared to the 428 it feels very different.

[lo_xyooj]

Yes no doubt. It's completely different vehicles, then hop on a ///M and its not even a comparison....I like your build thread tho...Nice work...

[Rick Hunter]

I too have enjoyed the OPs build thread. So much win to everything that's been done... it would be a waste to have to start from scratch again.

I second the notion of an inexpensive piggyback... it'll be a good way of maintaining the current car's looks, yet having a bit more oomph.

[oonowindoo]

Not saying there is not a difference. but if you are gonna lose some $ to get something different, you might as well go with the 440.

If you are gonna do it, then do it right. Or just stick with the 428GC. Just my opinion.

[Strudle]

I'm surprised 8 HP feels that much different. Maybe the new motor has a broader torque band?

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by lo_xyooj

Yes no doubt. It's completely different vehicles, then hop on a ///M and its not even a comparison....I like your build thread tho...Nice work...

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

I too have enjoyed the OPs build thread. So much win to everything that's been done... it would be a waste to have to start from scratch again.

I second the notion of an inexpensive piggyback... it'll be a good way of maintaining the current car's looks, yet having a bit more oomph.

Thanks guys! I really appreciate it. I admit I really like the look of my car now. The only thing I want to do is add a subtle front lip. But depending on the damage to the front wheel, I may upgrading those as well!

I think I will definitely get a piggyback.

Originally Posted by oonowindoo

Not saying there is not a difference. but if you are gonna lose some $ to get something different, you might as well go with the 440.

If you are gonna do it, then do it right. Or just stick with the 428GC. Just my opinion.

Totally agree with this. I know my lust for the 430 is just momentary insanity. I will most likely keep the 428 a while longer until the next major model change to the GC (if BMW decides to keep it around).

Originally Posted by Strudle

I'm surprised 8 HP feels that much different. Maybe the new motor has a broader torque band?

I am surprised too. After driving my 428 the past two years I was shocked at how different the 430 was. In fact, I thought that perhaps they gave me a 435 or 440 instead. Again, I am not saying the 430's engine is like those cars but the difference to me was huge. Yes it still feels like a 4 cylinder with a million little hamsters running furiously under the hood, but its definitely more responsive and pulls harder than my 428.

[Rick Hunter]

... other possibility is that you drive like a granny and need to reset your throttle adaptation to get back more pOwEr!

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

... other possibility is that you drive like a granny and need to reset your throttle adaptation to get back more pOwEr!

No doubt I drive like a granny! But hey my car looks cooler moving more slowly.
I need to look into resetting the throttle adaptation!

[tturedraider]

I was very impressed with the B46/48 motor in the new 530i the other day. I love my inline six, but man that four banger is hard to beat for everyday use. I stopped and opened the hood while on my little test drive and was really impressed by how quiet, smooth, and refined it sounded.

[Strudle]

It is indeed a nice little motor. When I bought my 430i I drove the 340 and the 430 back to back, and while the 340 has gobs of power, i was really taken with the rev-happy 4.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by tboooe

My 428 GC is at the dealer because I ran over a boulder on the freeway and blew out my front right tire, bent the wheel, and who knows what other damage I have to deal with but that is another topic.

While I wait for the damage to be assessed I was given a stripped down 430 GC to drive. When this model first came out, I was not really intrigued enough to consider trading in my 428 which I love. The cosmetic changes are minor though I do like the white color lettering of the climate control and the cup holder slide away cover.

What I really blew me away is the new 430 engine. While it will never fool anyone into believing its a 440, compared to my 428, it is so much more powerful. Even in comfort mode, the engine just feels more responsive. Since this car is my DD and kid hauler, a 4 cylinder is all I need 99% of the time but man its nice to have that little extra HP when my testosterone levels rise a bit from it normally lower than average state. Man, now I am thinking about trading in to get the 430!!

Throw the Active Autowerke tune on your N20 engine. I did, and love it to pieces every day, particularly in Sport+. A lot of fun beating people off the line because they just don't see it coming from my frumpy wagon.

[spuntyb]

Delete

[spuntyb]

JFC this app is the worst sometimes

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Throw the Active Autowerke tune on your N20 engine. I did, and love it to pieces every day, particularly in Sport+. A lot of fun beating people off the line because they just don't see it coming from my frumpy wagon.

Which AA product do you have exactly? I checked the website and there are a few different options.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by tboooe

Which AA product do you have exactly? I checked the website and there are a few different options.

True, sorry. I meant the Active-8 piggyback tune for the N20/26. Sometimes they're on eBay or the vendor sites here in the forums for a little less than MSRP. I've found it to be with every penny.

[DrifterX]

EDIT: Hmm... I couldn't actually find anything that confirms the BMW B48 utilizes a water to air intercooler so my post may be useless lol

Originally Posted by tboooe

I am surprised too. After driving my 428 the past two years I was shocked at how different the 430 was. In fact, I thought that perhaps they gave me a 435 or 440 instead. Again, I am not saying the 430's engine is like those cars but the difference to me was huge. Yes it still feels like a 4 cylinder with a million little hamsters running furiously under the hood, but its definitely more responsive and pulls harder than my 428.

It's not the HP difference that you're feeling but the different turbo setup. B48/B58 have an air to water intercooler meaning your piping from the turbo to the intake is almost 1/4 the distance compared to N20/N55 which had an air-to-air intercooler. This, in it self makes the car way more responsive and hence it feels quicker... even though the acceleration comes in a few 100 milliseconds sooner compared to the older generation motors.

Here's a nice little comparison - I believe it's similar in the B48

[tboooe]

Originally Posted by DrifterX

EDIT: Hmm... I couldn't actually find anything that confirms the BMW B48 utilizes a water to air intercooler so my post may be useless lol

Still very educational anyway! Regardless of how they did it, my butt dyno tells me the new 430 engine is a big improvement over the one in my 428.

[YeaG30]

Originally Posted by tboooe

Thank you for the tip. I just checked out the Dinantronics and it $299 looks like a real cheap option. How does it drive? Jerky? What can you do with the bluetooth app?

I didn't notice any degredation in the driving when trying to be mindful of other occupants. I too have a small child and try to drive the car smoother/slower when others are in tote. There is no jerkyness and if you do feel any, do the transmission reset like others have mentioned as the transmission will adapt to your driving style. The bluetooth app provides the control of which mode the car is and there is a boost gauge that I really don't put much stock in. I used the app to set it to Race (the highest boost) while adhearing to the requirement of only running 93 octane fuel. So running it in Race mode all the time, the car behaves as you desire.

This tune (and possibly other piggybacks) make the car feel like it has a N20 version of the M Performance Power Kit that BMW never released...

My favorite time of day is going home from work the back way, putting the driver dynamic switch to Sport+, and with the Dinantronics in Race mode.