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      05-29-2010, 03:15 PM   #1
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Ecu Upgrade?? What Does Everyone Think Of This

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/pts/1765383392.html

Im planning to get it done from these guys..

any inputs? or has anyone done it?

supposedly the programmer is flying in from vancouver in june... so if anyone else is interested let me know ... we could do it together
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      05-29-2010, 08:08 PM   #2
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I would only trust someone known in the community here.

Was planning on going with ESS myself.
Check the threads here on ESS, e.g.

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233400

The DME on our cars is a unique beast, you don't want just anyone hacking in there.

Do these guys have any kind of reputation????
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      05-29-2010, 09:44 PM   #3
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lol ecu upgrades on craigslist. find a tuner who specializes in your make, not all makes... might as well go on ebay.
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      05-29-2010, 10:36 PM   #4
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well they have a site too.. its not just craigslist... look them up.. he's in vancouver...he's flying in to do a few people in june.. 645 $ ..
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      05-29-2010, 10:37 PM   #5
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      05-29-2010, 11:51 PM   #6
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So, reading some of the ESS tune impressions, it seems like something like this is a no brainer. Smoother throttle response, better midrange and top end power, noticeable improvement to overall driveability...

But there's no such thing as a free lunch, right? What's compromised with these software changes? Engine longevity? Fuel economy? Just wondering why BMW's programmers wouldn't have developed the stock DME to provide more power if the potential was there?
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      05-30-2010, 01:12 AM   #7
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I personally don't really care about the price. What I do care about is the company's reputation and if other people have used it on thier cars and can give real feedback on the quality of the tune.

If many users have used the ESS, then I'll probably go that route as well.

It's been quite a few years since 2006 when the z4M has been launched, and I haven't seen or heard of this company. Anyone can put up a website to make a quick buck.

Unless other z4m owners can verify from thier experience with this company's software, I don't see myself going for them.

We're daily drivers that just want some more fun from our cars, we don't have a group of professionals sitting in the garage waiting for our cars to come back after a few laps and fine tune our cars right away....
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      05-30-2010, 08:37 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dekaliber View Post
So, reading some of the ESS tune impressions, it seems like something like this is a no brainer. Smoother throttle response, better midrange and top end power, noticeable improvement to overall driveability...

But there's no such thing as a free lunch, right? What's compromised with these software changes? Engine longevity? Fuel economy? Just wondering why BMW's programmers wouldn't have developed the stock DME to provide more power if the potential was there?
plenty of reasons why manufacturers downtune their car. some don't want to cannibalize sales of other models, especially turbo cars like the a4 (2.0t at 200hp crank vs their 3.2 which is 250hp), subie legacy (which i believe has a detuned sti motor), 335 (vs m3), etc. other reasons is that it's a numbers game, while most of the most reputable chip tuners do increase performance within a reasonable safety range of the motor, there's always a chance that a few owners may experience issues (my friend's gti 2.0t blew his turbo from a stage 1 upgrade which is really unheard of).

but i agree, a reputable tuner shouldn't have to resort to posting free ads on craigslist. and it takes so much time/money to unlock the dme on our cars, so for someone to have an upgrade available for many makes just isn't believable.
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      05-30-2010, 02:31 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shitbrownMcoupe View Post
I personally don't really care about the price. What I do care about is the company's reputation and if other people have used it on thier cars and can give real feedback on the quality of the tune.

If many users have used the ESS, then I'll probably go that route as well.

...snip....
^ x1000
Price is only nickels and dimes different any way.
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      05-30-2010, 02:39 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubbedown View Post
plenty of reasons why manufacturers downtune their car. some don't want to cannibalize sales of other models, especially turbo cars like the a4 (2.0t at 200hp crank vs their 3.2 which is 250hp), subie legacy (which i believe has a detuned sti motor), 335 (vs m3), etc. other reasons is that it's a numbers game, while most of the most reputable chip tuners do increase performance within a reasonable safety range of the motor, there's always a chance that a few owners may experience issues (my friend's gti 2.0t blew his turbo from a stage 1 upgrade which is really unheard of).
It makes sense for the mid and lower range models to be downtuned, but the M is at the top of the model lineup with nothing else in BMW's offering to compete. It doesn't make sense to me to downtune it purposefully, unless there's a balancing act with reliability, safety, fuel economy, or some other engine characteristic, especially when the car poised in the market to compete with an offering from Porsche.

Then again, BMW engineers could have opted for a higher ratio rear differential, lighter wheels, and better tires to improve performance to Cayman S levels without adding much to the cost of the vehicle. So, I guess it's also possible that they simply didn't commit the time or resources to really developing out this car to everything it could have been. Then again, the S54 powerplant isn't exactly new, and it was tuned to a higher power output in the M3 CSL.


And definitely, if I were going the tuning route, there's absolutely no reason you'd go with this shady CL company over something tried and true like ESS.
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      05-30-2010, 02:54 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dekaliber View Post
................

Then again, BMW engineers could have opted for a higher ratio rear differential, lighter wheels, and better tires to improve performance to Cayman S levels without adding much to the cost of the vehicle. So, I guess it's also possible that they simply didn't commit the time or resources to really developing out this car to everything it could have been. Then again, the S54 powerplant isn't exactly new, and it was tuned to a higher power output in the M3 CSL.


And definitely, if I were going the tuning route, there's absolutely no reason you'd go with this shady CL company over something tried and true like ESS.
I think that is a big part of it.
The M variant was basically built from the parts bin.

Also, with it being a low volume unit, it wouldn't have had the R&D budget of other cars.
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      05-30-2010, 09:23 PM   #12
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I can't speak to this company but my car has had the ESS tune and I definitely noticed a significant improvement in driving characteristics of the car.
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      05-31-2010, 01:11 AM   #13
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sending the ecu unit to the USA and back, any shipping or tax issues?

I assume ESS has a few versions, as I get the full SS step headers, race cats, x pipe and sport mufflers, they probably have another setup for mine?

Does this ESS software have some code that we input to turn on and off? like when we take the car to the dealer we can turn it off and it's non detectable?
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      05-31-2010, 07:57 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubbedown View Post
lol ecu upgrades on craigslist. find a tuner who specializes in your make, not all makes... might as well go on ebay.
Just for shits & giggles, I send an email to these guys with a few leading questions.

Quote:
ME:
I have an '07 Z4M Coupe and I'm in Toronto.

I have heard of other companies like ESS that are doing tuning on our cars,
but this is the 1st time I have heard about you?

ESS has a good reputation, but can you tell me a little more about your experience with the Z4M Coupe?
reply;
Quote:
Hi,

For your 2007 Z4M Coupe the price is $645USD (includes 2 free reflashes)the gains are 25 hp and 25lbs tq. When we programme the car we'll advance the timing in the midrange/top end, raise the rpm, remove the speed limiter/hesitation/flat spots, etc...etc...

We will be back in toronto programming cars from June 15th and on.

Let us know if you have any questions.

Thank you

Surena Mazar
Just a canned response.
Not a single mention regarding experience with the Z4M or his reputation.
To me, his inadequate response speaks volumes.

IMO.... stay very far away from this dude!!!!
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      05-31-2010, 10:24 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shitbrownMcoupe View Post
sending the ecu unit to the USA and back, any shipping or tax issues?

I assume ESS has a few versions, as I get the full SS step headers, race cats, x pipe and sport mufflers, they probably have another setup for mine?

Does this ESS software have some code that we input to turn on and off? like when we take the car to the dealer we can turn it off and it's non detectable?
I sent the ECU for "repair and return" as instructed and did not run into any issues other than the cost of shipping back and for (approx $50 each way).

I think that ESS only cares about the catless header if you are running that but I could be wrong. You have to send them a list of your mods with the ECU.

Roman, can answer more correctly but I'm told the dealer cannot detect this mod.
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      05-31-2010, 02:57 PM   #16
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How much is ESS charging?
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      05-31-2010, 03:10 PM   #17
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http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=382207
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      05-31-2010, 03:37 PM   #18
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Quote:
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hmm for the price of it i'll add it to the "things to do later on" list
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      05-31-2010, 10:11 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VinnieAces View Post
hmm for the price of it i'll add it to the "things to do later on" list
much better plan than using Mr. Craigslist tuner
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      05-31-2010, 11:25 PM   #20
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hey

tnxs for inputs... i'v decided to not do it and just add it to my sometime later list.. and if i do. it'll be ess.. since i thoguht it was muchh more expensive.. 795.. its only like 150 more .. lol might as well do with ess. but damn taking the ecu out and sending it and waiting.. suxsss.. lol.. but yea.. got alot of other stuff coming in for my car.... spoiler just came in to day... few other crazy thigns coming.. can't wait!.
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      06-01-2010, 01:31 AM   #21
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haha thanks intgr8er

and sounds smart quo, p.s what spoiler did u go with? im torn between getting both mid and top hamman spoilers or just the ACS one
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      06-01-2010, 06:44 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quocp View Post
tnxs for inputs... i'v decided to not do it and just add it to my sometime later list.. and if i do. it'll be ess.. since i thoguht it was muchh more expensive.. 795.. its only like 150 more .. lol might as well do with ess. but damn taking the ecu out and sending it and waiting.. suxsss.. lol.. but yea.. got alot of other stuff coming in for my car.... spoiler just came in to day... few other crazy thigns coming.. can't wait!.
I agree x 10000
ESS is backed up by TONS of dyno R&D time.
If you do a little digging on the www their rep is impeccable.
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