BMW E90 320d N47 Mods

[cyberdemon]

Howsit guys?!

I've started using my car much more now as I am back working in office. I have +- 126k km on the clock, the car is serviced regularly and I have no issues with the car. I drive about 5000-6000km per year.

I see many articles about modding the car with a downpipe and software.

1. Is it worth it? I dont mind extra power and efficiency if that is what it does.
2. Is it good to do regardless to ensure better longivity?
3. Who is best placed to assist with this in Cape Town?

 

[cos_mo]

Hey Bud.

I recently visited @Xcede Performance and they advised that with the diesels it is better to do the downpipe just before 100000km for health and longevity.
As for efficiency, they said between 10-15% gain.
You get Fuel efficiency, Increased power and longevity from doing the DP and Software.

 

[///M Individual]

Howsit guys?!

I've started using my car much more now as I am back working in office. I have +- 126k km on the clock, the car is serviced regularly and I have no issues with the car. I drive about 5000-6000km per year.

I see many articles about modding the car with a downpipe and software.

1. Is it worth it? I dont mind extra power and efficiency if that is what it does.
2. Is it good to do regardless to ensure better longivity?
3. Who is best placed to assist with this in Cape Town?

Hi bud

Software and downpipe definitely recommended.

1. Is it worth it? I dont mind extra power and efficiency if that is what it does. - Definitely worth it.
2. Is it good to do regardless to ensure better longivity? - Yes software turns off stuff like the EGR etc. which will cause problems later on. DP helps get rid of emissions quickly keeping the turbo healthier for longer.
3. Who is best placed to assist with this in Cape Town - A member in CT can advise on personal experience with tuners based there but I have used RK Motion here in Durban and have had excellent results and customer service. They do have a branch in CT as well.

Side note: Have you had preventative items done like inspected the vibration damper, serviced the gearbox at ZF etc.?

 

[Xcede Performance]

Hi, we have a shop in Wetton Cape Town with a Dyno and have tuned many N47's with great results.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cyberdemon]

Thank you gentlemen! I will reach out for sure.

 

[cyberdemon]

Hi bud

Software and downpipe definitely recommended.

1. Is it worth it? I dont mind extra power and efficiency if that is what it does. - Definitely worth it.
2. Is it good to do regardless to ensure better longivity? - Yes software turns off stuff like the EGR etc. which will cause problems later on. DP helps get rid of emissions quickly keeping the turbo healthier for longer.
3. Who is best placed to assist with this in Cape Town - A member in CT can advise on personal experience with tuners based there but I have used RK Motion here in Durban and have had excellent results and customer service. They do have a branch in CT as well.

Side note: Have you had preventative items done like inspected the vibration damper, serviced the gearbox at ZF etc.?

I have not done the preventative items above. I assume those are best done before DP and SW?

 

[cos_mo]

Side note: Have you had preventative items done like inspected the vibration damper, serviced the gearbox at ZF etc.?

Hey bud.
What are the recommended preventative items one should have done besides gearbox and vibration dampner?

 

[PsyCLown]

Hey bud.
What are the recommended preventative items one should have done besides gearbox and vibration dampner?

Those are the main ones, then downpipe to remove the DPF and turn off EGR to help with turbo and engine health.

Gearbox is something you'll want to get done ASAP because if you leave it too long, then it is recommended to leave the oil as is to avoid possible issues and you will need to refurbish the gearbox when it starts giving issues - that is a bit costly at around R40k for the refurbishment through ZF.

 

[cos_mo]

Gearbox is something you'll want to get done ASAP because if you leave it too long, then it is recommended to leave the oil as is to avoid possible issues and you will need to refurbish the gearbox when it starts giving issues - that is a bit costly at around R40k for the refurbishment through ZF.

Oh OK. That's scary.
Thanks bud

 

[PsyCLown]

Oh OK. That's scary.
Thanks bud

Well, if it is too late to do the service it is not the end of the world as you should still get a good amount of mileage out of the gearbox before it ends up needing the refurbishment.

In terms of knowing whether you can do the oil change or not, ZF draw some oil and check the adjustments on the gearbox and tell you whether it is recommended to do the oil change or not. If they say no and you do it anyways, then you can end up with more shit and being forced to do the refurbishment sooner.

ZF recommend that you do the oil service around 80k to 100k KM from what I recall, however at 126K KM it may still be alright.

 

[///M Individual]

I have not done the preventative items above. I assume those are best done before DP and SW?

Yes bud I would do this order:

1. Gearbox service at ZF
2. Inspect vibration damper for cracks/wear. If still in good condition, continue to inspect every so often.
3. Downpipe
4. Software with EGR off etc.

 

[cyberdemon]

Yes bud I would do this order:

1. Gearbox service at ZF
2. Inspect vibration damper for cracks/wear. If still in good condition, continue to inspect every so often.
3. Downpipe
4. Software with EGR off etc.

Much appreciated. I will do exactly this. Thank you

 

[cos_mo]

Well, if it is too late to do the service it is not the end of the world as you should still get a good amount of mileage out of the gearbox before it ends up needing the refurbishment.

In terms of knowing whether you can do the oil change or not, ZF draw some oil and check the adjustments on the gearbox and tell you whether it is recommended to do the oil change or not. If they say no and you do it anyways, then you can end up with more shit and being forced to do the refurbishment sooner.

ZF recommend that you do the oil service around 80k to 100k KM from what I recall, however at 126K KM it may still be alright.

Thanks Bud.

I really appreciate the advice

 

[Kratom]

Gearbox service at ZF

could someone help with a contact number in jhb plz?

 

[cos_mo]

Gearbox service at ZF

could someone help with a contact number in jhb plz?

011 457 0000
You can ask for Nico.

 

[JacoDoret]

My N47 is now at 130 000km. I can feel the gearshifts is a bit sluggish on the auto. Will the oil change fix this aswell? I want to take it for dp freeflow and sw. On the freeflow side what size do you recommend. Ive been told 63mm is a good size

 

[cos_mo]

My N47 is now at 130 000km. I can feel the gearshifts is a bit sluggish on the auto. Will the oil change fix this aswell? I want to take it for dp freeflow and sw. On the freeflow side what size do you recommend. Ive been told 63mm is a good size

Hey Bud.

Welcome to the forum.

I suggest you speak to ZF regarding the gearbox.
I have read somewhere that the mileage doesn't mean everything but rather how the mileage was done(eg, 130000km extra urban is not the same as 130000km urban) also how the car was driven, harsh or not etc. Hence, some gearboxes can still be serviced with high mileage.
Reason I bring up the mileage is, ZF recommends the service at approx. 90000km on the gearbox.
ZF will also do a diagnostic (FREE) and check your adaptations, I suspect that might be the cause of the sluggish gearshifts.

If you are in the JHB area, give @Xcede Performance a shout for software and dp. Juvan is really helpful.

 

[JacoDoret]

Thanx alot. Im from Phalaborwa. The wrong side of S.A but i do visit family close to jhb from time to time. I have absolutely no data about the vehicle. It was supposed to be my toy. Got it for like R60k 2009 320d. When i got the car i realized that is actually still in a to good condition to rip apart the motor so now its my wife's daily.

 

[cyberdemon]

Mate of mine introduced me to Hurricane Racing out in Montague Gardens. Had the car checked as above and then they ran diagnostics for me. Booked the car in to have the MAF sensor replaced and then did the downpipe and software done as well.
Car drives like a different beast completely. This is my daily drive and gains are from 130kw to 164kw, so super happy.

 

[///Herbie]

Yes bud I would do this order:

1. Gearbox service at ZF
2. Inspect vibration damper for cracks/wear. If still in good condition, continue to inspect every so often.
3. Downpipe
4. Software with EGR off etc.

I've heard that the swirl flaps can also be an issue if they're "brittle" so perhaps maybe this could be done too? Or is it not necessary?


Sent from my JNY-LX1 using Tapatalk