[WilliamLAdams]

I was at the BMW dealership today. The sales manager is a good friend of mine. We talked about my car and he mentioned I should put a chip on it. He wasn't entirely sure of how it worked so he introduced me to another employee of the dealership who used to have an 07 335i coupe MT just like mine. He is selling the Active Autowerkes module/ECU/whatever the hell it is that he said piggy backs with the main computer and remaps the engine to increase boost. Now forgive me because I honestly don't know that much about it all. I talked with the guy and he said he's selling the unit out of his car for $200 plus another $100 or so bucks for install and I'm pushing 400 HP. It almost seems too good to be true. But this guy was a BMW employee and had it in his 07 335i that's just like mine. He kept talking about how ridiculously fast the thing was and how it even scared him at times. Like I said it almost sounds too good to be true. I've never heard of a 100 HP upgrade for around $300. Does anyone have any experience with this and verify this? Bc if it's legitimate I'm buying it tomorrow!

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

It's $300 cause its used. Its $800 new.

Its pretty much a Jb3. If power to dollar is your only concern its a good way to go.

[WilliamLAdams]

Will used affect the performance? Is it safe for the engine? Is it as simple as plug n play?

[bryce]

^+1. Its prob 100 crank hp, 60-70 whp gains. Its a discontinued chip though. Look into procede, cobb, jb4....those are the most popular and current tunes avail (all cost $800 or less, jb4 is $400 or so)

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by bryce

^+1. Its prob 100 crank hp, 60-70 whp gains. Its a discontinued chip though. Look into procede, cobb, jb4....those are the most popular and current tunes avail (all cost $800 or less, jb4 is $400 or so)

Right.

There is a lot better options today with great support and common in the community. I would stay with tunes that everyone else has that way if you need support its right here.

[marv85]

My advice is to go with any of the popular tunes used by forum members... At least you'll get support when you need it

[bigdaddycane]

$100 for install?!?!? and you call him a friend?!?!

seriously, that module can be installed in 15-20 mins.

[WilliamLAdams]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

$100 for install?!?!? and you call him a friend?!?!

seriously, that module can be installed in 15-20 mins.

Could I do it myself?

What kind of support are you talking about? I definitely don't want to spend $500-800 but $200 I can swing. What kind of problems would I run into? I'm just looking for plug n play simplicity.

[SflBimmer8484]

You could always go with our new Flash its much smoother than the older piggy backs.

[WilliamLAdams]

Originally Posted by Andrew@ActiveAutowerke

You could always go with our new Flash its much smoother than the older piggy backs.

I'm really not looking to spend over the $200.

[E90SoFlo]

Sounds like the old piggy would be perfect for you. You won't have any updates but you will have a noticeable power jump.

[WilliamLAdams]

Originally Posted by E90SoFlo

Sounds like the old piggy would be perfect for you. You won't have any updates but you will have a noticeable power jump.

Yeah I'm not looking to mess with the thing and update all the time once it is installed. I would just like a nice power boost.

Is the AA tune smooth and not jerky? I've read some reviews about other tunes that are jerky.

I've also spoken with another member of the forum and suggested the AA only if I have other mods in the areas of exhaust, intake, turbo upgrades, etc. My car is completely stock in the engine department. He suggested I go with a JB+. Any thoughts here? I would rather stick to buying locally from the SA at BMW and stay around $200. At this point I'm assuming I can install this myself.

[bryce]

You can easily install it yourself. The AA piggyback was basically a jb3 (as jeff@topgearsolutions pointed out). The jb3 was never known for how smooth it was. It did add gobbs of power, even on a stock engine. An intake (bms dual cone) will add more power with the tune for cheap, and an intercooler and downpipes can be had for a few hundred dollars each

[E90SoFlo]

1. It will not be a stock feel, it will be faster
2. You can install it yourself but you will have to open up the ECU area, if you're not comfortable doing that, you can have the guy install it for you, but pay him $50 not $100.
3. Once you make the car faster more then likely you will want more, That why we are recommending something that can be updated and has ongoing support.

[WilliamLAdams]

Originally Posted by E90SoFlo

1. It will not be a stock feel, it will be faster
2. You can install it yourself but you will have to open up the ECU area, if you're not comfortable doing that, you can have the guy install it for you, but pay him $50 not $100.
3. Once you make the car faster more then likely you will want more, That why we are recommending something that can be updated and has ongoing support.

What would you recommend?

-$200ish budget
-Would like to install myself
-No plans to upgrade engine (starting med school in the fall=broke)
-Best gain for price

[E90SoFlo]

Originally Posted by WilliamLAdams

What would you recommend?

-$200ish budget
-Would like to install myself
-No plans to upgrade engine (starting med school in the fall=broke)
-Best gain for price

Well for your price the only thing you have is the AA tuner.

I would get the JB4 because it's the cheapest piggyback currently.

[Brey335i]

Originally Posted by WilliamLAdams

What would you recommend?

-$200ish budget

Stay stock.

[E3r2E9r]

Cobb $895
PROcede $745
Jb4 $479
Jb+ 279

With all due respect playing with your engine on a $200 budget should not be in the same sentence.

[qba335i]

Originally Posted by Brey335i

Stay stock.

+ 1

With 200 budget you should not modify your car. Remember more HP = higher probability of damaging something. When tuning the engine you should always have funds available to replace it if something goes wrong.

[WilliamLAdams]

My overall budget is definitely not $200 but I would say for this mod it certainly is reasonable. If I'm gathering all information correctly and aren't missing something. I've seen the JB+ for $145 shipped. Self install and you've got the tune. Correct? Or am I an idiot?

[E90SoFlo]

Originally Posted by WilliamLAdams

My overall budget is definitely not $200 but I would say for this mod it certainly is reasonable. If I'm gathering all information correctly and aren't missing something. I've seen the JB+ for $145 shipped. Self install and you've got the tune. Correct? Or am I an idiot?

JB+ is cheaper, but it has a lot less features. (like none)

That might be the right choice for you.

[bigdaddycane]

Spend some money and get a good tune. COBB, JB4 and Procede have good functionality and are supported well. Also, they have updates and new features coming out from time to time.