[Drex335iLov]

The Install

I had been toying with the idea of tuning up my 08 335i for a couple years now, but since this was a jump from the VW world, I wanted to get to know this car first before I did anything. Well a kid later I finally got around to working on improving this already fantastic car. Nothing else is in it's class JMHO. Now I'm a 40 year old approaching a midlife crisis guy who just wants to have a fun car. I don't go racing, 1/4 mile, or track day stuff as my wonderful daughter takes that time and cash. Priorities you know!! Having made a little "extra" cash on the market I figured what the hell. I did my homework as anyone should to find the appropriate software for you and price point. I was debating between Vishnu and Burger Motorsports based on reviews here on e90 and other sites (preferred those here on e90).

After a couple weeks of analysis I made the leap as this post indicates for the JB4 offered by Burger Motorsports. My decision was based solely on customer service and price. The customer service aspect to me trumps price/performance any day of the week. Not to mention the price for the JB4 was about $300 cheaper at the time of this purchase. Performance is within 2-5% of each product and can easily be nullified by atmospheric differences I think but I'm not an engineer. Anyway not even an hour and a half later I was just checking my email and saw the billing email from Burger as one should, but also the shipping information. Within 90 minutes of my ordering Burger had already shipped it via USPS Priority mail (2-5 days). It was at my house in Atlanta in 2 days. I was like a kid at Christmas.

I opened up the small box and there it was. How Burger gets all those ponies in that little box I'll never know, but I guess they fit!! Basically about the size of a sunglass case. So, I made plans with the wife to give me some time on Saturday to put it in and not knowing how long this would take. I think we've all had some install that was 1-2 hours and you found yourself with a flash light at night pissed off to no end and knuckles all jacked up. One thing I didn't like is that no directions were included in the box. I knew the directions were available on their site for download as well as videos, but I thought you should still get a set of directions. Well I guess it helps keep costs down....not $300 down...but anyway I digress.

Saturday morning I awoke well before the wife and kid does and put the coffee on, then outside to begin the disassemble. Everything came right off as the directions indicated to get to the ECU. Pot of coffee is now ready...pretty simple and quick to get to the ECU. Poured a cup of life and began to take out the connections from the old ECU as the directions and video indicated. Understanding how to get the old sliders off was a bit of a bewilderment at first, but then I figured it out. The documentation should have some better indicators here "in my humble opinion" (IMHO). I made all the necessary connections, screwed the cables to the JB4 and set it in it's new little home. Fired up the car on the first shot...(smile). I went back to the ECU and laid the cables down (I added some electrical tape around all the daughter board connectors as they don't snap together), placed the ECU cover on and went and got another cup of coffee. Came back put the cabin filter, covers and the two sensors back on and TADA DONE!!! Time of installation was a pot of coffee brew and 2 cups of it with no parts.

Pros:
Easy as putting in a water filter in your refrigerator with just a few more things.

Cons:
Directions and especially the photos indicating direction of sliders, location of bolts, sensors lack some clarity and could confuse a total newb a little. Before and after pics would be nice to give new customers a better frame of reference.

1st Drive Experience

The night before the install we had some crazy weather here in Atlanta with heavy rains/hail/cats/dogs/small goats falling from the sky so the roads were messy and Top Gear track wet. So, I knew I had to be careful and just break the chip in. Went for a drive around my neighborhood before venturing out and all seemed well. Stepped out on the highway again all is well. The roads started drying up now a little and I began to get into her a little on some back roads and HOLYSHIT!!! The chip doesn't really kick in until around 50% throttle and that is when you start to feel those extra pulling ponies. I thought the car was gonna come right out from under me and take off down this lovely straight behind some dealerships. Smiles and laughter filled my cabin. I now turned off traction control, and the car didn't really break loose unless I wanted it to. I can see a LSD in my future though if I really want to capture all the fun the JB4 just threw into my car. In regards to oil temps I did see a slight increase in temps of maybe 10-20F to around 240s. Never over 250 so far. Granted it was cool and will be so for the next few days so I'll have to get back to you on some summer temps. Maybe a FMIC and Oil cooler are in my future...those are knuckle busters. Mileage is about the same or (3-4 on highway) better but can be attributed to the HPFP and the 3 injectors that were replaced under earlier last week.

Conclusion

The big deal about PnP chips is that most people are intimidated by the install. This install is easy folks and you will not be disappointed with the results the JB4 give you. Follow the instructions and videos Burger has on their website and you will be good to go. I'm not going to go dyno the car and all that stuff or post 0-60 times and top gear passing times. That stuff has been beat to death and any research will give you those numbers. I'm writing this for the average guy who just wants to feel a great deal more out of his car without having to go buy a car that is $40k more to have the same horsepower the JB4 adds to your fun on four wheels. This is a must for anyone with a 335i who has the sport package. Why the sport package. Well it appears from what I've read that the oil cooler only exists on 335s that have the sport package. I could be wrong and if so please someone correct me. I would be willing to bet you would see some much higher oil temps (again based on reading through forums) without an oil cooler and a chipped 335. A limited slip differential (LSD), but if you intend on tracking the car I would. Please understand the backend will not jump out on you unless you really work at it. More often then not you will just have one wheel spinning. It will take damp conditions and traction control off to break the out to experience true over-steer. Good luck to you all and drive safe and smart.

[NiVeDh]

Great review! Where in Atlanta are you? Would you mind taking me out for a spin to compare the JB4 to my Procede?

[Drex335iLov]

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

Great review! Where in Atlanta are you? Would you mind taking me out for a spin to compare the JB4 to my Procede?

I'm available on the Tues-Thurs during the day. Maybe lunch somewhere?

[Dr G13]

Excellent write up. Thanks

[NiVeDh]

Originally Posted by Drex335iLov

I'm available on the Tues-Thurs during the day. Maybe lunch somewhere?

Any of those days sounds good. Send me a PM if possible.

[Charleston335]

What map are you on?

[ianthegreat]

nice write up, good rec's

[Drex335iLov]

Yes I need to get my post count up. Like I said a total newb to the BMW world. Glad I landed safely.

[Drex335iLov]

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

Any of those days sounds good. Send me a PM if possible.

Well hopefully the admins will hook me up quickly. Looks like at worse Thursday by the look of things.

[hateface]

2 atlantians in the same thread, I guess I make it 3

I assume that the jb3 for the n55 is alike as far as install goes? As I'm thinking about getting it or waiting until the jb+ comes out. How long did the install take you?

[bigdaddycane]

From one JB4 user to another, congrats. Put the JB4 on Map 5 and let it adapt. I found it more responsive and quicker than Map 1.

[soulja620]

Awesome review, and very well written.
Thought I was reading a book!

What map are you on?

[Bagelfast]

Congrats and great write up! Enjoy.

[Drex335iLov]

Thank you all for the well wishes with my new toy.

I am currently just using map 1 by default I'll probably throw it on map 5 as was suggested and see what I get from the butt dyno.

So when you do switch maps, does the JB4 retain what it has learned, or do we start from scratch again? I know my APR sofware for my Jetta kept everything...just curious and yes I did search I guess that is one thing I forgot to ask before buying

[bigdaddycane]

does the JB4 retain what it has learned, or do we start from scratch again?

It has to re-learn, but does it fairly quickly....especially after a few WOT blasts.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by Drex335iLov

Thank you all for the well wishes with my new toy.

I am currently just using map 1 by default I'll probably throw it on map 5 as was suggested and see what I get from the butt dyno.

So when you do switch maps, does the JB4 retain what it has learned, or do we start from scratch again? I know my APR sofware for my Jetta kept everything...just curious and yes I did search I guess that is one thing I forgot to ask before buying

Right now if you are on map5 and switch to another map it looses its "learned values".

Thanks for the review. Great read.

Mike

[Drex335iLov]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

Right now if you are on map5 and switch to another map it looses its "learned values".

Thanks for the review. Great read.

Mike

Thanks Mike for the input!!

[nets52791]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

From one JB4 user to another, congrats. Put the JB4 on Map 5 and let it adapt. I found it more responsive and quicker than Map 1.

if u put it on map 5, dont u have to have certain mods done to ur car for u to be runnin map 5.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by nets52791

if u put it on map 5, dont u have to have certain mods done to ur car for u to be runnin map 5.

Map5 is the autotuning map. Its basically map1 like with a floating boost target based on mods, octane and conditions.

The maps in JB4 are different then they are in the JB3.

Mike

[WNF_335i]

great write up cant wait to install the jb4

[335iJWC]

Very well written, glad you are enjoying the JB4,

once you get used to the power some DPs and Meth will give you that feeling all over again.

[e1001usa]

WOW thats what I call a review