[staplescenter]

I've searched Google and YouTube and the common comment is do not bother getting this for a manual transmission as you won't feel a difference. Anyone have installed this on their MT? How is it? It looks like I can get brand new PBX $250 out the door. Is it really a huge difference on performance I just save up more to do an AA tune which is $499 plus tax etc compared to $250 out the door for a PBX?

[ctuna]

The PBX just remaps the throttle response but the AA gives and actual
power output change.
Also I don't see what the transmission has to do with it .
I looks like the automatic would have the problem since its
adaptable.

[Dark_Knight_335]

AA tune all day over the "Toyota pedal" mod

[AddictedToBavarian]

I have the PBX, at first it was awesome and then it's blah. I forget I even have it. I want to get the AA tune done on it sometime in the near future.

[staplescenter]

I'm not sure either why I keep seeing a comment about an automatic benefits more from this pbx mod and doesn't do anything to a 6spd. I already know that the AA tune is waaaay better but the question for those who had both or just the pbx is, is the $250 for a PBX such a waste that I should fork up another $300 to get the AA tune? Bms PBX does show dyno of increased HP on their website.

[jc5988]

u need a real tune to take advantage of the 3 stage disa. N51 came with detuned engine programming.

[staplescenter]

Originally Posted by jc5988

u need a real tune to take advantage of the 3 stage disa. N51 came with detuned engine programming.

So you're saying the $250 for a PBX is more of a waste? And rather spend $300 more for a tune like AA?

[Taskmaster]

Yes, the PBX is a waste of money. Buy something that actually changes the throttle map like the PBX AND adds power. OE and AA both offer this (and I think are on sale)

[Mike.]

for 150 more you can get a real tune installed at a shop... AA FTW

[AlpineSwift]

Vishnu OFT ships Jan. 3rd last I checked.

[Delusive]

Save up some more and get a real tune, not worth getting PBX when it barely gives you any HP difference. There are even some claiming it didn't give any gains at all and just made the car run richer.

I mean I have it and first couple days it was great but after that I adapted to it, lol.

[Tim603]

So Ive had both and my car is a 6mt....

I got the bms because i wanted a quick tune to get rid of the throttle lag, which it did a great job at. I kept it on map 2 and enjoyed it thoroughly. You do almost forget you have it after a while, that is until you take it off...

I just recently got the AA tune and I must say it does increase torque and hp. Just keep in mind that its not just $500 you still need the $300 tool unless you have a shop nearby that can tune it for you. So $200 (plenty of second hand ones on here) vs $800.

Depends on how deep your pockets are and how many mods you really have. Id say if you plan to get headers and the 3-stage intake manifold than it would be worth it to get the AA. If you just want to do simple mods like CAI and Cat back, the BMS works just fine.

Either way a tune is better than no tune

[jc5988]

Originally Posted by staplescenter

So you're saying the $250 for a PBX is more of a waste? And rather spend $300 more for a tune like AA?

yes, PBX is waste of money, didnt wanna mock them, but i did tried it and it dont work properly on N51, car keeps on shaking and stuff, and wiring instruction and color wasnt exactly matching.

spent a grand on ESS cuz no one seems able to come up with right tune at the time for N51, but result were great. no regret.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by ctuna

The PBX just remaps the throttle response but the AA gives and actual
power output change.
Also I don't see what the transmission has to do with it .
I looks like the automatic would have the problem since its
adaptable.

The PBX remaps the fuel curve and increases the timing advance as well actually.

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

Originally Posted by jc5988

yes, PBX is waste of money, didnt wanna mock them, but i did tried it and it dont work properly on N51, car keeps on shaking and stuff, and wiring instruction and color wasnt exactly matching.

spent a grand on ESS cuz no one seems able to come up with right tune at the time for N51, but result were great. no regret.

The PBX works for the n51. I've had several customers run them. If the wire colors are not matching up during the install then most likely you're working from the wrong connector or wrong side of a connector. And in that case the car will throw a check engine light and run poorly until resolved.

Flash tunes are better in certain areas like removing the speed limiter and turning off the downpipe light but worse with the throttle remap. Many flash tunes also don't properly alter the air/fuel ratio.

Mike

[ocN55]

I plan to get the PBX for my n52 since the AA tune isn't reversible from what I read while the PBX is just a piggyback and doesn't flash the ECU. Am I correct? Especially on AA tune not being reversible?

[staplescenter]

I believe the AA tune keeps a stock copy with a Simon tool or you can bring it back to stock or mail your ecu back to AA. Thanks for the dyno pics Mike!

it looks like a reputable website has both the AA tune and Simon tool for $599 right now. Sounds really tempting but i also see lots of people here selling used pbx for around 200 bucks. the most mod besides pbx or aa tune I will put is an exhaust and a cold air intake.

[Taran.J]

Originally Posted by staplescenter

I believe the AA tune keeps a stock copy with a Simon tool or you can bring it back to stock or mail your ecu back to AA. Thanks for the dyno pics Mike!

it looks like a reputable website has both the AA tune and Simon tool for $599 right now. Sounds really tempting but i also see lots of people here selling used pbx for around 200 bucks. the most mod besides pbx or aa tune I will put is an exhaust and a cold air intake.

What website?

[staplescenter]

Bimmian.com

[pinoye90]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

The PBX works for the n51. I've had several customers run them. If the wire colors are not matching up during the install then most likely you're working from the wrong connector or wrong side of a connector. And in that case the car will throw a check engine light and run poorly until resolved.

Flash tunes are better in certain areas like removing the speed limiter and turning off the downpipe light but worse with the throttle remap. Many flash tunes also don't properly alter the air/fuel ratio.

Mike

I have actually done a PBX install and im very familiar with wiring diagrams.
the PBX install guide does not give the correct wire colors but i still installed it by just following the pin numbers. you guy might want to read the guides carefully or call the manufacture... this could be a potential law suite

[Three_thirty_I]

I had this thing in my car for a few months and did not like it at all. It does sharpen the throttle response up a bit, but does nothing for the throttle response delay - so actually it makes it a bit more tricky with a manual gearbox, especially when accelerating harder and through the revs where I never had a problem before. For town driving I found Map 2 was the most practical - Map 3 was too aggressive for the N52 330i, but I hear that N51 and N52 328i's have a very sluggish throttle compared to the N52 330i. As for power increase, I cannot really comment since it didn't seem any different, or not much to talk about.

I didn't like it because in the end my car felt better and more rounded when in Map 0 mode which is basically it being disabled. But, each to his own, some love it and believe in it...

[mike-y]

I had both. Some year automatic cars have worse throttle lag than others. for me, the PBX was a must, because it made my 325i (auto) so much more pleasant to drive. I'd get it again in a heartbeat. ON the dyno, it showed some midrange gains it torque, but it's not really noticeable from the seat of your pants.

I got the AA (stage 1) tune afterward (along with the 330i manifold), and the tune really did give a substantial gain in power with the IM. The throttle mapping on the AA was better than stock, but not as good as the PBX on map 3 or 6.

I may upgrade to the AA stage 2 soon, since I hear there are some improvements over the stage one.

This probably doesn't help you much, but in my experience, I didn't find the 6MT cars I drove to have nearly as bad throttle mapping as my car does stock, and even a newer '08 328i automatic had a lot better throttle mapping than my car did, so YMMV.