robg520d

Alrite, so does anyone have any recommendations of any 'plug & play' performance upgrade modules that work well. I've read that the CRD-T from Diesel Tuning UK, and the Bluefin from Superchips are pretty cushty and reliable.

Has anyone had first hand experience with these, need to know if they're well tested and as reliable as claimed, before i actually buy one.

Bit of a novice question, but apart from the ecu upgrade, what else can you do to a diesel to increase power, without actually causing damage or increased wear?

DSF

I would advice you to stay away from power-boxes or anything that comes in between wires.
These things just trick the ECU by modifying some signals from the sensors.
Do a ECU remap with a custom software, there are plenty of choices.
Power upgrades and reliability doesn't work together. You trade reliability for power with any ECU upgrade or engine mods. If you stay under 30% power increase the engine should be fine. Most of the problems with diesel tuning concern the turbo , injectors, fuel pump and for bigger engines the power-train ( too much torque).

Jon M5

Don't know what your budget is buddy, but there is a company in Totton near Southampton, called DMS Automotive. A brilliant company, but not the cheapest.

Worth a thought for ECU re-map. That's the only way to go IMO for easy extra power on the diesels...

Here is a link to their site etc: DMS

Good luck

robg520d

Cheers for the advice guys, i always worried with the ECU remaps, if i went down that road, would it affect the ECU in a way that my local dealer would not be able to interact with the car if a fault occured, or for service etc?

DSF

It does not affect anything that has to do with diagnostics. ( this is valid with good software, if it's a bad one it can trigger some errors (too much turbo pressure, etc)
In fact if you have the ECU updated and the dealer installs any now software (ecu) then you will lose the remaped one, and you will have to do it again(usually it's free). Better go at a dealer and do a full upgrade for every possible component of the car and then do the remap.

Usually the worst thing that can happen with a remaped turbo diesel engine is that the turbo will fail sooner than normal. (this depends also a lot about driving habits, oil changes etc).

pablo_ni

clutch is also an issue. I had my 525d remapped there and its brilliant though. Im in NI unfortunately.

Bluefin is good in that you get the handset (I think) and can take the map on/off as you want. I went for a custom rr remap though but can get it reapplied anytime only take 5 mins.

Jon M5

DMS are one of the best buddy. If you can stretch to their costs, then go there. You really do pay for what you get with them. Had friends take their Lamborghni's, Porsches, BMW's, Bentley's etc there and they're awesome! There aren't really any other problems apart from the aforementioned, and the clutch is an unlikely one IMO. The only problem you'll get through the dealer, is that sometimes when they do work, and update something etc, it can wipe the new map off... If that is the case, DMS should redo it for free, as you've already paid for the map etc... Most places, in the UK at least, work like this.

robg520d

Cheers man, i'll have a look for a specialist closer to home, as thats just abit too far for a remap, i'd rather find one closer, so if i do need it re-programming, its not a pain to get it done...

Jon M5

It shouldn't be mate. You'd need to speak to the company that does it for you though for clarification. I'm pretty sure that DMS can come to you mate. Give them a call. Nothing to loose, plus they can answer any questions you have

robg520d

Really, ok, will do. Its getting an upgrade as the next mod, so i'll give them a call. Cheers