Making the most of your BMW with Diesel Tuning systems

By: Anna Barrington

As a BMW diesel owner you have a number of options if you are planning to increase the performance of your car. There are a large range of BMW diesel models, and though the details of each model differ, the choice to make is the same whether you own a 320d, 330d, or a 535d. Broadly speaking if you are looking at retuning your car then you will most likely be looking at re-mapping the fuel injection system of the car, and therefore achieving a more efficient burn, more power, and perhaps even better fuel economy too. The re-mapping process can be carried out in one of two ways. One option is to re-programme the existing chip in the engine's management system. This process is known as re-mapping and needs to be carried out at a skilled service centre. The advantages of this system include the fact that it appears almost undetectable.


However it is also difficult to reverse, and should there be problems with the engine you need to find somebody that can change the programming back. The other main alternative is to use what some call a "piggy back" tuning box, which is just plugged into the existing engine management system, and alters the fuel map according to its own pre-defined programme. The advantages of this system include the fact that it is easy to fit - in fact you only need to plug it in and it works. In addition it is completely reversible, so if you were to sell the car you can keep the tuning box - perhaps having it re-programmed for your new model. Looking at a few popular BMW models will allow us to see what kind of improvements are possible using this method. The BMW 320 D E46 is a popular diesel model, and comes in a variety of derivations.  The 150PS model can be increased to 190 PS using a tuning box, while the maximum torque increases from 330Nm to 410Nm. The 535 D is another popular model, with the 286PS engine able to upgrade to 340PS or power using the piggy back method, and torque increasing from 580 to 700Nm. Let's also have a look at the process of fitting a piggy back engine tuning box to your BMW car. It appears to consist of: opening the bonnet, switching off the ignition. The engine cover must be removed using socket head (Allen Key) screws. Next the injection pump must be found - it is normally on the right under the cover on the 320D models, though instructions will help you locate the pump on other models. The connector to the existing injection box must be un-plugged, and the look for the now box fitted in between. Next the box itself can be fixed in place using the velcro fastenings, and the water proof seals to keep it safe and dry. Being pre-set the module will need to other adjustments, so now it is only required that the cover be refitted, and the car taken for a test drive. While the requirements of each model very a little, the manufacturers say that the box should only take 10 minutes to fit. So you're left with a choice, you can either remap the car's existing chip, or add diesel tuning box by the methods outlined above. Each method has its devotees by far and in truth both are probably fine if good equipment is used, so it only remains to choose the system that suits you the best, and enjoy the performance boost in your diesel car.

As a BMW diesel owner you have a number of options if you are planning to increase the performance of your car. There are a large range of BMW diesel models, and though the details of each model differ, the choice to make is the same whether you own a 320d, 330d, or a 535d.

Broadly speaking if you are looking at retuning your car then you will most likely be looking at re-mapping the fuel injection system of the car, and therefore achieving a more efficient burn, more power, and perhaps even better fuel economy too.

The re-mapping process can be carried out in one of two ways.
One option is to re-programme the existing chip in the engine's management system.
This process is known as re-mapping and needs to be carried out at a skilled service centre.
The advantages of this system include the fact that it appears almost undetectable.  However it is also difficult to reverse, and should there be problems with the engine you need to find somebody that can change the programming back.

The other main alternative is to use what some call a "piggy back" tuning box, which is just plugged into the existing engine management system, and alters the fuel map according to its own pre-defined programme.
The advantages of this system include the fact that it is easy to fit - in fact you only need to plug it in and it works. In addition it is completely reversible, so if you were to sell the car you can keep the tuning box - perhaps having it re-programmed for your new model.

Looking at a few popular BMW models will allow us to see what kind of improvements are possible using this method.

The BMW 320 D E46 is a popular diesel model, and comes in a variety of derivations.  The 150PS model can be increased to 190 PS using a tuning box, while the maximum torque increases from 330Nm to 410Nm.
The 535 D is another popular model, with the 286PS engine able to upgrade to 340PS or power using the piggy back method, and torque increasing from 580 to 700Nm.

Let's also have a look at the process of fitting a piggy back engine tuning box to your BMW car.
It appears to consist of: opening the bonnet, switching off the ignition.

The engine cover must be removed using socket head (Allen Key) screws.

Next the injection pump must be found - it is normally on the right under the cover on the 320D models, though instructions will help you locate the pump on other models.

The connector to the existing injection box must be un-plugged, and the look for the now box fitted in between. Next the box itself can be fixed in place using the velcro fastenings, and the water proof seals to keep it safe and dry.

Being pre-set the module will need to other adjustments, so now it is only required that the cover be refitted, and the car taken for a test drive.

While the requirements of each model very a little, the manufacturers say that the box should only take 10 minutes to fit.

So you're left with a choice, you can either remap the car's existing chip, or add diesel tuning box by the methods outlined above.
Each method has its devotees by far and in truth both are probably fine if good equipment is used, so it only remains to choose the system that suits you the best, and enjoy the performance boost in your diesel car.

About the Author
Anna Barrington writes for Diesel Tuning UK, providers of diesel chip and bmw diesel tuning systems. For more information about other services such as their chip tuning boxes please visit diesel chip tuning page.

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