1 Series Calling all 135i owners - the lag issue

[Mr Robert]

Hi all,

Me and the miss have been discussing what on earth could replace the MINI when time comes.

One candidate is the 135i and after doing some reading up on it I found only one main concern. The lag issue. It has been determined that this issue originates from a software revision back in spring 2008 that was meant to solve the issue with wastegate noice. The original solution was to keep the wastegate open at low rpm:s and thereby eliminating the noice it produces. This, however, caused severe lag and from what I gather, many people have had problems with lag in their 35i engines ever since.

Word on the street is that the PP upgrade solves the problem, just like almost every other ECU based tuning.

I would like to know if you have any experienced this?

 

[PC Valkyrie]

I honestly do not feel any "lag" with this engine.......perhaps I can "feel or imagine" what people are complaining about when below 1500 rpm. On the track, this car rocks......the throttle response is very linear from above 1500 rpm to redline. It honestly feels like a naturally aspirated V8 with its flat torque curve.

 

[siko]

Virtually no lag... and below 1500 is not an issue really cause you are not there for more then split seconds.

Compared to a few other turbos I've driven, this engine has NO lag.


In any case, best thing for you is to go and test drive it to see for yourself.

 

[JLBM]

Hi all,

Me and the miss have been discussing what on earth could replace the MINI when time comes.

One candidate is the 135i and after doing some reading up on it I found only one main concern. The lag issue. It has been determined that this issue originates from a software revision back in spring 2008 that was meant to solve the issue with wastegate noice. The original solution was to keep the wastegate open at low rpm:s and thereby eliminating the noice it produces. This, however, caused severe lag and from what I gather, many people have had problems with lag in their 35i engines ever since.

Word on the street is that the PP upgrade solves the problem, just like almost every other ECU based tuning.

I would like to know if you have any experienced this?

I noticed lag between gear changes on a 135i manual i test drove.

 

[Mr Robert]

Do you guys know what software revision you have?

People were starting to experiencing lag and worse milage when getting the update to revision 29.2

 

[siko]

Do you guys know what software revision you have?

People were starting to experiencing lag and worse milage when getting the update to revision 29.2

Can't say I do... I picked up mine in Aug. 2008 and did no upgrades.

Although if a upgrade created worse MPGs (lag issue aside), I cant imagine BMW letting it slide and not do anything about it.

 

[Mr Robert]

Can't say I do... I picked up mine in Aug. 2008 and did no upgrades.

Although if a upgrade created worse MPGs (lag issue aside), I cant imagine BMW letting it slide and not do anything about it.

When people here complained, BMW responded that the new software was deliberately made to give a different tune and that this is probably the reason why people are experiencing lag and worse mpg (people have to step on it a bit more to get the same results in terms of performance).

 

[ghusheshe]

No lag at all. The only issue was with 135 built prior to September 2008, they had a faulty HPFP (High Pressure Fuel Pump). Mine was replaced with the lastet 881 HPFP and its going like a dream, no lag at all...

 

[martinbo]

Thanks Ghusheshe! What do you know of the turbo problems on the 335i? I recall that there were some issues here at altitude and abroad with overheating, limp-mode and even wastegate failure.

 

[Mr Robert]

So, this seems to be a case of some cars affected an some not. It would be interesting to know if the open wastegate is the real problem.

 

[AdvEvo]

I see lag writtin than i mean going off and on the throttle midbend how fast does the engine respond. A turbo engine mostly is to late to balance the car.

If that lag can be solved by new software i buy me a 135i again. But i doubt it.

I think lag is never gonna be solved on turbo engines. I haven t driven one yet.

 

[south]

So, this seems to be a case of some cars affected an some not. It would be interesting to know if the open wastegate is the real problem.

Yeah, a typical case of causing more problems by solving another one...

I think lag is never gonna be solved on turbo engines. I haven t driven one yet.

I think the new S63 engine as found in the X5/6 M is as good as it gets for Turbo engines. Sportauto was pretty impressed. Add KERS and you could have a completely lag free drivetrain, at least when done right.

Another interesting engine might be the V10 TT of the RS6. I didn't drive any of these yet, though.


Best regards,
south

 

[Mr Robert]

Yeah, a typical case of causing more problems by solving another one...

Seems like it. I don't know, the problem BMW solved was purely cosmetical, the problem it caused many owners are far from cosmetical.

 

[ghusheshe]

Thanks Ghusheshe! What do you know of the turbo problems on the 335i? I recall that there were some issues here at altitude and abroad with overheating, limp-mode and even wastegate failure.

I have not heard of any turbo problem. The HPFP problem also occured on 335 as well. Basically the car throws an "Engine Malfunction - reduced power" error on the dash and the car goes into into "limp mode". A replacement of the part plus DME adaption resets solves the problems. I have yet to meet anyone who had the problem reoccur after HPFP replacement.

 

[Mr Robert]

Well, this is nice to hear. I guess this lag issue is quite isolated and by no means representative.

It is just very strange that people have been told by BMW Sweden that the change in software revision was made to change the character of the engine. Oh well, there is always tuning