[Fanis]

Yesterday I test drove (for about 20') a 116i with the Schnitzer engine conversion. The car had manual transmission (so cannot compare with mine directly) and we were 3 adults in the car.

I was very impressed! It is the first time in a 116i (normal or tuned) that I feel my back pressing on the seat on 3rd and 4th gear. The car feels alot quicker and 2 important thigns are that it keeps pulling after 5.000 rpm (the normal one ''dies'' after around 4.800rpm) and has also quite alot of torque on low revs (I tried accelerating with 3rd gear and 1.500rpm and had no problem). From what I can tell it is faster than the Hartge tunning.

In a couple of months a friend of mine is taking delivery of his 116i Auto and he will install immediately the AC tunning box, so I should have some more data (we will try and do the same comparison as we did with the Hartge box).

[Dim73]

Originally Posted by Fanis

Yesterday I test drove (for about 20') a 116i with the Schnitzer engine conversion. The car had manual transmission (so cannot compare with mine directly) and we were 3 adults in the car.

I was very impressed! It is the first time in a 116i (normal or tuned) that I feel my back pressing on the seat on 3rd and 4th gear. The car feels alot quicker and 2 important thigns are that it keeps pulling after 5.000 rpm (the normal one ''dies'' after around 4.800rpm) and has also quite alot of torque on low revs (I tried accelerating with 3rd gear and 1.500rpm and had no problem). From what I can tell it is faster than the Hartge tunning.

In a couple of months a friend of mine is taking delivery of his 116i Auto and he will install immediately the AC tunning box, so I should have some more data (we will try and do the same comparison as we did with the Hartge box).

That's great news Fani! Did you have the opportunity to measure the 0-100 acceleration?

I am interested and I would like to receive more info please. Please send me a PM.

[Fanis]

Originally Posted by Dim73

That's great news Fani! Did you have the opportunity to measure the 0-100 acceleration?

I am interested and I would like to receive more info please. Please send me a PM.

No I did not, because all my attempts failed due to traffic I will try to get the car again, maybe for an hour or so and compare it with mine.

What more info you want? I am posting here and not a PM, so anyone who is interested can read it. However ask me whatever you want!

Price in Greece is around 2.5000 Euro, but we are exploring the possibility of a group buy and thus a lower price. Installation is about 1.5-2 hours and it is done by the dealer, i.e. BMW Spanos.

[Dim73]

Originally Posted by Fanis

What more info you want? I am posting here and not a PM, so anyone who is interested can read it. However ask me whatever you want!

Price in Greece is around 2.5000 Euro, but we are exploring the possibility of a group buy and thus a lower price. Installation is about 1.5-2 hours and it is done by the dealer, i.e. BMW Spanos.

Thanks Fani. First of all, I'd like to say that 2,500 EUR is quite expensive. However, I am hoping for a group buy and, therefore, a lower price. Now, to my questions:

- What is included in this price? ECU+labor?
- Is it possible for a car with the standard setup (Sport Line) to withstand 64+ HP or does it need additional changes e.g. brake discs/pads, exhaust system etc? What is AC Schnitzer opinion on this (in terms of safety, not marketing)?
- Will this tuning void BMW warranty? My car is only 4 months old...

[Fanis]

Originally Posted by Dim73

- What is included in this price? ECU+labor?
- Is it possible for a car with the standard setup (Sport Line) to withstand 64+ HP or does it need additional changes e.g. brake discs/pads, exhaust system etc? What is AC Schnitzer opinion on this (in terms of safety, not marketing)?
- Will this tuning void BMW warranty? My car is only 4 months old...

1. Price includes parts and installation.

2. I believe yes. Schnitzer will of course recommend at least a suspension upgrade (currently they are working on full suspension for the 4cyl. Models and not only springs). I think the car is ok with standard setup.

3. Warrnty is still valid (it helps in Greece that BMW Spanos sell the ugrade), but in case BMW AG refuses to cover anny warranty work due to the Schnitzer upgrade, Schnitzer will cover the cost. Each tunning BOX is registered to the car VIN and also owner.

[Dim73]

Originally Posted by Fanis

1. Price includes parts and installation.

2. I believe yes. Schnitzer will of course recommend at least a suspension upgrade (currently they are working on full suspension for the 4cyl. Models and not only springs). I think the car is ok with standard setup.

3. Warrnty is still valid (it helps in Greece that BMW Spanos sell the ugrade), but in case BMW AG refuses to cover anny warranty work due to the Schnitzer upgrade, Schnitzer will cover the cost. Each tunning BOX is registered to the car VIN and also owner.

I have bought my car from another BMW dealer (not Spanos). Will this cause any problem to the above?

Do you think that it will be possible for anyone of us who lives in Athens, Greece to test drive this tuned car or are you some kind of a premium member of Spanos "club"?

[Fanis]

Originally Posted by Dim73

I have bought my car from another BMW dealer (not Spanos). Will this cause any problem to the above?

Do you think that it will be possible for anyone of us who lives in Athens, Greece to test drive this tuned car or are you some kind of a premium member of Spanos "club"?

No it should not cause any problem. But even if it does, you just go to Spanos and they will cover it, as lonf as it is withi the warranty period of the car and the tunning box.

No special member (just good customer!), you can of course test drive the car. But you have to make an appointment with the Schnitzer sales guy, as it is not always available.

[westphone]

Thanks Fanis for the info.

Has anyone experienced similar upgrades on the 118i? Please share the results if possible

[Kamazzi]

It would be nice to see some dyno graphs with actual figures as 2500 Eur is a hefty amount to spend on just a feeling

[Gras]

Will it be any problem with injection timing if use 95roz fuel instead of 98-100roz after installing this?

[Fanis]

Originally Posted by Gras

Will it be any problem with injection timing if use 95roz fuel instead of 98-100roz after installing this?

According to ACS, this tune works ONLY with 98RON...I do not know what happens if you use 95RON.

[Gras]

Thanx Fanis, some people told me that with other cars if you use 95ron especially during summer time you have injection timing issues and you may damage the engine. But from the other hand i was wondering how much different that mod can be from the original 118i engine tuning? Any news from your friends' 116i auto with AC? I'd like to know how it feels with the auto box..

[Fanis]

Originally Posted by Gras

Thanx Fanis, some people told me that with other cars if you use 95ron especially during summer time you have injection timing issues and you may damage the engine. But from the other hand i was wondering how much different that mod can be from the original 118i engine tuning? Any news from your friends' 116i auto with AC? I'd like to know how it feels with the auto box..

I do not believe there are any issues with injection timing or anything of the like, since the engine ECU takes care of everything. So, if the fuel is of a lesser grade, the timing (avance) is regulated accordingly.

As for my friends Auto 116i with the ACS tune...we will have to wait. He has not taken delivery of the car yet (by the end of the month) and then he will have to break-in the car and install the ACS tune.

[fthtpr]

Originally Posted by Fanis

I do not believe there are any issues with injection timing or anything of the like, since the engine ECU takes care of everything. So, if the fuel is of a lesser grade, the timing (avance) is regulated accordingly.

As for my friends Auto 116i with the ACS tune...we will have to wait. He has not taken delivery of the car yet (by the end of the month) and then he will have to break-in the car and install the ACS tune.

Dear Fanis any news from your friend? I have just bought Hartge engine conversion it will be installed in couple of weeks. I was just wondering if there is big difference between ACS and Hartge. Did you have a time to compare your car with your friends?

Also thank you for sharing all your experience about Hartge!

[fthtpr]

Is there anybody else who use ACS kit on his car?

[Fanis]

Originally Posted by fthtpr

Dear Fanis any news from your friend? I have just bought Hartge engine conversion it will be installed in couple of weeks. I was just wondering if there is big difference between ACS and Hartge. Did you have a time to compare your car with your friends?

Also thank you for sharing all your experience about Hartge!

You are mostly Welcome!

Well my friend has not taken the plunge yet to install the ACS conversion. He is still thinking of it, mainly due to the price. I have driven a 116i with the ACS tunning box, but it was a manual car so I cannot compare directly with my car. However, it seemed like it is faster than the Hartge one...but it is only a feeling, not hard evidence.

[fthtpr]

Originally Posted by Fanis

You are mostly Welcome!

Well my friend has not taken the plunge yet to install the ACS conversion. He is still thinking of it, mainly due to the price. I have driven a 116i with the ACS tunning box, but it was a manual car so I cannot compare directly with my car. However, it seemed like it is faster than the Hartge one...but it is only a feeling, not hard evidence.

Thanks Fanis!

My engine conversion was installed yesterday. I didn't have a lot time to test it but my first impression is, I can feel the power now! There is big difference after Hartge box It was so satisfied me
I will share a video in couple of days after I test it with my friends car

[fthtpr]

I had a chance to try my 116 Hartge car with my friend's 316 ACS. I have to say that there is BIG difference Hartge and ACS! 316 Acs is a lot faster than mine I think that is a big shame for Hartge!

And here is the video from Turkey..

Edit: I removed to soundtrack so everyone can watch it..

[logiclee]

Looks like ACS's power gains are true even without an exhaust change then!

Cheers
Lee

[ovekvam]

fthtpr, did you put music on the video? I am not allowed to play it from Germany.

[Vervain]

Originally Posted by fthtpr

I had a chance to try my 116 Hartge car with my friend's 316 ACS. I have to say that there is BIG difference Hartge and ACS! 316 Acs is a lot faster than mine I think that is a big shame for Hartge!

And here is the video from Turkey..

Cool video

It's a shame though that there's such a big difference! And the F30 is heavier too! At least you got the jump on him over the first few meters..

[Fanis]

Originally Posted by fthtpr

I had a chance to try my 116 Hartge car with my friend's 316 ACS. I have to say that there is BIG difference Hartge and ACS! 316 Acs is a lot faster than mine I think that is a big shame for Hartge!

I would not say it is a shame. It is business...Hartge say 170bhp, ACS say 204bhp...both companies seem to tell the truth. This is good business for me. Also, the Hartge box is almost half the price of the ACS...so it is down to the consumer, to chose whichever one prefers.