NA Tune: ESS or wait for Evolve?

[beta]

I'm getting ready to put on my euro headers and cats. Car is my DD so I can't send out the ECU for an upgrade, that leaves me two choices:

1. Evolve is coming out with a remote tuning solution, they expect to have it done in about a month. Here's info on their tune. They have great customer service and their tune is about $200 cheaper.

2. ESS already has a handheld flasher. They have a great reputation and are extremely knowledgeable about Z4 Ms.

I've heard good things about both companies. Should I wait for Evolve or should I get ESS? Opinions, especially from people that have driven or tried both are appreciated.

[sabbanick]

actually there is a third

the epic/bimmerworld tune via the newly released ECI cable.

Highly recommend the it ... in fact, I'm currently reading my ECU with this cable from my OBDii port as we speak.

check out bimmerworlds website for further info and pricing

[Mirko]

Im waiting for evolve. Any idea when their handheld will be ready?

[G80indy]

So..... what are the REAL benefits of all these "tunes"?

[Cal@Sonic MS]

Trust me, the wait for Evolve will be worth it.

There are many other value added benefits the Evolve-R unit offers that competitors don't. Which include but are not limited to Code Reading/Clearing, Datalogging/Adaptation Reset (in the works), free valet map, etc.

Plus Sal@Evolve really knows his stuff.

See here for more info on the Evolve-R unit.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=535437

[Blind32]

ESS states that their tune is not compatible with SS headers. Will Evolves tune be compatible with SS headers?

[Cal@Sonic MS]

Originally Posted by Blind32

ESS states that their tune is not compatible with SS headers. Will Evolves tune be compatible with SS headers?

Yes, Evolve works closely with SS on many of their products so I'm sure that will be a non-issue.

[Cal@Sonic MS]

Detailed reviews from E46 M3 owners which utilizes the same S54 engine. Should give you Gents a good idea of what to expect.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...=evolve+review

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showt...post1064823095

[txz4]

please tell me they finally figured out how to give us a shift light!

[Blind32]

Keep up updated on when this Evolve tune will be ready. Looks promising.

[sabbanick]

Originally Posted by Blind32

ESS states that their tune is not compatible with SS headers. Will Evolves tune be compatible with SS headers?

I have SS V1 stepped headers and epic's tune and car made nice gains, is CEL free and more importantly drives awesome both on the street and track. Throttle response in midrange is greatly improved with epics tune.

Surprised so many of you are overlooking this tune.

[DanFromTucson]

Originally Posted by Cal@Sonic MS

There are many other value added benefits the Evolve-R unit offers that competitors don't. Which include but are not limited to Code Reading/Clearing, Datalogging/Adaptation Reset (in the works), free valet map, etc.

That looks like a really good tune, but I haven't been able to find anything on their web site related to the other benefits you described. Is it hidden somewhere? I must admit I found the site design pretty confusing so maybe I missed it.

[Blind32]

Originally Posted by sabbanick

I have SS V1 stepped headers and epic's tune and car made nice gains, is CEL free and more importantly drives awesome both on the street and track. Throttle response in midrange is greatly improved with epics tune.

Surprised so many of you are overlooking this tune.

Awesome info. I will def look into Epic as well. I really haven't thought about getting a tune in the near future. Still have headers that need to be installed. Problem is, I read this thread and now I'm thinking, install headers this weekend, wait a week or two for my mod bug bite to heal then order a tune.

[johanness]

I've got the ESS Directflash uni w/93oct header (etc) tune. Noticeable power difference, especially midrange-up. Drops like a hammer from 4500rpm+. Obviously, the bonus is that it's easy switching back to stock for warrantee concerns.

[zubydafa]

do any of you believe in a custom tune?

i'm going to a dyno day where this reputed tuner will be doing custom tunes on customer cars.

i'll get a before dyno and a few after dynos to see what my gains are for the tune.

link to the event and very reasonably priced if anybody in the area would like to join or just come to watch.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=395373

[OG_M3]

To be clear and someone please correct me if i am wrong:

Tunes with user-ability to flash:

• ESS
• Epic/Bimmerworld

Tunes in progress/to be released with user-ability:

• Evolve

Tunes that need to be flashed by a dealer/sent in:

• Active Autowerke

[txz4]

Originally Posted by zubydafa

do any of you believe in a custom tune?

i'm going to a dyno day where this reputed tuner will be doing custom tunes on customer cars.

i'll get a before dyno and a few after dynos to see what my gains are for the tune.

link to the event and very reasonably priced if anybody in the area would like to join or just come to watch.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=395373

Good luck, the z4M DME is a completely different ball game from what ive heard. I doubt the guy would be able to tune it without significant amount of time cracking it.

[zubydafa]

Originally Posted by txz4

Good luck, the z4M DME is a completely different ball game from what ive heard. I doubt the guy would be able to tune it without significant amount of time cracking it.

thanks for the heads up. apparently the tuner has been tuning cars for 20 years and is very well versed with the s54. i'm willing to give him a shot ...and heck the proof will be in the dyno.

i'll be sure to document the dyno day for anybody in the area that's interested in a custom tune as an alternative.

[Panchio]

Originally Posted by Cal@Sonic MS

Yes, Evolve works closely with SS on many of their products so I'm sure that will be a non-issue.

Thank God !! Finally I can get the SS... As much as I like the ESS tune, I'm tired of having to find OEM euro headers... Thanks for this tip

[flipm3]

I would really encourage some of you to try and be a little more patient until Evolve Automotive releases the evolve-R for the Z4M. I was one of the first in the nation to get their tune for the S54B32 platform (my review was posted earlier by Cal@SonicMS).

I will humbly say that it is worth the wait! They tuned my car with the SS V2 Stepped and SS V1 Stepped. The car is a straight monster right now!

There are gains throughout the whole power band, not just high end like some other tunes out there. I gained an honest 17whp and in some areas 17wtq on a heat soaked motor on the dyno with no adaptations!

The drivability and throttle is so much better now and feels very linear with pedal feel.

They offer the ability to read/clear codes, and as mentioned, they are working on a way to reset adaptations. I believe they will continue development once again after finishing up some other insane projects they have on their hands.

Evolve Automotive continues to always try and improve upon their already incredible product. They sent me an update tune that actually has even more topend power than my initial setup.

They also have the ability to tune 100% catless cars with no CEL, while keeping all of your sensors 100% ready. Yeah, that's right!! For race cars and off-road cars, you can have your car tuned with no cats, but keep your post-cat O2 sensors in ready state. I don't know any other tuner that can do that.

You can also delete your Secondary Air Pump with no CEL.

I apologize for the very brokenly organized post, but these are just my thoughts straight off the top of my head.

As noted, it is VERY well worth waiting for, what I believe, to be the best tune out there. I plan on installing their Evolve CF Airbox and Alpha-N tune very soon!

[OG_M3]

Originally Posted by flipm3

I would really encourage some of you to try and be a little more patient until Evolve Automotive releases the evolve-R for the Z4M. I was one of the first in the nation to get their tune for the S54B32 platform (my review was posted earlier by Cal@SonicMS).

I will humbly say that it is worth the wait! They tuned my car with the SS V2 Stepped and SS V1 Stepped. The car is a straight monster right now!

There are gains throughout the whole power band, not just high end like some other tunes out there. I gained an honest 17whp and in some areas 17wtq on a heat soaked motor on the dyno with no adaptations!

The drivability and throttle is so much better now and feels very linear with pedal feel.

They offer the ability to read/clear codes, and as mentioned, they are working on a way to reset adaptations. I believe they will continue development once again after finishing up some other insane projects they have on their hands.

Evolve Automotive continues to always try and improve upon their already incredible product. They sent me an update tune that actually has even more topend power than my initial setup.

They also have the ability to tune 100% catless cars with no CEL, while keeping all of your sensors 100% ready. Yeah, that's right!! For race cars and off-road cars, you can have your car tuned with no cats, but keep your post-cat O2 sensors in ready state. I don't know any other tuner that can do that.

You can also delete your Secondary Air Pump with no CEL.

I apologize for the very brokenly organized post, but these are just my thoughts straight off the top of my head.

As noted, it is VERY well worth waiting for, what I believe, to be the best tune out there. I plan on installing their Evolve CF Airbox and Alpha-N tune very soon!

thank you and thanks for your in-depth reviews on the ss v1 stepped vs ss v2 stepped! you are a great asset to the community. cant wait for you to put on the airbox to see how it performs.

[beta]

Originally Posted by flipm3

I plan on installing their Evolve CF Airbox and Alpha-N tune very soon!

+1 keep us posted on your install. That is one mod I might do in the future if I decide to keep the car NA. There's nothing like the CSL airbox sound.

Based on all the feedback I got I decided to wait for evolve Euro headers and cats are going in this saturday.