28i or chip 20i

C

Chris22091966

Member
Good afternoon - I currently have a 3.0si 2007 Z and am looking to get the newer model. I thin my preference is the 28i but I understand that the 20i has the same engine. Would it be cheaper to get the 20i and get it chipped, or should I stick with the factory tuned 28i? If I did go down the chipping route any advice on the ‘best’ place to get that done. Many thanks for your assistance.
 
Yes, the 18i, 20i and 28i all use the same 4 pot turbo motor. So you might get a better deal with the 18i if mapping is your plan. Evolve automotive will give you a reliable 250bhp map.

https://www.evolveautomotive.com/evolve-ecu-remap-performance-upgrade-bmw-e89-z4-18i.html
 
You will have to get it chipped properly and do your homework, I have known some say that when its chipped the power band is not smooth (erratic and peaky), there has also allegedly reports of blown engines with bad chipping
 
Chris22091966 said:
I don’t mind paying for a quality job, cheaper than a blown engine, any benefit in remapping the 28i?
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Not such an impressive gain as they’re already running 240bhp+, an extra 30/40bhp is possible along with some extra torque :)
Rob
 
Chris22091966 said:
I don’t mind paying for a quality job, cheaper than a blown engine, any benefit in remapping the 28i?
Click to expand...

Apparently.. a couple of the 28i owners on here have done it and seem to enjoy the benefits. I looked into it but have come to realise its quick enough as it is in 28i form. No point for the road to chip it IMO apart from the pub bragging rights etc. :poke:

And yes ive chipped and tuned cars in the past :rofl: this is more of a cruiser, touring car to me, I rarely put the hammer down, save it all for the trackdays on the two wheels :evil:
 
Chris22091966 said:
Good afternoon - I currently have a 3.0si 2007 Z and am looking to get the newer model. I thin my preference is the 28i but I understand that the 20i has the same engine. Would it be cheaper to get the 20i and get it chipped, or should I stick with the factory tuned 28i? If I did go down the chipping route any advice on the ‘best’ place to get that done. Many thanks for your assistance.
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You can see the difference between the m54 3.0, 3.0si and the 3.2M with these graphs, then see what a mapped 20i can achieve on the following one :driving:
2E523862-C76E-46A9-B1DF-E3E92F3E9ADA.jpegAAB8F063-28F8-481E-9446-06F0050AF836.jpeg
 
Or get an 28i and go for stage two and be quicker than 35i & 35is from a standing start. (Standard - not seen an Modified 35i/35is do the qtr), or do an track day.
 
Twin Turbo said:
Or get an 28i and go for stage two and be quicker than 35i & 35is from a standing start. (Standard - not seen an Modified 35i/35is do the qtr), or do an track day.
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I see what you're saying but he asked 'Would it be cheaper to get the 20i and get it chipped, or should I stick with the factory tuned 28i?'
 
I just just had a quick look at part numbers, comparing the 20i to the 28i.

These parts were identical;

Cylinder head
Engine block
Camshafts
Injectors
Turbos
Inlet
Exhaust

The only difference I could find was the 20i has 300mm brakes, while the 28i has 330mm.
 
Twin Turbo said:
Or get an 28i and go for stage two and be quicker than 35i & 35is from a standing start. (Standard - not seen an Modified 35i/35is do the qtr), or do an track day.
Click to expand...

Going slightly off topic, but here's an auto (not DCT) 335i with decat, FMIC, and remap pulling 11.95 sec @ 116.09
mph on the 1/4 mile. It beats the M5.

[youtube]VwIe_kidmOw[/youtube]
 
warmasice said:
Twin Turbo said:
Or get an 28i and go for stage two and be quicker than 35i & 35is from a standing start. (Standard - not seen an Modified 35i/35is do the qtr), or do an track day.
Click to expand...
To answer your question..the choice of 20i is much broader than28i...so given it’s around £400 ish for a ‘quality’ re map almost certainly possible to cherry pick a 20i that meets your needs...FWIW. most people seem to regret not getting a fully loaded car...on the other hand many people change their wheels at some time so IMHO basing your choice on the wheel style/colour is a restricting factor with hindsight I would not allow me to force my decision ... :thumbsup:

Like house purchases you will probably buy something that breaks all your criteria and my advice.. :rofl:


I see what you're saying but he asked 'Would it be cheaper to get the 20i and get it chipped, or should I stick with the factory tuned 28i?'
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Guys - thanks for all your advice - what I’m getting here is that if I chip a 20 then I should probably upgrade the brakes and that’s about it?
 
Chris22091966 said:
Guys - thanks for all your advice - what I’m getting here is that if I chip a 20 then I should probably upgrade the brakes and that’s about it?
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Actually contrary to popular myth, AFAIK, nobody had reported for road driving any issues with the N20 based E89s brake wise..someone who went to great lengths to replace his 330mm discs with super duper M series reported no discernible improvement.. :driving:

Personally I'm running around 285BHP on 300mm discs and have not found it wanting.. :thumbsup:

You can of course spend a lot for purely aesthetic reasons.. :fuelfire:
 
Big Brake Discs are in two camps - vanity or real improvement.

I would use EBC Yellows - that will give you a big improvement in stopping power. Also, change your brake fluid. And less chance of brake fade.

Most sub £2k BBD are for vanity, only when you going north of 3k you getting some quality engineering. if you wanted you could go to BMW MPower BBDK, however Yellows should be fine - but its down to personal preference.

As I used to track my E89, and these are okay for fast road, however, I was putting down more than 300bhp in my 28i.
 
Chris22091966 said:
Guys - thanks for all your advice - what I’m getting here is that if I chip a 20 then I should probably upgrade the brakes and that’s about it?
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You'll just be wasting your money upgrading your brakes unless you're going to track it. It's also another modification you'll have to disclose to your insurance company.

There are plenty of remapped 20is around with stock brakes. (Which are pretty good to begin with).
 
warmasice said:
Chris22091966 said:
Guys - thanks for all your advice - what I’m getting here is that if I chip a 20 then I should probably upgrade the brakes and that’s about it?
Click to expand...

You'll just be wasting your money upgrading your brakes unless you're going to track it. It's also another modification you'll have to disclose to your insurance company.

There are plenty of remapped 20is around with stock brakes. (Which are pretty good to begin with).
Click to expand...

The standard 20i can top 140mph & bmw have faith the oem brakes can stop the car from those speeds, I don’t drive that fast on the road or do track days-standard brakes have plenty of power :thumbsup:
Rob
 
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