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Comments
Also, I want to go to a driving course, probably next summer. Besides Skip Barber, does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks,
T
Actually if you review the two, the 330 DOES get a slightly better increase than the 325 with the ECIS intake:
325: +6-9 hp, +8-11 lbs. ft. torque
330: +5-9 hp, +11-13 lbs. ft. torque
Additionaly in response to your comments about HP at the wheels point #3, if you look at the dyno print outs (I'm assuming they have not been altered) it shows the stock and modified runs done on the same day (11-2-01) within 50 minutes of each other. I understand the CAI intake takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to install so this makes perfect sense. Graphics and printing are how I make my living and I have reviewed the .jpg of the dyno under high magnification in Photoshop. It does not appear to have been retouched.
This also tends to discredit the theory of driving it soft for a couple of days prior, then driving it like a maniac for a couple of days after install and then dynoing it.
I am NOT a pitch man for ECIS or any other aftermarket company for that matter. I am just trying to get the facts straight and make an intelligent decision about this. I appreciate all the input and look forward to more discussion regarding this.
I was following your discussion on Bimmer.org about the HP difference. Did Sean @ ECIS ever fill you in on the details about the fix for the hissing on the intake?
FWIW: My previous Dinan intake squeeled like a pig in heat at certain rpm's.
-Chris
I always thought the notch in the armrest was for easier access to the handbrake vs shift obstruction - whatever.
Was on the fence about the moonroof and opted for it. very happy. in tilt, it does wonders for air flow.
Did the BMW autocross (driving program) this weekend - awesome! You run lap times and learn how to drive fast and safe with a prof driver. It was neat to beat the crap out of a new 330 and really test its limits
I know it has been forever since I last posted. Just tryin' to make a livin' (and potty train the 2 year old)....Anyway, been catching up on the posts and saw all the comments on the ECIS CAI...
I bought the ECIS cai for my 2001 325 a couple of weeks after Gurumike talked his up as the best thing since sliced bread...
I found both Sean and Kenny to be extremely informative, knowledgable, and helpful. I have read several posts speculating about the dyno runs (accuracy, 330 vs 325, etc).... I would encourage you to CALL THEM and ask your questions to them directly! I think all of the concerns are legit, and you all are doing much more research / analysis than I did (due to my admitted ignorance on the topic!).
Anyway, my point is to contact them directly with your questions or concerns. (Hopefully, they will not hate me for posting this)!
As I mentioned, my reasons for buying were:
It was a fairly simple, straight-forward mod that I knew I could install (and uninstall if necessary)
For me personally, it was a pretty inexpensive mod to perform (compared to a set of $2500 'big brakes'). I feel like after spending 30K+ on the car, what is a couple hundred more?
Based on GuruMike's & Jon Schafer's comments, I thought I would be pleased with the results, and I consider them (Mike & Jon) to be subject matter experts. I also figured they have nothing to gain by 'talking-up' the ECIS cai.
I can't speak for official hp gains or increases in torque, because I do not have a dyno sitting in my garage, but the car seems to move more effortlessly on the highway, and the engine now produces a 'deep, growling' sound (but not in an obnoxious or 'ricey' way. As for the hissing, I will listen for it, but it has not been an issue so far
Are you SURE I am the ONLY one to buy the cai for a 325? Surely others have taken the plunge!
Colour: Still Undecided (Topaz Blue or Steel Grey?)
Interior: Black leatherette
Options: - Sunroof
- Myrtle Wood Trim
- Heated Seats
- Metallic Paint (unless I decide on Black)
Hope to get it by the end of December or early January. Now I just need to decide on the colour (and whether I should order the 6 pack CD).
WooHoo.
If you option for both wood & moonroof, you might want to consider spending an extra $1,000 and go for the PP instead.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I thought about the premium package, but in Canada (I am in Toronto) the Premium Package gets you the sunroof, electric seats, heated seats and the HK sound system. The wood is still an extra option. The premium package is about CDN$4,400. Purchased separately, the roof is $1,490, the heated seats are $520, together they cost $2,010. Add in the wood trim for $585 and it costs $2,595. As the premium package is $4,400 (plus an extra $585 for wood trim), the difference between premium plus wood and separately buying roof, heated seats and wood is still about $2,300. Granted, for that $2,300 you are getting HK sound plus power seats, but it's not worth it for me. I would rather pocket the $2,300.
I am in the Toronto area and they need to order the car. (Although I have seen one Steel Grey with Black leatherette, 5 spd., sunroof and Sports Package [17" wheels, sport seats and sport steering wheel] sitting in a dealer showroom. I almost bought it, but I wanted the heated seats and the wood trim, and while the 17" wheels looked amazing, I decided against it).
I was tied b/w silver and gray and got silver
After thinking about this for a couple of days, it occurred to me that to test “Rear Wheel Horsepower” you must take your measurements at both the wheel (I know that sounds redundant/obvious, so hang in there) and the exhaust pipe. To correctly measure the power, it would seem logical to me that the computer MUST know the gear ratios involved. As it turns out, the 330i has gearing that is about 7% taller than the gearing on the 325i.
If the computer was set for the 330i with its taller gearing and then used to test both cars, the 325i would come up with some very impressive numbers, or so it would seem to me. Funny thing though, if you drop the numbers of the 325i by 7% (or raise the 330i numbers by that same 7%) your HP numbers would be very consistent with the BMW factory spec numbers.
What am I missing? If not me, did the folks at ECIS miss this? If the folks at ECIS did not miss anything, I am going to have a hard time believing that the 330i is such an anemic performer (when compared to its factory numbers) when compared to the 325i.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Ordered 325Ci(Should I post it in Coupes board?)
Steel Grey+PP+SP+HK+Step.
Due in Dec-Janish.
I will have just wait until then
I have a q tho. I live in Boston Area. Do I have to get new snow tires for the new car? Wont the new tires handle well in snow? This is my first car in US, so kind of stupid qs.
I like the M double spoke styling wheels. But its an option available for 330 alone. Too Bad for me. Cant I get the wheels and fit it in?
Thanks for your help
Eric
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Perf. tires don't work in cold weather (even when there's no c**p on the asphalt). The rubber compound gets too hard (think hockey pucks).
I'm going to buy a set of snow/ice tires on steel wheels. This way I don't have to get my wheels realigned every time I swap tires. Also your alloys don't get dinged.
get the snows, you won't regret it.
Welcome aboard.
BTW: I have a coupe and they let me hang out here anyway.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I have more exposure to ice on hwys/main streets than deep unplowed snow here.
genie1: it's been pretty boring here w/out you. ;-)
I think I'll go with the Dunlops...
Anyone have experience with these bulbs or heard any comments on them? How are they compared to OEM xenons - range, quality, etc?
I was looking at the ECIS website, and it seemed to me the CAI itself will give the car some extra boost... HOwever, their graphs showed the perfomance AFTER they put on the CAI and the exhaust.
bmwguy has the SP so he has perf. tires. All-seasons may be OK for a mild winter but not the Z-rated ones. Its not such a big deal, getting two sets of tires, really. It took me a while to get used to the idea, but now I can't see any other way around it.
Unless I move to CA.
Dropped down to 50 this morning. Time to turn the heater on.
Dave - you broke my heart!! I thought you were kind of cute and witty... Ah, well..
genie1 - do not confuse Z-rated tires with necessarily summer tires. There are Z-rated all-season tires that would handle great in snow. I had Z-rated Dunlop SP5000 on my Jetta and they were absolutely great in snow... probably more traction than I ever needed in a FWD.
hippo - yes, the consensus is that the CAI alone boosts HP and torque by a couple of each...
;-) Plus Brave isn't my type. :-)
Is there something you would like to share with the rest of us?
To keep on topic: It's been five months since I got my car and the experience has been amazing. Other than a check engine light that came on once (loose gas cap, maybe) it's been flawless.
Still excited as ever about driving this car. I went to the Ballet last week and got "Pride of Place" parking next to the Porsche, Jag and MB.
I've got the BMW thing hook, line and sinker.
PS, Dave: Oh, its down to wooing now, eh? Thanks, you put a grin on my face every day too.
there's no cheap way out for xenons...
-Chris
I finally came up to speed (get it?) on the different types of tires, but am still fuzzy about the ratings.
What do they stand for? How do they work?
The consensus in Toronto city driving seems to be as follows:
1. If you have the Sports Package which includes 17" performance tires (i.e. summer tires) you MUST get winter tires. Not only because the RWD combination will get you stuck in any snow, but more importantly because the rubber compound of the performance tires results in no grip in cold weather, even on dry pavement. When the weather turns winter cold, you will be slipping and sliding on the roads, even forgetting about getting stuck in the snow.
2. If you have RWD configuaration and all-season tires, most days even in the winter, you will be fine. But if you have a driveway on an incline you may have problems in the snow and on the few days when the city gets a real dumping of snow, you will have problems. Therefore, the general view is that RWD, even with standard all-season tires, is not so good and a set of winters is recommended.
3. If you have the X, the standard all season tires will get you through just about anything with the exception of the deepest snow.
On to the gearing issue; according to the BMW web site, the following gear ratios apply for the two cars:
Car / Gear / Gear Ratio / Final Drive / Engine-Wheel Revolution Ratio
325i / 1st / 4.23 / 3.15 / 13.325
325i / 2nd / 2.52 / 3.15 / 7.938
325i / 3rd / 1.66 / 3.15 / 5.229
325i / 4th / 1.22 / 3.15 / 3.843
325i / 5th / 1.00 / 3.15 / 3.150
Car / Gear / Gear Ratio / Final Drive / Engine-Wheel Revolution Ratio / Ratio Difference
330i / 1st / 4.21 / 2.93 / 12.335 / 0.9258
330i / 2nd / 2.49 / 2.93 / 7.296 / 0.9191
330i / 3rd / 1.66 / 2.93 / 4.864 / 0.9302
330i / 4th / 1.24 / 2.93 / 3.633 / 0.9444
330i / 5th / 1.00 / 2.93 / 2.930 / 0.9302
As you can see, with a 3.15:1 final drive ratio on the 325i and a 2.93:1 final drive ratio that makes the 330i gearing 6.98% taller than the 325i. Throughout the range of gears, the two cars maintain a separation in gearing of 7% plus or minus 1.5%. The taller the gearing, the more effort it takes from the engine to affect the same change at the wheels, so, if the computer did not know the difference between the gearing, it is my guess that the numbers will be incorrect.
As for the differences in acceleration, the good old “80/20” rule starts to apply as you get ever faster cars, basically, to get 20% greater acceleration (all else being equal) you will need 80% more power.
Either way, I suspect that BMW used the same testing criteria to rate both engines and that there is something fishy with the ECIS numbers, be it Atmospheric differences, Computer/Gearing differences or some of both.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Have you looked at cars that have the colors you want? What looks one way on a 1 inch color chip appears very different in person.
BTW: Which dealer did you go to? How was your experience?
-Chris
Type H7, Watts 55, p/n 143065
Type H7, Watts 100, p/n 143073
Fog lights
Type 9006, Watts 55, p/n 142999
Type 9006, Watts 80, p/n 143022
But then again, I also believe that BMW's standard lighting, with the MY2001 fogs, are superior to 90% of what is out there. I can't get over how much the fog lights illuminate the side of the road for making turns -- just super.
Type H7, Watts 55, p/n 143065
Type H7, Watts 100, p/n 143073
Fog lights
Type 9006, Watts 55, p/n 142999
Type 9006, Watts 80, p/n 143022