Seeing modified BMW E46s, E39s, and other BMW models from the ‘90s and early 2000s is nothing surprising. However, not all that many people are aware of the tuning potential of some of the more modern BMWs.
By going with any of the models below, you will unlock endless BMW tuning possibilities. While the selected models have more than enough power out of the factory, they still have immense room for improvement. In fact, they can be tuned to be just as powerful as the top-of-the-line M Performance and M Competition models.
BMW 340i (F30; 2015 – 2019) – Almost an M Model
The first ideal BMW tuning candidate is the previous generation 3 Series with the 40i drivetrain based around the B58 engine. This is a straight-six with 3 liters of displacement and a successor to the well-regarded N55.
As stock, it generates 322-382 hp and 330-369 lb.-ft and the lower numbers of the range are representative of the 340i, so you can see that the engine is capable of much more than the stock power of the 3 Series. The B58 could have been seen in most BMW models from the 2 Series to the X5. It is equipped with a single twin-scroll turbocharger and revs out to 7,000 rpm.
What’s amazing about the B58 engine is that it can relatively easily exceed the power generated by its bigger brother — the S55 found in the M3. With a few mods, the B58 40i is capable of outputting 500 hp and as much as 590 lb.-ft. For comparison, the M3 makes 425 hp and 406 lb.-ft stock. The amount of torque a tuned 40i can achieve exceeds what many V8 diesel engines make.
With regard to specific mods you can make, the most popular and yielding the largest gains is a flash tune that will overwrite the factory ECU. With a proper map, you are looking at 50-80 hp and 30-60 lb.-ft of torque boost from the stock power. The second recommendation would then be a down pipe and catalytic converter removal, although the latter can be illegal where you’re at. Check your local laws before you do anything.
Not only will this make the engine sound amazing, but it will also create less resistance to the exiting exhaust gasses. With stock components, the system can create back pressure under heavy loads, which prevents the exhaust gases from leaving the system effectively. This is especially bad for turbo performance.
Of course, there is more that you can do to unlock the true BMW tuning potential of this model and bring the power even higher. But even if you stop here, you’ve pretty much got yourself a “baby M3”. There is no need to talk about how the 3 Series drives. Everyone knows it and talks about it. The 3 Series is a proper driver’s car and at the same time, it is practical and usable for everyday commutes. Compared to how expensive actual M3s are, you almost get a bargain. Great sound, lots of power, good handling, and gradual power delivery from low RPMs. It may also be one of the last standard 3 Series models with a 6-cylinder drivetrain.
BMW M2 (F87; 2015 – 2022) – A Modern Classic
Regarded as one of the most authentic BMWs and a modern alternative to the praised E46 M3, the BMW M2 is a fun little car with loads of power. Its engine is also perfect for BMW tuning.
Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 3.0 L I6 that generates 365 hp and 343 lb.-ft of torque. This sounds good but what’s more, the drivetrain features an over-boost function that can increase the maximum torque up to 369 lb.-ft temporarily. The engine is internally codenamed N55, and its variations have been present across the lineup of BMW models since its first introduction in 2009 when it replaced the N54.
The transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed M-DCT dual-clutch. With the manual, the 0-60 time comes in at 4.5 seconds, while the DCT is able to scrape off another 0.2 seconds off of that time.
The M2 is one of the most popular modern BMWs to modify, as it can be transformed into a proper track weapon. While it handles great on the factory setup, many owners upgrade the anti-roll bars of their M2 for the upgraded ones that could have been found on the top-of-the-line M2 Competition model.
The renowned brand Bilstein is then likely the first candidate that BMW tuning centers consider when upgrading the suspension of an M2 for track use and indeed, the Bilstein Damptronic suspension has proven to make the M2 extremely stable in corners, while also enhancing the ride quality.
Getting back to the engine, as with most other models, an ECU tune is the most viable option for tuners and results in an extra 40-60 hp and 30-45 lb.-ft of torque even with moderate remaps that are perfectly usable for everyday driving. This can easily place a tuned M2 on levels above the M2 equipped with the Competition package, which is fitted with a high-performance variant of the N55 drivetrain, the S55.
The S55 is slightly different from its basis, the N55, and features a lightweight crankshaft, strengthened pistons, larger turbos, and an upgraded fuel pump. These upgrades are often added to the standard M2 and have a significant effect on the performance of the engine.
BMW 535d (F10; 2014 – 2016) – A powerful diesel sedan
In Europe, diesel wagons are quite popular and if you see a 5 Series, it will likely be powered by a 20d, an inline-4, or the 30d, which is just a detuned N57 —an inline-six monster. In the U.S., the situation is quite different, and seeing a diesel BMW is rare. The 535d stands out as the only “d” option among the wide array of petrol engines. But this is not the only special thing about the 535d, as it is also a viable BMW tuning candidate.
As with other BMW drivetrains, even the 35d, also known as N57, has made its way into a variety of models. BMW has fitted the engine into anything from a 3 Series to the X6. In the highest factory tune, it was rated at 376 hp and 546 lb.-ft. This was, for example, the case of the M550d xDrive.
You can achieve the same power and even more with aftermarket parts and a properly tuned 535d as well. Out of the factory, the 35d generated 309 hp and 465 lb.-ft. Is that enough? Yes, but it can do much better. The turbocharged straight-six has plenty of potential for tuning.
As with most other engines, a good start is an ECU tune, which will yield the majority of horsepower gains. A bit more advanced than a simple ECU tune, but one of the best modifications to your 35d is an upgraded turbocharger.
Fitting a larger one will improve the amount of air that the turbo can supply, thus allowing the engine to combust more fuel and generate more power. An even more advanced mod would be a fast road cam but be aware that it can make the car perform worse in terms of daily driving.
The fast cams might make the engine nervous on idle and low-end RPMs. You will probably not mind this in a track car, but it is unlikely that your 535d would serve that purpose. More likely, the 5 Series will serve you as a comfortable cruiser that you can fit your entire family in and drive across the country in high comfort.
A race cam might defeat that purpose. Instead, focus on air induction. It will not add much power on its own, but it can get you a few extra hp if combined with a good remap. Depending on how far you go with your BMW tuning, you could get an increase of 10 – 30% compared to stock power.
BMW Tuning Does Is Still Alive and Well
The models described above are really the perfect candidates for BMW tuning. For their price, you get an amazing car even as stock but if you play around with it and tune it properly, the performance will be off the charts.
What’s more, BMW tuning doesn’t necessarily have to be extremely costly, and the engines are dimensioned for a lot more power than they make out of the factory. Because of this, you do not have to worry about reliability either.
If you are planning on tuning your own BMW, head to newparts.com, where you will be able to choose from a wide range of components from renowned manufacturers such as Bilstein and Brembo, with fast shipping and low prices.
