[Akshay1234]

As soon as I got the 320d, I knew the stock power was not going to be enough. Sure it was quick, at 7.6 seconds to the ton. But it didn't feel that quick, and after driving faster cars I had a desire to bump up the power.

Now there were many options to tune it, which were basically either tuning boxes or remaps. The stock power of the car was 184bhp and 380nm of torque. This was still quite a bit, even compared to a Fortuners engine which has 1000cc more. When I had just bought my car in October the dealership told me that BMW were coming up with a remap for the car, and it would cost a few lacs. We had just bought the car so didn't look into it much.

I started looking at brands like Steinbauer, AC Schnitzer, and Hartge all of which had some good tuning boxes, which controlled the fuelling and the air. So they were almost as good as remaps, and the box could be removed before sending the car in for a service. That was a major concern since I had opted for BSI so that being void would mean a lot of money in the drain. Also looked at some remaps like Superchips, but those involved opening up of the ECU which I was against.

A few months passed by and I got more information on the BMW power kit, and they had a special offer going on in which it was available for 1.4lacs. I went and had a TD of a car which had this installed, and I knew then I had to get this. The car seemed much quicker, more responsive and more refined. Anyway after pondering over it for 2 weeks I decided to get it, and then the dealership sprung a surprise where they said the special offer was over and the price was now 2.1lacs. I was pretty pissed with this and decided to not buy it at that point.

Anyway again in September this year, I decided enough of having a stock car, something had to be done. Now while the other tuning options were just a tuning box or a remap, the BMW power kit changed quite a few parts which were -
- New ECU with remap, made to order for each car.
- New larger intercooler.
- New larger cooling fan, from the 325d.
- New airducts.
- New performance exhaust.

This was obviously going to be better in the long run, since they were taking care of many other parameters which only a software could not. The claimed power figures after the kit were 205bhp and 420 odd nm, but I am sure these are underrated since the car feels like it has more power than that.

So decided to order it this September, and since Infinity had messed up earlier with the price, I stuck to Navnit. The kit took a bit longer than expected to come (Finally ordered it in October and got it in November end). Dropped the car off on a Saturday and was told they would need 2 days to complete the installation. A member who was working there took great care of my car, its a pity for us BMW owners he no longer works there. On the day promised I got the car back.

Now having driven 2 cars with the kit installed I knew what to expect, but after having had the kit for a month I can give better inputs now.

The first thing a 320d owner will notice is that the car is more silent, the engine clatter is much less and it seems smoother. Nothing like the 6 cylinder engines but certainly much more refined than the stock car. As soon as you start driving, the car feels much more responsive. The 320d already had the most responsive engine out of the lot (3, A4 and C) and now its something else. Hardly any turbo lag, and the engine is ready to go as soon as you touch the accelerator.

Get on the move, and the in gear acceleration times seemed to be highly improved. The torque begins around the same point, but doesn't seem to become less until much higher RPMs. Now put your foot even halfway down on a surface which doesn't have great grip, even some concrete roads and you will notice the traction control light blinking. 3rd gear now seems to have the same push as 2nd gear did earlier, and the same for 4th gear.

At higher speeds, say above 100 the car is a different animal altogether. It now just blitzes past a 100 and is at the double ton before you know it. The old car would be 30kmph slower at the same time. The engine feels less stressed at these speeds too.

BMW seems to have tuned the car very well, the power and torque is linear and not very peaky. Yes the turbo push around 2000rpm is very much there and it is massive, but driving the car in traffic is not an issue at all. Also thanks to the extra power the gears now shift up earlier, and the torque converter locks earlier thanks to the gearbox software being updated too. Both of these result in slightly better mileage. Brilliant!

Now earlier, the engine would lose steam after around 3500rpm, like many diesel engines. Now the car pulls to the redline, at 4500rpm without any hesitation, and even sounds much better.

I also don't really have to worry about continuously pushing the car, because the cooling fan and larger intercooler take care of any heat related issues. I am sure they will help in the hot Indian climate too.

Let me get to the performance silencer. It is basically just a less restrictive, and lighter end can. I'm not really sure if, and how much power/torque gain it gives, but those twin pipes sure look better than the stock tailpipe. At idle the exhaust makes no noise, but start driving the car and it does have a throaty roar. It sounds nothing like a petrol, but I heard a 640d going all out the other day, and it does sound pretty similar though not as loud. The power kit is also available without this, and is cheaper by 50k odd then.

To sum it up, this is a must have for any 320d owner who wants more power from their car. With this kit the car will leave a 525d in its dust, yes the 530d is still quicker by a fair margin. It improves the refinement, driveability, fuel efficiency and overall performance. What more do you want?

Yes it does cost a fair amount. Is it worth the amount? Probably not, but then what choice do you have if you want a complete package, which doesn't affect your cars BSI or warranty.

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any doubts.

Here is the link to the ownership report of my car -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...d-pg-23-a.html

Pics of whatever I can manage will be added soon. This pics are before the power kit, and the only exterior change is the twin tailpipes.

[F150]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

the BMW power kit changed quite a few parts which were -
- New ECU with remap, made to order for each car.
- New larger intercooler.
- New larger cooling fan, from the 325d.
- New airducts.
- New performance exhaust.

Is it worth the amount? Probably not, but then what choice do you have if you want a complete package, which doesn't affect your cars BSI or warranty.

Saar, it is definitely worth it.

The list of upgrades is comprehensive and it much better than a remap which would cost around 40 - 50 K.

Is the warranty on the new parts same as the car's warranty or would they have extended as they were installed much late ?

[karan561]

Great review Akshay, im sure this is the first detailed review of the installed 320d powerkit in India & what better place than team-bhp

Plz post pics of the new "twin" muffler tips & if possible video of the exhaust sound on start up & free revs.

PS - It was perfect timing you switched to Michelins PS3's

[Omtoatom]

Splendid report Akshay. The corona rings look gorgeous in that first pic and I couldn't help ogling! Huge testament to the folks at Navnit for tuning the car to a nicety. I know it ain't easy to please you

To borrow your line itself; this is a must have for any 320d owner seeking more power and trust Akshay to do exactly that.

Now when do I get a ride?

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by F150

Saar, it is definitely worth it.

The list of upgrades is comprehensive and it much better than a remap which would cost around 40 - 50 K.

Is the warranty on the new parts same as the car's warranty or would they have extended as they were installed much late ?

I'm sure it could have been cheaper , buttt no point in complaining now lol.

The parts come with a 2 year warranty, but I guess it would be extended to 4 years more till my BSI finishes.

Originally Posted by karan561

Great review Akshay, im sure this is the first detailed review of the installed 320d powerkit in India & what better place than team-bhp

Plz post pics of the new "twin" muffler tips & if possible video of the exhaust sound on start up & free revs.

PS - It was perfect timing you switched to Michelins PS3's

Thanks karan. I'll post pics and try and get a good video of the sound. And you have seen the twin tips.

Terrible timing to switch the PS3s since now I can't afford to slide the tail out.

Originally Posted by Omtoatom

Splendid report Akshay. The corona rings look gorgeous in that first pic and I couldn't help ogling! Huge testament to the folks at Navnit for tuning the car to a nicety. I know it ain't easy to please you

To borrow your line itself; this is a must have for any 320d owner seeking more power and trust Akshay to do exactly that.

Now when do I get a ride?

Thanks buddy. Navnit did do a good job of it, though I guess they couldn't have really messed it up.

It certainly is a must.

Ride anytime.

[rikhav]

Hi Akshay

Where did you drive the car to the double ton?

I feel the modification is worth the price as it offers much more then a ECU remap and mainly does not screw the warranty

[suhaas307]

Excellent!

So you eventually gave in and paid 2 lakhs for it? How much would the tuning-boxes from the other brands cost? Since you said that it's just the tuning box, you'd have to look at other exhaust option + you don't get the larger intercooler + fan. Wouldn't all this add up to 2 lakhs either way? So with the warranty intact, it's sort of a win-win, isn't it?

You mentioned that you've got twin pipes too. Are my eyes deceiving me?

Also, what about the powder-coating job for the wheels? I remember you mentioning that you were interested in doing that?

Bee Tee Dubs, good job on the badge-delete. Looks clean!

EDIT: Something that might interest you. (PICS : Tastefully Modified Cars in India) *winks*

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by rikhav

Hi Akshay

Where did you drive the car to the double ton?

I feel the modification is worth the price as it offers much more then a ECU remap and mainly does not screw the warranty

I'm gonna PM you with that. Would rather not discuss here.

The mods were 100% worth it at 1.4l, but it is a bit pricey IMO.

Originally Posted by suhaas307

Excellent!

So you eventually gave in and paid 2 lakhs for it? How much would the tuning-boxes from the other brands cost? Since you said that it's just the tuning box, you'd have to look at other exhaust option + you don't get the larger intercooler + fan. Wouldn't all this add up to 2 lakhs either way? So with the warranty intact, it's sort of a win-win, isn't it?

You mentioned that you've got twin pipes too. Are my eyes deceiving me?

Also, what about the powder-coating job for the wheels? I remember you mentioning that you were interested in doing that?

Bee Tee Dubs, good job on the badge-delete. Looks clean!

EDIT: Something that might interest you. (PICS : Tastefully Modified Cars in India) *winks*

A little over 2l. Well a good tuning box was around 900 Euros, and another exhaust around 300 pounds. Those would have been substantially cheaper, but when you have to go through the hassle of shipping, duty and warranty I guess this was worth the premium.

I mentioned these pics were before the kit. I'll post pics of the twin pipes soon.

The badge delete happened a long time ago, keeps people guessing whats under the hood. lol

About the wheels, still in the pipeline, dunno when I'll get around to it.

Saw the Autopsyche 330i, looks nice. The M kit is the main mod on that, and at about 2.5l you can guess what I would choose over it.

[AdiSinghV12]

Congrats bro! Going by the list of changes you mentioned it surely looks worth the price... What's coming next?

[Omtoatom]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Well a good tuning box was around 900 Euros, and another exhaust around 300 pounds. Those would have been substantially cheaper, but when you have to go through the hassle of shipping, duty and warranty I guess this was worth the premium.

Buddy, if you look at it GBP 1200 is over a lac right there. I'm thinking shipping, duty etc. would easily make up another 60-70% considering duties alone are hefty. So all things considered, that's hardly any premium especially with your BSI intact. There can be no substitute for peace of mind, isn't it?

Originally Posted by akshay1234

The badge delete happened a long time ago, keeps people guessing whats under the hood. lol

IIRC, the badge delete happened when you got the body kit right. Hadn't you mentioned it in your report?

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by Omtoatom

Buddy, if you look at it GBP 1200 is over a lac right there. I'm thinking shipping, duty etc. would easily make up another 60-70% considering duties alone are hefty. So all things considered, that's hardly any premium especially with your BSI intact. There can be no substitute for peace of mind, isn't it?

IIRC, the badge delete happened when you got the body kit right. Hadn't you mentioned it in your report?

Thats true. I guess I just regret not being able to get it at 1.4l

The badge delete happened before I got the CF bits. It was in anticipation of the power kit

Originally Posted by AdiSinghV12

Congrats bro! Going by the list of changes you mentioned it surely looks worth the price... What's coming next?

Nothing really. The cars great now. Its got enough power, the ride has become better with the PS3s, the handling is still top class. If anything I'll do something to the interior now, maybe change the wood to CF and pick up some BMW performance parts.

[saketa]

Hi Akshay!
Would you mind putting up a small video interior and exterior of how the engine/exhaust sounds now? Is it noticeably different or do you need to pay very close attention to realise that it isnt stock?

[AdiSinghV12]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

If anything I'll do something to the interior now, maybe change the wood to CF and pick up some BMW performance parts.

I drove a 320d CE here in Delhi, it had the BMW Performance steering with LEDs (rev meter, lap timer, etc)... Looked awesome...takes the interior to a different level altogether...gives the true 'sports car' feeling. The owner quoted around 75k. Get that along with the Matt Schnell ashtray gauges (if you don't use the ashtray much lol) and your car would be one of the hottest E90s of Bombay. & The CF instead of wood would certainly look better. Good Luck!!

[Sahil]

Congrats Akshay ! Seems like a good buy. I am glad BMW is offering these powerkits to keep the excitement going for customers. I have always been tempted to get a remap but never got down to it due to the fear and hassle of warranty issues.
They have smartly chosen the 320d for the powerkit as they probably won't launch a 325d here, so essentially they have converted your car into a 325d. Maybe its time to rebadge the car
Do they offer the powerkit for any other models? The 530d perhaps with a 535d upgrade

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by AdiSinghV12

I drove a 320d CE here in Delhi, it had the BMW Performance steering with LEDs (rev meter, lap timer, etc)... Looked awesome...takes the interior to a different level altogether...gives the true 'sports car' feeling. The owner quoted around 75k. Get that along with the Matt Schnell ashtray gauges (if you don't use the ashtray much lol) and your car would be one of the hottest E90s of Bombay. & The CF instead of wood would certainly look better. Good Luck!!

Oh man that steering wheel is beautiful. Will check out these gauges, but I wanna get CF on the interior asap.

Originally Posted by Sahil

Congrats Akshay ! Seems like a good buy. I am glad BMW is offering these powerkits to keep the excitement going for customers. I have always been tempted to get a remap but never got down to it due to the fear and hassle of warranty issues.
They have smartly chosen the 320d for the powerkit as they probably won't launch a 325d here, so essentially they have converted your car into a 325d. Maybe its time to rebadge the car
Do they offer the powerkit for any other models? The 530d perhaps with a 535d upgrade

Thanks bro. Yeah great of BMW to cash in on the accessories market with things like this

Well the powerkits are only available for a handful of engines, and in diesels its only this 2.0 diesel which gets it. There are a couple of petrol engines like the 35i's which get these. A 530d with a similar upgrade would be brutal.