Issues with the BMW Performance Power Kit for 320d?

[salloom]

To be frank I'm a very careful driver (for now) as I'm running my car in:
1-I'm ONLY driving on Eco-Mode
2-I do not exceed 2,500RPM
3- 90% of my commute distance is early morning (i.e. 6:30AM) and early evening (5:30PM) on DUKE, cruising at about 100kph with very little traffic. Almost no city traffic

That's how I'm about to get 950kms on my tank. But this is of course quite an exception.

Once PPK is installed I will probably use Eco much less and drive more aggressively -more of a real case scenario. I'm curious how this will affect the FC. I will update you upon my second tank with PPK.

Cheers!

 

[c-square]

Guys, do you experience this issue with your F30 320d where when you abruptly stomp on the gas paddle (eg during an emergency situation when you need instantaneous torque to kick in to pull the car out of harms way after you swerve into another lane*) and to find that there is a "significant" 1 - 1.5 second lag (turbo lag?) before the car lurch forward? I find this seemingly "delayed" throttle response a real safety concern and am wandering whether your stock 320d also has the same problem and whether PPK does help to eliminate this problem.

* this lag in throttle response have given me a few scares but luckily I was able to get out of the situation just in time. The other while I was cruising along minding my own business, the car in front of me suddenly jammed on the brakes, so I had to do the same and because I sensed the car behind me won't be able to stop in time, I swiftly changed lane and stomped on the gas paddle to in an attempt to pull away from the approaching car in the next lane that I went into. However because of the said "lag" I was not able to pull away instantaneously and the approaching car had to brake hard to avoid rear-ending me (which I do apologise but I had no choice to do such a maneuver).

 

[andysia]

Guys, do you experience this issue with your F30 320d where when you abruptly stomp on the gas paddle (eg during an emergency situation when you need instantaneous torque to kick in to pull the car out of harms way after you swerve into another lane*) and to find that there is a "significant" 1 - 1.5 second lag (turbo lag?) before the car lurch forward? I find this seemingly "delayed" throttle response a real safety concern and am wandering whether your stock 320d also has the same problem and whether PPK does help to eliminate this problem.

From my experience, PPK does reduce the turbo lag ... If you drive in sports mode, no such thing as turbo lag for 320d ... power is instant at low speed or high speed :67:

 

[alantiong]

Guys, do you experience this issue with your F30 320d where when you abruptly stomp on the gas paddle (eg during an emergency situation when you need instantaneous torque to kick in to pull the car out of harms way after you swerve into another lane*) and to find that there is a "significant" 1 - 1.5 second lag (turbo lag?) before the car lurch forward? I find this seemingly "delayed" throttle response a real safety concern and am wandering whether your stock 320d also has the same problem and whether PPK does help to eliminate this problem.

* this lag in throttle response have given me a few scares but luckily I was able to get out of the situation just in time. The other while I was cruising along minding my own business, the car in front of me suddenly jammed on the brakes, so I had to do the same and because I sensed the car behind me won't be able to stop in time, I swiftly changed lane and stomped on the gas paddle to in an attempt to pull away from the approaching car in the next lane that I went into. However because of the said "lag" I was not able to pull away instantaneously and the approaching car had to brake hard to avoid rear-ending me (which I do apologise but I had no choice to do such a maneuver).

C-square, i believe you are mixing up "throttle delay (dynamic traction control)" with turbo lag. 320D has almost no turbo lag especially with the kick down switch. firstly, make sure there is nothing between your pedal and kick down switch. if you put additional mat, it always sangkut. so just check..

secondly, if you swerved and throttle, throttle will be delayed as this is to prevent from breaking traction. this control by steering angle sensor. it will only start to throttle once the steering is returning back to center. it will behave differently if u throttle and then turn ur steering..

if i may put it bluntly, there is nothing wrong with the car.. just have to learn to drive it as how it is design. it is never "right" to pull (or throttle the car in your case) the car out of harms way.. trust me.. you may think its logical.. and cool to do so.. but i have enough of my share while doing this on track. the best way to get out of trouble is off throttle..

 

[c-square]

Bro, thanks for the insight.... but even without any steering action, say driving on a straight road (so the traction control system shouldn't need to come in play) and I suddenly step more on the throttle (but not yet hitting the kickdown switch) I can still experience the so-called "delayed throttle response" for about 1 - 1.5 seconds before the car pulls away.

C-square, i believe you are mixing up "throttle delay (dynamic traction control)" with turbo lag. 320D has almost no turbo lag especially with the kick down switch. firstly, make sure there is nothing between your pedal and kick down switch. if you put additional mat, it always sangkut. so just check..

secondly, if you swerved and throttle, throttle will be delayed as this is to prevent from breaking traction. this control by steering angle sensor. it will only start to throttle once the steering is returning back to center. it will behave differently if u throttle and then turn ur steering..

if i may put it bluntly, there is nothing wrong with the car.. just have to learn to drive it as how it is design. it is never "right" to pull (or throttle the car in your case) the car out of harms way.. trust me.. you may think its logical.. and cool to do so.. but i have enough of my share while doing this on track. the best way to get out of trouble is off throttle..

 

[joonsuan]

Bro, thanks for the insight.... but even without any steering action, say driving on a straight road (so the traction control system shouldn't need to come in play) and I suddenly step more on the throttle (but not yet hitting the kickdown switch) I can still experience the so-called "delayed throttle response" for about 1 - 1.5 seconds before the car pulls away.

In D mode, there is throttle delay built in to provide a smoother and linear drive characteristic. Usually in this mode, initiating a kickdown is best done by depressing the throttle all the way down and click. For more immediate response, switch to DS or Sport mode.

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[Mavik]

Bro, thanks for the insight.... but even without any steering action, say driving on a straight road (so the traction control system shouldn't need to come in play) and I suddenly step more on the throttle (but not yet hitting the kickdown switch) I can still experience the so-called "delayed throttle response" for about 1 - 1.5 seconds before the car pulls away.

Before your F30, have you driven other continental cars? I know from experience with other owners such as Volkswagen and also Peugeot, after coming from say Japanese and local makes, they tend to have the same complain. Somewhere along the line initially when I owned my first VW and first conti, I had the same question and someone once told me that is part of the EU safety regulation (which I tried to research and couldn't find).

Later after driving conti cars for about 4 years now, I have gotten completely used to it and have no trouble getting out of corners and a straight road. Basically my right foot gotten used to the point on where I depress on my accelerator pedal and I know when the car will react and surge forward.

 

[Mavik]

Also to eliminate this problem or have a faster response, I know some members here use Pedal Box or some sort of that name to ensure you don't have that throttle lag.

But like JoonSuan mentioned, DSC off and in DS mode, it comes on fairly fast

 

[joonsuan]

Mavik, DSC off mode is only for the experienced and hardcore lah...

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[c-square]

Correct me if I am wrong but I think the petrol version doesn't appear to have such a pronounced lag in throttle response. I draw such "conclusion" from my feeble recollection of my previous E36, Volvo and experiences with my friend's E46 and F30 (although admittedly the F30 is a 328i).

Oh yes, I also have the pedalbox which I just recently removed (because sending my car in for service, don't want to give BMW the excuse to void my warranty) but just to share, with the pedalbox on Sports +3 setting, I can still feel the lag although it is reduced a little compared to stock. That's why I was enquiring whether the PPK can eliminate the lag altogether. Hehe.

 

[Mavik]

Interesting, you have all of that and still get that lag. I think best is should let some friends who also drive the same car test drive your car. You are welcome to test out my car if you are joining the group for the outing this weekend.

http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/newforums/index.php?/topic/36850-weeknd-breakfast-and-f22-test-drive/

 

[c-square]

cool... but you all drive fast-fast, I scared. Hehe

 

[salloom]

Sorry to say guys, call it what you want but there is indeed a severe, almost dangerous "lag", "delay" to launch in our diesels. I was just two days back faced with a scary situation where I wanted to quickly launch the car out of a roundabout as a car was approaching and the delay in response, or lag (or whatever you call it) almost caused a massive accident.

This is typical of diesel engines. Under 1,500RPM, diesel engines are almost empty, breathless and irresponsive until the turbocharger pumps in compressed air.

Diesel engines are known to not be strong "racing" cars. The reason is the "sweet spot" band it too narrow, despite new turbochargers. Anywhere below 1,500/1,700RPM and above 3,800RPM, our engines are extremely weak. And that's why you don't have diesel F1, NASCAR, Rally cars.

Please make sure you drive accordingly. And yes, you are right, BMW's diesels have a very dangerous delay. I've driven (in France) for 2 years a Peugeot HDi and a VW TDI. They do have "lag", but not as significant as our 320d, even if you slam the pedal.

As a matter of fact, slamming the pedal from an immobile position is extremely dangerous. However, if you are already coasting above 1,500/1,700RPM, that's when you have excellent linear acceleration.

It's ok to say our diesels have faults...

 

[Mavik]

Sorry to say guys, call it what you want but there is indeed a severe, almost dangerous "lag", "delay" to launch in our diesels. I was just two days back faced with a scary situation where I wanted to quickly launch the car out of a roundabout as a car was approaching and the delay in response, or lag (or whatever you call it) almost caused a massive accident.

This is typical of diesel engines. Under 1,500RPM, diesel engines are almost empty, breathless and irresponsive until the turbocharger pumps in compressed air.

Diesel engines are known to not be strong "racing" cars. The reason is the "sweet spot" band it too narrow, despite new turbochargers. Anywhere below 1,500/1,700RPM and above 3,800RPM, our engines are extremely weak. And that's why you don't have diesel F1, NASCAR, Rally cars.

Please make sure you drive accordingly. And yes, you are right, BMW's diesels have a very dangerous delay. I've driven (in France) for 2 years a Peugeot HDi and a VW TDI. They do have "lag", but not as significant as our 320d, even if you slam the pedal.

As a matter of fact, slamming the pedal from an immobile position is extremely dangerous. However, if you are already coasting above 1,500/1,700RPM, that's when you have excellent linear acceleration.

It's ok to say our diesels have faults...

Ok now I am very curious, would you allow me test drive your car to experience this lag? Honestly I don't have any issues with this at all on my E90 320d. I do agree with you that there are no diesels in F1, NASCAR and Rally as I do agree with you that the band is short (I drive my diesel on the track to know exactly what you mean) but there are other types of Motorsport competition where diesels are making an impression especially the endurance races such as the Le Mans etc...etc...

Previously when I test drove the f30 320d I never faced this issue so I am very curious indeed. Otherwise I might get a test drive car this weekend if possible from Wheelcorp to check it out.

 

[salloom]

Try this out: stop at a red light. For a minute or two (simulate a real world situation).
Once it turns green, slam the fuel pedal.
See what happens ;-)

 

[_M_]

cool... but you all drive fast-fast, I scared. Hehe

Bro, only fast fast if u wanna chase the lead cars. If not, it's a cruise at your own leisure & comfort level. The sweeper will not cocok u.. come and experience it. Fast vs leisure.. joy wins

 

[patlee]

totally disagreed with what sallom comment . after driving 1/2 years F30 320D definitely no turbo lag or maybe there's a minimal but you never able to feel it ..

 

[patlee]

in comfort mode , it is a lag for gear to kick-down , but it apply to petrol as well , that's why if you need immediate power and response for overtake ,
alwalys use sport-mode or DS gear

 

[joonsuan]

The 320d has variable geometry turbine and starts spooling up at around 1,500 rpm and provides boost from 1,750 rpm. Definitely minimal lag in my experience.

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[Mavik]

Try this out: stop at a red light. For a minute or two (simulate a real world situation).
Once it turns green, slam the fuel pedal.
See what happens ;-)

Car accelerates fast and once it hits 2700rpm the power kicks in. Well that is for my car which is tuned for higher top end power


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