After reading about the 2005 ECU Tweaks, I am assuming that BMW/Mini went back and modified the tables in the ECU to bring out the extra 7hp/5ft.lbs of torque. If this is the case, I am wondering what this does to the aftermarket ECU market. Since all of the ECU manufacturers that I am aware are modifying the tables (i.e. air/fuel ratios.....), and most of them are probably averaging around the 7hp/5ft. lbs. does this really screw up the market right now? I know that the aftermarket units are also smoothing out the power delivery as well. But if the two main factors to purchase a chip are power increase and smoothness, and the new factory chip is increasing the power, then is $750 worth it for smoothness?

Does everyone else think that this is going to turn the ECU market upside down a little?

 

It does not look now as though the new ECU will be the main reason for the hp/torque gains.

Here's info about the new gearing.

Here's info about the new supercharger.

Probably boosts a bit, but I'd guess the main tweak is to take better advantage of those two changes.

 

Does anyone know if this new ECU software version is compatible with the older MINI ECUs?
If so that would be bad for the ECU aftermarket. And also trouble for the dealership with owners of older MINIs wanting to get the latest version of ECU software installed.

I know my dealership wanted $150 for the software update if I didn't have any trouble with stumble or yo-yo.
But wait, it the newest software really does give this power gain and is compatible with the older MINIs then the $150 will seem like a bargain compared to $500-$730 for an aftermarket ECU program.

Plus the new ECU software is MINI approved and not anything that would void the ECU warranty- that's pretty good too.

 

>>It does not look now as though the new ECU will be the main reason for the hp/torque gains.
>>
>>Here's info about the new gearing.
>>
>>Here's info about the new supercharger.
>>
>>Probably boosts a bit, but I'd guess the main tweak is to take better advantage of those two changes.

The gearing won't add any hp/torque and the supercharger only adds some more power at the lower rpm ranges, not the peak hp/torque that Mini is claiming. Therefore at this point it seems that all the extra peak hp/torque is coming from the ECU tuning.

Maybe this is the JCW chip tuning. At this point the JCW is looking less of a good deal. With the chip tuning and 5th gen eaton coming on the stock '05, all you are really getting is a head, pulley and exhaust.

 

I disagree. The gearing will change acceleration, but not torque and power. The coating on the supercharger is the same coating on the JCW and from that we know it does very little if anything for power. So it can't be the gearing and/or supercharger.