[stevehecht]

Originally Posted by Ictus

Boxes that connects to just only common rail sucks! Use boxes with connection to injectors or Performance power kit.

I know that the Kelleners module works directly with the injectors, what they call "the main injection time". http://www.kelleners-sport.com/downl...n_englisch.pdf. Do the other high-end tuner boxes work in the same way?

Both tuning boxes and ECU mapping have their pros and cons. After coming across an excellent company/website called Promotec out of South Africa I've decided, at least while the car is still on warranty, to go with a high-end tuning box. That category would not include RaceChip or BMS, but would include Kellener, Hartge, Schnitzer (too many $$$), or Promotec. This decision is based on this statement from the Promotec FAQ page:

Piggy-back and plug-and-play systems, inherently by nature, cannot provide the same level of control and therefore cannot match the results [as ECU mapping], although some high end versions come very close. However, some "cheap and nasty" plug-in systems also have the risk of causing damage to a vehicle. BE WARNED - If it's too cheap and easy, you will end up paying more later by fixing the damage it does.

http://www.promotec.co.za/faqs.html

This is an interesting and short thread from S.A. with someone from Promotec commenting:

Why do you think that Hartge, Alpina, Schnitzer, Kelleners and Promotec are using the very same hardware BUT NOT Racechip?

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=48478

I take that hardware to be this:

Promotec signed a development contract with Germany's top of the list manufacturer for Multichannel Plug'n Play Piggyback Systems in the BMW tuning sector and offer from now on their own Plug'n Play System!

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=46877

Does anyone know anything about this "Multichannel Plug 'n Play Piggyback System" or what he might be referring to?

Here is Promotec's FAQ page, whichI found to be remarkably honest. That makes me trust their integrity: http://www.promotec.co.za/faqs.html

This is another informative page on tuner staging: http://www.promotec.co.za/tuning-stages.html Whoever he is, this guy knows how to write.

Edit: My jury is still out on the JBD. I tend to be a believer in "you get what you pay for," and--no disrespect to BMS--I will presume for now that the "high-end" boxes are kinder to the engine and to the environment. But before I buy I will do my due diligence to make sure the difference is real.