My 335i Coupe down on power??

jaqdripper · 06-14-2007, 12:53 AM

Hey fellas.

I took delivery of my 335i 6-speed coupe over a month ago. For the first 1000 miles I did a "factory recommended" break-in: watching my maximum revs and varying the rpms. Throughout the break-in period I used only Shell 91 octane. Every once in a while I would dip my right foot into it just a bit, to see what it felt like when those turbos spooled up. Itnitially I was shocked by the speed by which the wave of tourque came on, and remember thinking that this was a car you could get to ludicrous speeds in very quickly. The only car I have ever driven that had more grunt on immediate tap is my father's Maserati Coupe Cambriocorsa with 395 ponies.

Once that 1001st mile passed, I started having some fun. The power and torque were fantastic, slamming you back in your seat.

Now however, the car seems not to deliver that same sort of punch - especially in 1st gear. The only thing I have changed is the addition of an octane booster along with the shell gas on every tankful.

Is it possible that the octane booster is not agreeing with the turbos? Or perhhaps there is something more wrong. 0-60 runs are taking longer (I used to race, so my shifting isn't a factor). What else could be the problem?

Thanks,

Rob

Cadillac Johnson · 06-14-2007, 01:06 AM

What kind of octane booster are you using? Some of them will leave a gummy substance on the spark plugs. You could also do a leak down test to check the compression.

More than likely though, your just used to the power, and it doesn't feel as fast anymore.

chbrules · 06-14-2007, 01:07 AM

Or perhaps you're just going crazy?

Go get it dyno'ed if you're so worried.

E90ice · 06-14-2007, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaqdripper

Hey fellas.

I took delivery of my 335i 6-speed coupe over a month ago. For the first 1000 miles I did a "factory recommended" break-in: watching my maximum revs and varying the rpms. Throughout the break-in period I used only Shell 91 octane. Every once in a while I would dip my right foot into it just a bit, to see what it felt like when those turbos spooled up. Itnitially I was shocked by the speed by which the wave of tourque came on, and remember thinking that this was a car you could get to ludicrous speeds in very quickly. The only car I have ever driven that had more grunt on immediate tap is my father's Maserati Coupe Cambriocorsa with 395 ponies.

Once that 1001st mile passed, I started having some fun. The power and torque were fantastic, slamming you back in your seat.

Now however, the car seems not to deliver that same sort of punch - especially in 1st gear. The only thing I have changed is the addition of an octane booster along with the shell gas on every tankful.

Is it possible that the octane booster is not agreeing with the turbos? Or perhhaps there is something more wrong. 0-60 runs are taking longer (I used to race, so my shifting isn't a factor). What else could be the problem?

Thanks,

Rob

The octane booster will make your car slower. There was a thread on this subject not too long ago.

Our cars are made for 91-93 Premuil Fuel...and if I'm not mistaken, any higher octane than that will cause the knock sensor to interfere causing your car te be slower....

consult this thread for more info:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=octane

RiXst3r · 06-14-2007, 08:02 AM

octane booster can make a stock car seem slower, because it makes the fuel harder to burn.. you only want it if you up the boost, and want to avoid pinging

STE92VE · 06-14-2007, 08:04 AM

If you were satisfied with your cars performance, why would you change what you were doing by adding the booster?

turbotko · 06-14-2007, 08:17 AM

Holy cow, so much misinformation.

No, an octane booster will not "make your car slower"...........and it probably didn't actually raise the octane of the fuel any measurable amount. Any over the counter octane booster that you buy in a can will only raise the octane a couple of points at best. When I say a couple of points I mean going from 91 octane to maybe 91.3 or 91.4. It's a complete waste of money IMO. If you really want to raise the octane of your fuel, you need to mix some unleaded race gas into the tank. A 50/50 mix of 100 octane race fuel and 91 pump gas will give you a 95.5 octane in the tank. THIS WILL NOT MAKE YOUR CAR SLOWER!!! More than likely it will make the car faster if the DME has been pulling timing due to knock.

I think you are experiencing a classic case of getting used to the power. For example: I bought a new kawasaki ZX6R 6 months ago. The thing was scary fast........I mean take my breath away fast for the first couple of months. Now I run it to redline through a couple of gears and it feels slow because I'm used to it. I really though something was wrong with the bike, until I pulled away from my buddies GSXR 750.

If you really think it's down on power, take it to a dyno!

noro · 06-14-2007, 08:18 AM

Adding octane booster to cars that experience no detonation is plain dumb, just a waste of your precious dollars... or euros.. or whatever.

DCJAX · 06-14-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

octane booster can make a stock car seem slower, because it makes the fuel harder to burn.. you only want it if you up the boost, and want to avoid pinging

+1, increasing your octane above the designed level won't net any gain, it might have even have a very slight powerloss (.1hp maybe). A stock car should not be knocking, so it is just a waste of money.

plus I question the quality of that stuff. It must be full of junk that might cause the ECU to change some things around.

sflgator · 06-14-2007, 09:24 AM

Get the PROcede and it will never feel slow ever again.

All kidding aside, it's probably just b/c you're just used to it now.

AR230WAKEBOARDER · 06-14-2007, 09:30 AM

It is getting really hot here(115+),even w/procede starting to feel slow =(

Revlis · 06-14-2007, 11:14 AM

Hot Air = Less Density = Less Power. Won't effect Boosted vehicles as much as N/A vehicles, but it still has an effect.

Most likely you just got used to it. Go hop in a Buddies car drive it around for a few miles, THEN get back in your 335. All will be well.

We adjust to speed fairly quickly, get used to just how nice the interior is etc. Go drive an Integra for 30 minutes or so and you'll see just how nice your car is when you get back.

mesier1111 · 06-14-2007, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaqdripper

Hey fellas.

I took delivery of my 335i 6-speed coupe over a month ago. For the first 1000 miles I did a "factory recommended" break-in: watching my maximum revs and varying the rpms. Throughout the break-in period I used only Shell 91 octane. Every once in a while I would dip my right foot into it just a bit, to see what it felt like when those turbos spooled up. Itnitially I was shocked by the speed by which the wave of tourque came on, and remember thinking that this was a car you could get to ludicrous speeds in very quickly. The only car I have ever driven that had more grunt on immediate tap is my father's Maserati Coupe Cambriocorsa with 395 ponies.

Once that 1001st mile passed, I started having some fun. The power and torque were fantastic, slamming you back in your seat.

Now however, the car seems not to deliver that same sort of punch - especially in 1st gear. The only thing I have changed is the addition of an octane booster along with the shell gas on every tankful.

Is it possible that the octane booster is not agreeing with the turbos? Or perhhaps there is something more wrong. 0-60 runs are taking longer (I used to race, so my shifting isn't a factor). What else could be the problem?

Thanks,

Rob

Happaned to my car too..........right before the fuel pump dies. Hope that is not the case for you........

eshoukry93 · 06-14-2007, 01:07 PM

That's funny because I'm experiencing the EXACT same thing, but I think it's because I'm getting used to the power like others have suggested.

I just returned an e90 325 loaner car (which felt incredibly slow), so I'll give mine the juice again and see if it still feels fast.

sflgator · 06-14-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eshoukry93

That's funny because I'm experiencing the EXACT same thing, but I think it's because I'm getting used to the power like others have suggested.

I just returned an e90 325 loaner car (which felt incredibly slow), so I'll give mine the juice again and see if it still feels fast.

Funny, b/c when I drove a stock 335i as a loaner for a day, it felt slow right after dropping off my PROcede 335i...it's a matter of perspective.

scottp999 · 06-14-2007, 01:42 PM

Getting used to the speed! I did, even with Procede. I put the car in the garage and have been driving my corolla to work the last 2 days. I am sure it will feel like a monster again when I park the corolla tonight through the weekend.

jaqdripper · 06-14-2007, 06:53 PM

Maybe I am just getting used to the power. Wish I had timed a 0-60 launch before experiencing this subjective sense of power loss.

Do any of you guys know of a good place in LA to have the car dynoed?

R

BJG1968 · 06-14-2007, 08:19 PM

Mine has just passed the 1200 mile break in, and mine feels like just the opposite. I did the recomended break in 95% of the time although I did have to put a WRX in his place at 600 miles. Seems to pull a little harder and smoother now. Let the higher revs begin. Probably like everyone else has mentioned you're just getting used to it.

Cadillac Johnson · 06-14-2007, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revlis

Hot Air = Less Density = Less Power. Won't effect Boosted vehicles as much as N/A vehicles, but it still has an effect.

Actualy FI motors are effected more than NA motors. Hot air or thin air (high altitude) will hurt a FI motor much more than an NA motor.

Ask someone who owns a FI car that lives in Colorado or Nevada and I'm sure they can tell you all about it.

BJG1968 · 06-14-2007, 09:00 PM

I traded a 03 M3 with SMG in on my 335 sedan, the elevation where I live is around 4900 ft. I would bet my house on it that my 335 would take the M3 in Colorado. At sea level not sure, never drove it out of the state. Figure at least a 3% loss in actual horse power for every thousand feet.

trick50 · 06-14-2007, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaqdripper

Maybe I am just getting used to the power. Wish I had timed a 0-60 launch before experiencing this subjective sense of power loss.

Do any of you guys know of a good place in LA to have the car dynoed?

R

The octane booster will definetly make the car feel slower and i am also willing to bet that your gas mileage is suffering...There is no reason for added octane without added air or spark...Just stick to what the owners manual says unless you start heavily modding and the additional octane is necessary.

2e9x's · 06-15-2007, 07:45 AM

I would be really interested in seeing some proof that higher octane will cut power...there is no mechanical reason in the world for that. Octane is a measure of the gas' resistance to detonation. The higher the octane the less chance of detonation. The knock sensor will not sense detonation so it will allow timing to go to full advance and mixture to go full lean thereby allowing the car to make its max hp. Lower octane will force the computer to cut those parameters back and thus reduce hp.

Octane booster, on the other hand, is a really bad idea. I had a 300zx twin turbo with a chip and high boost. I put octane booster in a few times but the performance kept getting worse and worse. I finally pulled the plugs and they were coated with a slime film. Changed the plugs and voila...all was well.

Do not use Octane booster. If you are really interested in upping your octane then try some of the Union 76 Unleaded Race Gas that can be found some places. At $7-8 per gallon it is not cheap.

In LA, there used to be a place in Northridge called LA Performance Depot (LAPD) that had a dyno. I don't know if they are still there or not, but you should check them out.

06-14-2007, 12:53 AM	#1
jaqdripper Enlisted Member 2 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe 6MT Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	My 335i Coupe down on power?? Hey fellas. I took delivery of my 335i 6-speed coupe over a month ago. For the first 1000 miles I did a "factory recommended" break-in: watching my maximum revs and varying the rpms. Throughout the break-in period I used only Shell 91 octane. Every once in a while I would dip my right foot into it just a bit, to see what it felt like when those turbos spooled up. Itnitially I was shocked by the speed by which the wave of tourque came on, and remember thinking that this was a car you could get to ludicrous speeds in very quickly. The only car I have ever driven that had more grunt on immediate tap is my father's Maserati Coupe Cambriocorsa with 395 ponies. Once that 1001st mile passed, I started having some fun. The power and torque were fantastic, slamming you back in your seat. Now however, the car seems not to deliver that same sort of punch - especially in 1st gear. The only thing I have changed is the addition of an octane booster along with the shell gas on every tankful. Is it possible that the octane booster is not agreeing with the turbos? Or perhhaps there is something more wrong. 0-60 runs are taking longer (I used to race, so my shifting isn't a factor). What else could be the problem? Thanks, Rob
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06-14-2007, 01:06 AM	#2
Cadillac Johnson Free taco with stolen base 28 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 335i? GTR? RS5? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (0)	What kind of octane booster are you using? Some of them will leave a gummy substance on the spark plugs. You could also do a leak down test to check the compression. More than likely though, your just used to the power, and it doesn't feel as fast anymore.
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06-14-2007, 01:07 AM	#3
chbrules MSVConrad++ 54 Rep 778 Posts Drives: E90 2006 325i \| E92 2007 335i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Peaches iTrader: (0)	Or perhaps you're just going crazy? Go get it dyno'ed if you're so worried. __________________ -Me
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06-14-2007, 08:02 AM	#5
RiXst3r 274 Rep 6,510 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ohio iTrader: (14)	octane booster can make a stock car seem slower, because it makes the fuel harder to burn.. you only want it if you up the boost, and want to avoid pinging
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06-14-2007, 08:04 AM	#6
STE92VE STEVIL Empire 218 Rep 6,297 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	If you were satisfied with your cars performance, why would you change what you were doing by adding the booster? __________________ 2007 E92 328i 6MT-Space Gray/Black Dakota/Gray Poplar w/heated seats-PCD 4/27/07 (SOLD) 2009 E90 328i xDrive 6AT-Space Gray/Oyster Dakota/Dark Burl Walnut w/ZPP,ZCW,Xenons-ED 4/17/09 - Redelivery 5/30/09 (SOLD) 2014 E84 xDrive28i 8AT-Alpine White/Black Nevada/Silver Matte w/ZMV,ZLP,494 - DD 3/14/14 (SOLD)
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06-14-2007, 08:17 AM	#7
turbotko Lieutenant 67 Rep 527 Posts Drives: 09 E90 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: georgia iTrader: (3)	Holy cow, so much misinformation. No, an octane booster will not "make your car slower"...........and it probably didn't actually raise the octane of the fuel any measurable amount. Any over the counter octane booster that you buy in a can will only raise the octane a couple of points at best. When I say a couple of points I mean going from 91 octane to maybe 91.3 or 91.4. It's a complete waste of money IMO. If you really want to raise the octane of your fuel, you need to mix some unleaded race gas into the tank. A 50/50 mix of 100 octane race fuel and 91 pump gas will give you a 95.5 octane in the tank. THIS WILL NOT MAKE YOUR CAR SLOWER!!! More than likely it will make the car faster if the DME has been pulling timing due to knock. I think you are experiencing a classic case of getting used to the power. For example: I bought a new kawasaki ZX6R 6 months ago. The thing was scary fast........I mean take my breath away fast for the first couple of months. Now I run it to redline through a couple of gears and it feels slow because I'm used to it. I really though something was wrong with the bike, until I pulled away from my buddies GSXR 750. If you really think it's down on power, take it to a dyno! __________________ 10 AW on fox E90 M3 with 2 pedals, gentleman’s ride 08 AW on fox E92 M3 also 2 pedals, a bit more rowdy
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06-14-2007, 08:18 AM	#8
noro Colonel 90 Rep 2,707 Posts Drives: '91 M3, '04 E46 ZHP, '72 2002 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Adding octane booster to cars that experience no detonation is plain dumb, just a waste of your precious dollars... or euros.. or whatever. __________________ zhpregistry.net - ZHP stats and free classifieds.
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06-14-2007, 09:24 AM	#10
sflgator Major General 148 Rep 5,389 Posts Drives: '09 MB C63 AMG & '08 MB GL450 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: U.S. iTrader: (1)	Get the PROcede and it will never feel slow ever again. All kidding aside, it's probably just b/c you're just used to it now. __________________ \|2009 RENNtech MB C63 AMG \| Black/Black Leather/Black Maple \| Premium II \| MultiMedia \| iPod \| \| TeleAid \| Charcoal Filter Delete \| BMC High-Flow Air Filters \| High-Flow Secondary Cats \| Clear Side Markers \|
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06-14-2007, 09:30 AM	#11
AR230WAKEBOARDER Private First Class 4 Rep 144 Posts Drives: MONTEGO BLUE 335I Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Why? iTrader: (0)	It is getting really hot here(115+),even w/procede starting to feel slow =(
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06-14-2007, 11:14 AM	#12
Revlis Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free! 157 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: M4 i3 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	Hot Air = Less Density = Less Power. Won't effect Boosted vehicles as much as N/A vehicles, but it still has an effect. Most likely you just got used to it. Go hop in a Buddies car drive it around for a few miles, THEN get back in your 335. All will be well. We adjust to speed fairly quickly, get used to just how nice the interior is etc. Go drive an Integra for 30 minutes or so and you'll see just how nice your car is when you get back. __________________ A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
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06-14-2007, 01:07 PM	#14
eshoukry93 e92 Arrived 5/12 6 Rep 86 Posts Drives: e92 BS 335i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	That's funny because I'm experiencing the EXACT same thing, but I think it's because I'm getting used to the power like others have suggested. I just returned an e90 325 loaner car (which felt incredibly slow), so I'll give mine the juice again and see if it still feels fast.
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06-14-2007, 01:42 PM	#16
scottp999 Brigadier General 133 Rep 4,764 Posts Drives: 4runner SR5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 BMW 335 [9.00]	Getting used to the speed! I did, even with Procede. I put the car in the garage and have been driving my corolla to work the last 2 days. I am sure it will feel like a monster again when I park the corolla tonight through the weekend.
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06-14-2007, 06:53 PM	#17
jaqdripper Enlisted Member 2 Rep 41 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe 6MT Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the responses, guys Maybe I am just getting used to the power. Wish I had timed a 0-60 launch before experiencing this subjective sense of power loss. Do any of you guys know of a good place in LA to have the car dynoed? R
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06-14-2007, 08:19 PM	#18
BJG1968 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 335i sedan. Join Date: May 2007 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	Mine has just passed the 1200 mile break in, and mine feels like just the opposite. I did the recomended break in 95% of the time although I did have to put a WRX in his place at 600 miles. Seems to pull a little harder and smoother now. Let the higher revs begin. Probably like everyone else has mentioned you're just getting used to it.
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06-14-2007, 09:00 PM	#20
BJG1968 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 335i sedan. Join Date: May 2007 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I traded a 03 M3 with SMG in on my 335 sedan, the elevation where I live is around 4900 ft. I would bet my house on it that my 335 would take the M3 in Colorado. At sea level not sure, never drove it out of the state. Figure at least a 3% loss in actual horse power for every thousand feet.
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06-15-2007, 07:45 AM	#22
2e9x's Major 50 Rep 1,137 Posts Drives: 335i ED 7/07 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: A Sunny Place iTrader: (2)	I would be really interested in seeing some proof that higher octane will cut power...there is no mechanical reason in the world for that. Octane is a measure of the gas' resistance to detonation. The higher the octane the less chance of detonation. The knock sensor will not sense detonation so it will allow timing to go to full advance and mixture to go full lean thereby allowing the car to make its max hp. Lower octane will force the computer to cut those parameters back and thus reduce hp. Octane booster, on the other hand, is a really bad idea. I had a 300zx twin turbo with a chip and high boost. I put octane booster in a few times but the performance kept getting worse and worse. I finally pulled the plugs and they were coated with a slime film. Changed the plugs and voila...all was well. Do not use Octane booster. If you are really interested in upping your octane then try some of the Union 76 Unleaded Race Gas that can be found some places. At $7-8 per gallon it is not cheap. In LA, there used to be a place in Northridge called LA Performance Depot (LAPD) that had a dyno. I don't know if they are still there or not, but you should check them out.
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