MarkD M42 Chip installed

[mjc85]

I usually run 95/96 octane petrol, but occasionally 98 octane. Is there a MarkD chip that would suit the petrol here in Australia ? To buy a chip locally they are like $1000 AUD (650USD) and i can't see the point in spending that. 200USD sounds more reasonable

[peteM3power]

I usually run 95/96 octane petrol, but occasionally 98 octane. Is there a MarkD chip that would suit the petrol here in Australia ? To buy a chip locally they are like $1000 AUD (650USD) and i can't see the point in spending that. 200USD sounds more reasonable

Yes, there sure is a chip to suit our fuel. I just recently fitted MarkD's M42 chip and the results are just awesome! The chip I think requires around 96 Octane (I use between 96-98 Octane myself) and overall, the engine just feels much more lively!

The main things that I have noticed change have been the fact that it revs much more freely, the rev range and redline are both increased, the power comes on earlier, it feels as though there is heaps more power up top (particularly over 4000rpm) and while I haven't really checked the fuel consumption with the chip (I've only driven the car for around 50-100km with it fitted), it seems like the fuel consumption has stayed if not dropped from what it initially was. The idle has also remained unchanged.

I was going to post my reports of it earlier but didn't get around to it and if I had to summarise it in brief, I would say that it is definately a must have for those wanting a cost effective gain in engine performance. On the whole, Mark is a great guy to deal with, he helped answer all of my questions and I'm sure he would be only to happy to answer yours as well.

If you have a 318iS or any E30 that Mark covers, shoot him a PM and ask about his chips! They are really that good!

Hope this helps,

Pete.

[mjc85]

Thanks for that pete, yes i do have a 1990 318is, how much did the chip set you back ?

[peteM3power]

mjc85, sounds like this is exactly the chip for you then! Check your PM for more details.

Pete

[MarkD]

Thanks for that pete, yes i do have a 1990 318is, how much did the chip set you back ?

Mjc85,

the chip is listed on my site. The price is $219 USD. Since this chip is only used in a small number of cars, the price is slightly higher that the regular $199 most of my other chips go for.

MarkD

[mjc85]

Is there still gonna be a group buy or not ? cause if there isn't ill just buy mine this week

[MarkD]

Is there still gonna be a group buy or not ? cause if there isn't ill just buy mine this week

My guess is no. There just has not been much interest. If I knew it would be this low, the chip would never have been developed. I've got other higher priority projects that I could have worked on, with a much bigger returm. I think the problem is that the one dyno run Rob ran didn't look all that impressive, but everyone that actually has the chip is very happy with it. Some people don't realise that the dyno is only testing WOT power and much of the increase is at part throttle. (but there is big difference at WOT also). A better test would be to measure before and after times to accellerate from 2500 rpm to 6500 rom in 2nd or 3rd year. If you want one of these chips, you may want to buy it now as I'm going to bump the price up to $239 soon. I'm sure it's better than the other ones available, and that's why I am going to adjust the price. (and becuase there are less of these cars around, the chip has to cost more than a more common chip that many more people will order)

MarkD

[pig4bill]

Another thing to consider is that a fair percentage of BMW's in the U.S. are in California, with premium gas only being 91 octane. With only one year of the M42 in e30's, a big chunk of your potential market can't get high octane fuel. Maybe I missed it where you are offering a 91 octane chip, but most of the chatter centered around 92 octane and higher versions. That 1 octane number is a big deal, as the stock engines are only marginal on our gas. I often hear pinging on hot days on 91. According to California regs if the fuel measures 90.1, it's allowed to be called 91.

[MarkD]

Another thing to consider is that a fair percentage of BMW's in the U.S. are in California, with premium gas only being 91 octane. With only one year of the M42 in e30's, a big chunk of your potential market can't get high octane fuel. Maybe I missed it where you are offering a 91 octane chip, but most of the chatter centered around 92 octane and higher versions. That 1 octane number is a big deal, as the stock engines are only marginal on our gas. I often hear pinging on hot days on 91. According to California regs if the fuel measures 90.1, it's allowed to be called 91.

I do have a chip I developed for 91 octane. would you be interested to try one for 2 weeks and report back here? After 2 weeks, you have the option of either returning it or you can have it at a 20% discount for writing up some feedback.

MarkD

[mjc85]

After 2 weeks, you have the option of either returning it or you can have it at a 20% discount for writing up some feedback.

Do i get this option with the 318is chip ? ;)

[spud814]

I've got other higher priority projects that I could have worked on, with a much bigger returm. I think the problem is that the one dyno run Rob ran didn't look all that impressive, but everyone that actually has the chip is very happy with it. Some people don't realise that the dyno is only testing WOT power and much of the increase is at part throttle. (but there is big difference at WOT also).
MarkD

Hey MarkD,

I'm one of those people that don't understand that logic of the performance chip. Although you are not getting the return you expected currently, i think you will definately get it in the long run. I was one of those that though the 91 octance chip was not that impressive and since i live in CA, i could only pump 91 octane. So I decided to just place that mod at the bottom of my list. But like i said in earlier post, i will still definately get one, but just not now because you have the reputation of programing the best chips on the market. So you got at least one future sale here, and i hope it's the same for the others. Also another review for the 91 octane chip would definately spark some interest i think, it's just that the 91 octane chip sounded so much duller to the 92 and higher octane chips that it turned away some people. But i'm sure a chipped M42 is alot more fun to drive then a regular M42.

[Rob]

I've said it once, and I've said it again, a chip is a requirement for any 318is. Lets face it, the m42 might have been 'hot' when released, but its still a slow revving, underpowered 4 cylinder. Of the chips I have tried, Marks chip goes the furthest towards making the m42 a more potent motor in a potentially potent chassis....

[MarkD]

After 2 weeks, you have the option of either returning it or you can have it at a 20% discount for writing up some feedback.

Do i get this option with the 318is chip ? ;)

I really just offered the deal since he is in California, and they have some "bad gas" :twisted: there which is closer to 90 AKI octane.

Even my original 91 octane chip is much better than the SUPERCHIP that the first person to buy this chip had. And he paid a bit over $400 CDN for it.

I think you can get 98 RON (94 AKI) in Australia so there's no real need to test it further there. Pete is already running the chip in Australia and like it.

MarkD

[royalflush313]

I've said it once, and I've said it again, a chip is a requirement for any 318is. Lets face it, the m42 might have been 'hot' when released, but its still a slow revving, underpowered 4 cylinder. Of the chips I have tried, Marks chip goes the furthest towards making the m42 a more potent motor in a potentially potent chassis....

did u have the conforti chip before?

[spud814]

I really just offered the deal since he is in California, and they have some "bad gas" :twisted: there which is closer to 90 AKI octane.
MarkD

LOL. :D