Is Tuning Worth It?

[EatAHelicopter]

Hey everyone,

I have an i4 Emira and am thinking about taking the car to a tuner. I've read up a little bit about the JB4 and some other mods people have done, but I'm really not all that knowledgeable about tuning in general (so be easy on me). The biggest things I want to try to address on the car is to reduce turbo lag and improve the consistency of the driving experience. I know consistency is partly on me and how well I drive the car, but even with Launch Control sometimes I clock a >6s 0-60 and sometimes it gets as low as 4s. Sometimes when you slam on the pedal from stop the car takes off and sometimes it just sits there not moving for a good 2 seconds or so. It seems like the easiest wins are to add a JB4 and maybe swap the downpipe for a high flow one. Also thinking about just taking to a tuner to get their recommendations, but I have no interest in voiding my warranty with an ECU flash or anything like that.

For what I want, is it worth it? Are these the right upgrades to make or would you recommend something else?

 

[Tomwa]

Taking the car to a 'tuner' is a different solution to JB4.

Frankly speaking, right now unless there is someone who has a flash/unlocked AMG i4 solution, a tuner won't have much to offer you. Specifically meaning a "Tuner" is someone who will either modify the stock ECU through software and then 'uploading' and writing these new configurations into the ECU memory. OR using an aftermarket ECU which can run the engine, reading all appropriate sensor signals, and providing the right parameters, and 'seeing' things like start ignition and will report back RPM for gauge-cluster operation etc.

As far as I know, there is no plug-and-play ECU option right now for I4 Emiras. Though in general it should be a more approachable platform. There's of other tuning for the AMG M139 in the Benz platforms.

JB4, is a 'piggy back' while Burger will potentially work with you to optimize their product and settings to match any specific build variation you have, or make recommendations to meet some goals you might set for yourself (how much HP etc). It isn't a "tuning" platform in the normal sense. It will do things that make adjustments to fueling, but it likely would not do things like control solenoids which might adjust wastegate or blowoff valve actuation.

There's no guarantee any of these can solve whatever problem you are experiencing (assuming not operating 'as intended') but JB4 would be the least likely to be able to solve that particular problem.

 

[Adam Brouillard]

I would first take your car to a dealership to get it checked out. The stock US version of the i4 should be doing mid 3 second 0-60 with launch control.

 

[Kaz]

but I have no interest in voiding my warranty with an ECU flash or anything like that.

So right there...you should just walk away from the computer and go hug your car and tell it that it is special and unique. (!) just saying be happy with your car, your warranty is not circumvented by using a JB4 or "fill in the blank". Have a very binary approach, you will mess with your car and be ok with the unlikely result of something breaking, or don't mess with anything, just drive your car and be happy