Engine Performance and Tuning

I've been running my E46 M3 with a Stage 1 tune and it's amazing how much more responsive the engine feels. The power delivery is smooth and linear, but I'm curious to know if anyone has tried a Stage 2 or higher tune on their M3. Has anyone experienced any issues with reliability or drivability after pushing the limits of the engine? I'm also interested in hearing about different tuning options for other BMW models, such as the S55 B58 or N54 engines.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Dinan's work on pushing the M3's engine to new heights. They've managed to squeeze out an impressive amount of power while maintaining the factory smoothness and tractability that makes the M3 such a joy to drive. Their S2 kit takes the 3-series from 333hp to 450hp, with a corresponding increase in torque. It's amazing how much more engaging the car becomes with this kind of extra oomph!

I'm loving my recently tuned M3, the DDPworks tune has given me an extra 50 horsepower and the car feels incredibly responsive. The increase in power is noticeable but it's not just about raw numbers, the way the engine responds to throttle input has become much more linear and predictable. The people at DDPworks were great to deal with too, they answered all my questions and even helped me set up a custom tune for my specific setup.

I'm not impressed with the lack of discussion on the S65B40 engine in this thread. It's one of the most potent naturally aspirated engines out there and yet it seems to be getting shortchanged when compared to the newer turbocharged offerings. As someone who's had the pleasure of owning a E90 M3, I can attest that the S65 is an absolute joy to drive. The instant throttle response and screaming high-rpm power delivery make it a true drivers' car. And let's not forget about the iconic sound - there's just nothing quite like it. I'd love to see more discussion on how to squeeze every last bit of performance out of this engine, as well as some insights from those who've had their S65 tuned or modified in some way. Any thoughts?

I've found that pushing the engine to its limits with a Stage 2 tune can yield significant power gains on a stock BMW motor. However, proper heat management and a reliable cooling system are crucial to avoid overheating issues.

I've been running my E90 M3 on a Dinan Stage 2 kit and I have to say it's night and day compared to stock. The added power really brings out the dynamics of the car. Has anyone else had similar experiences with this setup?

I've had my M3 on ECU tune with an intake upgrade and it's made a huge difference in mid-range torque and power, but I'm considering swapping to a custom camshaft for even more aggressive performance, has anyone else done this or have similar experiences?

I've had my M3 for a year now and after some extensive tuning I'm getting around 440whp on pump gas which is pretty impressive if I do say so myself, anyone else have similar results or go bigger?

I've been running my E90 M3 with a tunesafe tune and it's absolutely transformed the car - 415whp and still plenty of room to breathe. The way the motor pulls now is incredible, would highly recommend anyone in this same boat give it a try.