My Evolve Stage I Review

w00tw00t · 08-30-2011, 07:34 PM

Hi Folks,

I thought I'd post up a follow up to my original review of the Evolve Stage I DME flash for which I was one of the first customers in the US.

The original tune involved rolling back to a tuner unprotected DME(140E). Overall I was very happy with the tune however rolling back to an older version caused a few quirks to pop up from time to time which slightly annoyed me. However I knew it was only a matter of time before Sal worked his magic and came out with an update.

Well, as luck would have it, I got the opportunity to be the first in the US to install Evolve’s revised Stage I DME tune that works directly on a tuner protected DME such as mine (190E) with no need to roll back to an older DME version.

My Car:
I have a E92 with only two perf. upgrades so far – a Macht Schnell underdrive pulley and a BMW air filter.

The Install and Benefits:
Evolve comes as cable (and software) that connects to your OBD-II port located next to the hood lever under the steering wheel. The other end of the cable goes into a USB port on your laptop on which you install the Evolve software. This solution allows you to do load and rollback tunes yourself without going back to a tuning shop repeatedly.

My first step was to reinstall my 190E file (I had a backup of this from my first evolve install). Once done, installing the new tune was super simple and completed in an astounding 4 minutes!!

My Overall Feedback on the Tune:
After the required few miles of adaption that the DME goes through with a new tune, I’m happy to say that the tune is awesome! The car pulls harder from down low and I can definitely feel a difference. Yes yes, I don’t have a before / after dyno to compare but I’m happy – and felt a difference! Also, idle is smoother and better now.

Evolve Customer Service:
Companies like Evolve are rare. People like Sal are rarer still. I can almost say Sal is a super-human! He works tirelessly and almost never sleeps – and just kept working with me until I was satisfied. There’s lots of companies out there that say Customer Satisfaction is #1 for them. I feel like Evolve is the first company I have interacted with that truly epitomizes this principle. They are exceptional!

Overall I am very happy with Evolve and would highly recommend this tune!

merlin00069 · 08-30-2011, 09:19 PM

Sounds great. Thanks for the write up.

1MOREMOD · 08-30-2011, 10:19 PM

Better get stage 2. I had good gains with just the cats removed and stock tune. My guess is a stage 1 is about equal to a cat delete with no tune. Getting the cats out sounds decent too. We should get some local seattle area owners together for some dyno fun.

w00tw00t · 08-30-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriszeh

Better get stage 2. I had good gains with just the cats removed and stock tune. My guess is a stage 1 is about equal to a cat delete with no tune. Getting the cats out sounds decent too. We should get some local seattle area owners together for some dyno fun.

I'm planning to buy the AP Racing BBK, Akrapovic Evolution and get the Evolve Stage 2 within the next 2-3 weeks....

We should definitely get a dyno run going - that's a great idea.. I remember seeing a thread from @Johnny Lin organizing something like this a while ago... Johnny how about doing it again??

kyleb350 · 08-30-2011, 10:27 PM

How long did you have to wait to get your modified file after submitting your base file?

1MOREMOD · 08-30-2011, 10:32 PM

Next day.

1MOREMOD · 08-30-2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w00tw00t

I'm planning to buy the AP Racing BBK, Akrapovic Evolution and get the Evolve Stage 2 within the next 2-3 weeks....

We should definitely get a dyno run going - that's a great idea.. I remember seeing a thread from @Johnny Lin organizing something like this a while ago... Johnny how about doing it again??

Baller. That will be sweet. I'm actually thinking of getting a 95-96 octane tune to run with part race gas for the track. Should make another 30-40 hp and get close to that 400whp mark maybe. I don't know of any dyno places but think it would be cool to get a group to go.

w00tw00t · 08-31-2011, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyleb350

How long did you have to wait to get your modified file after submitting your base file?

Sal had my base file from before so I didn't have to wait at all the second time.. but to directly answer your question, turn around from Evolve is usually 24 hours - they are really quick about it!

flipm3 · 08-31-2011, 01:27 AM

Great to hear that you are loving the updated tune! I actually sent out my stock tune and data to them right before they closed for holidays. Hopefully I'm able to get it towards the end of the week.

Enjoy the new found power and driveability! Paul, Sal, and everyone on the Evolve team are truly top notch!

Rshane · 08-31-2011, 02:05 AM

Congrats. I'm happy to hear about the good service and quality tune you got. I plan on getting a tune when I get back and Evolve sounds like the wy too go.

Taz@Evolve. P · 08-31-2011, 08:11 AM

Wow, thanks for the great review! Great to hear your enjoying it

08-30-2011, 07:34 PM	#1
w00tw00t Colonel 408 Rep 2,171 Posts Drives: 2016 MW M4 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (13)	My Evolve Stage I Review - Part II Hi Folks, I thought I'd post up a follow up to my original review of the Evolve Stage I DME flash for which I was one of the first customers in the US. The original tune involved rolling back to a tuner unprotected DME(140E). Overall I was very happy with the tune however rolling back to an older version caused a few quirks to pop up from time to time which slightly annoyed me. However I knew it was only a matter of time before Sal worked his magic and came out with an update. Well, as luck would have it, I got the opportunity to be the first in the US to install Evolve’s revised Stage I DME tune that works directly on a tuner protected DME such as mine (190E) with no need to roll back to an older DME version. My Car: I have a E92 with only two perf. upgrades so far – a Macht Schnell underdrive pulley and a BMW air filter. The Install and Benefits: Evolve comes as cable (and software) that connects to your OBD-II port located next to the hood lever under the steering wheel. The other end of the cable goes into a USB port on your laptop on which you install the Evolve software. This solution allows you to do load and rollback tunes yourself without going back to a tuning shop repeatedly. My first step was to reinstall my 190E file (I had a backup of this from my first evolve install). Once done, installing the new tune was super simple and completed in an astounding 4 minutes!! My Overall Feedback on the Tune: After the required few miles of adaption that the DME goes through with a new tune, I’m happy to say that the tune is awesome! The car pulls harder from down low and I can definitely feel a difference. Yes yes, I don’t have a before / after dyno to compare but I’m happy – and felt a difference! Also, idle is smoother and better now. Evolve Customer Service: Companies like Evolve are rare. People like Sal are rarer still. I can almost say Sal is a super-human! He works tirelessly and almost never sleeps – and just kept working with me until I was satisfied. There’s lots of companies out there that say Customer Satisfaction is #1 for them. I feel like Evolve is the first company I have interacted with that truly epitomizes this principle. They are exceptional! Overall I am very happy with Evolve and would highly recommend this tune! Last edited by w00tw00t; 08-31-2011 at 07:20 AM..
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08-30-2011, 09:19 PM	#2
merlin00069 Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 213 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW [0.00]	Sounds great. Thanks for the write up. __________________ ///M3 E92 Alpine White, Carbon Fiber Roof, Fox Red
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08-30-2011, 10:19 PM	#3
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	Better get stage 2. I had good gains with just the cats removed and stock tune. My guess is a stage 1 is about equal to a cat delete with no tune. Getting the cats out sounds decent too. We should get some local seattle area owners together for some dyno fun. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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08-30-2011, 10:27 PM	#5
kyleb350 Brigadier General 424 Rep 4,709 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (6)	How long did you have to wait to get your modified file after submitting your base file?
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08-30-2011, 10:32 PM	#6
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	Next day. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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08-31-2011, 01:27 AM	#9
flipm3 E46 + E90 + F80 192 Rep 2,894 Posts Drives: E46 + E90 + F80 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Illinois iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00] 2002 BMW M3 [0.00]	Great to hear that you are loving the updated tune! I actually sent out my stock tune and data to them right before they closed for holidays. Hopefully I'm able to get it towards the end of the week. Enjoy the new found power and driveability! Paul, Sal, and everyone on the Evolve team are truly top notch! __________________ F80 M3 DCT\|Alpine White . Black Leather \| My Build Thread E90 M3 DCT\|Melbourne Red . Speed Cloth \| My Build Thread E46 M3 6MT\|Jet Black . Black Nappa Leather \| My Build Thread
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08-31-2011, 02:05 AM	#10
Rshane M-Flight Member 37 Rep 1,085 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas iTrader: (0)	Congrats. I'm happy to hear about the good service and quality tune you got. I plan on getting a tune when I get back and Evolve sounds like the wy too go. __________________ 2011 Le Mans Blue M3// Black extended Novillo w/ Blue Grey Aluminum trim/DCT/ZTP/ZCW/ZPP/ZCP Premium Sound ///Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust 2015 Audi S4 Prestige, Brilliant Black S-tronic 2012 Le Mans Blue 135i M Pkg DCT
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08-31-2011, 08:11 AM	#11
Taz@Evolve. P BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 28 Rep 301 Posts Drives: Quick enough Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: US iTrader: (1)	Wow, thanks for the great review! Great to hear your enjoying it
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