Who Needs A DCT?! XHP Stage 3 Flash On My E90 BMW!

In this video I flash my 2008 BMW E90 335i with XHP Stage 3. I upgrade from an Alpina flash in preparation for my turbo upgrade.
I show you how to install the software and give you my impressions including some driving clips.
If you're wondering if you should upgrade from Alpina to XHP this video should help answer that question. If you are on the fence with regards to upgrading to XHP Stage 3 on your E90 and you're still on a stock transmission tune this video should also give you a good idea of what to expect and if it would be worth it for you.
If this is the first video of mine you're watching consider subscribing, I upload regularly.
Thanks for watching! When you see the word "affiliate" listed beside any link in my description please know that this is a custom link and I will earn a small commission if you opt to purchase using said link. This is at no extra cost to you so it's a win all around :) Thank you!

[@ceajay11]

Almost 200k miles and still going strong. Amazing what simple maintenance can do. Keep up the good work man!

[@vp5]

How many miles has he put on the car in his ownership?

[@DJGunnerr101]

Are you guys do transmissions fluid changes? Or as bmw says it’s safe for it’s entire car life?

[@ceajay11]

@@DJGunnerr101 change every 50-70k miles

[@c.c7263]

@@DJGunnerr101 BMW considers the life of your car to be 7-10 years, so after that time it considers your car as "dead", including your transmission, which is why you should service your transmission every 7-10 years or 60K miles.

[@jwrecka231]

This hands down is the best thing I done to my e92 335i. I'm full Bolt-on's with MHD Stage 2+ etc and out of everything I've done the xhp stage 3 flash gave me the most overall Improvement from pretty much every aspect of the car. It launchs better, accelerates through the gears wayyy better changing down sounds so good and the way it preempts what gear it should be in or changing down all holding while in sport mode is pretty darn impressive. And last but not least the speed in which it changes gears. It's just as quick through the gears as a e92 M3 with DCT which is pretty amazing and with the 3.0 update the amount of customisation you can do to your cars transmission is unbelievable and so user-friendly and simple to use. all I suggest before installing it is to give the gearbox a service with a new oil pan and filter combo with some good quality OEM fluids and you should be good to go

[@MrSkarbek36]

Thank you for this comment bro. Mine has almost 90k miles been mhd stage 2+ for about 10k miles. Going to do this next but was worried about transmission fluid change an pan cuz some say to never touch it after a certain point

[@DespiertaVe]

Can this work on a n52 automatic ? Whats your opinion

[@breezy9x43]

@@DespiertaVe not to sure if it will but down load the app and see if it’s an option or they alpina

[@iiplaya]

@@DespiertaVe If it has a gm transmission no. For the zf ones i’m not sure

[@smoggmage]

I went to stage 3 recently after running stage 2 for years. WOW what an improvement. Shifts are crazy fast. Should have done stage 3 from the start!

[@BusyRaf]

Smog doing my car this week. Thinking stage 3. Question-how does it drive in just D mode w stage 3 compared to Stock?

[@JQ_Unity]

I agree. Got the same on my fbo e92 n54. Went from alpina to stage 3 xhp about 1.5 years ago. Love it. Great daily driver. About to do my oil pan and waterpump/thermo as preventative maintenance before i drive it 700 miles one way. Oh. Also, this trans tune is great to do some some drifting lol. Went to an off road deserted air strip and it surprised the shit out of me. Was doing tandems with no interior miatas. My other car’s a s14

[@joek4238]

I had not heard of xhp and was very disappointed when I learned the alpina flash does not work on an E60. Now I can get better than alpina, thank you so much! Some maintenance items first and this is on deck.

[@Kipitrl]

Definitely xhp stage 3 enjoy the difference from stock.. looking forward to your new turbo install and whp numbers on auto transmission

[@Pimpdaddy69420]

cant believe you haven't done this yet for how long ive been watching you!!

[@sterlo53ify]

I installed the stage3 xhp flash it the best tune i love it.

[@markt9438]

as usual professional DIY ! Your the only Guy that has this Nailed !!! Thx

[@1supratech]

Thanks for the great content as always!

[@MgDesignBuild]

I enjoy your videos. Did you notice an increase in your lower end torque, translating to quicker starts from a dead stop?

[@dudeisboy]

I recommend the customization package. Stage 3 wasn't aggressive enough for me. You can increase line pressure further more, making shifts even faster.

[@Spirited_Driver]

I would love to see a comparo video!

[@chenl3966]

Definitely want to see a rebuild though!

[@VehicularDIY]

I've always wanted to try rebuilding an auto. If I can pick up a spare box cheap I might swap that in and rebuild this and do the rear main at the same time. Lets see how it holds the power with the upgraded turbos.

[@dzionisis]

Got a XHP stage 3 on my E60 535d. A huge improvement over stock

[@tariqmohammed8505]

any issues would you recomend to get one

[@SteveWeltman]

Very cool and lots of details as always. One of my planned mods. Q for you about the paddle shifters in your car. They appear to be the standard left for down and right for up. My car has these weird ‘push-pull’ shifter paddles on both sides. Cool but confusing going from my E90 to my F30. Can the shift paddles be replaced to only actuate one function per side? Thanks again!

[@Mr.Enigmatik]

That is sick. Next mod for sure. Confused about what car you have with the M gauge cluster and DCT paddles but steptronic shifter lol. How come you don’t have the 2 way paddles like my 2010 135i does?

[@JSpool1]

This shit does wonders I did this last year and man 🤘🏻

[@iBryaaannnn]

Can’t wait for the turbo install!! (Btw I have post notifications on & I didn’t get the notification for this video 😤)

[@cheddle88]

Great video, I recently purchased an e90 n54 with 148,000kms on the dial. im giving it a decent service and then will flash both xHp and MHD. I want to make sure I understand the interoperability correctly - is there any specific order of flashing or configuration required to achevie a stage2 xHp and stage1 MHD? Thanks!

[@nickolascain2994]

Stage 3 from stock is quite a difference. I still need to do solenoids!

[@VehicularDIY]

Yeah the solenoids are a great idea just for general maintenance.

[@nickolascain2994]

@@VehicularDIY yeah, I have issues with 1st gear. 1st service I did when I got the vehicle was the fluid and mech sleeve etc.

[@gh-cu1jh]

I saw a comment about new rims and perhaps the style 313 (335is) rims would suit your car well, there are pictures online of a e90 sedan and I love the look. Of course do what you love rather just a suggestion of mine anyways love how the cars coming along :)

[@Omegasticks77]

🔥🔥

[@kingb7080]

This is great. Can I do this flash on my 2006 330i N52 with the 3stage intake manifold?

[@piroozhr7968]

Question. After your box service and adaptations reset, have adaptations remained low or they are climbing up again tiwards where they were before reset? Appreciate your feedback

[@iansylvester8090]

Looking at doing this on my 330i e90.. would this effect the overall reliability of the gearbox?

[@Shamus71]

Vehivular DIY .. are you still on your original guibo disks and Center support bearing?

[@hyperlight7119]

Do u have anything done to your transmission to run stage 3? Or is it stock?

[@MrDimkur]

Hey @Vehicular DIY, what model of transmission does your car have? Is it the ZF6HP26?

[@Merck202]

Hey man, just gotta say that I love your vids! Quick question on adaptations....right now clutch "A" is reading 627 mbar and all other values are within spec. My 335i has 120k miles and was serviced with new mechatronic sleeves and valve body sleeves as well. Is that really bad? could it possibly be the solenoids? I would appreciate any input since I can't find very much info on it. Thanks a million!!!

[@piroozhr7968]

My clutch A is high too. Interesting some cars have high E and some A and some both!

[@david_vash]

Any reliability of this flash? If it pushes the trans harder wouldn’t the parts deteriorate quicker? Just wondering. Thanks

[@MrJj719]

What maintenance is recommended for this ?

[@Kingz_Ireen]

If you’re still running a stock transmission/oil cooler is it reccommend to upgrade that before getting the tune? As far and preventive maintenance?

[@kritikalvyrus1748]

What’s the difference between 3 and stage 4

[@iBryaaannnn]

My anxiety for the turbo video is scaling up daily :(

[@chef423]

LOL

[@euko6876]

And what do you do for transmission maintenance?

[@cenkersavma1]

How much HP did you get this operation? I really want it but I already have custom map 500HP with alpina transmisson map on my 335i

[@rampantking777]

Can't find any good settings for 6hp28, want comfy in d mode but it shifts with big kick, what should i do?

[@tomj1604]

Is that steering wheel a straight swap instead of the one with the other push and pull flappy paddles ?

[@backnunAndy]

does it offer bmw e60 zf 6 speed as well. All videos about XHP are all about 535 turbo engine. If it offer features any ZF 6 speed automatic, I wish to try out.

[@LorenzoClara97]

Multiple downshifts are fast enough for track/mountain road ?

[@vinnycorleone7446]

my quick charge pressure for clutch A is 588mbar. can it be the mechatronic sleeves due ?

[@123Vgj]

Does xhp flash transition affect you car if is stock turbos and high mileage

[@matthewweisdorfer7757]

I wish there was a chart or something one could compare the values xHP gives you vs what it should be according to ZF...

[@VehicularDIY]

Yeah I was expecting that to show up.

[@Silent9n54]

@@VehicularDIY i asked xhp that when this feature came out, they are very vague with their description, its like they dont want to disclose exactly whats bad and whats normal

[@harwinsingh6937]

Can it be done on the 320i e90.... Does the xhp flash make the vehicle lighter on fuel consumption?

[@manillamilkm2816]

Is this on a note8 because it wont connect, but other phones ive tried work

[@Ultimater...]

シフトチェンジがレースカーのような速さになり、トルクリミッター解除でパワーもUPした。

[@AlwayzInTheLoop]

Do i flash this and then flash mhd for the regular tune?

[@Spirited_Driver]

Great videos, Ive modified my 135 using your instructions for a few mods! I have a 2009, VRSF 7" FMIC, inlet for front turbo, and outlet, charge pipe, DCI, DP, and MHD stg 2+ 93oct, (auto) and suspension things, This XHP trans tune however I think im gonna stick with my MHD tune because although this XHP looks like it would improve my shifts in regular 'D', I drive in 'manual s mode' 98% of the time and judging by the video i think mine shifts alot more agressive and faster under part throttle. Ill see about making a video. I do notice that when i do WOT at higher RPM it doesnt shift as quick or as firm, do you notice that as well??

[@VehicularDIY]

Thanks, I've noticed the WOT shifts are much more aggressive in sport mode.

[@Spirited_Driver]

oh for sure, i find it completely night and day different. Feels like a different transmission altogether

[@samsungschi500]

With the customization module, you can increase shift speed and increase torque reduction between respective gear shifts. Adjusting these aspects of your transmission's tune to your liking (which may require plenty of time, experimentation, and evaluation) can result in firm/crisp shifts, even at WOT at higher RPM (assuming you are using XHP Stage 3 as your base map).

[@Spirited_Driver]

@@samsungschi500 I understand that aspect. However, I notice my car shifts faster and firmer (unbelievably actually) at part throttle and or lower RPM. So I was wondering if this is just normal transmission wear, OR can you adjust to make it the other way around??? In other words can you program it to shift softer at part throttle and firmer at WOT?

[@machtschnell7452]

Too bad the 6HP28 from the 335d is not a direct bolt up as with the car's tune and fuel it would be good to get the heavy duty version. Rebuild coming? It would definitely help to get a higher service duty clutch material. Some have retrofitted the GETRAG 7DCT that came optionally in 335is, 135i(s) (w/ N55) and certain WM E9x 335i.

[@VehicularDIY]

Yeah I'm wondering if I should rebuild now while it's still holding up. Order a bushing and clutch kit with new orings etc. Never rebuilt an auto before though..

[@epicgamingwmiguel7597]

Vehicular DIY just order upgraded clutch packs and do a rebuild

[@enginemalfunction1474]

Did you do a video on the transmission services?

[@VehicularDIY]

Yes right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaCsg3uNebqGhLc

[@DespiertaVe]

Woul this work on a 330xi 06 automatic ?

[@Calx91]

Anyone know if this is compatible with bootmod3?

[@bpcustomknives4392]

Is this harder in the trans?

[@mr.valentino2824]

So I had XHP stage 3 on my 09 E92 335i. Now I'm about to purchase an 08 E90 335i and want to know if I can use the same license being that it's pretty much the same engine and transmission???

[@Saqib.S]

No. its diffrent VIN so no.

[@brett9952]

Hey man I have a question off topic, I have a 2011 335i N55 and I have this “bucking, surging” problem whenever Iam at low speeds trying to maneuver into my garage or parallel parking etc.. I changed my spark plugs and coil packs and I got the ppk flash with the latest firmware but it still surges and bucks. Do u have any idea what t could be? I appreciate any feed back on this considering I’ve been living with this a long time. Thank you.

[@tonytube27]

Dude me too! If u find the solution please let me know! It’s kind of embarrassing too. I have to be careful I don’t hit the elevator door in front of me when parking my car underground! Wondering if making my spark plugs one step colder might help. Later bud!

[@brett9952]

tonytube27 I don’t think changing the gap of the spark plug is going to do anything. Have you got your DME updated? That helps but it doesn’t cure the issue. I really wish BMW would look into this problem, I know there are more people out there that have this issue.

[@scottxp800]

Have you tried out that sport mode 3-2 downshift ?

[@fermi460]

Love it

[@VehicularDIY]

I've noticed it shifts down to 2nd now much earlier.

[@Sholan429]

Hi just a question of topic... will the xenon headlights fit plug and play on an e90 2011 model which has the halo lights ? (Non xenon headlights)...thanks in advance

[@shonroopnarain5049]

I'm looking to do that mod as well

[@VehicularDIY]

I know they plug and play on a pre lci with oem xenon headlights. I beleive they would be plug and play on a halogen car but not 100% sure.

[@K-R-T]

Any risk to increased transmission wear doing this?

[@VehicularDIY]

Technically no as your engaging the clutches quicker. Just slightly less comfortable.

[@yusallooo4703]

There is slight increase in wear however it isn’t enough to make a big difference in the long run.

[@stevenbondx]

YAS Revived proof?

[@kurgluhpalafox4843]

Hello there. I just want to ask u for advice. I got f30 b46 engine with bm3 stage 2 93 octane. Its my daily driving. I don't know if i should go for xhp stage 2 or stage 3. What would u recommend as for daily driving?

[@saynotothegreatreset]

stage 2 will better for daily driving. stage 3 it's for race and it's quite aggressive but if you like the aggressiveness go for it

[@ilesoft82]

Are those wheels available in 17 inch size that fit E90 LCI?

[@VehicularDIY]

They fit an lci but they come in 18"

[@BeastM140i]

Will it show you the gear you’re in when you’re in drive ?

[@cristian198]

Yea

[@davejohnson6144]

Hi great video! I just flashed my 135i with Xhp 3 and thinks its great except that when Im in Sport mode and as Im approaching a stop sign and slowing down the engine Revs up automatically to like 3000 rpms right before i stop which to me is Super annoying! Do you know how I can turn this feature off?? Thanks so much for your help!

[@VehicularDIY]

Thanks! Not sure you could without a custom trans tune, but that is an option. I had installed a custom Rod Sutphin tune ok the trans before swapping to manual and was smoother when in sport mode

[@huntertullgren2914]

I have a custom flash tune on my 335xi can I still flash this over it or will that mess something up with my tune ?

[@Saqib.S]

Yes you can. The costume tuning you did is on DME module and KGM. So, if you do this you would only replace the software that is already in your gearbox to XHP instead.

[@8L4NK_]

anyone else notice there was a stage 4??

[@lucasld95]

That E90 deserves new wheels That would look awesome maybe m4 or even 335i.

[@carlosaarondelapaz3720]

Lucas Andrade it is a 335i lol

[@lucasld95]

@@carlosaarondelapaz3720 there,re other models for wheels for 335i

[@VehicularDIY]

Yeah they're stock 335i rims but I'm looking for a set

[@rubenolaussen6227]

The M359 wheels from avantgarde are great, and they look oem

[@kevinhuynh303]

You can do it with mhd and iPhone

[@gilgonzalez5902]

Yea but a year ago it was Android only and wired.

[@mot8862]

I have 2007 335i e92 stock, will it work on my car?

[@ALEX.THE.RUSSIAN]

Ofcourse bro!!

[@copperlocks1]

Just wondering with the increase in performance; do you now have to upgrade the transmission cooler?

[@machtschnell7452]

If one runs hard (mountains, towing strip) one can never have a too efficient auxiliary ATF cooler.

[@VehicularDIY]

Yeah I'd agree a transmission cooler is always a good idea on any car.

[@spankym3]

@@VehicularDIY would love a video of trans cooler upgrade & bypassing the stock one.

[@machtschnell7452]

@@spankym3 there is one on e90post where he hangs in front of the condenser & Radiator. I do not like that location because it adds thermal loads to the cooling. The ideal place if you don't have the PPK to Kit is on the driver side intake to the left low. You will need ducting so you might want to look at the PPK2 kit radiator for the ducting.

[@joshuapena6414]

Would this tune work on n52 powered cars ?

[@tidymilk5162]

just checked their website, as long as you have a ZF auto equipped car, it should be supported. I own a 2006 e90 325i (N52B30), and there is a tune available. obviously this doesn't include the GM trans cars (328, 128, 528)

[@stasvidal952]

Will MHD adapter work to flash this tune?

[@Gray-cx9pp]

depending on the car, yes. says so on xhp website

[@hecrivera7887]

Does this apply to the e90 328xit? Non turbo

[@carlosaarondelapaz3720]

hec rivera no. Only 335i

[@machtschnell7452]

Are those using the GM automatic? The AT in the E9x 328i and E8x 128i really neuters the car. 6MT is the best option there and they are rare and coveted upon resale.

[@EllisDee000]

@@machtschnell7452 no, different box, this is a zhp628 I believe

[@legioner9]

If my car is stock, 318d E90 LCI with 143 hp and 300 Nm, what stage on XHP is recommended?

[@UniqueMercenary]

what did you end up doing?

[@legioner9]

@@UniqueMercenary Well, I had a guy reprogram the car and now I have around 180 hp and 390 Nm, but tbh, I don't know if he has done anything to the transmission software, I believe nothing, the car shifts pretty much as it did before, pretty good IMO

[@johnlever6696]

How did you keep the battery from dying?

[@gamerslust6533]

Are you dumb he legit hooked up a battery charger at the beginning of the video

[@johnlever6696]

@@gamerslust6533 no. Not dumb. I skipped the intro by double pressing (skipped 10 seconds) and it skipped past the 1 second segment that mentioned the battery charger.

[@FrankiE90jl]

Can I upgrade this to a e90 328i?

[@gilgonzalez5902]

No this is for the ZF transmissions only you have the GM trans.

[@Saicopateful]

Can you see the adaptations without buying the soft?

[@VehicularDIY]

I don't believe so.

[@antonyklein4882]

Yes, just done this myself, no $$ spent

[@S54VR6]

this tune blew my motor up a few days ago. be careful with what flash settings you choose.. i went WOT and the transmission downshifted one to many and my engine locked.

[@d0gyface]

What, for real?

[@S54VR6]

AJS yes

[@d0gyface]

@@S54VR6 Daamn boy. Was thinking about getting XHP but now Im a bit scared.

[@S54VR6]

AJS just do the Xhp flash and don’t mess with it or any of the settings

[@jameswalsh5683]

damn that sucks. Warning to future users to disable kickdown...

[@heatchamps2011]

Can i do this being untuned?

[@VehicularDIY]

Yeah you can.

[@euko6876]

Are you VTA or BOV?

[@stevenbondx]

Lol

[@breezy9x43]

So is it faster then the dct ?

[@Jcruzcaptures]

Never! Might be closer but not close

[@matt.108]

So $202 total good god MHD is like $100

[@timothy3095]

Only someone without a DCT being powered by a N54 would ever say you didn't need one.

[@timothy3095]

Not hating on the ZF tho...

[@samsungschi500]

Actually, tuned to their respective potential, both the ZF6 and ZF8 have shift speed and shift response parity with modern DCT transmissions. It really all comes down to how each is tuned (for example, a Giulia Quadrifoglio, with its ZF8, can shift far more crisply and quickly in its most aggressive setting than an F80/F82 M3/M4, with its DCT in it's default setting - and the inverse is also true). Simply put, no longer does one have a greater potential than the other (and has been so since 2006).

[@Saif0412]

Tim Copeland, the ZF6 is almost as quick when tuned, the Zf 8 speed is even faster, if it wasn't quick enough BMW wouldn't have used it in the M5.

[@euko6876]

So in total, its $190?

[@matt.108]

$119 for the general license $89 for stage 3 tune.

[@user-lh4rg8xv6g]

E90 325i can use it？bro

[@VehicularDIY]

It doesn't unfortunately

[@joshuapena6414]

Vehicular DIY does it work for 128i n52 powered ?

[@maurico227]

Looks cool but I can’t I’m in California

[@albaniansk8er]

Unnecessary shifts

[@UssGo]

Dct is still quicker. Even my 8 speed f30 is quicker

[@VehicularDIY]

Without a doubt, but for a 12 year old 6 speed the xhp tune really brings it up to date. The stock 8 speed in my f15 is pretty responsive stock.

[@muldix]

DCT still better...

[@brockmalanche9614]

$200 for this?! I have a 2015 335i with a stock transmission tune and it shifts twice as fast as this

[@kc2213]

Yea that's because you're comparing a DCT to a traditional auto...