Tuners of the month come and go on every platform. We have guys that we really love, but rather than spit out names, what to look for is an important thing. First... have they tuned other non-bmw engines? Not a prerequisite, but shows baselines of knowledge. One of my favorites is if I ask them a question that they don't know the answer to... do they tell me that they don't know (then go find out... even if by asking another tuner) or do they BS you? Do they work with other tuners ever? Have they worked with any truly big names? Is it their full time job? Will it be? There are GREAT tuners that are not full-time guys, some of you may even be reading this, but a modicum of skepticism is useful. Making peak hp is wonderful, but how many can give you a tune that you can smash in 100*+ weather and stays nice and consistent? Drivability is a part of tuning often overlooked... i.e. part throttle response, pedal feel, etc. Is she jumpy or nice and smooth?
It's all in what you want. Everyone wants a million horsepower, but no one wants to pay for broken engine parts. We love pushing limits but it's outside the realm of the average enthusiast on a budget. Whoever you choose, log often. If you find a guy you love, the tune is smooth and powerful, and logs stay nice and clean... buy him a beer, start a working relationship, and don't let go of him because those guys are gold.
Just my 2c.
Chris
