bootmod3 B48 Guide UK – 320i, 330i, 520i, X3 & MINI Gain

Bootmod3 B48 Guide | BMW 320i, 330i, 520i, X3 & MINI | Authorised UK Dealer

Bootmod3 B48 Tune – Which B48 Can Take How Much?

Authorised UK Dealer · Instant digital activation · UK support · Updated October 2026

Same engine, different power: 20i or 30i?

BMW fitted the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder B48 engine to two main power levels. The "20i" cars (120i, 220i, 320i, 420i, 520i, X3 20i and so on) are set up for around 184 hp. The "30i" cars (230i, 330i, 430i, 530i, X3 30i and so on) make around 252–258 hp. BMW's own figures for some popular models:

Model	Factory power / torque	bootmod3 figures to use
320i (G20, 2019 on)	184 hp / 300 Nm	20i
330i (G20, 2019 on)	258 hp / 400 Nm	30i
520i (G30)	184 hp / 290 Nm	20i
530i (G30)	252 hp / 350 Nm	30i
X3 xDrive20i (G01)	184 hp / 290 Nm	20i
X3 xDrive30i (G01)	252 hp / 350 Nm	30i
MINI Cooper S (F56)	192 hp / 280 Nm	MINI (see below)
MINI John Cooper Works (F56)	231 hp / 320 Nm	MINI (see below)

bootmod3 publishes separate figures for 20i and 30i cars because the two differ slightly in engine setup and factory power curves. A 20i starts further below what the engine can do, so its percentage gain is much bigger.

How much more power? bootmod3's own figures

bootmod3 quotes fuel in US octane. US 91 octane is UK standard unleaded (95 RON); US 93 octane is UK super unleaded (97–99 RON).

Map	20i cars: power / torque	30i cars: power / torque
Stage 1, UK standard unleaded	up to +42% / +46%	up to +14% / +26%
Stage 1, UK super unleaded	up to +46% / +48%	up to +16% / +26%
Stage 2, UK standard unleaded	up to +50% / +48%	up to +16% / +28%
Stage 2, UK super unleaded	up to +54% / +50%	up to +18% / +28%

Ethanol blends (E30) add a little more; the full list is on the licence page.

What that means in practice (our rough arithmetic, not a dyno figure): a 184 hp 320i on Stage 1 with super unleaded works out at roughly 270 hp, and a 258 hp 330i at roughly 300 hp. Real results vary from car to car.

MINI Cooper S and John Cooper Works

bootmod3 publishes two sets of MINI B48 figures: one for the higher-compression engine (B48-H) and one for the lower-compression engine (B48-L). On UK super unleaded, Stage 1 adds up to +42% power / +44% torque on the higher-compression version and up to +14% power / +16% torque on the lower-compression version. Which one your MINI has depends on the model and year, so send us your registration and we'll check before you buy.

MINIs with November 2019 or later software need a one-off bench unlock before they can be flashed through the OBD port.

What bootmod3 actually does

bootmod3 is a cloud-based tuning app. You plug into your car's OBD port (under the dashboard), choose a ready-made "off-the-shelf" (OTS) map in the app, and flash it to the engine computer. The engine then uses more of its real capability: more power, sharper throttle and stronger mid-range.

• One OTS map is included with your licence.
• Switch maps, read and clear fault codes, and log live data from the app.
• You can go back to standard (stock) at any time.

Stage 1 or Stage 2?

Stage 1	Stage 2
No hardware changes needed The most common choice Ideal for daily driving	Needs supporting hardware, usually a high-flow downpipe More performance Pick the map that matches the fuel you use

Most B48 owners start on Stage 1, and many stay there.

Is my car covered?

bootmod3 lists these B48/B46 BMWs:

• F20/F21 120i, 125i (2016–2019)
• F22/F23 220i, 230i (2016 on)
• F30/F31/F34 320i, 330i, plus the 330e hybrid (2016–2019)
• F32/F33/F36 420i, 430i (2016 on)
• G20 320i, 330i (2019 on)
• G30/G31 520i, 530i, plus the 530e hybrid (2017 on)
• G01 X3 and G02 X4 20i, 30i
• G05 X5 30i and G11/G12 730i

MINI: F54 Clubman, F55, F56, F57 Convertible and F60 Countryman, Cooper S and John Cooper Works.

Not clearly on bootmod3's list: the newer front-wheel-drive-based models such as the F40 1 Series (including the 128ti), the F44 2 Series Gran Coupé and the X1/X2. If your car is one of these, message us with your registration before you buy.

What you need before you start

• A B48 BMW or MINI from the lists above
• A way to connect to the car: an ENET cable (most reliable, recommended for the first flash) or the bootmod3 WiFi adapter
• A phone, tablet or laptop: iOS 13 or later, Android 5.0 or later, Windows 10 or later, or macOS 10.15 or later
• An internet connection
• Recommended: a battery charger connected while flashing, to prevent voltage drops

What happens after you order

1. You place your order.
2. We activate your licence, usually the same day and often within minutes during working hours.
3. You receive your access details from us.
4. You log in to bootmod3 and apply your activation.
5. You connect to your car and choose an off-the-shelf (OTS) map.
6. You flash your car.

How long does it take? First-time setup is about 10–15 minutes, the first flash a few minutes, and later map changes are quicker still. There is nothing to post and nothing to fit.

Is it safe?

bootmod3 works with the engine's built-in protections, such as knock control and temperature limits, which stay in place. As with any performance increase:

• Your engine should be healthy and well maintained before tuning.
• Keep up with servicing and use good-quality fuel, especially on Stage 2.
• You can go back to the standard map at any time.

Support: what to expect

We provide UK-based help with your licence, activation, cables, setup and flashing basics. For vehicle-specific tuning, logs or advanced diagnostics, support comes directly from the bootmod3 team, who manage the software and calibrations, so you get specialist answers from the source.

Why buy from VIMOTU

• Authorised UK bootmod3 dealer: genuine licences only, no grey-market keys
• Fast digital activation, same day during working hours
• UK-based support, no overseas delays
• Digital-first business: no storefront overheads, better pricing for you

Common questions

Is my 320i the same engine as a 330i?
Yes, both use the 2.0-litre B48. bootmod3 uses different figures for each because BMW set them up differently from the factory.

Do I need a downpipe?
Not for Stage 1. Stage 2 usually needs one.

Can I go back to stock?
Yes. You can revert to the standard map at any time.

Do I need a mechanic?
No. It's a do-it-yourself process from your phone or laptop.

How do I receive my licence?
Digitally, after purchase. Nothing is posted.