X5M Tuning options

[Maxx2]

This topic has been discussed at length many times but I'm curious to know what the most used tunes are these days.

I did a quick search of recent threads and it seems the Velos tune is becoming very common now followed by Active Autowerke and Dinan. I don't see anything on the ESS anymore and I noticed they no longer offer the Direct Flash handheld unit and instead provide an OBDII to USB cable to connect to a laptop.

Besides the obvious warranty advantage of the Dinan tune is there any other reason to consider it? The advertised numbers are average and nowhere near the big numbers from some of the other tuners and pricing is typical Dinan.

The Velos Designwerkes tune has received positive feedback of late and the advertised gains are very good. Customer service also appears to be very good which is nice to see and reassuring should something go wrong.

The Active Autowerke offering has the highest advertised gains. The chart on their website clearly illustrates the gains at each rpm increment when compared to stock. I found the data very interesting and helpful when evaluating the advertised gains. This seems like a very interesting option.

Would love to hear some real world experiences especially from those that have tried more than one tune.

Some of the data I've collected so far:

ESS E-Flash S63 ECU Performance Software
+40-50rwhp
$1795.00


Dinan Stage 1 Performance Engine Software
+56hp
+74lb-ft
$3499.00


Active Autowerke X5M & X6M Performance Software
+19.16 rwhp (max hp)
+86.18 rwhp (max gain @ 4400rpm)
+100.82 lb-ft (max torque)
+117.36 lb-ft (max gain @ 3600rpm)
$1500.00
$1850.00 (w/ SIMON hand held programmer)


Velos Designwerks Performance Stage 2 Software
+90 hp
+130 lb-ft
$1500.00
$2250.00 (w/ Personal Tuner)

[BiG22DuBz]

Velos Tune!

[larkinda]

In your comparison keep in mind the dinan numbers are at crank and Velos and at wheels. I had the dinan in my x6m and replaced it with AA. My suggestion is AA or velos.

[Blitzblau]

I've only gone by the way of the Velos.

I am a sucker for great customer service...Omar and his team provide above and beyond.

...I don't even really need to mention the tune but I will. It's pretty damn amazing.

[Omar@VelosDesignwerks]

Hi.

Patrick is going to be posting a pretty sweet promo for our PRE SEMA promo... stay tuned..

[Stickman]

I'm all the way Down Under so you can imagine I was a bit nervous when I started looking for a tune for my M. Got in touch with Omar @ Velos and had a response 5 minutes later, even with the time difference. Ordered the tune and it came exactly as promised and its been bloody fantastic dealing with all the guys from Velos. Nothing is to much trouble. I'm no tuning professional. In fact it's the first car I have owned that I have had tuned past stock. The result. Insane!!!! Your not going to notice 1or 2 extra HP. What you will notice and remember us the customer service. First Rate.

So go for it. You won't be disappointed.

[Rod27]

Good to know

[Maxx2]

Excellent feedback guys!! Thank you.

I've never purchased anything from Omar@Velos but he has always been available to answer my questions. It is clear to me that he takes customer service very seriously which is great to see.

I think I have narrowed it down to either the Velos or Active tune. They both look very promising and will probably produce similar results, but I hope to get more feedback on both before I make up my mind.



larkinda,
What made you choose the AA tune over the Velos?

[Omar@VelosDesignwerks]

Originally Posted by Stickman

I'm all the way Down Under so you can imagine I was a bit nervous when I started looking for a tune for my M. Got in touch with Omar @ Velos and had a response 5 minutes later, even with the time difference. Ordered the tune and it came exactly as promised and its been bloody fantastic dealing with all the guys from Velos. Nothing is to much trouble. I'm no tuning professional. In fact it's the first car I have owned that I have had tuned past stock. The result. Insane!!!! Your not going to notice 1or 2 extra HP. What you will notice and remember us the customer service. First Rate.

So go for it. You won't be disappointed.

Originally Posted by Rod27

Good to know

[RaTeD ///M]

Originally Posted by Maxx2

This topic has been discussed at length many times but I'm curious to know what the most used tunes are these days.

I did a quick search of recent threads and it seems the Velos tune is becoming very common now followed by Active Autowerke and Dinan. I don't see anything on the ESS anymore and I noticed they no longer offer the Direct Flash handheld unit and instead provide an OBDII to USB cable to connect to a laptop.

Besides the obvious warranty advantage of the Dinan tune is there any other reason to consider it? The advertised numbers are average and nowhere near the big numbers from some of the other tuners and pricing is typical Dinan.

The Velos Designwerkes tune has received positive feedback of late and the advertised gains are very good. Customer service also appears to be very good which is nice to see and reassuring should something go wrong.

The Active Autowerke offering has the highest advertised gains. The chart on their website clearly illustrates the gains at each rpm increment when compared to stock. I found the data very interesting and helpful when evaluating the advertised gains. This seems like a very interesting option.

Would love to hear some real world experiences especially from those that have tried more than one tune.

Some of the data I've collected so far:

ESS E-Flash S63 ECU Performance Software
+40-50rwhp
$1795.00


Dinan Stage 1 Performance Engine Software
+56hp
+74lb-ft
$3499.00


Active Autowerke X5M & X6M Performance Software
+19.16 rwhp (max hp)
+86.18 rwhp (max gain @ 4400rpm)
+100.82 lb-ft (max torque)
+117.36 lb-ft (max gain @ 3600rpm)
$1500.00
$1850.00 (w/ SIMON hand held programmer)


Velos Designwerks Performance Stage 2 Software
+90 hp
+130 lb-ft
$1500.00
$2250.00 (w/ Personal Tuner)

Something you also need to consider is the advertised gains from AA are in RWHP so when you convert to AWHP the numbers will be less.

Also, velos gains are in AWHP so its an apple to apple comparison to a baseline stock dyno plot.

[Dansarkis]

Just in case, I HIGHLY recommend all things Velos. As said before the product is solid, but the customer service is unmatched. Omar and his team go above and beyond!

Regards!
Daniel

[DDP2011X5M]

Sorry if this ? has been answered before, but with these tunes, do they void the factory warranty?

Also is the difference in HP really noticeable when driving?

Thanks

[RaTeD ///M]

Originally Posted by DDP2011X5M

Sorry if this ? has been answered before, but with these tunes, do they void the factory warranty?

Also is the difference in HP really noticeable when driving?

Thanks

I'm not 100% on that but if take it in for service just flash the stock map. If they do any kind of update the tune provider can update your maps for the current software and then you flash it back.

[mrmomo313]

Originally Posted by DDP2011X5M

Sorry if this ? has been answered before, but with these tunes, do they void the factory warranty?

Also is the difference in HP really noticeable when driving?

Thanks

you can flash back to stock with a lot of them so you can avoid voiding warranty. and to your second question YES, totally takes it to the next level. I think the gains velos makes would be even more of a difference than what I see with dinan (which already hauls ass imo)

[Omar@VelosDesignwerks]

This is correct, you can flash back to stock with our personal tune and not have to send in the computer. Holiday pricing is currently available on our Personal Tuner option

[DDP2011X5M]

Originally Posted by Omar@VelosDesignwerks

This is correct, you can flash back to stock with our personal tune and not have to send in the computer. Holiday pricing is currently available on our Personal Tuner option

Omar-tried calling your company but the phone listed on the web is not working

[dhenry]

i have been researching to tune my 2012 x5m, since i have little mechancial knowledge i have been leaning to dinan for the warranty and a local authorized shop can install. has anyone had the stage 1 installed and if so can you really feel the difference?

[mrmomo313]

Originally Posted by dhenry

i have been researching to tune my 2012 x5m, since i have little mechancial knowledge i have been leaning to dinan for the warranty and a local authorized shop can install. has anyone had the stage 1 installed and if so can you really feel the difference?

i have stage 1, and yeah you'll def see a difference

[dhenry]

Great thanks I am going to schedule the tune for next week. Merry x-mas to me.

[Die Wolfe]

Originally Posted by mrmomo313

i have stage 1, and yeah you'll def see a difference

What were your total gains from the tune?

[Jacky]

I have no experiencing w tuning.

Omar,

If I were to get the velos, how would I install it. Thx

[mrmomo313]

Originally Posted by Die Wolfe

What were your total gains from the tune?

with tune and exhaust its at 618hp and 580 ft-lbs crank. not sure what it makes at the wheels since i havent dyno'd it