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      03-06-2014, 12:10 AM   #1
mitch808
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E70 X5 35i tuning options?

There is a lot of talk in the forums about X5M tuning options, but very little on the N55 3.0L engine.

I know there is a huge lack of performance options for the car, but I was hoping for more info on the topic. Especially any feedback on the existing products out there!

Here's a short list (US Based) of what I've found in terms of tuning options. Pricing not mentioned, as it's not terribly important to me at the moment...

Piggyback system:
Burger Motorsports - N55 Stage 1

Reflashes (Often you have to ship your ECU, or else find an authorized dealer):
Active Autowerkes
Can't confirm N55 compatibility, but will email them eventually

ESS Tuning
ESS Tuning Stage 1, works for N55 they claim

Dinan
Hey it's on sale...

Cobb Tuning had started development for the N55 a couple years ago, but stopped. I'm not surprised, since it's Cobb and they can be really flaky when it comes to product development and timeliness. Though I would love an accessport for my car. (There is an old thread on an X6 as a beta user I found.) An email to cobb and FB post, said pretty much no more...


What else is out there?
Who has one of the above, and what are your impressions?


I think ultimately I want a reflash, as I've found in the past that piggybacks are not the "smoothest," systems in overall drive-ability, but they do make power. I think it's the transition from closed to open loop that is a problem for them? Where as a reflash doesn't usually suffer that, when done right.

Last edited by mitch808; 03-07-2014 at 12:19 PM..
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      03-07-2014, 12:08 AM   #2
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Looks like the F10 downpipes would fit our cars too. Though I'm looking for one with hi-flow cats, that doesnt cost over a grand...

Then I'd have to look for a tune that can accommodate for the new downpipes and make sure no error light comes on...
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      03-07-2014, 11:28 AM   #3
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Unfortunately, there is no JB4 for the N55 in an X5 because of a different DME. The Stg 1 BMS has some pretty decent gains though (30whp and ~50 torques) and for the cost and ease of install and removal, is probably the route I would go if I had the 3.0
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      03-07-2014, 12:20 PM   #4
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Post updated, thanks!

here's the thing, I can't find any specific feedback on the 3.0 for our platform, regardless of BMS or otherwise.
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      03-07-2014, 12:41 PM   #5
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Your correct in your DD as most aftermarket parts are geared towards either the 5.0 or the X5m, I went with the Dinan tune on my 2012 35I and yes there is a noticeable difference as the torque is a nice bump and you will feel it. I didn't embrace Dinan's price but as you have found out your choices are limited.
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      03-07-2014, 01:06 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FatherAce View Post
Your correct in your DD as most aftermarket parts are geared towards either the 5.0 or the X5m, I went with the Dinan tune on my 2012 35I and yes there is a noticeable difference as the torque is a nice bump and you will feel it. I didn't embrace Dinan's price but as you have found out your choices are limited.
Do you have a post detailing a review?

Talk to me about drive-ability, and any savings on fuel?

I'm really interested in daily driving, like throttle response, general acceleration, midrange response. I'm not terribly concerned about peak power and flooring it, but that is nice too.
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      03-08-2014, 02:02 PM   #7
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Drivability is great the throttle response is a little more lively but due to the drive by wire under the pedal will always be a bone of contention. Fuel compsumption is a non issue the biggest difference you can make is some lighter wheels as my winter wheels are 20lbs lighter in the rear per corner and 15 lbs up front and they are 20". The summers with run flats are crazy heavy, the rears alone are 90 lbs each fully dressed as I weighed them and couldn't believe it. Food for thought as 20lbs of moving mass per corner is a considerable amount of mass to rotate.
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      03-09-2014, 01:25 PM   #8
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90lbs, really! Wow.

Yup all too familiar with weight reduction and the impact of removing it where it counts. I know my car had RFT's and they will be replaced with non-RFT's in a heartbeat, when they are more worn. No sense in throwing away money just yet. But still I had no idea they were that heavy. Will be getting some good all-seasons like the Conti DWS or similar when the time comes.

As for DBW, its perfectly fine if tuned right. M cars get it right. As do custom tunes from tuners who take the time to play with overall driveability. I've had reflashes, piggybacks, and full standalones on past cars. A reflash is the way to go.
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      03-09-2014, 03:22 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FatherAce
Drivability is great the throttle response is a little more lively but due to the drive by wire under the pedal will always be a bone of contention. Fuel compsumption is a non issue the biggest difference you can make is some lighter wheels as my winter wheels are 20lbs lighter in the rear per corner and 15 lbs up front and they are 20". The summers with run flats are crazy heavy, the rears alone are 90 lbs each fully dressed as I weighed them and couldn't believe it. Food for thought as 20lbs of moving mass per corner is a considerable amount of mass to rotate.
What size rims and winters are you running?
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      03-13-2014, 11:20 AM   #10
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The Cobb AP will work on the N55 X5. Some different DME's might have to have a file sent to their engineers to update, but Josh @ Cobb had mine up and running the day after I received the tuner.

Excellent improvement over stock.
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      03-13-2014, 02:04 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by DustinMN View Post
The Cobb AP will work on the N55 X5. Some different DME's might have to have a file sent to their engineers to update, but Josh @ Cobb had mine up and running the day after I received the tuner.

Excellent improvement over stock.

Cobb via email & facebook have said NO support for N55 X5. Actually no X5 or X6 support. Even though, they've done it in the past in test cases.

Show me otherwise, as I would drive to Cobb Portland tomorrow for an accessport and custom tune.
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      03-13-2014, 07:22 PM   #12
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Sent out an email to Cobb to a specific person. While not officially supported, the DME i have for may particular vehicle should work with their tunes.

So I'm going to make an attempt later this month to buy an Accessport, and take it to Cobb in Portland OR for not just the normal tune, but a custom tune to extract any last bit of power out of it (Not a fan of off the shelf tunes) along with some dyno charts.

If this works, this is SOOOO much better than removing the ECU and mailing to someone in SoCal, AZ or FL, and being down 3-5days in the process.
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      03-16-2014, 04:46 PM   #13
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I have used a local guy in Calgary Alberta for my X5M and 35d tunes they do good work but the tunes for the 3.0L seem sad 8hp and 8ftlbs you still have to ship the ECU to them but they are fairly close to you but I am sure it's a few days down time anyway.

http://www.ecuprogram.com/ecu-tuning...3-0si-e70.html
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      03-16-2014, 07:31 PM   #14
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Sending my X5D to ECUProgram tomorrow

Last edited by Commanderwiggin; 03-16-2014 at 07:52 PM..
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      03-17-2014, 03:10 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sylvan Lake V35 View Post
I have used a local guy in Calgary Alberta for my X5M and 35d tunes they do good work but the tunes for the 3.0L seem sad 8hp and 8ftlbs you still have to ship the ECU to them but they are fairly close to you but I am sure it's a few days down time anyway.

http://www.ecuprogram.com/ecu-tuning...3-0si-e70.html
Shipping to CAN is never fun. Customs, unexpected taxes, shady declarations, etc... Besides other tuners are getting close to 50HP from their tunes on the 3.0. Odds are their website is not updated, one would hope...

I think I found a vendor selling Cobb AccessPorts for near half the MSRP, hopefully he quoted me correctly, a v3 and not a v2. That will give me a nice bump form the get go, but I'll get a protune from Cobb in Oregon hopefully towards the end of the month. Not to mention, the MPG is pretty terrible so far on the factory tune.
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      04-04-2014, 06:49 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DustinMN View Post
The Cobb AP will work on the N55 X5. Some different DME's might have to have a file sent to their engineers to update, but Josh @ Cobb had mine up and running the day after I received the tuner.

Excellent improvement over stock.
What is Josh's info?
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