Mod help for e70 35i

[KgKeta]

New to bmws and going to purchase a 2011 bmw x5 35i with 53k miles and wanted some advice for some fun mods to get. Was hoping to get a better exhaust and help get a louder turbo noise while keeping decent reliable as I could. I’m not sure exactly what to get and was hoping for some advise. Ideally would get intake, charge pipe, exhaust, and possible a tune.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by KgKeta

New to bmws and going to purchase a 2011 bmw x5 35i with 53k miles and wanted some advice for some fun mods to get. Was hoping to get a better exhaust and help get a louder turbo noise while keeping decent reliable as I could. I’m not sure exactly what to get and was hoping for some advise. Ideally would get intake, charge pipe, exhaust, and possible a tune.

They are nice vehicles for sure! I'd drive it around a bit and make sure everything is updated as needed. I've read the intercooler is already a little larger than the cars, so not a huge need to upgrade. Charge pipe is a good maintenance upgrade. Decide what to do about intake and the 275 feet of pipe ducts. Get a tune, and see how that works out. Maybe a downpipe eventually if you do the exhaust.

E70s don't have a huge option list of aftermarket support but luckily share an engine with the E90 and F30, which have a ton. So tunes are definitely available. The hardware is more limiting, but it's there as well. Pretty easy to add 50hp.

[Smonkbmw]

Burger Tuning for intake
VRSF for a downpipe
MHD for tune
GFB or TurboSmart for a BOV
I personally don’t think there is a huge difference between charge pipe manufacturers. I’d almost gamble and say just to save the money and get a eBay set up, but someone else may chime in with more experience.

Actual exhaust is a bit of a waste but I think Megan makes a system. Or you can have your local exhaust shop chop the muffler off as the piping is fairly large for stock. Or, you can get any of the apps like Carly, BimmerCode etc and tell the car to run both exhausts open all the time, that’s usually enough for most.

The above is what I had planned if I had found a e70 n55 msport car but a deal on a diesel came my way so I went that route.

[Spaceme1117]

A high flow catted down pipe will definitely increase the turbo spool noise as well as increase power.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Smonkbmw

, you can get any of the apps like Carly, BimmerCode etc and tell the car to run both exhausts open all the time

I am intrigued by this and didn't know it was an option! Do you know what the code is for that and what module it's in?

[Smonkbmw]

I am almost positive It is a selectable option on Carly. However, on BimmerCode, you might have to do some digging, maybe a Google search would show, I’m not sure.

[KgKeta]

Is it worth doing stage 2 for the mhd tine or should I stick with stage 1. And does stage one get rid of the check engine light from careless downpipe?

[Daytonawim]

I have an oem muffler with oem end tips without flaps, sounds perfect not to loud, butt when pushing the gas pedal, it gifs a nice sound, also in higher ref’s you hear the turbo in the exhaust when up shifting.

I took an stage 1 tune (at 125k mls) on the dyno, about 350 Hp and 550 Nm, plenty of power in combination with an Xhp flasch for the gearbox.
The tuner good easily push the engine at a higher number, butt it’s an highly respected BMW specialist and likes to keep the engine and parts in good working order.

[ryansbmw]

The posters above pretty much nailed it on mods.

Intake- BMS makes one. I used it for a while. It sounds nice but I hated the fact I was always washing it and having to re-oil it. Maybe it’s just the dirt and salt on the NJ roads but it got pretty dirty pretty quickly. I switched to the AFe drop in dry filter instead. A little less fun sounding but maintenance is quicker and easier. No more messing with oil. No performance change between the two.

Charge Pipe- I used VRSF but there is a couple companies that make them. This is good mod to prevent any future problems with the factory plastic pipe cracking, especially if you start tuning.

Downpipe- I used VRSF here again. Lots more expensive brands out there but my shop had no problem making this one fit. Lots of fun turbo sounds now.

Tuning-MHD is the main option. The OTS maps have worked fine for me so far but I would like to have my shop create a custom dyno tune.

Exhaust- I think Megan still makes an e70 kit. The BMW performance exhaust has been discontinued. Having an exhaust shop whip up a custom setup for you with Vibrant resonator or mufflers wouldn’t be difficult. That’s the route I will be going.

Intercooler-I believe Wagner and VRSF both make upgrades intercoolers for our car. Not sure if anyone here has actually bought one yet. Like others have said, our intercoolers are already larger than the e90 and f10 counterparts which most of these tunes were designed around. I’m sure there is gains to be had but unless you spend all your times doing hard pulls in the dead of summer, not sure if these are really worth it

Originally Posted by KgKeta

Is it worth doing stage 2 for the mhd tine or should I stick with stage 1. And does stage one get rid of the check engine light from careless downpipe?

Stage 2 is great but you’ll need a down pipe to get the most out of it. In MHD, there is a checkbox for catless so if you select that, the check engine light wil not appear for cat related codes.

[Smonkbmw]

Originally Posted by KgKeta

Is it worth doing stage 2 for the mhd tine or should I stick with stage 1. And does stage one get rid of the check engine light from careless downpipe?

You can run stage 2 with downpipe. Per their tunes, you need a upgraded intercooler to run 2+.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Smonkbmw

I am almost positive It is a selectable option on Carly. However, on BimmerCode, you might have to do some digging, maybe a Google search would show, I’m not sure.

Thanks, I have ProTool, so will dig around in it and try to find it! Sounds like a great option!

Originally Posted by ryansbmw

Tuning-MHD is the main option. The OTS maps have worked fine for me so far but I would like to have my shop create a custom dyno tune.

I'm playing around with the idea of going with MHD for stage 1, but thinking Dinan might be just as good at that level and also CA legal. For MHD, did you have to send in your DME? I came across some have to be sent in? Which one are you using, as I don't see e70 support on their site? https://mhdtuning.com/collections
Thanks!

[ryansbmw]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Thanks, I have ProTool, so will dig around in it and try to find it! Sounds like a great option!


I'm playing around with the idea of going with MHD for stage 1, but thinking Dinan might be just as good at that level and also CA legal. For MHD, did you have to send in your DME? I came across some have to be sent in? Which one are you using, as I don't see e70 support on their site? https://mhdtuning.com/collections
Thanks!

The DME has to be unlocked. So whether you pull it yourself and send it off to someone like Twisted Tuning to be unlocked or find a local tuner that can do it for you, that’s your choice.

You’ll use the package for the E series N55
https://mhdtuning.com/collections/mhd-flasher-n55e

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by ryansbmw

The DME has to be unlocked. So whether you pull it yourself and send it off to someone like Twisted Tuning to be unlocked or find a local tuner that can do it for you, that’s your choice.

You’ll use the package for the E series N55
https://mhdtuning.com/collections/mhd-flasher-n55e

Thanks! I never really paid attention with NA engines, but now that we have something with a turbo, it's coming up on my radar!