Tune for a Tow Vehicle?

ShadeD1 · 09-01-2014, 08:48 PM

I have a X5 35i that I intend to use to tow a 2100 lb Miata track car. I'm considering doing one of the various tunes. Anyone with experience towing with a tuned engine? Do I need to beef up any of the internals to avoid overheating or the like? Maybe it is a stupid idea?
Thanks

sburke91 · 09-02-2014, 07:56 AM

I tow with my 50i running the Velos tune, with no adverse effects. My longest tow was about 3000 lbs of boat and trailer 500 miles through the mountains in PA on the way back to Ohio. Mileage dropped by about 1/3 (21 mpg unladen on the way out, 14 mpg on the way back towing), but there were no other adverse effects, and engine temp (I have the P3cars gauge) remained normal throughout the trip.

DustinMN · 09-02-2014, 10:14 AM

Cobb tune on my 35i. No issues. I would recommend it.

mitch808 · 09-02-2014, 11:21 AM

You can tow with your car as-is. I would make sure your trans fluid is in great shape. Heat kills a trans. Perhaps an aftermarket trans cooler?

Outside of that, I 2nd the Cobb Accessport. Simple, affordable, and offers so much more than the other tunes out there. Like logging of data, diagnostics, real-time monitoring, and more.

Though you'll want to verify your engine compatibility with Josh @ Cobb Tuning (TX). The N55 on the X5 is technically "Beta." But it works just fine on a number of years/models.

ShadeD1 · 09-02-2014, 08:16 PM

Awesome guys, thanks for the replies. I'm new here and glad to see it is as friendly as the M3 board

ShadeD1 · 10-24-2014, 04:02 PM

They don't have the X5 35i listed, which tune are you guys using?

stltri · 10-26-2014, 05:52 PM

For those with the Cobb on an N55, which maps are you guys using?

mitch808 · 10-26-2014, 06:09 PM

Read about the n55 tunes in their notes and you can see what is applicable

DustinMN · 10-28-2014, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stltri

For those with the Cobb on an N55, which maps are you guys using?

I'm running the BMS intake, and VRSF downpipe. Ran the 2+ aggressive map, did some logs and had revisions done to bring it back down a touch. It's perfectly balanced now.

MAK3N3 · 10-28-2014, 03:21 PM

Here's some more good info on towing if you're interested, not really about tunes but weights and transmission info.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...er-towing.html

09-01-2014, 08:48 PM	#1
ShadeD1 First Lieutenant 38 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 xDrive 35i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Tune for a Tow Vehicle? I have a X5 35i that I intend to use to tow a 2100 lb Miata track car. I'm considering doing one of the various tunes. Anyone with experience towing with a tuned engine? Do I need to beef up any of the internals to avoid overheating or the like? Maybe it is a stupid idea? Thanks
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09-02-2014, 07:56 AM	#2
sburke91 Private First Class 10 Rep 156 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 50i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Delaware, OH iTrader: (0)	I tow with my 50i running the Velos tune, with no adverse effects. My longest tow was about 3000 lbs of boat and trailer 500 miles through the mountains in PA on the way back to Ohio. Mileage dropped by about 1/3 (21 mpg unladen on the way out, 14 mpg on the way back towing), but there were no other adverse effects, and engine temp (I have the P3cars gauge) remained normal throughout the trip.
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09-02-2014, 10:14 AM	#3
DustinMN Private 3 Rep 57 Posts Drives: 2007 335i 6MT 2011 X5 Msport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	Cobb tune on my 35i. No issues. I would recommend it.
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09-02-2014, 11:21 AM	#4
mitch808 Captain 107 Rep 994 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 35i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	You can tow with your car as-is. I would make sure your trans fluid is in great shape. Heat kills a trans. Perhaps an aftermarket trans cooler? Outside of that, I 2nd the Cobb Accessport. Simple, affordable, and offers so much more than the other tunes out there. Like logging of data, diagnostics, real-time monitoring, and more. Though you'll want to verify your engine compatibility with Josh @ Cobb Tuning (TX). The N55 on the X5 is technically "Beta." But it works just fine on a number of years/models. Last edited by mitch808; 09-02-2014 at 09:50 PM..
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09-02-2014, 08:16 PM	#5
ShadeD1 First Lieutenant 38 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 xDrive 35i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Awesome guys, thanks for the replies. I'm new here and glad to see it is as friendly as the M3 board
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10-24-2014, 04:02 PM	#6
ShadeD1 First Lieutenant 38 Rep 330 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 xDrive 35i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	They don't have the X5 35i listed, which tune are you guys using?
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10-26-2014, 05:52 PM	#7
stltri Private First Class 11 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 12 X5 35i M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	For those with the Cobb on an N55, which maps are you guys using?
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10-26-2014, 06:09 PM	#8
mitch808 Captain 107 Rep 994 Posts Drives: 2012 X5 35i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Read about the n55 tunes in their notes and you can see what is applicable
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10-28-2014, 03:21 PM	#10
MAK3N3 Private 9 Rep 75 Posts Drives: E36, E70, E90 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Houston iTrader: (2)	Here's some more good info on towing if you're interested, not really about tunes but weights and transmission info. http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...er-towing.html
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