Dinan CAI for 2000 X5

[RDM3]

Can anyone tell me if getting the Dinan CAI for my 2000 X5 is worth it? Do you see a big change? I would also get the SW too, but unless I am wrong and I hope I am, the SW was $599, same as the CAI part.

[JCL]

By itself, there will be negligible difference in hp, likely some increased intake noise that you will be able to hear when you floor it.

If you also add the Dinan software, new Dinan throttle body, and Dinan exhaust, then you will notice a difference. Dinan "highly recommends" that you do all of these together.

On the other hand, as a cosmetic mod, it gives you a different under-hood look, and several points towards a Dinan badge. Only you can decide if that is worth $600 to you.

[RDM3]

Originally Posted by JCL

By itself, there will be negligible difference in hp, likely some increased intake noise that you will be able to hear when you floor it.

If you also add the Dinan software, new Dinan throttle body, and Dinan exhaust, then you will notice a difference. Dinan "highly recommends" that you do all of these together.

On the other hand, as a cosmetic mod, it gives you a different under-hood look, and several points towards a Dinan badge. Only you can decide if that is worth $600 to you.

Does the $600 include the SW.

I like Dinan, my M3 has a Dinan SC in it, so they are good, but if I am seeing a little gain, maybe it is just better to go stock.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by RDM3

Does the $600 include the SW.

I like Dinan, my M3 has a Dinan SC in it, so they are good, but if I am seeing a little gain, maybe it is just better to go stock.

Nope. $600 for the CAI, $600 for the S3 software, $800 for the throttle body, and $1400 for the exhaust. Add labour to that. See the link.

X5 Series*::*X5 4.4i (E53) 2000-2006*::*Engine Tuning*::*Stage 3 Engine Software (Thru 03)

All of these four together are claimed to give you 10% power increase. I wouldn't think that the CAI by itself could produce any measurable increase.

EDIT: Typo. S3 software is only $500, not $600.

[RDM3]

Originally Posted by JCL

Nope. $600 for the CAI, $600 for the S3 software, $800 for the throttle body, and $1400 for the exhaust. Add labour to that. See the link.

X5 Series*::*X5 4.4i (E53) 2000-2006*::*Engine Tuning*::*Stage 3 Engine Software (Thru 03)

Thanks, yeah I am not spending $600 for a CAI then $600 for SW

[jsears]

You won't see any significant increases by adding anything short of an SC to your X5. Since I have owned my X5 I have added the Dinan SW, TB, CAI, and exhaust. I think all 4 of those items work very well together. Granted I didn't see a great HP or Torque gain, but it does transform the X5 into sounding and feeling more aggressive.

I am sure some of the other X5 owners that have some Dinan mods will say that probably the best mod is the Dinan SW.

[m5james]

Originally Posted by RDM3

Thanks, yeah I am not spending $600 for a CAI then $600 for SW

I'm assuming your X is a 4.4. If you want to do intake upgrades for cheaper, you can also swap in a pre-VANOS intake manifold, which can be found in jnkyards for as little as $30. This is the EXACT same thing as the one $$Dinan$$ sells for some obnoxious amount. I haven't researched intakes for the X yet, so I have no advice there. There's a site called www.cosmoracing.com that sells intakes for 540/740's, but the closest X the list is an X3 I've considered writing them, but then again i've also considered just getting one for a 540/740 since it's the same motor and just try to make it work...as long as the filter ends up behind the foglight and is secured somehow, and intake tube is just an intake tube really. $$Dinan$$ intake keeps the filter inside the engine bay, but I custom made an intake similar to the Cosmo one and the filter is directly behind the foglight, closer to the opening of th front bumper so it gets PLENTY of air. You can also increase the size of your MAF w/ swapping your sensor into a pre-VANOS MAF tube, which will give you the same diameter as the $$Dinan$$ aluminum MAF. After that, get software from someone who isn't as conservative, like Powerchips.

Exhaust...still haven't done any research there either other than knowing I can't install the same Magnaflow 14816's that I have on my 7 because the X has less room for the length that they'd need. I've heard positive things about keeping the stock mufflers but replacing the mid-pipe (basically a muffler w/ an x-pipe inside of it) to a plain ol' x-pipe. I've got an x-pipe just sitting in my garage, i just need to get off my ass and have it installed.

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by jsears

You won't see any significant increases by adding anything short of an SC to your X5. Since I have owned my X5 I have added the Dinan SW, TB, CAI, and exhaust. I think all 4 of those items work very well together. Granted I didn't see a great HP or Torque gain, but it does transform the X5 into sounding and feeling more aggressive.

I am sure some of the other X5 owners that have some Dinan mods will say that probably the best mod is the Dinan SW.

.....After Dinan SW done for the engine and trans... I also added the Underdrive Power Pulleys
and Schrick Camshafts to my 3.0i and now it is totally different animal

[m5james]

Originally Posted by jsears

I am sure some of the other X5 owners that have some Dinan mods will say that probably the best mod is the Dinan SW.

No offense, but seeing $$Dinan$$ prices, i'd justify it by saying it's the best mod too after spending what they ask. The ONLY reason why their S/C is any good is because it's the only one around. www.VFEngineering.com made S/C kits for the 540/740 which is the same motor, but did it for easily half the price and more power. The hurdle we'd have to get past to adapt a 540/740 kit is the software....unfortunately, it's a big hurdle.

[RDM3]

So just getting the $399 SW will help or make a difference?