*The Official E53 Manual Transmission Registry Thread*

[Happy]

I have been verified, I am not spam! Please don't insult me, another member ask me for my impression. I gave my take on the performance fair and partial to the best of my knowledge. Since, I've had more road time with the X5 and let me tell you.. It's FAST..! I was able to execute at FULL throttle a 1st 6500rpm shift to 2nd 6500rpm shift to 3rd perfectly, and then I backed off at 5800rpm. All I'm going to say is; I got ALL of my money's worth.! I have 15 years experience with performance cars, this vehicle is well over 300hp to the wheels. This isn't a plug and play tuned X5. It's a custom map, track tuned, and awd dyno tuned. For the video and pic guys, I have been very busy going into my vacation. Car is garaged but, she has not even bad a bath since the return from the shop. I've had less than an hour with the vehicle, so I apologize and will try to get something for you guys. Again, my apologies.


PS.. Still in the break-in period, still getting faster..!! Can't wait till the installation of the water/meth kit.

[Bayerische E53]

Hi, Gang.

I just wanted to introduce myself. I've had this truck for a little less than a year but I thought I might have to sell it so I didn't bother posting up pictures. It turns out I'm going to wind up keeping her (don't mistake that as being bah humbug; I am quite relieved) so here she is.

2005 (D.O.B. November 2, 2004)
3.0i w/ 6MT (69,XXX Miles)
Alpine White
Schwartz Dakota Leather Interior
A Few (ehem, incomplete) Mods

I know...she needs wheels and suspension. I'm actually not driving her at the moment for that reason. She'll reside under a car cover in storage for some time until I can sort the wheels and suspension issue.

I don't have any better pictures of her because her and I are currently in different states (it's a long story). We'll be reunited in about 3 weeks time at which point I'll take some better pictures (including interior photos) and maybe make a thread. We'll see.

[Nick P]

Originally Posted by Happy

All I'm going to say is; I got ALL of my money's worth.! I have 15 years experience with performance cars, this vehicle is well over 300hp to the wheels. This isn't a plug and play tuned X5. It's a custom map, track tuned, and awd dyno tuned.

PS.. Still in the break-in period, still getting faster..!! Can't wait till the installation of the water/meth kit.

Explain, why you need a break-in, if nothing were done to the engine mechanically?

What is "track tuned" in case of M54 engine in the X5?

What's your boost? With stock RMS-kit boost on stock internals you'll never get nearly to 300 AWHP from M54.

For that kind of power you'll need at least 14-15 psi, agressive cams, forged pistons and reduced compression. Remapping will einther add about 5-10% over your SC baseline or, which is much better will get you a harmonical HP and torque curves for more efficient operation.

Judging from what you said before - there's no technical understanding at all, just some phrases how great the RMS kit is (you repeat it in every posting) and some very fairy tale numbers and statements, without any technical details, which are expected from you, especially after your statement about "15 years experience with performance cars".

I'm not offensive, just waiting for more information.

[Happy]

Here are some pics.. Sorry no video, I'm still learning how to post.

[Green Dragon]

Originally Posted by Happy

Here are some pics.. Sorry no video, I'm still learning how to post.

Ummm, yeah all I can say, is I'm drooling over your super charger! Please post a video!

[X5SND]

Do we have any concrete numbers for this RMS kit?

If memory serves me right the ESS tuning kit for the M54 was around the 250-260 at the wheels for the X5. Achieved at 7psi and stock internals.

[Happy]

X5SND, your ride is one of the meanest E53's I have seen..! Nice..! As for the #'s, the guys at RMS are pushing my M54 to the limit. I feel I can easily blow my motor by over reving. The ESS kits are very conservative. My RMS kit was designed, machined, mapped, and tuned by the owner himself and is COMPLETELY custom. The shop owner trusted that my driving style was conservative and therefor gave my kit his all. I don't care about #'s, I care about reliability, and I certainly was not in favor of having them push my block to its breaking point numerous times just to prove something I already know. No thanks. Food for thought, RMS produced a 900HP E39 M5 dubbed the Monster. I will say this, imagine rolling in your X5 and you come up on a E46 M3 and he hears your pipes roaring. Knowing that your heavy weight X5 3.0 is no match he just gives you a silly grin and blows you off until... You down shift (boy I love my manual X5) to 2nd hit redline, into 3rd and run it all the way to redline as well, then hit 4th with no throttle. I got the jump and a good one, but the M3 did not pass me until I backed off. I am sure top end he would have passed me easily, but his facial expression when he caught up to me, PRICELESS. Some here on the board think that I am in a fairy tale, but I tell you, my fairy tale is a reality.


P.S. We still need to install the Methanol

[SammyD]

I finally found and purchased the X5 I've been looking for last weekend

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by SammyD

I finally found and purchased the X5 I've been looking for last weekend

ahhhh very jealous of the white! Great job getting premium and sport package too, can we have specs on the mileage, options, etc, and your story to how you found and bought the car?

[SammyD]

Thanks Ricky Bobby, I'm definitely digging your Topaz Blue X5 as well!

2003 BMW X5
White on Black
5-speed
Sport / Premium / Cold Weather Package
PDC
76K miles

I had been looking for a while for this combo (almost gave up) and came across one in Oregon about a month ago while travelling (total coincidence and thought it was meant to be...didn't care if I had to ship it across the country). I inspected it in person while there and it definitely needed some TLC (160K miles). Unfortunately, the owner was very difficult to work with and did not have the title in hand so I respectfully walked away.

I was really disappointed but a few weeks later I found the one I purchased in pristine condition in your neck of the woods (New Jersey). The previous owner meticulously maintained it and was great to deal with (best automobile transaction I've ever experienced). So, I sent a deposit, had BMW inspect it (found a few things..mostly maintenance), settled on price and booked a one way train ticket with my wife to pick it up and drive it home. The rest is history

Happy to be here to learn and contribute!