Help Me Decide - Dinan Upgrade on New X5 50i

[Btcus]

After much research and test driving I will be taking delivery of the X5 50i below and would appreciate some perspective on the differences between the stock 50i and upgrading to the dinan stage 4 with High Performance Air to Water Intercoolers (skipping stage 3 exhaust hardware upgrade. This will be my daily driver @ 10k miles per year. I plan on keeping the X5 for at least 5 years.

Build:

Silver Metallic
Black Perf Nevada Leather
Dark Bamboo
Luxury Seating Package
Premium Package 2
Premium Sound Package
Sports Activity Package
20" Wheels
Adaptive Drive
Active Steering
BMW apps
BMW assist

Here are 6 questions that I wanted to ask the members that have upgraded this x5 50i Engine with the Dinan Stage 2 (and above) software. (Thanks for bearing with my OCD and thanks for the help in advance)

1). I am concerned with the gas mileage as I have read about substantial decreased in MPG after upgrade. What differences, if any, did you experience with your gas mileage after the upgrade?

2) I am concerned that the upgrade will result in some frustrating side effects around the daily drivability. Did you experience the transmission acting "jittery" or "lunging" in bumper to bumper traffic? Or when needing to give very little throttle to move short distances? (Pulling into the driveway or parallel parking?)

3) I'm considering taking advantage of the 15% discount on parts being offered for the software upgrade and Intercoolers. Has anyone done better than the 15%? (I plan on having the upgrade done at the corporate headquarters in Morgan Hill)

4) I am concerned that 'skipping' the stage 3 exhaust hardware upgrade and jumping directly into the Intercoolers upgrade (stage 4) will result in poorer performance as it relates to the smoothness of the transmission and power flow. I have read this on a few posts. Is this correct?

5) anyone wish they "had not" purchased the upgrade after instal? Why?

6) any reason I will regret the upgrade given how new the car is? (Would you recommend enjoying the "stock versio" for a while.

Thank you!

Brian

[NardoW12]

Can't answer your question directly but I know someone with a 2012 X5 50i and got Dinan Stage 4, Air-to-Water cooler, and the free flow exhaust. According to him the gas mileage is getting pretty close to X5M's range, and his only regret was that he should have gotten an X5M instead (considering the MPG he's getting and the money he spent on Dinan mods)

[Btcus]

Originally Posted by NardoW12

Can't answer your question directly but I know someone with a 2012 X5 50i and got Dinan Stage 4, Air-to-Water cooler, and the free flow exhaust. According to him the gas mileage is getting pretty close to X5M's range, and his only regret was that he should have gotten an X5M instead (considering the MPG he's getting and the money he spent on Dinan mods)

Nardo - thanks for your comments. Very eye opening. This is moving me away from the mods as that type of MPG would be a deal breaker.

[Btcus]

Can anyone else comment on specific mpg with these upgrades?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Btcus

Can anyone else comment on specific mpg with these upgrades?

Not on these models, but in general, yes.

Producing HP takes fuel. You can't create it out of thin air. If you are producing similar power to the M, you should expect to consume similar quantities of fuel.

[Brian425]

I have the Dinan stage2 tune on my '12 X5 50i. Honestly I did not see any noticeable decrease in fuel economy. From comparing to local X5 50i's I get the same or very similar gas mileage.

I found that the upgrade slightly helped driveability. It is more responsive low in the RPM range. There are no issues with flat spots in the power delivery.

I am looking at getting the intercoolers and catted downpipes. I just need to better understand how the downpipes will work with the Dinan stage 4 tune.

My recommendation is to get the tune and intercooler. If you go from 13mpg to 12mpg, that is the price you pay for a faster and better performing vehicle. (plus about $6000).

[Btcus]

Originally Posted by JCL

Not on these models, but in general, yes.

Producing HP takes fuel. You can't create it out of thin air. If you are producing similar power to the M, you should expect to consume similar quantities of fuel.

I agree that producing HP takes fuel. No question. The tune will give me the 'ability' to move the vehicle faster which will use more fuel.....when I want it. I should have clarified in my post that I am mainly concerned with the mileage when I'm not pushing it to the extreme.

Meaning If I drive it moderately will I see a dramatic change in MPG?

Picture a stock 50i and a 50i with the Dinan tune on a dragtrip. If they both take off on the green light at the same speed and get to the finish line at the same time will the 50i with the Dinan tune use more fuel? I'm not accelerating faster or using the full potential of the tune.

If its the same millage that would be good.

[JCL]

Since we are discussing X5M-like mileage, we should clarify that most X5M drivers don't drive with the accelerator floored all the time. They use the power when they want it, probably a very low % of the time in most cases. Just like you likely would do with the tune.

The EPA figures are 2 mpg difference between the X5M and the 50i. More than that in practice would be due to more than occasional use of the available power. The 2 mpg difference is on a dyno, with the same acceleration profile, so that is the approximate penalty for having the power available for when you want it. Any lower in practice is due to actually using it.

Hope that helps.

[Btcus]

Originally Posted by Brian425

I have the Dinan stage2 tune on my '12 X5 50i. Honestly I did not see any noticeable decrease in fuel economy. From comparing to local X5 50i's I get the same or very similar gas mileage.

I found that the upgrade slightly helped driveability. It is more responsive low in the RPM range. There are no issues with flat spots in the power delivery.

I am looking at getting the intercoolers and catted downpipes. I just need to better understand how the downpipes will work with the Dinan stage 4 tune.

My recommendation is to get the tune and intercooler. If you go from 13mpg to 12mpg, that is the price you pay for a faster and better performing vehicle. (plus about $6000).

How long did you have the 50i before upgrading?

I'm reading on the forums that say the 50i gets anywhere between 15-19 avg mpg. YMMV of course but you are saying you we're getting 13.

Just trying to understand the mpg start point. How hard did you drive it before the upgrade?

[Brian425]

I am getting about 12mpg in NYC driving, mainly city driving. I know another member here getting a bit less than 10mpg.

I had it about 8 months before I did the tune. Basically, I waited until a sale. I expect to do the intercoolers and Stage 4 during the next sale. I am still considering downpipes.

Honestly, I have never left a vehicle stock. I mod everything to make more horsepower. I came close to buying an X5M; but, I could not comfortably swing the extra $$ at the time. I buy all my vehicles and keep them a while, so once out of warranty, I hope to be experimenting with bigger turbos, injectors, etc, etc.

It's an addiction.