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  #1  
Old 01-01-2014, 12:45 AM
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1st mod wheels or ECU tune

I recently just purchased a 2011 x35d with 18in OEM wheels. I'm debating on what to do for 1st upgrade.

1) ECU Tune RENNtech or evolve? $1200
2) 22's $1500 - $2000

Feedback is appreciated. My conflict is should I enjoy the stock x35d for a while and improve the visual or will the ECU tune be more fun the wheels can come later.

I understand this is completely subjective, but still would like to know opinions on what you might do first if you had the choice.

Thanks in advance!
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Old 01-01-2014, 01:53 AM
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price - do the ECU

functionality - do the wheels first, it will improve handling, and the appearance... and then do the ECU that will take into account the bigger wheels...
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Old 01-01-2014, 03:02 AM
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Thx for the input!
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Old 01-01-2014, 04:23 AM
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I did an ECU tune the same day we got our diesel, tires for 22" are likely going to run in the $1,000+ range so you will be in the $3,000 range for wheels/tires
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Old 01-01-2014, 08:55 AM
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Which ECU tune did you do for your diesel?

Any feedback on if you would choose the same or a different one?
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Old 01-01-2014, 02:13 PM
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A local shop to me ECUProgram in Calgary Alberta did the tune, it made a huge difference. I think you might have to ship the ECU to them if you're not local. I would use them again for sure, I am planning to get them to tune my X5M as well.

If you like you can tell them Gord sent you, I spend lots of money there and they always take care of my friends.


BMW X5 3.5d (e70) - ECUPROGRAM Performance Tuning

ECU PROGRAM - ECUPROGRAM Performance Tuning
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Last edited by Sylvan Lake V35; 01-01-2014 at 07:03 PM.
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Old 01-01-2014, 02:46 PM
ard ard is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TerminatorX5 View Post

functionality - do the wheels first, it will improve handling, and the appearance... and then do the ECU that will take into account the bigger wheels...
22".... "improve" handling? Do tell.

And love to hear how the ECU tune takes bigger rims (same size overall diameter tire) into account.....
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Old 01-01-2014, 03:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ard View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by TerminatorX5
functionality - do the wheels first, it will improve handling, and the appearance... and then do the ECU that will take into account the bigger wheels...
22".... "improve" handling? Do tell.

And love to hear how the ECU tune takes bigger rims (same size overall diameter tire) into account.....
I'll be more direct. 22" rims will negatively impact the handling. And the ride. And the performance (acceleration/braking), unless the rim/tire combination is lighter, which is unlikely. But some like the look. Others of us will laugh at it when we see it on the street, as shake our heads at the owner's choice of fashion over function. It's the OP's ride, though, he gets to decide.

I think Terminator meant that the tune will bring back some of the acceleration that is lost to the increased rotational inertia. Compensate would be a better choice of word than the phrase take into account. Just my guess. If the OP went down that road, though, he would then have to buy larger brakes to compensate for the increased stopping distance.

My advice: spend the money on a performance driving course. More impact than any vehicle mod.
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Old 01-01-2014, 05:04 PM
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Thank you JCL, you are right...

While i do not judge folks on the decision to go 22" or 28" or whatever, as it is their ride... there is enough clearance in the X wheelwell to go with the 22" and not rub the fenders from inside... the simple rule of "plus-sizing" suggests that the overall diameter stay the same and the tire width increases, thus putting more rubber onto the road... hence collecting more road imperfections, and the ride is rather harsh on this rubber band stretched over the metal... nevertheless, 22" rims are probably maxing out at the upper size limit for an X (here is E53 link - http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-got-pics.html - a few members here have 22")... the overall bigger patch puts more rolling resistance to the car (similar to bicycle thin tires "cutting" through puddles of mud or snow banks, and wide tires "skiiing" on the same)... I would argue that the bigger patch gives better cornering, but the power performance might be lost (just a bit, due to new tire/wheel weight, and new geometry)... New ECU programming should take into consideration the the tires as one of the many factors (just like the air suspension takes into consideration the wheels size for the height adjustments).

Now, I believe there is a hyperbolic relation on the wheel/tire combos - you would not want to put 14" rims on the X (well, 14" will not fit anyways, just for the sake of argument i exaggerated), nor you want to put a 36" rim... there is a sweet spot and the 22" fall at the upper limit of that sweet spot..

which should improve the handling, just as 20" factory rims improve handling on otherwise 17" wheels...

I thought we had covered this a long time ago... lol...

now, aesthetics of the 22" rims - that is in the eyes of a beholder... If style 87 came in 22" size, i might consider...

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Old 01-01-2014, 06:18 PM
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Thank you guys for the input and thoughts. The driving course actually sounds interesting. I appreciate the constructive feedback on the 22's and the ECU. I definitely see the logic in the size of 22's maxing out the upper limits, but the deal that I'm getting on the wheels is almost the same cost as me buying 20's. After all is said and done I'll definitely post about how the ECU compensates for the larger wheels.

Any thoughts on what a set of OEM 18's with TPMS should go for? I have seen a set on craigslist go for $1250 does that sound about right?

Thank you again for your input!
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