The Australian X5 Thread

[huntertec]

Hi OZ, the mods sound good, time to post some pics so the members can cast a critical eye over them and see if they meet our high standards . The remap wont have any effect on your trans changing it only reprogrammes your engine management system. That said the trans will adapt to your driving style if it becomes more aggresive with the added power, Problem is you will be tempted to keep using it at least in the early days.

[Oz Sport]

ok , ill get some pictures soon

[x3oiler]

Originally Posted by huntertec

Hi Oz Sport, yes a remap is definetly the best option with turbo vehicles to acheive the optimum results with the main focus on high torque output which for diesels is the better way to go. These 3.0d's have so much untaped potential mine is ( within reason ) a little rocketship compared to its standard form, and with the improved handling it feels like a brute. This is the Company who did mine they have centres around Aus. Cheers
evolve-technik.com.au The programming is done in Germany.

Need to be careful as this IS an X5 thread but I have to say . . imagine how a remapped 3.0d goes in my X3 that weighs what 300+kg less than your X5 :-) . . . . I can feel all four tyres squirming for grip if I decide to have some fun. I used a Superchip Bluefin unit to remap mine. It takes about 5 minutes to revert to stock if I need to (dang it does feel dead when I do it too).

So for a 3.0d - yes a +1 on the remap as best bang for buck you will get (not a tuning box btw . . do not even consider)

[huntertec]

x3oiler, did they give you any performance figures with your remap as many don't give output figures, and yes with the lighter weight X3 I'd imagine how much better it would be. I drove my mates new M3 the other day apart from being an exceptionally nice thing to drive what a missile, my X5 felt like a slug after driving that ( a nice slug )

[x3oiler]

Only figures are here:
http://www.superchips.com.au/search?...9&variant=1626

Namely:
Original bhp : 218 (160kW)
Original nm : 500
BHP increase : 45 (33 kW)
NM gain : 97

The power curve link on the above page is for the older 3.0d in an X5 and thus the curve figures do not agree with the above numbers.

[DanX5d]

Having spent 15 years in engine tuning albeit mainly petrol with a 4 year stint at MoTeC and another 5 years after that in motorpsort, I revel in the opportunity to get the most of of a standard engine. Sure you can get bulk horsepower with extra strong internals, a larger turbo etc but the former approach is my preference....

However......The X5 ECU like in my 2004 model can only be written to (re-programmed) less than 10 times before it locks up and you need to get another unit from somewhere to replace it. This appears to be deliberate protection by Bosch/Siemens/BMW to limit the number of updates or re-writes.

I have seen ECUs rendered useless by well meaning operators re-flashing ECUs in Subarus, VW's and more. Just make sure that whoever is doing this for you, is prepared to supply or have available another ECU as a back up.

A reflash has many advantages IF the programmer/s are very experienced and know their way around the architecture. As long as they don't use your car as the guinea pig and there is some form of recourse if it all goes pear shaped, then let me know how it goes.

My 5c worth.
Cheers Dan.

[Oz Sport]

I cant find any evidence of anyone else having locked themselves out of their ECU ?

ANyone else ?

[x3oiler]

Originally Posted by DanX5d

However......The X5 ECU like in my 2004 model can only be written to (re-programmed) less than 10 times before it locks up and you need to get another unit from somewhere to replace it.

Yikes, warning noted. Thanks.

[Oz Sport]

lol,

i love it how ppl believe every thing they read without doing any of their own research ...

[DanX5d]

Originally Posted by Oz Sport

lol,

i love it how ppl believe every thing they read without doing any of their own research ...

I commend you OZ SPORT for pushing the independent research requirement. I am not sure if you are familiar with ECU reprogramming or if you have done a few yourself or not. The thing is, I have and I have worked in the industry for too many years and have seen the best and the worst of this issue.

Please spend a few hours looking at what these people are doing - openecu.org • Index page

Then ask yourself why all these people are looking to buy another factory ECU - openecu.org • View forum - Private Classifieds

In that forum you may also come across a few people who have a locked or as the Yanks say 'bricked' their ECU after an attempted re-flash like this guy -
openecu.org • View topic - EDC16 failed while writting. ECU locked?

All I am saying is that there are risks involved with re-flashing.

I still maintain that the best result will be a re-flash by a very experienced tuner and not from someone who knows how to fiddle with a few tables. This is because the manufacturer has the resources to allow thousands of hours of engine cell, controlled lab work and road data mapping the engine fully to arrive at safe tune. A competent tuner should know just how much they can raise the level of the tune without sustaining engine damage, however to find the limit of any engine means determining where the ragged edge is and hopefully tuning to stay safely away from it!

In Perth there is another BMW enthusiast who knows of me. Apart from his E30M3s, he also has an E53 for his daily transport. Check it out here.
http://bm-autohaus.com.au/

I trust this information will be of assistance.
Cheers, Dan