4.6is with Dinan S3 - WOW!
 

Well, I just got my 2003 4.6is back from Seattle BMW, where it had a Dinan S3 package installed. It took several weeks, but was worth the wait! I haven't had a chance to time it 0-60 or anything, but have a few initial observations:

- Sweet rumble! The first thing I noticed was the much throatier sound of the exhaust. Although it's not obnoxious (most observers wouldn't notice anything out of the ordinary driving by them), it definitely sounds more like a muscle car inside the vehicle. One of these days I'll try to record the sound while driving/accelerating, but for now let's just say it doesn't sound nearly as "civilized" and conservative as it did before. ;-)

- It flat hauls a** when you step on it! The 4.6is was no wimp to start with, but it is now NOTICEABLY torqier (is that a word?), and pulls like a bull on steroids. I can't imagine that the 0-60 time won't be significantly faster than before. It seems to want to operate at higher RPMs, and doesn't seem to be straining AT ALL up around 5-6000.

- Annoying whine from the supercharger (the only negative I can ascertain thus far). The supercharger makes an annoying high-pitched whine from about 1000-2500 RPMs, which is where the automatic transmission tends to keep you when in D. It isn't as noticeable once you're going more than 30mph (road noise pretty much drowns it out), but at low city speeds it is definitely annoying. Solution: always drive in manual mode, and shift so as to keep the RPMs above 2500.

- Yippee for paddle shifters! I added the M3 steering wheel with paddle shifters (see earlier threads for details) recently, and man-oh-man will I be using them! The response seems much quicker than using the stick to shift manually. I noticed the difference even before doing the S3 conversion (I HIGHLY recommend that mod), but based on the above, I expect to be shifting manually (ALWAYS with the paddles) MOST of the time when I'm driving the X5 from now on!

- I'm REALLY impressed with Seattle BMW. Not only did they give me a loaner car, but the service was simply amazing. My service advisor actually came and picked the X5 up at my house on a Sunday, and she (yes, SHE) was extremely helpful in answering questions about Dinan and the entire process. I can HIGHLY recommend them!

Very nice!! I'd love to install the S3 pkg on my 4.4, but have several other mod's that need to come first. Enjoyed the underwater photo's on your website, been too long since I've done any tropical dives, Puget Sound is fun, but just doesn't compare. Enjoy your new ride...

bruce! congrats on getting your S3 back!!! very glad you are enjoying every second of it and dont worry about the whining sounds of the blower, i felt the same way when i first got the car but now its a signature sound that you cant get enough of!!!!!! zoom zoom, have fun my friend.

Dude, this post is worthless without price..........

Very cool.
What was the total price damages for parts and labour if you dont mind me asking.
I was thinking of doing the same but I dont want any surprise costs.

My total cost (including WA sales tax of around 8%) of the Dinan S3 package installed was a hair over US$17K. Not sure what this in CAN$, but I'm sure you can do the calculations...

BTW, that represents a 10% discount on the total installed cost (before sales tax). They're not allowed to discount Dinan materials; they had to give me the break on their labor costs.

Wow!

Nice mod!:thumbup:

17 large? I doubt 'Her Royal Highness' would let me do another gonzo mod.....

This Thread Is Worthless Without Video!

Nice!

Simply Awesome Seattle, now when you get a chance please inform us on the 0-60 times and 0-100 if possible...curious minds want to know.

Wow that's a great mod! However for 17k, I think you can get a lot more for your money. Don't get me wrong, Dinan makes great stuff but I'm not so sure their price justifies the ends.

if ur dealer is a dinan dealer, then u can go to ur local bmw dealer and have them work on dinan parts and they are all warrantied.. thats the biggest advantage.. so if u have the money might as well take that advantage

Sorry...a little thing called Christmas has gotten in the way of me providing you all with photos, video, 0-60 times, etc., etc. I'll attempt to remedy that ASAP!

In the meantime, I will attempt to drive it as much as possible to continue gathering subjective "data"... ;)

Congratulations...You accomplished one of my all time dreams lol...enjoy!

i was wondering what happened to your install, i remember reading you took your car in
sure took a looooong time to get it installed jeeez
but that wait is probably all forgotten by now ;p
seattle bmw service :thumbup: but their service prices :rolleyes: wait most cars on their lot prices too :rolleyes:

Congrats! Heck, I'm happy I've finally found an X5 4.6is to purchase (just got her about a week ago). I only wish I were complaining about the supercharger whine :)

Congrats!!!

Lance

Well, apparently Dinan doesn't have the parts for this kit on the shelf, so it took about a month for them to build/put all the parts together. Then I left the country (taking underwater photos in Indonesia - see http://www.underwaterreflections.com/gallery/2275895 ), so they had about 3 weeks to work on it while I was gone - didn't need to rush to get it all done in a few days. Then, late in the installation, they discovered that I needed a new head gasket, which was back-ordered, so that held it up another week after I got home. (Lucky for me, I took it in a few days before the original warranty expired, so the head gasket was covered!)

All in all, understandable delays! But definitely worth the wait!

As always incredible underwater pics! :thumbup:

How about some numbers 0 to 60 , 1/4 mile sounds like you have a sick ride would love to learn more. TIA Cheers J.T.

OK, I finally have a few interesting (although very tentative and by no means "official" or technically exact) numbers for the 4.6is with Dinan S3 package.

City MPG: 9.6
0-60mph: 5.3-5.6 sec. in "Sport" (automatic) mode

The low gas mileage around town doesn't really surprise me, and I do NOT blame the S3 package...mechanically at least. I DO blame it inasmuch as it is virtually impossible for me to leave the transmission in "D" ;) -- I drive almost entirely in manual now, and I tend to downshift to keep the RPMs in the 2500-3500 range because I just love the throaty sound and quick response at those levels (whereas "D" mode tends to upshift quickly to keep RPMs in the 1,000-2,000 range - little more than idling). I'll get a better idea of the actual impact of the S3 kit on gas mileage "all things being equal" when I do a highway trip where it's in 5th gear most of the time.

As for the 0-60 times, take those with a grain of salt. I do NOT have access to a track or any fancy timing equipment. The 0-60 times are literally taken with me holding a stopwatch in my left hand and attempting to start the stopwatch when I hit the pedal and started to move, and stopping it when the speedometer crossed 60. IOW, I would NOT rely on them as exact times, but I do consider them reasonably close, based on about 8 different runs. I don't have 0-100 numbers because I haven't found a patch of road where I'm comfortable going from dead stop to 100mph (I live in the city)...yet.

My guess is that with optimal shifting (manually), the 0-60 time really would be at or below 5.3 seconds (which was the fastest stopwatch time I got). That would put it on par with the Cayenne Turbo S (which I believe is 5.2 seconds), and substantially faster than a stock 4.6is (6.2 sec's) or 4.8is (5.9-6.0 sec's, depending on where you read it).

I'd really love to get on a track where I could get some official times, including 0-100, quarter mile speed, etc...and just generally cut loose! If/when I get a chance to do that, I'll let y'all know. I'll also try to get some video one of these days. Meanwhile, I'll just have to enjoy "puttering" around town, rumbling with a smile on my face...and using way too much gas! :D

Sounds like you are having a blast!!! :2thumbs:

I had a supercharger on an Expedition. You will not notice the whine of the supercharger in a few weeks.

Congrats on the Dinan package!!!! Brembo brakes in your future???? Only $4,500!!!!

wow...sound great, for a few hundred bucks there are devices that you can plug into the lighter which will give you some pretty accurate 0-60 and 1/4 times...good place to the tests would be on ra,ps to the highway on a Sunday morning when there is little traffic. Good Luck with the new toys.

Congrats on getting blown ;)

Are you sure they didn't pop the head gasket due to a bad tune (e.g. computer program) while you were away? Superchargers are fun, but they can be your worst nightmare if the tune is not safe, or if the FMU doesn't correctly spike your fuel under boost.

Be sure you run ONLY 93 octane from a reputable gas station, check the blower belt frequently and be sure the FMU, boost retard, knock sensor and ignition controls you may have are all working. If any one of these go bad, you'll be back in the shop for a new head gasket (and hopefully not for a new piston or rod). Invest in a GOOD air/fuel meter that you can monitor from inside the car to be sure you're not leaning out under heavy load/boost. Lean is mean, but with blowers lean = blown gaskets.

I'm glad your happy with it and can afford to spend so much on a 120hp gain...at $141/hp, that about the most expensive mod I've read about in a long time. I'm not a fan of Dinan, and when I read things like this I know why...the blower and brackets run about $5-6K from Vortech. I didn't see an air-to-air intercooler listed in the package; but for $17K they should have installed one.

My back ground is building fast Mustangs, down to 8 second street cars. I have been there down that path with Paxton, Vortech and ATI superchargers, laptop tuning, running up to 160lb/hour injectors, tuning with FAST, etc. None of this supercharging stuff is to be taken lightly. Never trust an "off-the-shelf" computer chip to re-tune the computer for a blower...it should be done via a laptop on a dyno with an 02 meter measuring air/fuel mixture. That is the only way you'll have a safe tune.

Great Post :thumbup:

Good advice; I'll check to see which of those things the dealer is capable of handling during periodic check-ups (sounds like I need to have it in more often than just regular scheduled maintenance...now that it has more than "regular" equipment)!

I'm not sure where I can even GET 93 octane around here, though (typical premium is 91-92). How important is that extra 1-2%?

As for a good air/fuel meter, any specific suggestions on model, where I can buy, etc.?

BTW, I realized I was spending extra with Dinan vs. getting all the separate parts and trying to put together a similar -- or better -- performance package myself. To me, who has NO mechanical expertise at ALL, the advantages of having 1. a package of mods tested so I know (or can reasonably expect) they'll work together to produce the expected result, and 2. installation by a BMW dealer with whom I have a good relationship, was worth that additional cost.

I have great respect for those of you who do your own mods. :thumbup: And there is no question that YOU (and many others here) could have saved many thousands of $$ by doing stuff like this yourself. I simply choose to focus on making enough money with my business to be able to pay someone else (far more expert than me) to do it, and use my spare time underwater taking photos of little fishies, not under the hood rebuilding automobiles! ;)

Just use the best you can find...my point was to not use any mom-n-pop gas station and don't use 87 octane.

Sorry, all my experience is with Mustangs. You could call Dinan or any other BMW performance place (if you go to Vortechsuperchargers.com and click on BMW, they have three links to BMW supercharger installation shops...I'd check with them first). You should be able to find one that mounts on the a-piller so it's a clean install. I'd get a boost gauge as well just so you can see how much boost you're getting (I'm surprised they didn't do this to begin with, especially after seeing how much you paid). The boost guage isn't mandatory, but it's fun to see it move, although peak boost is at 6K rpms and you'll most likely have your eye on the road at this point.

I agree with you totally Madforce. You really need to put it on a AWD dyno and hook up the wideband O2 and see what your getting. Also I'd like to see if your putting down what they claim. I've done a few ATI D1SC systems on fords and alot of V1SQ's on VR's along with turbo's, and numero uno most important is your fuel and timing. You can get a wide band O2 for your ride for about 300 not really that much but the peace of mind is worth 17k, or a new motor.

Now I don't like to hate but 17k holy crap.... It better wack me off while I'm driving. You could have had someone else reputable build you and install and tune a twin turbo setup for that. I'm talking forged pistons stainless turbo headers, TECII standalone, injectors the works and tuning time. To each his own I guess, I wish you the best of luck with it.

I would check your A/F ratio as soon as possible though get to a dyno asap

I had actually typed up a very similar message but deleted it because I thought I was rambling. Glad to see someone else shared my same thoughts.

In any case, for that price it SHOULD have come with an air to air intercooler, air/fuel guage, boost guage, tweaks to the tranny to strenghten it, a bigger intake, headers, TB, MAF, custom harmonic balancer and custom dyno tuning.

But I have a feeling if you can afford to drop $17K on a supercharger, you can afford to pay for the needed repairs that will soon follow. If it was ME, it'd take it to a custom supercharger shop and get it done right, on a dyno. Until then, I'd keep the rpms low. The 4.6 motor was not built for a supercharger, which means the piston rings are not gapped for it, the compression is not low (superchargers/turbos like ~8:1 compression, not the 10:1 or whatever the 4.6 motor is - I suspect it's ~9 or 10:1 being they require premium fuel only). Are the stock pistons forged?

BTW, not many people think about this, but superchargers put a HUGE strain on the snout of the crankshaft because of the belt tension to run the blower, and the added weight of the pulley extended on the crank. I sure hope the Dinan kit came with a GOOD harmonic balancer to keep the crank and bearings from failing/breaking. It's this reason alone I prefer turbo setups...so MUCH easier on the motor, no belts to worry about and the hp gain is SICK. :) With a good intercooler you can keep internal temps in check.

So with your experience now, let me ask.
Mine is 2006, 4.4, 15000 mi.
I am really looking for low end torque first.
Iwas gonna start with a Dinan Throttle body first.
My gearhead buddys think this will improve
throttle response across the grid. Any opinions?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattleYates OK, I finally have a few interesting (although very tentative and by no means "official" or technically exact) numbers for the 4.6is with Dinan S3 package. City MPG: 9.6 0-60mph: 5.3-5.6 sec. in "Sport" (automatic) mode The low gas mileage around town doesn't really surprise me, and I do NOT blame the S3 package...mechanically at least. I DO blame it inasmuch as it is virtually impossible for me to leave the transmission in "D" ;) -- I drive almost entirely in manual now, and I tend to downshift to keep the RPMs in the 2500-3500 range because I just love the throaty sound and quick response at those levels (whereas "D" mode tends to upshift quickly to keep RPMs in the 1,000-2,000 range - little more than idling). I'll get a better idea of the actual impact of the S3 kit on gas mileage "all things being equal" when I do a highway trip where it's in 5th gear most of the time. As for the 0-60 times, take those with a grain of salt. I do NOT have access to a track or any fancy timing equipment. The 0-60 times are literally taken with me holding a stopwatch in my left hand and attempting to start the stopwatch when I hit the pedal and started to move, and stopping it when the speedometer crossed 60. IOW, I would NOT rely on them as exact times, but I do consider them reasonably close, based on about 8 different runs. I don't have 0-100 numbers because I haven't found a patch of road where I'm comfortable going from dead stop to 100mph (I live in the city)...yet. My guess is that with optimal shifting (manually), the 0-60 time really would be at or below 5.3 seconds (which was the fastest stopwatch time I got). That would put it on par with the Cayenne Turbo S (which I believe is 5.2 seconds), and substantially faster than a stock 4.6is (6.2 sec's) or 4.8is (5.9-6.0 sec's, depending on where you read it). I'd really love to get on a track where I could get some official times, including 0-100, quarter mile speed, etc...and just generally cut loose! If/when I get a chance to do that, I'll let y'all know. I'll also try to get some video one of these days. Meanwhile, I'll just have to enjoy "puttering" around town, rumbling with a smile on my face...and using way too much gas! :D

I'm not sure who you're asking, but being it followed my post, I'll chime in.

You have to think of a motor as a giant air pump...the more air in, the more power you make. That's the logic behind turbos, superchargers and nitrous...they all all more air. With that added air you need added fuel to keep the air/fuel ratio in check, thus the computer tweaks and bigger injectors.

To make more power you need to let in more air, so you start at the FRONT of the air system. First, a better air filter, second, a bigger MAF, third, a bigger throttle body. It's best to do all three of these at one time. Together they will add 5-20hp, *depending on the vehicle*.

The second stage is to add a better flowing intake. This is where torque curves can be manipulated. An intake can make or break your car, meaning if you choose the right one, you'll smile from ear to ear. Choose the wrong one and you'll be out several thousand $$ and have a car that could be worse off that it was stock. This is why it's important to see real-world data, not some market bs literature that makes bogus claims.

Cold Air Induction kits are also very overhyped. Save the money. All they do is dirty up your filter much faster, and in some cases, can introduce water to the motor in a rain storm (depending on the design).

Along with getting air in, you need to get it out, so you need a better flowing exhaust. However, go too big and you lose back pressure, which means you lose torque. This is why some people add an X-pipe and then notice their car isn't as "quick" (but top speed will be better). Being most driving is stop and go, I'll opt to keep my torque as I *rarely* drive at WOT, so an X-pipe for me is a waste.

Now, to your question, if you want to get a torquier ride you'll need a better intake. Swapping a filter, MAF and TB may do very little for your car. In fact, you can actually go too big on the TB and destroy your torque curve. To get air rushing through the motor, there is a fine balance between all the parts - change one part and you *might* throw off this balance, which is why it's important to do it in stages. For example, back when I was building/tuning Mustangs, I got guys coming in wanting to throw on an 80mm Throttle body with a stock intake thinking they'd add 20hp (thanks to some bs ad they saw in the magazine). We actually built 600hp street cars with a 70mm TB that LOST power when we jumped to an 80mm TB. Bigger is not always better. Think of you blowing through a straw versus a paper towel tube...which one is going to have more velocity? The straw, of course. hp is all about getting air in and out as quickly as possible.

At this point, if you did all these steps (and had the computer tweaked to benefit from the added air), you should see a 20-40hp gain, again depending on the vehicle. On the X5 you can do this all with Dinan parts, albeit for a cost of ~$7000 not including labor. A month later you won't even notice the 30hp gain and again you'll want more power. BTW, 30hp in a 6000lb vehicle is NOT going to be noticable. It might be a *bit* quicker from a stop, but not much, IMO.

For that kind of money I'd just trade in the 4.4 and buy a 4.8. That way you get a factory warentee and a faster car that you know is a tuned balanced system.

So to answer your question, swapping the throttle body and nothing else will probably do nothing for you (which is why Dinan shows the throttle body with a software change and better exhaust - showing it by itself would probably show a drop in torque and maybe 1hp gain at peak rpm).

BTW, I didn't even get into heads/cam because things get REAL expensive and complicated at this point. Knowing flow numbers, lift and duration, overlap, etc. are so important to building a balanced system that makes nice power.

Thx for responding. Yeah I really just want around town torque. Sport mode helps a lot. I'll wait a little longer for Dinan to get the software out.
Then I'll take it from there.

I can see that there are really (at least) four different issues arising here:
1. Does the Dinan S3 kit include all the important equipment that it "should" when adding a supercharger?
2. Is a supercharger as good/better for boosting performance as a turbo?
3. Does Dinan really know what they're doing, or should we all go out and find a "custom supercharger shop" to piece together and install the right stuff?
4. Are Dinan's prices "too high" for what you get?

I don't intend to get into big arguments about any of these points. The fact is that Dinan seems to have done a fair amount of R&D on these issues, employs a number of technical people who probably understand these issues as well as you all do (I certainly don't!), and has put together mods that can be installed by mechanics at BMW dealers who spend all day working on X5's and other BMW's. My service person specifically made sure this installation was done by one of their most experienced mechanics...

And before all of you assume that all Dinan did was throw a supercharger in my car without regard to how it would affect everything else, make sure you've looked at what that package DOES involve. It takes 30 hours of labor to install, so it's no small job, and includes not only the supercharger system, but their high flow throttle body, free flow exhaust, and extensive reprogramming of the X5's software. I don't know if they used a dyno, but I'm guessing that if that is really critical, Dinan just might have suggested/required it of their dealers. FWIW, you can read about some of what the supercharger system itself involves at the bottom of this page of their website:
http://www.dinancars.com/Series.asp?...e%20Tuning#202

As for the fourth point, did I realize I was paying a "premium" price for the S3 package? Absolutely! Are there undoubtedly better mod combinations that would have given me a big jump in power/performance for less money? I'm certain there are.

As I've stated before, it was worth it to me not to have to figure out all that stuff myself (stuff that you experts already know) AND to find someone to install it all. I considered Dinan's package a reputable product that could be installed by a dealer I trust, and I was willing to pay thousands of dollars "extra" for those aspects of it. It's that simple.

People can always argue that it's foolish to pay high prices for things that could "apparently" be accomplished in other, less expensive ways. But hell, we've all paid "premium" prices to buy BMW's (instead of American cars with comparable performance stats--for FAR less money). Jeeze -- I've got a new M5 on order, and that's going to be a LOT more painful to my bank account than this mod was! :yikes:

Bottom line: "value" is in the eye of the individual. And based on how much fun I'm having with my "new" old X5, I think I got my money's worth! I'll try to add some of the monitoring stuff you guys have mentioned in this thread so I can utilize the Dinan mods responsibly, but I don't regret for a minute having gone the Dinan S3 route... :D

Well said Yates. Obviously Dinan used a dyno in their design of the system. They show the dyno numbers on their web site.

I have to agree with going with a tuner's system that is designed specifically for your automobile. When you have a "shop" do it, I feel it is a less engineered system.

I learned the hard way about not having a "shop" install a supercharger. On an expedition I used to own my Pro Charger Supercharger was installed by a knowledgable mechanic with 40 years in the biz, an engineering degree, multiple supercharger installations and one of the fastest street legal cars in the country. He did not suggest to me to install a MSD ignition. Put holes in two pistons.......

Installing a supercharger is easy if you’re willing to take the time…heck, anyone can do that. It’s their TUNING that is the part that scares me. Each state has a different elevation and climate from the next, therefore I can’t believe Dinan would sell an off-the-shelf chip for a supercharger. For what works in California will not necessarily work in Colorado due to the elevation change. For all we know, it could be so de-tuned (to cover their asses) that you could pick up 50-75 more hp just be giving it a good tune on the dyno with a wide-band 02 sensor.


It’s still a generic chip, which I already stated is very dangerous. Just because it took 30 hours to install doesn’t mean anything. Installing a supercharger involves moving accessories to new locations, tapping the oil pan to pump oil into the SC, etc. MOST of the time is just in the removal of all the junk that hangs on the front of the motor. You didn’t get a new ignition (e.g MSD), boost retard module in the dash, air/fuel meter, intercooler, etc.) – those things really are what take up the most time. If you did get all these, then I’m way off and apologize in advance.


It’s your money – many of us that don’t have that kind of money to splash around feel it’s foolish to pay nearly double what you should have. But then again, with Dinan I’m not surprised. Hell, their throttle body, which is just a stock unit bored out a bit, cost $699!! Accufab makes an 80mm, custom billet aluminum throttle body that is as nice as they come for $289. You do the math. Dinan knows that anyone that buys a BMW is probably rich, so they jack up the prices to rip you off. In my opinion, you were ripped off big time.

And that’s exactly how Dinan wants you to feel; if I paid this much, it MUST be good. Vortech is an awesome company, with an great and proven product, so there’s not doubt you got the best blower available. What you need to be concerned about is the fact that you have a stock chip, stock harmonic balancer, stock pistons, no air/fuel meter and no intercooler. Why do you think ATI sold intercoolers with their blowers from day one? Vortech tried to bash ATI and claim it wasn’t needed, but when ATI started killing Vortech on the dragstrip, Vortech changed their tune and now offer air-to-air and air-to-water intercoolers. Supercharged air is EXTREMELY hot due to the compression and the impeller spinning at 38,000 rpms in that little unit. Hot air robs you of power and leads to detonation. I bet an intercooler on YOUR setup, today, with no other change with give you another 50hp, and be SAFER. Funny how that works. You obviously have money…call Vortech and ask if they make an intercooler for the X5. If they do, get it and have your dealer install it. It will prolong the life of your motor and give you more power, at a safer level.

I agree 100% - I just paid $22K for the electronics and installation of my home theater. Sure, I could have figured it out myself and probably saved thousands, but I don’t have time nor the desire. I just want to push a button and watch the game on my 100” screen. You just want to mash the gas and be pinned in your seat. THAT I understand. J

So, don’t think I’m not trying to rain on your parade…I’m just letting you know that a supercharger is not a simple bolt on that you can just install and forget. For what you paid, Dinan should have covered ALL of these items.

All good and valid points, madforce, and no offense taken!

I had to laugh at the 22K entertainment system, though. When you start getting into the question of whether the average human ear can actually discern any difference between a $1,000 a/v amp and a $5,000 one (and hence, "wasted" money), you can REALLY get people's hackles up! :rofl:

I really do appreciate all of your cautionary suggestions/warnings, and I'll take them to heart and see what I can do/find out. Meanwhile, I'll try to take it a little easy on the gas pedal... :thumbup:

:iagree:

$22K was a guess...I just added it up. OMG!

Projector: $5K
100" Screen: $2.5K
B&W speakers: $6K
Installation: $1700
Misc. Cables: $400
Remote: $400
Denon A/V: $1300
Pioneer DVD Player: $600

Custom Bar/Cabinets: $4K
Copper sink: $700
Faucet: $400
Crown molding: $600
Granite countertops: $3K
Faux painting: $4K
Carpet: $2K
Tile: $1500
Sconses lights: $750
Microwave: $400
'Frig: $500
Additional Electric plugs: $400
Leather theater seats: $3300

Total: $39,450

Never having to listen to some jackass talk on his cellphone in the middle of a movie, fight for parking and good seats, or pay $20 for two drinks and some popcorn...PRICELESS!
:popcorn:

:rofl: :rofl: Now THAT's funny! The difference just happens to be $17K -- the same amount about which you just finished saying, "many of us that don’t have that kind of money to splash around..."

Apparently you have it -- you just choose to "splash it around" in different ways than I do! :nanana:

BTW, from the price, it sounds like you have the same Denon a/v unit I do...and the rest of your system sounds awesome, too! :thumbup: Enjoy it...and I'll enjoy my new kick-ass X5! ;)

Let me clarify...upper management (aka "the wife") would shoot me if I dropped ANY money on my X5, BUT, when it comes to home improvements, she's all for it. My house is 1 year old and we're already re-doing all the cabinents. So much for a custom home...lousy craftsmanship!


If I could get may balls out of my wife's purse, I'd be splashing on my X5, or I'd be driving a Z06.

I have the Denon 2807...killer unit. I got ripped off on the price being I had to buy it RIGHT NOW because the installers found that my 3 year old Yamaha was already "outdated". I could have gotten the Denon on-line for under a grand. :(

http://home.houston.rr.com/rogerandjulie/X5/Denon.jpg

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Somewhat more official stats (and video) on Dinan S3 X5
 

In order to get some more precise performance data on my S3 X5 4.6is, I bought a G-Tech ProRR accelerometer ( http://www.gtechpro.com/rr.html ), and had a chance to try it out today. It wasn't a track, and it wasn't a dyno, but it was certainly more accurate than my previous (handheld stopwatch) attempt! :rofl:

I did half a dozen short runs but wasn't on a track, so I backed off before quite getting 1-100 numbers. At any rate, here's what I found, for inquring minds who want to know:

- Fastest 0-60 speed was 5.4 sec, with most runs coming in at 5.5-5.6 sec. Pretty damned fast!

- The fastest run was in "S" Auto mode. I couldn't quite match it shifting manually or starting in manual 1st gear and letting it "force" upshifts when it approached red-line. I don't know if that's because the Dinan software just does a better job of optimizing shifting than I can do myself, or if there's just too much lag between shifts when done manually.

- The S3 pulls like a bull on steroids in 1st and 2nd, but when it shifts into 3rd, the rate of acceleration is noticeably less dramatic, and in 4th the RPMs drop WAY down. It doesn't impact 0-60 times (which are reached in 2nd), but would surely be a factor in 1/4 mi. and 1-100 stats. My guess is that the 5-speed 4.6is tranny just has 3rd & 4th geared quite high. The 4.8is with 6 gears would likely respond better in 3rd & 4th (although I don't think the Dinan S3 is available for 4.8is, so it still wouldn't be as quick as the S3 4.6is).

Lo-res (and very small) video attached, which also gives you an idea what this beast sounds like with the S3 kit. Once I figure out how to post video someplace else, I'll post a higher-res version so you can see the tach better...

Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sounds like a race car!!!

:hawt:

OK, I got the video uploaded to YouTube (a first for me!). It's somewhat better quality, so you can at least see the tach and speedo better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zelScxloBC4

Very cool!

0-60mph in 5.2 seconds - same as Cayenne Turbo!
 

OK, gang, I have a little more performance data on the 4.6is S3. Using some advice from others regarding launching (see http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...ch-e53-x5.html ), I did a few "brake launches" (holding down the brake when pressing the gas pedal a little) with transmission in "S" mode, and got a 0-60 time of 5.2 seconds, or .2 faster than my best time just flooring it without the brake launch (timed with G-Tech ProRR).

5.2 is the same 0-60 time as the Cayenne Turbo, which jives with my experience test-driving a Cayenne Turbo (it felt fast, but no more so than my S3 4.6is)! Of course, the NEW Cayenne Turbo S now has 520hp and does 0-60 in 4.8 seconds, and I don't think I'm ever going to get my X5 to do THAT, but still...the Cayenne will never look as good as an X5, either! ;)

As for gas mileage, after half a dozen tankfulls, my city driving is consistently coming in at 10mpg. That's not the cars fault; it's my tendency to keep it in "S" or shift manually (it's just too damned fun!). Still no stats for highway driving, but I expect that will be little different than stock, since it would be mostly in 5th gear, and supposedly the supercharger doesn't directly hurt gas mileage much.

do u think the 5.2 time for the Cayenne turbo is probably the BEST time wit a real good launch on a real good day cuz ive read in some places that the cayenne turbos time ranges anywhere from 5.1-5.6? what do u guys think

Good question; I'm not sure how magazines, manufacturers, etc. decide on the single 0-60 times and other such stats they publish. I assume manufacturers try to use the "best" times (for obvious reasons), but I would think magazines and other testers would do multiple runs and use an average of them (then again, if they're trying to show the vehicle's FASTEST or BEST time, perhaps they DO use the best one they get). Anyone know for sure?

In my case, I did three runs yesterday, and used the best of the three. I'm a novice at this kind of stuff (I've never even had a car on a track), so I figure my "best" is probably still several tenths slower than a really good driver could get with numerous tries...

Hey, dude we have the same service advisor. Elle. I was talking about this post and she said yea I just help this guy do that, he is into underwater photography.

Elle ROCKS!

Yes, :iagree: Elle does ROCK! I was telling someone the other day that she is probably the single best overall retail service/sales person I have EVER dealt with...for ANY product or service! :thumbup:

:iagree: Totally. When she learned my son was born prematurely and was in Swedish. She bought him the BMW Gund teddy bear (dog). That fricken blew me a way.

OK, another data update, now that I've had a chance to put some highway miles on my newly supercharged 4.6is:

Highway MPG: 15 - 15.5 (about the same as stock)

City MPG: 10 (1-2mpg less than stock, but attributable to my "S&M problem"; I seldom use "D" anymore) ;)

Best 0-60mph time: 5.2 seconds :D

You sure are enjoying that Dinan, heh!! Bet'cha still have that grin on your face!

Yep, Michelle, I really am! Just yesterday I was merging onto a two-lane highway out in the forest, and a car and minivan both refused to let me in. About 15 seconds later, we hit a section (going up a fairly steep hill) with a passing lane (you know - "Slower traffic keep right"), and I really stomped on it...you should have seen the looks on their faces when my "SUV" flew past them at about twice their speed...going up hill! :nanana: :D

I'm hoping maybe I can make it to Westfest this year!

Can any X5 have the M3 steering wheels and paddle shifters? or only a certain model or with a certain mods other than the steering wheels?

Wow those are horrible MPG ratings the 4.8 got much better than that I think 16/21.

I was only reporting MY experience. For the first 38K, my overall average MPG with my 4.6is was almost exactly 13, with Hwy around 16 and city 11-12.

Others may drive differently and get better (or worse) mileage. I believe the formal fuel economy ratings for the 2003 4.6is were 15 overall, 17 hwy, 13 city.