Performance enhancing computer chip?
 

My husband said he heard of a performance enhancing computer chip we can put in the X5 to increase performance. Is this true?

I have a chip/Tunit box on my new 3.0d Sport. The diesel is fairly easy to chip and in my case takes the bhp from 218 to around 260/270.

In real terms that means that it will now keep up with a 4.4 petrol easily yet have the benefits of diesel (mid 20's mpg in town, 30+mpg on a run), and the difference in performance before and after I added the box is staggering :wow:

Essentially as I understand it for example in the diesel the chip alters fuel pressure and plays with turbo boost. There are different issues with chipping petrol engines against diesel, but it can be done.

You do have to be careful because if the dealer finds out you've played around with the car you may well invalidate your warranty. Also depending on the type of chip, the dealer can accidently overwrite it during the service if they load updated software, this in turn means you have to have the chip reprogrammed again.

Good luck anyway. ;)

Tell your husband there's a company that makes Powerchip.

Putting a chip in ANY vehicle with a turbocharger will yield far better returns then a non-forced induction engine. The chips available for the gasoline engines, but they are not nearly as effective as their turbo alternatives. The going rate of the Powerchip upgrade on a 4.4 is $1,400 dollars and gives only 15hp.

Skip the Chip...expensive and "the diff" will be minimal to zip, other than psychological,imo.

Suggest to your Hub that He reads the Manual and the near encyclopedic info to be found on the X5World home page.
He must be lucky having theMissus do all the leg work. ;)
GL,md

Yep lucky man. Wish my wife would do that. No way!

Me too!

lol! He works very hard, and I am starting college again, so it is only fair in my opinion ;)

I second the motion about chips not being a cost effective benefit to normally aspirated engines. There is some new technology on the way in a few months and soon as I get my Electrocharger bolted on to the X5, I'll send your husband the blue prints, Heather!

Agreed. 15hp in a 4900lb vehicle is not going to give you anything more than a "psychological" bump in performance, not to mention a low mpg because you'll be stabbing the throttle all the time to see if it's really quicker.