I guess the software would be more desireable to those who use WOT more often. I would say I go WOT at least once every time I drive my car. Multiple times in some instances. Personally, I don't think I would pay for any software upgrade if I had a 3.0 X5, but that is just me. A 1-2% gain isn't really worth it, imo.

I have a Conforti chip in my e36. According to Turner, my gains are 22 hp and 20 lb. ft., which seemed worth the $300 to me (even if those figures are slightly high). The increased RPM's seemed like an advantage as well.

What I would be looking for in "performance software" for my X would be activating the vanos earlier under a bit less load, slightly tweaking the spark timing advance, slightly tweaking the fuel map (and I mean not by too much on that one) and removing the top speed limiter (like I ever need to go over 155mph anyway)

Not all tuners cover all those areas, and most mainly change fuel trim and higher rev limiter... I would rather the timing and vanos changed for some low end results I feel in daily driving.

I saw that too and figured with the headers and cats removed I may get some additional gains. I am going to contact Conforti and see if they can tweek a chip for me similiar to what they did for the M5. They have a chip for the M5 with headers and cats removed. It's probably just wishful thinking but I am going to ask.