This is how Dinan gets the 4.6 from 340/371 to 369/382:

S-Stage 3 tune, free flow exhaust, throttle body and transmission software 349/374.

S1-Stage 3 tune, free flow exhaust, throttle body, cold air system, MAF, and transmission software 363/378.

S2-Stage 4 tune, free flow exhaust, throttle body, cold air system, MAF and transmission software 369/382.

Dinan didn't make any claims of performance gains for any mods unless combined with a tune. However, we know that more, colder air in almost always helps as long as the engine adjusts for proper air/fuel mixture so there is likely some benefit from the COI alone but without the other S level components my quesstimate is 6-7/1-2.

I haven't checked recently but transmission software has been available. For $300 it is a great performance investment. I have no idea how anyone today can get all the Dinan stuff to get to 369/382.

Brian so you like the Dinan trans software? I have been thinking about getting this for my X5. How does it differ from the stock feel?

Damnnnnnn. I wish I had seen that. That's a great price for a strut bar!

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Yes, it optimizes the shift points for more HP at high side of RPMs, gives you complete control of gear selection in manual mode and shifts faster and firmer. I think it is one of the reasons my transmission has never been worked on but that's a guess.

If DINAN Automatic Transmission Software cures the transmission issues ill buy it in a second!

Strut tower brace is good add. I modified my suspension step by step. Based on amount of improvement verses cost if starting over I would do it in this order:
Wheel spacers--wider stance improves stability and handling a little.
Eibach sway bars front and rear-- better turn in, more contact patch, big improvement in handling.
Strut tower brace with camber plates--much better turn in and less understeer
H&R lowering kit---lower center of gravity-better overall handling.

Since shocks and struts were fine it was judgment call to me to go with HD stuff. I didn't get anything worth the expense from them. Real sticky tires are always an option but I didn't go that route, tires wear out fast enough as is. Coilovers were an option but the ones I considered didn't pass the performance gain/ cost value equation over the route I went.

There is no place on public roads that anyone should want to push what I have to the edge.

That's purely a guess based on problems that are posted here that I have not had, because of how more stress than the stock I put on components and how hard I drive.

Only other reason I can think of is the 4.6 has a different torque convertor that could make a difference and I have changed the transmission fluid and filter 3 times (about every 35-40,000 miles).

swaybars made that much of a diff huh? I seen a thread yesterday about how aftermarket swaybars are hard to come by for this vehicle. may have to keep an eye out now.

Like a bad penny, I know:

Fun reading;

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...ight=Dudmd+cai

Changing the fluid on a routine basis I believe is more of the key. Waiting until 100,000 miles to change the fluid on these transmissions is a recipe for premature death. My 540It wagon with 190,000 miles had no tranny problems or leaks. I changed it twice in my ownership but the previous owner did it twice also. 45K,90K,130K and170K. I told the new owner they will want to change it at the 210K mark if they intend to get continued good results from the 540iT wagon,