NewB thinking of getting an X5 35d
 

Hi all!

I'm a newB on this forum, but I've been "annoying audiences" on 5series.net and other BMW forums for some time now, as V_therussian. I currently have a 2006 530Xi, in the process of modding it.

I am plotting to sell my 5er sometime in the "almost-foreseeable future", so I got to thinking what to replace it with. Mostly, I just LOVE to talk about cars - and just about everything about cars, actually. Particularly, BMW's and Porsches. But I digress. Since X5 35d is "chippable" to 552 lb-ft ( anyone on here do this yet: BMW X5 E70 xDrive 35d 269 PS 576 Nm | Diesel Tuning with CHIP Express™ ), it seems like a pretty awesome daily driver to consider. If I can swing it, I'd just use the diesel X5 for daily driving, and buy something like a Z4 or a Boxster for my weekends. Maybe a bike for weekends? :dunno: Time will tell.

My biggest concern - with regards to getting an X5 35d and chipping it - is what I've read on some forums - that BMW now installs firmware on all turbo cars, that detects tunes and flashes a "red flag" whenever you bring it in to the dealer. Dealer reports to BMW, BMW cancels warranty on items related to the tune. You're screwed. Is this something that has been proven yet? AFAIK from 5series forums, this is not necessarily true - not yet, anyway. But some people on e90post seem to think it is as true as Obama is an American Citizen... too harsh for a newB? Ask Calton and Kerry about me ;)

Also, I know that in Europe, they have an X6 35d - which would be totally awesome, since I don't really need the head room of X5 and would much rather have the sportier-looking SAV. Anyone know whether there are plans to bring it to the States?


TIA and looking forward to meeting some great peeps on here, as well as, of course, learning about the cars and hopefully helping some people out! :cool:

PS attaching my 5er's pic. This is my current (winter) setup: 530Xi, sport, premium, cold weather, navi, pdc. mods: alpina front, oem m-tech sideskirts, racemesh bumper inserts, blacked out kidneys, tints, OEM M5 trunk finisher, TMS spacers in the back (12.5mm), OEM ski and bicycle carriers with the universal roof rails, and LOADS of small things, like AE bulbs, M shift knob, Hoen Endurance fogs, etc etc. My summer setup will be 19x8.5" BBS CK's with Nitto NT05's, H&R sport springs and Bilstein B8 dampers. Possibly a chip and an RPI exhaust - will depend on the speed of X5 35d's depreciation :)

Welcome aboard! I'm a noob as well (2 months with the x5d)...all i can say is it's a great vehicle and we're very happy with it. It's a diesel so getting extra power is easy, but as for any car now days, the price of getting caught is high. Havent seen anything on a x6d for the US....nor any news of the x40d being US bound either.

I asked my dealer, and they said as of now...there are NO plans to bring the X5 4.0d to the USA. It's not that BMWNA does now want to, but the amount of money, time, research, red tape, testing, etc., etc that went into getting the 35d approved for all 50 states (emission) related, it would be too expensive and take too long for the already out 4.0d. The dealer said if and when they could get the 4.0d 50 state approved, it would be an old engine :)

OP, all the "red flags" can be cleared with BT cable/software. Get the tune, get the BT cable and modify it all you want.
You might wanna check with Terry from Burgertuning. He has X5D, and already made a JB chip for it.
Zhelayu udachi.

Not precisely true.

There are 'flags' that will show up if the software is changed. These can be cleared.

There are, however, operating parameters that are captured by the DME that CANNOT be cleared. If they examine the DME and find operating conditions outside the stock ranges they can infer the car had been modded and reset.

Truth.

You blow up an engine on a turbo car, the DME is getting sent to BMWNA for analysis.

If a dealer discovers this (and there are rumors of cash bonuses for techs that discover this in other models.) BMW will not 'cancel' the warranty. You will always have a warranty. BMW **will** have an indication the DME had been altered...they may or may not cover a claim, depending on if they can say the power change caused the failure. Your window regulator breaks, it will still be covered.

This is partially true. You can clear these flags. You CANNOT clear the operating memory. Terry knows it, and really never answers the question "Can BMWNA detect the mod if the DME is sent to them?"

At a dealer level you might get away with it.

So in the end it is all 'what is your risk tolerance?'

What Ard said is 100% correct. If you don't believe it, go on e90post and read all the stories of people getting their coverage voided by BMWNA. Yes, the codes can be cleared. The one thing you have going for you is that you drive an X5. They are particularly suspicious of E90 sedans. Also, if you keep within a safe range on the tune, there is a 98% chance you will be fine. It's a matter of whether or not you want to assume a certain amount of risk.

Roll in with limo tint, side markers modded, other stuff, and you are 28 years old and cannot string together a sentence without slang, and they will look.

grey hair, button down, etc, and you have a much lower chance.

And of course it varies by dealer and Service Advisor/Tech....

However, blow up a motor and the DME is taking an airplane ride.;)

Here (old news, there are other hits if you google this topic):

Welcome V to xoutpost. I can't comment on the X5 35d, I've got the 50i. And love it.

Good point Ard. I guess they will never look at my X5. I speak properly, I'm almost 40 and I dress in Polo shirts :-)

this chip express looks interesting. Very much like JBD. Anyone know the differences?