RaceChip Ultimate for an X5 xDrive50i?

[nicros]

This thing sounds too good to be true... how is it that some guys in germany can optimize a car better than the manufacturers? The claim that you get more power and better gas mileage is great, but is it at the expense of engine longevity?

And has anyone noticed improved mileage with the X5 xDrive50i using this?

If it gives more power, better mileage and is safe... I'm getting one!

[X5Ruby]

I plan on purchasing as well. 2015 50i. Add another 104hp and its M territory and for $600 bucks

[crackerjack15]

Common dudes. It isn't going to increase your gas mileage, that's just marketing bull crap. This isn't a "tune" either. It cracks me up they market it like that. This is small computer that intercepts the signals coming from the manifold pressure sensor and then lies to the dme, ie. engine computer, which then increases boost. Basically around 3psi and is adjustable for more. The cars computer adjusts a/f on the fly through the wide band 02 sensors. It's not magic.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by crackerjack15

Common dudes. It isn't going to increase your gas mileage, that's just marketing bull crap. This isn't a "tune" either. It cracks me up they market it like that. This is small computer that intercepts the signals coming from the manifold pressure sensor and then lies to the dme, ie. engine computer, which then increases boost. Basically around 3psi and is adjustable for more. The cars computer adjusts a/f on the fly through the wide band 02 sensors. It's not magic.

With that said it works very well too.

The other day I took my car in for service and removed the Racechip Ultimate from my 35i and it is very noticeable how sluggish the car felt and I have MPPK installed as well. After receiving my car back and upon immediately installing the chip the car came back to life with faster acceleration and crisper throttle response.

[UT_X5]

If only the gas mileage was better! I opted for Jb4 and there is definitely more power. Currently getting 13.5mpg 😂

[RM707]

Benefits outweigh costs - that's for sure.
1. add at least 100hp
2. add 3-5mpg
3. increase lifespan of tires (up to 20%)
4. combined with daily vitamin C will increase your life by 5 years.

[Timberwolf]

Originally Posted by UT_X5

If only the gas mileage was better! I opted for Jb4 and there is definitely more power. Currently getting 13.5mpg 😂

You have a very sensitive rear end cause I can't feel a thing with mine.
Granted mine's a 17 so there's a chance it isn't doing anything lol.

I took mine off for a dealer visit and it feels the same.

[nicros]

Originally Posted by RM707

Benefits outweigh costs - that's for sure.
1. add at least 100hp
2. add 3-5mpg
3. increase lifespan of tires (up to 20%)
4. combined with daily vitamin C will increase your life by 5 years.

You have this on a xDrive50i? Looks like cruising around town I get about 14.5 MPG. Would love to bump this to 17.5MPG. Don't get how it increases the lifespan of the tires though.

[sj22]

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1006057

and

http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1033033

[Rotzy]

Originally Posted by nicros

This thing sounds too good to be true... how is it that some guys in germany can optimize a car better than the manufacturers? The claim that you get more power and better gas mileage is great, but is it at the expense of engine longevity?

And has anyone noticed improved mileage with the X5 xDrive50i using this?

If it gives more power, better mileage and is safe... I'm getting one!

I have the RC Ultimate on my 50i. If you look in the first thread listed in the post above, you will find my review, including dyno results. I picked up 50 hp and 50 ft/lbs. You are not going to see better fuel economy. Those claims always make me laugh. I get 15-17MPG in mixed driving with approximately 20% highway use.

Originally Posted by X5Ruby

I plan on purchasing as well. 2015 50i. Add another 104hp and its M territory and for $600 bucks

You are not going to get 100hp from this.

[nicros]

Originally Posted by Rotzy

I have the RC Ultimate on my 50i. If you look in the first thread listed in the post above, you will find my review, including dyno results. I picked up 50 hp and 50 ft/lbs. You are not going to see better fuel economy. Those claims always make me laugh. I get 15-17MPG in mixed driving with approximately 20% highway use.


You are not going to get 100hp from this.

Couldn't find your review... when did you do it? Lot of those posts are several years old- perhaps the RC ultimate has changed a bit since then? I wouldn't expect to see the gains advertised, but it's still surprising that you didn't get more outta the chip. 50hp is still a 10%+ gain, which is cool. I really want to get a couple more MPG outta this thing without sacrificing performance. And if I can get more performance out without dropping MPG... well that works for me too.

[Rotzy]

Originally Posted by nicros

Couldn't find your review... when did you do it? Lot of those posts are several years old- perhaps the RC ultimate has changed a bit since then? I wouldn't expect to see the gains advertised, but it's still surprising that you didn't get more outta the chip. 50hp is still a 10%+ gain, which is cool. I really want to get a couple more MPG outta this thing without sacrificing performance. And if I can get more performance out without dropping MPG... well that works for me too.

Sorry, wrong thread. Here it is.

And here is my post in that thread:

You are simply not going to get 100hp from just a piggyback tune. 50hp is more than I expected from it and I am very happy with it. You would need a much more expensive flash tune and/or other parts (exhause, charge pipe, cold intake, etc.) if you want to make 100+ hp.

In addition, you are not going to see an increase in fuel economy. It's simple physics: It takes air and fuel to make power. Force more air in, mix it with more fuel and make more power. There is no way this formula can cause a decrease in fuel consumption while increasing power.

Dollar for dollar, the RC Ultimate is one of the best bangs for the buck if your looking for power. If your looking for better fuel economy, I would suggest you trade it in for a 35i, 40e or diesel. The 50i is notoriously thirsty.

[Captain comic]

Originally Posted by Rotzy

Sorry, wrong thread. Here it is.

And here is my post in that thread:

You are simply not going to get 100hp from just a piggyback tune. 50hp is more than I expected from it and I am very happy with it. You would need a much more expensive flash tune and/or other parts (exhause, charge pipe, cold intake, etc.) if you want to make 100+ hp.

In addition, you are not going to see an increase in fuel economy. It's simple physics: It takes air and fuel to make power. Force more air in, mix it with more fuel and make more power. There is no way this formula can cause a decrease in fuel consumption while increasing power.

Dollar for dollar, the RC Ultimate is one of the best bangs for the buck if your looking for power. If your looking for better fuel economy, I would suggest you trade it in for a 35i, 40e or diesel. The 50i is notoriously thirsty.

So it's a 50hp/tq to the wheels? Is drive-ability not degraded due to piggyback - I mean it's smooth as stock?

[Rotzy]

Originally Posted by Captain comic

So it's a 50hp/tq to the wheels? Is drive-ability not degraded due to piggyback - I mean it's smooth as stock?

That is correct, 48hp and 47 ft/lbs to the wheels as measured via a Mustang Dyno. The Mustang Dyno numbers were low but consistent throughout the multiple dyno pulls during the tuning process. If you apply the 14% correction factor I mentioned in my linked post above, it's just over 50hp and 50 ft/lbs to the wheels.

I have noticed no drivability changes at all, other than more power, particularly the 1-2 shift at WOT which is noticeable. I have a service appointment coming up soon, so I'll be removing it before then. I'm interested to see the difference in perceived power once it's off.

Full disclosure: I did get a drivetrain malfunction one time in the week after I installed it. This may or may not be related. I cleared the code using an OBDII scanner I was using at the time and I've never had an issue again. These engines are know for throwing that malfunction anyway, so I can't say for certain what caused it.

[Captain comic]

Originally Posted by Rotzy

That is correct, 48hp and 47 ft/lbs to the wheels as measured via a Mustang Dyno. The Mustang Dyno numbers were low but consistent throughout the multiple dyno pulls during the tuning process. If you apply the 14% correction factor I mentioned in my linked post above, it's just over 50hp and 50 ft/lbs to the wheels.

I have noticed no drivability changes at all, other than more power, particularly the 1-2 shift at WOT which is noticeable. I have a service appointment coming up soon, so I'll be removing it before then. I'm interested to see the difference in perceived power once it's off.

Full disclosure: I did get a drivetrain malfunction one time in the week after I installed it. This may or may not be related. I cleared the code using an OBDII scanner I was using at the time and I've never had an issue again. These engines are know for throwing that malfunction anyway, so I can't say for certain what caused it.

Thanks! So after taking this piggyback - dealer won't know that? I'm just trying to see if going Dinan is better, just for warranty. I would obviously go with RC Ultimate for money reasons otherwise

[Rotzy]

Originally Posted by Captain comic

Thanks! So after taking this piggyback - dealer won't know that? I'm just trying to see if going Dinan is better, just for warranty. I would obviously go with RC Ultimate for money reasons otherwise

I would not leave any piggyback tune (except Dinan) on the car for service while under warranty. These piggyback tuners modify the signals to the engine and cause engine to produce more turbo boost and thus more power. If anything were to happen to your engine during the warranty period, the dealer would immediately blame the piggyback and deny the warranty, leaving you with the bill. Leaving it on the vehicle for service is not worth the risk, in my opinion.

Dinan is ok to leave on because it is a dealer approved product that comes with it's own warranty. The downside is that it costs considerably more and, according to their website, there is not a version available for the newer N63TU motors with an electronic wastegate.

[Captain comic]

Originally Posted by Rotzy

I would not leave any piggyback tune (except Dinan) on the car for service while under warranty. These piggyback tuners modify the signals to the engine and cause engine to produce more turbo boost and thus more power. If anything were to happen to your engine during the warranty period, the dealer would immediately blame the piggyback and deny the warranty, leaving you with the bill. Leaving it on the vehicle for service is not worth the risk, in my opinion.

Dinan is ok to leave on because it is a dealer approved product that comes with it's own warranty. The downside is that it costs considerably more and, according to their website, there is not a version available for the newer N63TU motors with an electronic wastegate.

Ah! Ok, so no Dinan then! So pretty much RC Ultimate is the way to go for 2014+ 50i F15 correct? Any other worth mentioning chips/tunes? Any bench flash available that yields bigger hp/tq?

[Rotzy]

Originally Posted by Captain comic

Ah! Ok, so no Dinan then! So pretty much RC Ultimate is the way to go for 2014+ 50i F15 correct? Any other worth mentioning chips/tunes? Any bench flash available that yields bigger hp/tq?

I am not familiar with any of the flash tunes. Perhaps someone else will chime in with some options there, but RC Ultimate or Burger seem to be the two piggyback tuners for our motor.

[Captain comic]

Just stumbled upon this one: https://bimmerperformancecenter.com/...tune-2013-2016

but have no idea if that really works for our cars - it claims +127whp! Exciting and suspicious at the same time - that is X5M territory

[UT_X5]

Originally Posted by Timberwolf

You have a very sensitive rear end cause I can't feel a thing with mine.
Granted mine's a 17 so there's a chance it isn't doing anything lol.

I took mine off for a dealer visit and it feels the same.

Yeah, I have a 15 and 20% E85 in the tank. My car dyno'ed 414whp and 437tq on a mustang dyno.

[nicros]

Originally Posted by Rotzy

The downside is that it costs considerably more and, according to their website, there is not a version available for the newer N63TU motors with an electronic wastegate.

I am learning a huge amount here, so first, thanks for that! Really good info. Second, my goals here are pretty simple. If I can get better mileage with the same performance, that's a win. If I can get better performance with the same mileage, that's also a win.

Rotzy since you have the RaceChip installed for the N63TU engine (which is the same as I have in the 2017 X5 xDrive50i I believe), can you describe the pros/cons? Do you see improved throttle response in Eco Pro mode or any other mode? Does it make the car more enjoyable to drive? Is it worth $600 to add this thing in, i.e. is it for enthusiasts only who have cash to burn and seek single digit improvements? What are the competitors in the same price range? Should I be looking at some of those if I'm looking to achieve my goals?

Thanks again for the great responses in the thread!

[Maverik259]

You know those links up top that someone graciously found and linked for us answer all these questions from members who have had it installed since the F15 came online.

Plus like 4 replies up a member explains you won't get better mileage. Increasing airflow increases fuel consumption to keep your lean/rich A/F ratio about the same. You're getting better mpg by simply having turbos vice a NA 6.0L engine pushing the same HP I have a 5.5L AMG that gets the same gas mileage but 100 less HP (06 C55)