New to Me F15 xdrive50i

[pits200]

Bouncing over from the E90 n54 world.

Had our second kid and looking for another vehicle to accompany the boring but reliable mdx. Picked up an xdrive50 with 60k miles and almost every option besides night vision. I have a good connection at a bmw dealer and picking up a Continental warranty 6 years 60k miles for about 5k.

I'm well aware of the potential issues with the n63t but coming from an almost 650awhp its hard for me to not snag the bigger engine on a 5k lb vehicle.

Here are some pics of the E90, it's up for sale but most likely won't find a buyer due to the mileage which is fine, I'll keep it for the drag strip. (trapped 133mph but couldn't break 10s due to being afraid of blowing up the front drivetrain.

Look forward to getting to know some of the regulars and learning a thing or two.

[pits200]

Couple videos of the old setup

[DuSh]

Welcome to our side buddy

It's more quiet and calm here compared to e90 and we are glad to have such knowledgeable new member. Maybe you'll help us to improve our performance side. We are pretty good in terms of exterior - lot's of mods and there's a photo thread that folks post their random photos daily - many good looking x5s in there

However, we are not anywhere close to n54 level in terms of tuning and performance mods. I have BPC Stage 1 flash (stock downpipes and stock everything, except tune) and my x5 is nowhere as fast as your 335 monster: https://streamable.com/23nja
I would love to improve performance, and it's so good you joined us man. I fee like there's potential with n63tu (lots of torque down low), but not many info around and it's hard to move forward without guidance. I understand that for many x5 is a family SAV and besides not many would want to mod $80k vehicle and risk some issues, but we can for sure use help

Would love to see pics of your 50i, did you by any chance get DHP (Dynamic Handling Package), M Sport and LED headlights? I've heard with DHP x5 drives so much better

Your 133 trap time is mind blowing man - single turbo?

X5 is a very comfy SAV, almost everyone loves it. It's good you bought warranty - just for the piece of mind. It's not too bad with n63tu, I've researched that topic and surprisingly statistically it's very rare that something goes wrong with n63tu. All the bad rep is coming from n63 (on previous generation x5), n63tu (technical update) was improved -
lots of things were changed - I have a list of what was improved and changed. We have only 2 members who got engine replaced by BMW warranty due to excessive oil consumption and/or valve stem seals - only those 2 issues mainly. On the positive side - turbos are solid, ZF8 transmission is solid (same tranny as in X5M s63tu that holds tuned 800+ awhp without issues). 50i consumes oil from time to time and that is kinda normal - we all experience it, I guess that's inherent design etc. Other than that the only other issues we have are telescopic steering column stops working (especially if you have it set for easy entry/exit when it automatically retracts together with seat) and .... basically that's it. Solid car otherwise

Congrats on your purchase!

[Stev_chu]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Welcome to our side buddy

It's more quiet and calm here compared to e90 and we are glad to have such knowledgeable new member. Maybe you'll help us to improve our performance side. We are pretty good in terms of exterior - lot's of mods and there's a photo thread that folks post their random photos daily - many good looking x5s in there

However, we are not anywhere close to n54 level in terms of tuning and performance mods. I have BPC Stage 1 flash (stock downpipes and stock everything, except tune) and my x5 is nowhere as fast as your 335 monster: https://streamable.com/23nja
I would love to improve performance, and it's so good you joined us man. I fee like there's potential with n63tu (lots of torque down low), but not many info around and it's hard to move forward without guidance. I understand that for many x5 is a family SAV and besides not many would want to mod $80k vehicle and risk some issues, but we can for sure use help

Would love to see pics of your 50i, did you by any chance get DHP (Dynamic Handling Package), M Sport and LED headlights? I've heard with DHP x5 drives so much better

Your 133 trap time is mind blowing man - single turbo?

X5 is a very comfy SAV, almost everyone loves it. It's good you bought warranty - just for the piece of mind. It's not too bad with n63tu, I've researched that topic and surprisingly statistically it's very rare that something goes wrong with n63tu. All the bad rep is coming from n63 (on previous generation x5), n63tu (technical update) was improved -
lots of things were changed - I have a list of what was improved and changed. We have only 2 members who got engine replaced by BMW warranty due to excessive oil consumption and/or valve stem seals - only those 2 issues mainly. On the positive side - turbos are solid, ZF8 transmission is solid (same tranny as in X5M s63tu that holds tuned 800+ awhp without issues). 50i consumes oil from time to time and that is kinda normal - we all experience it, I guess that's inherent design etc. Other than that the only other issues we have are telescopic steering column stops working (especially if you have it set for easy entry/exit when it automatically retracts together with seat) and .... basically that's it. Solid car otherwise

Congrats on your purchase!

Thanks so much for this useful information

[rhite95]

Welcome to the F15 side !!

What is your best et and trap speed?

[pits200]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Welcome to our side buddy

It's more quiet and calm here compared to e90 and we are glad to have such knowledgeable new member. Maybe you'll help us to improve our performance side. We are pretty good in terms of exterior - lot's of mods and there's a photo thread that folks post their random photos daily - many good looking x5s in there

However, we are not anywhere close to n54 level in terms of tuning and performance mods. I have BPC Stage 1 flash (stock downpipes and stock everything, except tune) and my x5 is nowhere as fast as your 335 monster: https://streamable.com/23nja
I would love to improve performance, and it's so good you joined us man. I fee like there's potential with n63tu (lots of torque down low), but not many info around and it's hard to move forward without guidance. I understand that for many x5 is a family SAV and besides not many would want to mod $80k vehicle and risk some issues, but we can for sure use help

Would love to see pics of your 50i, did you by any chance get DHP (Dynamic Handling Package), M Sport and LED headlights? I've heard with DHP x5 drives so much better

Your 133 trap time is mind blowing man - single turbo?

X5 is a very comfy SAV, almost everyone loves it. It's good you bought warranty - just for the piece of mind. It's not too bad with n63tu, I've researched that topic and surprisingly statistically it's very rare that something goes wrong with n63tu. All the bad rep is coming from n63 (on previous generation x5), n63tu (technical update) was improved -
lots of things were changed - I have a list of what was improved and changed. We have only 2 members who got engine replaced by BMW warranty due to excessive oil consumption and/or valve stem seals - only those 2 issues mainly. On the positive side - turbos are solid, ZF8 transmission is solid (same tranny as in X5M s63tu that holds tuned 800+ awhp without issues). 50i consumes oil from time to time and that is kinda normal - we all experience it, I guess that's inherent design etc. Other than that the only other issues we have are telescopic steering column stops working (especially if you have it set for easy entry/exit when it automatically retracts together with seat) and .... basically that's it. Solid car otherwise

Congrats on your purchase!

DuSH,

That's a hell of a welcome, I appreciate the nice words!

I was a little surprised, I'm shocked at how few products there seem to be for the n63 after all this time. I take that back, there seem to be a fair amount of products but none of them with rave reviews and with a forum concensus that the tune works flawlessly. Whether it be a piggy or flash. There is no way members should need to ship their ecu to have a tune done, that is arduous and risky. I contracted ptf about their bootmod3 as that seems to be the product to give you the most tuning flexibility in my brief research.

As for making this car fbo(tune, dps, filters) I am growing old of the games to pass inspection. Soon as you toss on those dps you get that cel, is there a dp fix available on this engine to allow emissions to pass without dp removal?

A few other things, is carbon buildup common on this engine, I feel I haven't seen it mentioned much? I imagine it should be the same as the n54 with the intake valves getting caked due to the nature of direct injection.


As for vehicle, I have a few pics that I have to resize and I'm being lazy. It rides on 357 style wheels so hopefully the ride won't be too bad. And after research I knew I wanted the upgraded suspension and real lsd and not only electronic, so yes it has all those options. Here is a list from the vin decoder.

337A M Sports package

S212A Equipment, brake syst. country-specific

S248A Steering wheel heater

S258A Tire with run-flat functionality

S2T6A BMW LA wheel 19'' M Double Spoke 467

S2TBA Sport automatic transmission

S2VBA Tire pressure display

S2VFA Adaptive M suspension

S2VPA Adaptive suspension package 'Dynamic'

S302A Alarm system

S319A Integrated universal remote control

S322A Comfort access

S323A Soft-Close-Automatic doors

S3AGA Reversing camera

S3DZA Delete extra external lettering

S3MCA Indiv. roof rail high-gloss Shadow Line

S402A Electric panoramic roof

S417A Roller sun vizor, rear door

S420A Sun protection glazing

S423A Floor mats, velours

S430A Interior/outside mirror with auto dip

S441A Smoker package

S453A Climate-controlled seats, front

S456A Comfort seat with memory

S488A Lumbar support, driver and passenger

S493A Storage compartment package

S494A Seat heating driver/passenger

S496A Seat heating, rear

S4B9A Interior strips, alu, satin-polished

S4M5A Individual leather-covered dashboard

S4NBA Autom. climate control with 4-zone ctrl

S4U1A Ceramic appliques for controls

S502A Headlight cleaning system

S508A Park Distance Control (PDC)

S552A Adaptive LED headlight

S563A Light package

S575A Supplementary 12V sockets

S5A1A LED Fog lights

S5ACA High-beam assistant

S5APA Decode, anti-glare FLA high-beam assist

S5ATA Driving Assistant Plus

S5DLA Surround View

S609A Navigation system Professional

S610A Head-up display

S645A BMW US Radio

S655A Satellite tuner

S688A Harman/Kardon Surround Sound system

S697A Area-Code 1 for DVD

S6ACA Intelligent emergency SOS call

S6AEA Teleservices

S6AKA Connected Drive Services

S6AMA Real-Time Traffic Information

S6APA Remote Services

S710A M leather steering wheel

S715A M Aerodynamics package

S760A High gloss shadow line

S775A Headlining anthracite

S823A Hot-climate version

S845A Acoustic belt warning

S853A Language version English

S8KLA Oil service interval 15,000 km/12 months

S8S4A Decoding variable light distribution

S8SLA Trailer coupling preparation

S8SMA Car ident. number visible from outside

S8TNA Daytime run.lights adjus.via light menu

S992A Control of number-plate attachment

S9AAA Outer skin protection

Thanks again for the kind welcome and look forward to getting to work on the f15

[lovesm3s]

love the e90. pics of the x5?

[pits200]

Thanks, had 4 offers on the E90, someone is flying up from Florida to take it home this Friday.

Finalized the paperwork on the x5, should be shipped to Pittsburgh by this weekend. Here are a few stock photos.

The x5 has high mileage but I'm no stranger to high mileage engines. I am picking up a Continental warranty through my local bmw dealership which will cover 60 months or 60k miles.

Here is a photo from the dealer site, I'll be sure to update once I get the car in my possession.

[P1]

Welcone. You are going to love the Active Cruise Control. And for interior, which nappa leather did you get? Mocha? Let us know how you like the B&O sound system.

Looking forward to some pics once you get them.

[pits200]

Originally Posted by P1et

Welcone. You are going to love the Active Cruise Control. And for interior, which nappa leather did you get? Mocha? Let us know how you like the B&O sound system.

Looking forward to some pics once you get them.

I guess it isn't that fully load, no B&O, that would have been amazing but I was more worried about finding an x5 with the dynamic handling package which this has.

Interior is basic Dakota, same as my E90. Was hoping for the mocha, first time I saw it was while looking for x5s and that color is fantastic. But you can't have it all when looking for a used car, you win some you lose some.

As for a prior post, my best et with the E90 was 11.1. I trapped 131 on that run. Another time I ran an 11.3 with a 133 trap. Auto transmission and worrying about the awd held me back from 10s.

[P1]

Originally Posted by pits200

I guess it isn't that fully load, no B&O, that would have been amazing but I was more worried about finding an x5 with the dynamic handling package which this has.

Interior is basic Dakota, same as my E90. Was hoping for the mocha, first time I saw it was while looking for x5s and that color is fantastic. But you can't have it all when looking for a used car, you win some you lose some.

As for a prior post, my best et with the E90 was 11.1. I trapped 131 on that run. Another time I ran an 11.3 with a 133 trap. Auto transmission and worrying about the awd held me back from 10s.

Is the exterior color Black Sapphire Metallic? Mine is BSM and I also currently have Style 375 wheels. Definitely a nice combo.

[pits200]

Originally Posted by P1et

Is the exterior color Black Sapphire Metallic? Mine is BSM and I also currently have Style 375 wheels. Definitely a nice combo.

Sounds like we have the same setup.

How do the staggered 21s ride?

[P1]

Originally Posted by pits200

Sounds like we have the same setup.

How do the staggered 21s ride?

On Michelins? Love 'em!

[Chigger]

Congrats on your new ride!

[pits200]

Time for some maintenance items.

Plugs definitely are original and the gap has increase to about. 036 to. 040 for all 8 plugs. Job was surprisingly simple and only took about an hour.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by pits200

Time for some maintenance items.

Plugs definitely are original and the gap has increase to about. 036 to. 040 for all 8 plugs. Job was surprisingly simple and only took about an hour.

Did you use oem plugs or something else? I've heard colder F85 plugs may be beneficial if tuned, but not sure if that's true or just myth

[pits200]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Did you use oem plugs or something else? I've heard colder F85 plugs may be beneficial if tuned, but not sure if that's true or just myth

I haven't researched that far yet, you need to really be pushing the boast to go a full step colder on stock turbos. Don't forget about the extra roughness of the engine on too cold of plugs.

Not sure if you're asking if I used the same Bosch plugs that are oem or another brand or if you're asking if I used the plugs stamped with bmw on the side? I went with the Bosch 330a plugs which are oem but half the price because it doesn't say bmw on the side.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by pits200

I haven't researched that far yet, you need to really be pushing the boast to go a full step colder on stock turbos. Don't forget about the extra roughness of the engine on too cold of plugs.

Not sure if you're asking if I used the same Bosch plugs that are oem or another brand or if you're asking if I used the plugs stamped with bmw on the side? I went with the Bosch 330a plugs which are oem but half the price because it doesn't say bmw on the side.

Thanks, it's good to know, I'll be doing mine too at around 60k miles