RaceChip Ultimate F15 X5 35i Installation DIY

[Kzang]

So I just came back from a 400 mile round trip and the RC chip pulls hard even at higher speeds at default setting S2:B. I've read that the next setting C is not noticeable but it is recommended for at least 100 miles before moving up to D which I am told shows a bigger increase in power and torque. Anyone else with a 35i that went from default stock setting to D care to comment on their findings?

Thanks.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by Kzang

So I just came back from a 400 mile round trip and the RC chip pulls hard even at higher speeds at default setting S2:B. I've read that the next setting C is not noticeable but it is recommended for at least 100 miles before moving up to D which I am told shows a bigger increase in power and torque. Anyone else with a 35i that went from default stock setting to D care to comment on their findings?

Thanks.

Each setting will be noticeable, especially C for the N55 from what I have gathered across forums. Definitely do a tank on B before increasing, now that we are in humid weather it is very recommendable to run a tank in each setting before increasing.
It will give you enough time to see how the car is reacting, how it pulls in different modes, when or not it is too sensitive in EcoPro/Comfort etc.

[Kzang]

Hi Rob, I've done at least 500 miles on B setting so more than a full tank so far. I plan to move to C very soon.

[Howie Dub]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Hi Rob, I've done at least 500 miles on B setting so more than a full tank so far. I plan to move to C very soon.

Hi Kzang. I have a 2016 X3 35i and I've bumped it up to C. I've gone about 100 miles on it and am taking ROBNYC's advice on going a full tank before bumping it up to D. For me, on B, noticed an improvement in Comfort mode, but not that much in Sport+ w/shifter in Sport mode. In C, noticed a slight improvement in Comfort, but much more pull and responsiveness in Sport+.

[Kzang]

Filled up my tank today and changed my setting to S2:C and WOW is all I can say... I felt the power immediately. My X5 wants to go and go fast! I feel like the gas pedal is more sensitive now.. but I am not sure yet... because when I barely press on it the X5 moves....

When I had it on B setting in comfort mode it was still similar to stock but I did feel a slight increase in response. With setting C in comfort mode the transmission feels more alive and aggressive.. I don't know how to explain it. I've only drove it for 10 miles around town with speeds no more than 45 mph and I am thoroughly impressed with this tune so far. I think I may keep it on C because this is where my expectations are at.

[Jalndrs]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Filled up my tank today and changed my setting to S2:C and WOW is all I can say... I felt the power immediately. My X5 wants to go and go fast! I feel like the gas pedal is more sensitive now.. but I am not sure yet... because when I barely press on it the X5 moves....

When I had it on B setting in comfort mode it was still similar to stock but I did feel a slight increase in response. With setting C in comfort mode the transmission feels more alive and aggressive.. I don't know how to explain it. I've only drove it for 10 miles around town with speeds no more than 45 mph and I am thoroughly impressed with this tune so far. I think I may keep it on C because this is where my expectations are at.

My tune gets delivered tomorrow and I am looking forward to the install. Will take the same approach as you did.

[twelve535i]

So if I'm understanding Alan correctly, the race hip isn't making your car more responsive? There's more power so the same force applied to the pedal after the tune will offer more of a kick. It feels like the throttle response has improved but it's just because there's more boost?

[Chem14]

Is a new charge pipe required given the boost in psi?

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by Chem14

Is a new charge pipe required given the boost in psi?

I suggest so.
Better be safe than sorry.

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by Chem14

Is a new charge pipe required given the boost in psi?

If you own it yes, lease it I wouldn't lol.
But also depends how aggressive you intend to run it.

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by ROBNYC

If you own it yes, lease it I wouldn't lol.
But also depends how aggressive you intend to run it.

I still would,
You would be pissed if you get stranded in the middle of nowhere.

[Blackhawks]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Filled up my tank today and changed my setting to S2:C and WOW is all I can say... I felt the power immediately. My X5 wants to go and go fast! I feel like the gas pedal is more sensitive now.. but I am not sure yet... because when I barely press on it the X5 moves....

When I had it on B setting in comfort mode it was still similar to stock but I did feel a slight increase in response. With setting C in comfort mode the transmission feels more alive and aggressive.. I don't know how to explain it. I've only drove it for 10 miles around town with speeds no more than 45 mph and I am thoroughly impressed with this tune so far. I think I may keep it on C because this is where my expectations are at.

@Kzang is it safe to assume that it's more on the low end torque considering you never got above 45mph?

I keep going back and forth between the Dinan and RC. I hate the thought of tweaking the settings and would like a more traditional plug and play but everybody's reviews have been enticing.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by Blackhawks

@Kzang is it safe to assume that it's more on the low end torque considering you never got above 45mph?

I keep going back and forth between the Dinan and RC. I hate the thought of tweaking the settings and would like a more traditional plug and play but everybody's reviews have been enticing.

Last week, on the default setting "B" I drove around town for a few miles with speeds not exceeding 45 mph. At first I didn't feel much.. throttle response was good though.. then I took a ride on the highway and about 20 miles later I noticed big improvements both low and high RPMs.

I took a trip from NJ to MD this past weekend and really put the X5 through its paces with good results. I love the torquey feel of the X5 in all ranges.

I filled up yesterday and upped the setting to "C" and I really feel the X5 come alive. Dare I say that the 35i is coming close to the 35d in terms to the low end power. I've not exceeded speeds more than 45 mph but I anticipate that it will be favorable

If you look through this thread and others related to RC tune, you will notice my comments are going back and forth about tuning with RC or BMS or if I should get it or not... after I installed I am happy to report that this tune is every bit as good as everyone says it is.

[Blackhawks]

I had the MPPK installed and still haven't had the balls to bring the car past 3k rpm.

I'm at 500mi... Only 700 to go before I open it up a bit.

[Lotus99]

Originally Posted by Kzang

Last week, on the default setting "B" I drove around town for a few miles with speeds not exceeding 45 mph. At first I didn't feel much.. throttle response was good though.. then I took a ride on the highway and about 20 miles later I noticed big improvements both low and high RPMs.

I took a trip from NJ to MD this past weekend and really put the X5 through its paces with good results. I love the torquey feel of the X5 in all ranges.

I filled up yesterday and upped the setting to "C" and I really feel the X5 come alive. Dare I say that the 35i is coming close to the 35d in terms to the low end power. I've not exceeded speeds more than 45 mph but I anticipate that it will be favorable

If you look through this thread and others related to RC tune, you will notice my comments are going back and forth about tuning with RC or BMS or if I should get it or not... after I installed I am happy to report that this tune is every bit as good as everyone says it is.

Do you know how your engine is liking things? I keep reading about people just bumping up the settings after a tank of gas, and seeing how the car reacts by the seat of their pants. I'm not used to tuning like that...

In the E9x world, before you settle on a new map, you always want to log a few full throttle third gear pulls on the highway, and see how the engine likes it - ie no throttle closures, no timing drops in any cylinders, and stuff like that.

Doesn't sound like you guys do that before bumping up settings, so how do you know you're not getting small knock events?

[twelve535i]

Originally Posted by Blackhawks

I had the MPPK installed and still haven't had the balls to bring the car past 3k rpm.

I'm at 500mi... Only 700 to go before I open it up a bit.

I haven't done a lot of driving these past few weeks but I have less than 500 miles but I looked in the manual and noticed that you're ok up to 4500 rpm during break in

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Do you know how your engine is liking things? I keep reading about people just bumping up the settings after a tank of gas, and seeing how the car reacts by the seat of their pants. I'm not used to tuning like that...

In the E9x world, before you settle on a new map, you always want to log a few full throttle third gear pulls on the highway, and see how the engine likes it - ie no throttle closures, no timing drops in any cylinders, and stuff like that.

Doesn't sound like you guys do that before bumping up settings, so how do you know you're not getting small knock events?

I am new to using tunes and I've not done any of the above. As i've mentioned earlier I've taken my X5 on default B setting on a 400+ miles road trip driving very aggressively in low and high RPM's.

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by twelve535i

I haven't done a lot of driving these past few weeks but I have less than 500 miles but I looked in the manual and noticed that you're ok up to 4500 rpm during break in

During my breakin period I've occasionally exceeded 5,000 RPM.. I'm pretty sure BMW engineers have put in placed buffers on the RPM limits for those who accidentally WOT

[Blackhawks]

Originally Posted by Kzang

During my breakin period I've occasionally exceeded 5,000 RPM.. I'm pretty sure BMW engineers have put in placed buffers on the RPM limits for those who accidentally WOT

I drive a lot so my break in wont last long. I'm at 550mi in the first 8 days.

Erring on the side of caution won't take too long!

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Hey all and pdawg,

Just curious, for those who are bumping up their settings to more aggressive maps, what is your process for making sure the engine is happy with it?

On the E90 forums, where people log, they're logging the timing Corrections on all 6 Cylinders And looking forward drops there, as well as some of the other parameters. I know with Cobb, it was super easy to do and export the logs.

With the JB tunes, I can't recall if you can do it via the tune, or using the Bavarian Technic cable, but again, people do logging before bumping up maps.

Are you logging? And if so, with what?

What are you looking for exactly?

Hopefully pdawg Trojanlaw 42pilot TShoot will shoot some insight answers to your questions

Originally Posted by Alan l.

I had high hopes for Dinan but so far the few reviews i've seen for it (non F15) seems iffy. I wouldn't want to be the guinea pig for it after spending 2K

Go with Racechip. It works, easily reversible and there are enough users on this forum that validates its performance claims.

Alan

+111111

Originally Posted by Lotus99

Do you know how your engine is liking things? I keep reading about people just bumping up the settings after a tank of gas, and seeing how the car reacts by the seat of their pants. I'm not used to tuning like that...

In the E9x world, before you settle on a new map, you always want to log a few full throttle third gear pulls on the highway, and see how the engine likes it - ie no throttle closures, no timing drops in any cylinders, and stuff like that.

Doesn't sound like you guys do that before bumping up settings, so how do you know you're not getting small knock events?

+1

[EastCoast335i]

About to order the RC ultimate, but one question...
Where are ppl installing the RC box itself?

Is there a way to hide it so during regular service (ie. oil change) theres no need to uninstall? maybe under the airbox?

[Kzang]

I've attached my box to the right side using a double sided 3M tape.
When it is time for an oil change (once a year) I'll just remove it which would take roughly 5 minutes.

Here are some pictures.