X5 50i (F15) - Stock to K&N - Cold Air Intake

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Twin Peaks

SoxFan I barely notice a difference to be honest, maybe a little more "wooshing" when I press the pedal to the floor.

BobBeau or iconoclast Is there really a difference in performance between the M OEM vs the K&N drop in filters I picked up other than the oil on the K&N [SIZE="1"](It can be bad for the MAF, if you overspray. Fortunately I read instructions and on my other cars have never had any issues.)[/SIZE]? I primarily purchased it so I wouldn't have to keep buying new filters. But if there is a difference in performance or the car could be running better, I may switch back to disposables. I did not notice a difference but I really wasn't sure how to measure up. My HP/Torque in the dash are hitting max like they did before.

Thank you guys in advance.

If you already have K&N then don't spend more on getting M filters. They're not THAT much better.
But I would say don't spend money on smaller air filters for more money if you haven't already. They gains are minimal anyway soooooo ya.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Silververtu

Around $100 taxed for a pair.

Any dealer or getbmwparts or bmwwarehouse

[BobBeau]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Any dealer or getbmwparts or bmwwarehouse

Thanks guys

[DuSh]

The way I see it - we have to change air filters every 20k miles anyway right? So stock X5 ones cost about $50 for both, while stock X5M are about $100 for both. So why not get a bigger ones for extra $50 every 20k miles? For me that's $50 every 2-3 years (I don't drive a lot).
X5M air filter element has about 14% more air flow - that is a tested fact (tested by OnfireX5). The question is if it's a bottleneck or not and if a tuned 50i can take advatnage of that extra air flow. Even if it will result in only 1% whp increase - that's still about 4-5whp, but if it adds 2% - that's already 8-10whp. It's almost free power (well ok, yes it's $50) so why not pick it up. I personally with my Stage 1 tune can feel a bit more pull at higher rpms and higher speeds at highways.
Again, for stock 50i - I don't think stock air filter is a bottleneck, but for tuned ones - I think it is. With tune we get about 70-120whp more and that is already X5M territory - which (surprise) has bigger air filters. I think BMW engineers put bigger air filter elements for a reason in x5m. So all we are doing is bringing air supply of our tuned 50i up to par to increased power levels - which now are almost like x5m (almost). For me it seems logical and for extra $50 it's a no brainer
All just my opinion

P.S. One more proof that 50i hits invisible bottleneck after 5500-6000rpm - is a dyno chart of 50i vs x5m - the former whp/tq both drop, but in latter hp increases still. There's several things at play (different turbos etc) contributing to that, but increased air supply (better flow air filters) could be an essential requirement to sustain that power increase. So it's easier to just cover that requirement and take guessing out of it - since it's very easy to do, takes 15 min and $50.

[on3eighteen]

Originally Posted by DuSh

The way I see it - we have to change air filters every 20k miles anyway right? So stock X5 ones cost about $50 for both, while stock X5M are about $100 for both. So why not get a bigger ones for extra $50 every 20k miles? For me that's $50 every 2-3 years (I don't drive a lot).
X5M air filter element has about 14% more air flow - that is a tested fact (tested by OnfireX5). The question is if it's a bottleneck or not and if a tuned 50i can take advatnage of that extra air flow. Even if it will result in only 1% whp increase - that's still about 4-5whp, but if it adds 2% - that's already 8-10whp. It's almost free power (well ok, yes it's $50) so why not pick it up. I personally with my Stage 1 tune can feel a bit more pull at higher rpms and higher speeds at highways.
Again, for stock 50i - I don't think stock air filter is a bottleneck, but for tuned ones - I think it is. With tune we get about 70-120whp more and that is already X5M territory - which (surprise) has bigger air filters. I think BMW engineers put bigger air filter elements for a reason in x5m. So all we are doing is bringing air supply of our tuned 50i up to par to increased power levels - which now are almost like x5m (almost). For me it seems logical and for extra $50 it's a no brainer
All just my opinion

P.S. One more proof that 50i hits invisible bottleneck after 5500-6000rpm - is a dyno chart of 50i vs x5m - the former whp/tq both drop, but in latter hp increases still. There's several things at play (different turbos etc) contributing to that, but increased air supply (better flow air filters) could be an essential requirement to sustain that power increase. So it's easier to just cover that requirement and take guessing out of it - since it's very easy to do, takes 15 min and $50.

I'd LOVE to know how you like the Dinan Stage 1 tune for your X5 50i. I am getting a 2016 50i in a few days & am already thinking about getting the Dinan tune. I had a Dinan Stage 2 on my 2010 335xi & it was amazing. The only thing I'm worried about is reliability but from my research while Dinan is on the more expensive side, it comes with more reliability which may save me money in the long run (or drive)!

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by on3eighteen

I'd LOVE to know how you like the Dinan Stage 1 tune for your X5 50i. I am getting a 2016 50i in a few days & am already thinking about getting the Dinan tune. I had a Dinan Stage 2 on my 2010 335xi & it was amazing. The only thing I'm worried about is reliability but from my research while Dinan is on the more expensive side, it comes with more reliability which may save me money in the long run (or drive)!

Hey on3eighteen, I'll be honest with you man: Dinan is a no go in terms of tunes. It has very weak tunes and very expensive - it's just not worth it imho. It's up to you of course. 50i owners usually go with either piggybacks (looks like this will be good choice for you - as you can take it off always before any warranty check-up appointment at the dealership) or go with flash tunes via OBD - lots to chose from: BM3 platform is very popular and is gaining momentum, I have BPC tune (and there are also other tunes too from other companies).
Stage 1 tune should roughly put you at 500whp and 600wtq (give or take). Dinan will never achieve that and you will pay 2-3 times more. But you are the boss man.

[on3eighteen]

I hear ya....I called BPC yesterday and asked about the reliability of their tune. Randall was very cautious when he talked about dealers giving pushback if they find an ECU tune & there's a mechanical issue w/ the car. I have thought about the risk/reward constantly over the last few days in terms of tuning the 2016 X5 50i I just got which has until the end of 2020 for the CPO...almost 2 years. I thought, well maybe I should wait a year just to really see if the stock power is totally enough. And, if not, why not tune since I only have a year left on my CPO. But then I thought, the car only has 33K miles, so it should easily be trouble-free for at least 2 more years. And if the BPC tune is pretty solid, and from what I've read the F15 engine is much, much more reliable then the one it replaced, I feel like the risk/reward tips easily to taking the risk. Bear in mind I'm the 10% of the time I'll drive quickly. On ramps, passing someone, at the toll. And I'm not even a WOT guy, so I think the risk is even less. I think I'm going to give it a month to really get a chance to push the car, and then decide. It's worth noting I'm coming from a 2012 Audi A6 which I did the APR Stage 2+ tune which was amazing, no way I needed more power. I only lost to an M3 once but beat every other single car. So do I need to beat a car by 5 cars lengths before I hit 100, or is 2-3 car lengths "enough." I'd say it's more than enough to let the other driver know this big ass X5 ain't not 6 cylinder, and you just got beat.

[mikew2069]

Originally Posted by on3eighteen

I hear ya....I called BPC yesterday and asked about the reliability of their tune. Randall was very cautious when he talked about dealers giving pushback if they find an ECU tune & there's a mechanical issue w/ the car. I have thought about the risk/reward constantly over the last few days in terms of tuning the 2016 X5 50i I just got which has until the end of 2020 for the CPO...almost 2 years. I thought, well maybe I should wait a year just to really see if the stock power is totally enough. And, if not, why not tune since I only have a year left on my CPO. But then I thought, the car only has 33K miles, so it should easily be trouble-free for at least 2 more years. And if the BPC tune is pretty solid, and from what I've read the F15 engine is much, much more reliable then the one it replaced, I feel like the risk/reward tips easily to taking the risk. Bear in mind I'm the 10% of the time I'll drive quickly. On ramps, passing someone, at the toll. And I'm not even a WOT guy, so I think the risk is even less. I think I'm going to give it a month to really get a chance to push the car, and then decide. It's worth noting I'm coming from a 2012 Audi A6 which I did the APR Stage 2+ tune which was amazing, no way I needed more power. I only lost to an M3 once but beat every other single car. So do I need to beat a car by 5 cars lengths before I hit 100, or is 2-3 car lengths "enough." I'd say it's more than enough to let the other driver know this big ass X5 ain't not 6 cylinder, and you just got beat.

Just do it and don't look back. I'm like you, pretty much NEVER go WOT but when I do want to get on it to pass someone or just feel like going vroom, its nice to know its there. So for our driving styles, the risk is relatively low I'm BM3 btw.

[on3eighteen]

You had me at "don't look back." Even though, when I'm racing someone, I hope that's all I have to do!

[on3eighteen]

I tuned my car yesterday guys, insane power w/ BPC Stage 1. Highly recommend it, especially with amazing support from Bob & Randall down in North Carolina!

[hufington]

Anyone tried the AFE intake for the F85 on 50i? https://afepower.com/afe-power-50-40...-intake-system
They claim that it'd give additional 16hp and 18lbsxft. More important than that +27% air flow increase in comparison to the stock F85 filter.
I am looking for another filter than the F85 filters(that I have on right now) before installing the DPs and going for the stage 2 tune.

[Picasso]

Originally Posted by hufington

Anyone tried the AFE intake for the F85 on 50i? https://afepower.com/afe-power-50-40...-intake-system
They claim that it'd give additional 16hp and 18lbsxft. More important than that +27% air flow increase in comparison to the stock F85 filter.
I am looking for another filter than the F85 filters(that I have on right now) before installing the DPs and going for the stage 2 tune.

I don't really believe their claims of +16hp and +18tq. I can explain why. The chart they show on their website is almost identical to baseline for the most part, it fluctuates up or down, and in some moments (at some rpm) it even drops below baseline - meaning that the run on dyno with AFE intake got LESS power actually. So they took very specific moment on their chart where it strangely shows a little bump (photoshop lol?) and claimed that increase as +16hp. Their numbers below the chart show different values - increase of only +4hp (maybe they forgot to photoshop that one) Very sketchy. Anyway the thing is for 520hp car an increase of 16hp is 3% change on dynojet. And that is just within margin of error for same car that does numerous runs on dyno. You can do 5-10 runs and then cherrypick the best and compare it to baseline and call that 3% bump on certain rpm on graph as a +16hp lol.
However, that's not the full story. We don't really know if X5M air filters are even a bottleneck for Stage 2 to begin with. A lot of things point that it's not a bottleneck for s63tu and even less so for n63tu. For example we still don't have any dyno runs for n63tu with stock and X5m air filters to see ANY change at all (note that air flow on bench will be different of course, but it doesn't mean that air flow on stock filters limits in any way max output for n63tu).
So bottom line is for $30 per filter of X5M it's a no brainer - you can just toss them on and drive. However, for $800+ for AFE I don't think it's smart to do that blindly without proof.
If I had extra money to burn for mods and you wanted performance mods - I would put that money towards lighter wheel package - that DOES affect 0-60 and 1/4 mile times.

[hufington]

I already have the M filters on. My issue with them is their design right at the flange. There is no smooth transition from filter neck to the intake as in most cold air filters. The factory M filter has no Venturi and a bad transition. A member [onfireX5] tested the Dinan filter on the bench and and found out the following:

An interesting afternoon. At 12" of H20 the stock M filter flowed 451 cfm. When the media was cut off a stock filter the flow increased to 487 cfm. That was my "target" for the much larger Dinan filter....to equal no filter in the box and let the entrance diameter be the controlling orifice for flow.

BIG SURPRISE........Dinan flowed 571 cfm at the same 12" of H20.

I know that the filter alone will make a big difference that you'll feel and I do not expect such an effect on an well over 5K lbs vehicle (with me inside, lol), which I won't drag race but it is important to get the best air flow into the engine as possible.
That would make me feel as if I am breathing better on WOT.

[ajawaid88]

Can anyone post the part numbers for the x5m intakes please thanks

[hufington]

13717850055 (Genuine BMW Air Filter - Cylinders 1-4 - F85, F86)
13717850056 (Genuine BMW Air Filter - Cylinders 5-8 - F85, F86)