2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
 

2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Bang - for - buck mods
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      04-14-2014, 09:26 AM   #1
Eric
Private
18
Rep
61
Posts

Drives: Numerous
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: MN/FL

iTrader: (0)

Bang - for - buck mods

I drive a *LEASED* 2014 535i x-drive and am very happy with the car. Ive read in various places that this drivetrain responds well to performance mods and I'm interested in getting a bit more out of her. I know there are several "chip" tunes as well as intake packages available, but wanted to see if anyone had insight on which would be the best option for a leased vehicle and/or best bang for the buck.

Specifically I'm looking for:
-Something easily removable for dealer visits
-"Chip" tuning easily turned off (possibly undetectable to dealer)
-No reliability issues

Please go easy on the BMW noob.

Last edited by Eric; 04-14-2014 at 10:32 AM..
Appreciate 0
      04-14-2014, 10:22 AM   #2
ezmaass
Lieutenant Colonel
ezmaass's Avatar
United_States
370
Rep
1,698
Posts

Drives: '17 650xi GC / '15 Audi R8 V10
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: CT

iTrader: (0)

Eric - Burger Motorsport offers chips (ECU piggyback style plug-ins) that are very cost-effective at adding power to your 535. The N55 engine responds well to tunes, and you can easily up the power output with Burger's "Juice Box" (JB) tunes. They also provide simple mechanisms for you to turn on/off and alter the potency of the tune.

Obviously any tuning will introduce potential for reliability issues since you're pushing the components of the vehicle beyond their anticipated mechanical thresholds. That said, I think many people have found the JB tunes very reliable since you don't need to dial-in the maximum power all the time. These devices are also easily removable for visits to a dealer.

Honestly, I'm not big into mods. I think these cars, especially with the M Sport package, come very nicely equipped right from BMW. Mods are financial sink-holes. If the car is leased, the best you can hope for is to remove them at the end of the term and sell them at a serious discount to someone else. Maybe that's worth it to you. Considering the time and expense of swapping suspension parts, for instance, I wouldn't go there either on a lease. At most, I'd personally consider the JB for some extra power and maybe a set of wheels (easy to swap and sell later... plus, you'll likely want to get rid of the OEM runflat tires).

My two cents!
__________________
2017 BMW 650xi Gran Coupe | MSport | Exec Package | Driver Assist Plus | ACC Stop & Go | Adaptive Drive | B&O | Night Vision | Cold Weather | Active Seats
2015 Audi R8 V10 | Brilliant Red on Black | S-Tronic | Carbon Sideblades | Carbon Trim | Full Leather | Sport Exhaust | Illuminated Doorsills | I-Pod | Contrast Stitching
Previous: '14 550xi, '07 335i, '01 325i
Appreciate 0
      04-14-2014, 10:37 AM   #3
Eric
Private
18
Rep
61
Posts

Drives: Numerous
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: MN/FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ezmaass View Post
Eric - Burger Motorsport offers chips (ECU piggyback style plug-ins) that are very cost-effective at adding power to your 535. The N55 engine responds well to tunes, and you can easily up the power output with Burger's "Juice Box" (JB) tunes. They also provide simple mechanisms for you to turn on/off and alter the potency of the tune.

Obviously any tuning will introduce potential for reliability issues since you're pushing the components of the vehicle beyond their anticipated mechanical thresholds. That said, I think many people have found the JB tunes very reliable since you don't need to dial-in the maximum power all the time. These devices are also easily removable for visits to a dealer.

Honestly, I'm not big into mods. I think these cars, especially with the M Sport package, come very nicely equipped right from BMW. Mods are financial sink-holes. If the car is leased, the best you can hope for is to remove them at the end of the term and sell them at a serious discount to someone else. Maybe that's worth it to you. Considering the time and expense of swapping suspension parts, for instance, I wouldn't go there either on a lease. At most, I'd personally consider the JB for some extra power and maybe a set of wheels (easy to swap and sell later... plus, you'll likely want to get rid of the OEM runflat tires).

My two cents!
Excellent reply. Thank you for taking the time.

I'm completely on the same page as you with regard to mods. I dont feel like the car "needs" anything. I have a summer set of wheels (OEM staggered 19" from a 2012 F10), but I likely wont touch another thing on the car.

Just looking for a very light intake/ecm tune to sneak a few more ponies.
Appreciate 0
      04-16-2014, 10:20 AM   #4
Russkey
Captain
Russkey's Avatar
United_States
155
Rep
751
Posts

Drives: '12 BMW AW 550xi
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Miami, FL

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2012 550xi  [10.00]
Looks like JB4 tune is the best option for you. I've met many people who changed their opinion about modding after some time. I can't look at my car without lowering springs and 20 inch rims
__________________
'15 Porsche Macan S / Black & Garnet Red / 20" RS Spyder Wheels / CF trim / Red Calipers / Black Rear Badge.
'12 AW 550xi / Dinan S2 / Arkym CF Spoiler / 3D Design Style Splitter / Eisenmann Race Exhaust / 20' HRE FF01 / ACS Springs / CF Grill / CF 3D Design Diffuser / Blue Calipers...
Appreciate 0
      04-16-2014, 12:06 PM   #5
gtmassive75
Captain
gtmassive75's Avatar
358
Rep
815
Posts

Drives: G05 X5,G20 M340,Infiniti Q50RS
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Queens,NY/Palm Bay, FL

iTrader: (2)

Ezmass u r so right on "Mods are financial sink-holes"

Russkey and u r on point "I can't look at my car without lowering springs and 20 inch rims"
__________________
2020 G05 MSport 40i--Phytonic Blue Metallic/Vernasca Coffee Leather/Multi Contour SeatsTrim/Executive Package/MSport Brakes/Icon Adaptive Led HeadlightsW/Laserlight/Harman Kardon/Heated Front Seats Armrests & Steering
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:55 AM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST