04-07-2014, 11:39 PM | #1 |
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Velos Stage 2 X5M...
I just picked up this tune for my 2011 X5M. Whole process was simple, and very efficient. Ordered last Tuesday after several emails back and forth to Omar, asking various newb questions, all responded to quickly and with relevant details. The guys know their stuff for sure. Anyway, package arrived Friday (from Miami to Alberta, Canada) so pretty quick in my mind. The process is pretty straight-forward: 1. unpack everything and RTFM. Instructions are there for a reason. 2. go buy a battery TENDER (not a battery charger, they are not the same thing). I picked up a Deltran, they are dead easy to use and fully automatic - 40 bucks well spent. 3. Get the software installed and updated. The driver for the handheld doesn't seem to want to install on Windows 8, so I used the Windows 7 office computer instead. Worked fine. Then update the firmware on the handheld and head out to the X. 4. Grab the ECU file...this will take almost an hour, and is why you need the battery tender hooked up (unless you wanna roll the dice that your battery will hold out). 5. Send the file to Velos and wait (this is the hardest part!) I sent mine on a Saturday and got it back on Monday. Pretty nice turnaround time. 6. Go back to the X with the updated ECU and write it...this is faster than the read...maybe 20 minutes at most. During this time your vehicle will do all kindsa weird shit...the most disturbing being that the dash cycles between transmission failure and self levelling failure pretty much during the whole process...at the same time the compressor? or something in the back end is hissing away the whole time...again why you need the battery tender hooked up. Even though you know in advance this will happen, its still unnerving. 7. 20 minutes later, all done! Cycle the dash about 7 times to get rid of all the CELs and errors and then start er up and go! 8. you will need to reset your M settings in iDrive. Overall Impressions: non-M mode: that dead spot in the pedal is pretty much gone now. Throttle response and transmission shift points are much smoother. Overall just seems faster. If you are concerned about drivability don't be, its perfectly well-mannered, it just gets angry when you want it to! M mode: this is where the tune really shines and will make you say "shit...this car is awesome! Why didn't BMW sell it like this? (that's a rhetorical question btw)" Delay is totally gone, turbo spool is instant, and power is drastically improved right through the entire power band. This is all in M mode with D. Pop it over to S and its almost scary off the line. Again, if you want it to be civilized it will be. And when you want it to be a tire shredding demon, well its right there waiting! Couldn't be happier with this ultimate mod. If there is one thing you can do to improve performance, I think this is it. There were a lot of choices out there that I looked at, researched, agonized over, hummed and hawed about. I chose Velos because of the good reviews here and elsewhere, and also because of the response to my questions and concerns. That was the deal maker for me. If you are on the fence about doing this, get off and just do it! |
04-08-2014, 12:28 AM | #2 |
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Nice review. This tune is definitely the best mod I've done so far. What's next?
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04-08-2014, 07:35 AM | #3 |
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Have DINAN tune now. This is very tempting specially since other users here like this better than Dinan. I may keep the DINAN until my original warranty runs out next year and go with Velos once I get the extended warranty(if I decide to keep the M)....
Good review of the process.... |
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04-08-2014, 08:23 AM | #4 |
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04-08-2014, 09:37 PM | #5 |
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We need to get some Alberta X5Ms to the track, I want to see how my ECUProgram tune stacks up against some of the others.
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X5M, Eisenmann exhaust, 22" HRE wheels, catless down pipes, Stage II tune/X5 Diesel, Lowered & Tuned
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04-08-2014, 10:10 PM | #6 |
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04-08-2014, 10:28 PM | #7 |
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Yes we should we have discussed it enough, I have typically been driving the wife's diesel to Calgary. But I should bring the M down and do a few pulls. I was going to get the stage 2+ tune but I have a hard time finding 94oct close to me
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X5M, Eisenmann exhaust, 22" HRE wheels, catless down pipes, Stage II tune/X5 Diesel, Lowered & Tuned
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06-18-2014, 10:14 PM | #13 |
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i don't have any problem with launch control, it works great.
While i haven't been in a stock tune X5/6M in a long time, according to a friend, it defiantly launches and pulls much harder |
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01-05-2018, 09:16 PM | #17 |
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I've been on the fence with this for a while on this too...
Can't decide between Velos or the BMS JB4 Tuner. It's about half the price ($450) and outputs about the same HP/Torque. Anyone have input on this compared to the Velos? Can you do both??? ;D X5 xDrive 50i M-Sport - '12 |
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01-05-2018, 10:31 PM | #18 |
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01-05-2018, 10:34 PM | #19 |
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01-05-2018, 11:10 PM | #20 |
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