[CoopersF15]

Hi guys and girls- joined the forums the day I picked up my 2017 X5 a few weeks ago, and well, I'm now seriously considering getting an F31 too -

Why? The wife and I both need fairly practical and capable AWD cars and nothing else is hitting the spot for me. E350 wagon is old manish, the 2018 E400 is in the mid $75k before I'm satisfied with the spec, Volvos new V90 is hamstringing itself with its awful financials on leases, and the polestar - no one is willing to deal on a lease. Finally, Audi doesn't interest me due to poor driving dynamics etc so I could get another X5 which I thought was just more than a little silly and I'd be bored with two of the same thing.

Up until 2011 I had a lowly spec'd E91 I6 LCI which was nice, but lacked grunt (170hp) ... and I'm a little concerned that I'm going to be disappointed again with the 330, having come from 300hp/320 ft lbs in my last car.

I'm very close to just getting a 340 sedan, as I know that will scratch the performance itch, but it looks no different than a 328 with msport. That's a turn off for me too. So conflicted.

So - my thoughts go to how to get more poke from the power plant? Am I willing to fouls warranty for a leased vehicle? (My last E91 developed engine issues that BMW refused to acknowledge, and that was without a tune...would hate to be on the wrong side of that issue again...)

I've seen lots about piggyback tunes - but haven't been convinced there are real power gains to be had - -and there seem to be a healthy dose of wishful thinking on this forum about mod friendly dealers - color me cynical?

I guess I'm looking for feedback from those who have been in similar positions and ended up pleasantly surprised or disappointed by stock power, and those who sought to remedy it with piggy back tunes and if they were happy with the gains?

Cheers!

[M-Sport Wagon Funnnnnnnnn]

Wish I could offer advice but I bought my F31 for looks and practicality. I bought the diesel for fuel efficiency. Won't add more power because it doesn't need it in my opinion. The thrust of the torque when I punch it on the highway makes me appreciate my sport seats.

[Bimmer-Mac]

Why not consider the GranCoupe? You can get in 40i guise, more space/practicality than the sedan, but more power/handling than the F31...

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Mac

Why not consider the GranCoupe? You can get in 40i guise, more space/practicality than the sedan, but more power/handling than the F31...

Or he could go the GT for even more space/practicality. Just have to get past the looks.

[CoopersF15]

Yes it's getting past the looks of the 3 series GC but he 440 GC isn't bad at all.. I'd have to think about he load capacity compromise.

If I'm looking at piggy back tune boxes - without the other stages of upgrades and bolt ons, what could I realistically expect in hp/tq gains?

Are there any reported common engine issues in the current 2l gas engines?

[kpgray]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Mac

Why not consider the GranCoupe? You can get in 40i guise, more space/practicality than the sedan, but more power/handling than the F31...

+1
Grand Coupe is very sporty, found with the I6 engine, in 440 form will give you great performance, do not forget to get the MPPK with it for more fun!

[JollyRodger]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Or he could go the GT for even more space/practicality. Just have to get past the looks.

My wife drives a 335gt, and while she took it over my diesel F31 (she fell in love with the power ), when it comes to usable, practical space, we both agree the wagon comes out on top over the GT.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by CoopersF15

Hi guys and girls- joined the forums the day I picked up my 2017 X5 a few weeks ago, and well, I'm now seriously considering getting an F31 too -

Why? The wife and I both need fairly practical and capable AWD cars and nothing else is hitting the spot for me. E350 wagon is old manish, the 2018 E400 is in the mid $75k before I'm satisfied with the spec, Volvos new V90 is hamstringing itself with its awful financials on leases, and the polestar - no one is willing to deal on a lease. Finally, Audi doesn't interest me due to poor driving dynamics etc so I could get another X5 which I thought was just more than a little silly and I'd be bored with two of the same thing.

Up until 2011 I had a lowly spec'd E91 I6 LCI which was nice, but lacked grunt (170hp) ... and I'm a little concerned that I'm going to be disappointed again with the 330, having come from 300hp/320 ft lbs in my last car.

I'm very close to just getting a 340 sedan, as I know that will scratch the performance itch, but it looks no different than a 328 with msport. That's a turn off for me too. So conflicted.

So - my thoughts go to how to get more poke from the power plant? Am I willing to fouls warranty for a leased vehicle? (My last E91 developed engine issues that BMW refused to acknowledge, and that was without a tune...would hate to be on the wrong side of that issue again...)

I've seen lots about piggyback tunes - but haven't been convinced there are real power gains to be had - -and there seem to be a healthy dose of wishful thinking on this forum about mod friendly dealers - color me cynical?

I guess I'm looking for feedback from those who have been in similar positions and ended up pleasantly surprised or disappointed by stock power, and those who sought to remedy it with piggy back tunes and if they were happy with the gains?

Cheers!

I've been running my piggyback tune for about 10k miles now without issue. Only a stage 1 of course, with no other mods. My dealer knows I have it installed and they couldn't care less. I haven't brought it in for drivetrain issues though. If you're concerned about that, get the Dinan tune with the warranty.

For my $, Dinan didn't make total sense.

And yes, the gains are not huge, but fwiw, most of these piggybacks put the N20 at least in N55 range performance-wise for most daily driving (although at the top end, the N20 will lose out.)

It's the perfect complement to the N20 imho.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by JollyRodger

My wife drives a 335gt, and while she took it over my diesel F31 (she fell in love with the power ), when it comes to usable, practical space, we both agree the wagon comes out on top over the GT.

+1

Even after driving the GT with the N55, I couldn't get my head or emotions around it's heft and ungainly demeanor. The wagon is just so damn sexy and drives just like the sedan.

[Uncle D]

I think your best bet is to take a 330i and a 340i out for a test drive....then decided if the I4 has enough juice for you. If yes, then wagon it is. If not, then you can go for the 340 sedan or the 440 GC.

But don't go GT.... that thing is ugly AF.

[kpgray]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

+1

Even after driving the GT with the N55, I couldn't get my head or emotions around it's heft and ungainly demeanor. The wagon is just so damn sexy and drives just like the sedan.

My Daughter drives the GT, she has two toddlers and both rear facing child seats fit without an issue PLUS the front seats still retain full travel! The X3 did not do that! and the X5 was too big for their family. So for me, if it was an SAV or 3 series, I would drive the GT.

[CoopersF15]

Sorry I have been MIA - I liked all the suggestions and points of view. All valid...and went to check out the 3gt and 4gc and they were just too compromised in terms of utility...the 3GT is shockingly ugly to look at but the 4 is still a pretty car.

However all is not lost.

I thought I'd take a look at the X4 - not thinking it would do the trick...I've never really warmed to the X6 "SUC" shape and thought it SUCked but the X4 isn't so bad and not as ugly as the 3 GT. Sooooo I checked out the rear space....it has enough utility for my needs. Check In that box...

Then I looked atwhat engines it had, expecting to be the weedy 28i only....

Oh boy was I wrong. Just had a test drive in the x4 m40i and that thing is a beast! So I'm a little ashamed, sorry not sorry, about my change of heart. I LOVE the wagon, but BMWUSA hates Americans and won't give them big engines in compact wagons. So there's that.

I had been poring over this forum for a while and dreaming of my ideal wagon spec, indeed thinking about shipping one across the country but I just am drunk on the power of the 40i engine, which is good coz you need to be drunk to think the X4 is a pretty car, but man that girl can do some tricks to keep me happy!

The hunt is on to get one by the end of the month. If the number don't add up I'll possibly still be in an F31, but I'll have to tune it!