[lhorion]

Ninefourteener - I am a belgian living in Houston and contemplating reloc to Belgium with X5 45e. Is there a phone or email to talk. Have a few questions would like to here your experience of getting US spec car homologated for Belgium license plate. My email ludovic.horion@gmail.com // phone 409-600-7203

[Ninefourteener]

Originally Posted by lhorion

Ninefourteener - I am a belgian living in Houston and contemplating reloc to Belgium with X5 45e. Is there a phone or email to talk. Have a few questions would like to here your experience of getting US spec car homologated for Belgium license plate. My email ludovic.horion@gmail.com // phone 409-600-7203

I got your message, and responded. X5s cost half as much in the US as they do in Belgium after taxes. I'm not sure Belgium would even allow you to do so..... but if they did, they'd rape you in taxes and import fees.

I'm only allowed to do what I did, because I work for the US government, and I fall under the status of forces agreement.

[X5 45e]

Originally Posted by lhorion

Ninefourteener - I am a belgian living in Houston and contemplating reloc to Belgium with X5 45e. Is there a phone or email to talk. Have a few questions would like to here your experience of getting US spec car homologated for Belgium license plate. My email ludovic.horion@gmail.com // phone 409-600-7203

The US version doesn't have the same netto battery capacity as the European version. So if the price difference is not to substantial I would buy the European version.

I don't know if the on board charger it self is different. We have a Mennekes 2 plug on the car. I think the US version has a different one. Some things to think about before making your decision.

The 45e is more complex than a standard car. I wonder if homologation can be a problem.

If you import a new car (I think that is less than 6 months old). I think you will have to pay local taxes. Might be better to drive it for a couple of months and miles. Also something to look into. I don't know the import details.

[Ninefourteener]

Haven't posted any progress for awhile.... after all the drama I've experienced..... finally got the car back to BR-P today, and because the car has new software, they were actually able to get a few more HP out of it.

No new dynosheets, all done via datalogging and road testing.
702 hp (+12 from last time)
943 nM (+15 from last time)

So here's my drama:

1 month ago..... get the notification for the new Android Auto update.

Do the update..... Android auto doesn't work. Because.... of course it doesn't.

Popped a check engine light at the same time. Car is MUCH slower. I'm CONVINCED that the update cleared all my tuning.

Went to BR-P.... the tune is STILL on the car. WTF?? Turns out, another one of those f-ing little rodents CHEWED THROUGH MY POST-CAT OXYGEN SENSOR! The reason the car was slower, was because it went into "limp mode" because the 02 sensor was completely severed.

The fact that it happened at EXACTLY the same time I was notified of the update??? That was a complete coincidence.

2 weeks later, bring to BMW, they replace the 02 sensor, and install a critter-scaring noise device under my hood..... that was a $600 bill... uggh.

When they installed the 02 sensor..... they reverted the car back to stock..... so now my tune is REALLY gone.... for real this time.

1.5 more weeks..... finally got the car back to BR-P, where they worked their magic.... and FINALLY the beast is back to the way it should be. Now I can "officially" say my car is over 700 hp. Not "much" over.... but still technically over.

And No.... BR-P didn't charge me a dime. This is all covered under their warrantee. Can't speak highly enough of them.

[DCwell3er]

Glad you're back up and running...and with a little more umph too!

[Ninefourteener]

Aaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnddddddd.... BOOM.

Finally..... BMC comes through with high performance intake filters for the X5m and M50i models (and X6 variants)

Only been waiting for OVER A YEAR!!!!

Already on order..... will do install pics when they arrive.

[M50iMWGuy]

Originally Posted by Ninefourteener

Aaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnddddddd.... BOOM.

Finally..... BMC comes through with high performance intake filters for the X5m and M50i models (and X6 variants)

Only been waiting for OVER A YEAR!!!!

Already on order..... will do install pics when they arrive.

Nice!

Excited to hear what you think about them and to see how difficult the install will be.

[Ninefourteener]

Well.... I've already torn the air boxes apart in an "attempt" to see if standard 50i filters worked.

They didn't... lmao.

I did remove the charcoal filters while I was in there though. 6 or 7 screws per airbox if I recall. Easy stuff.

I've used K&N filters on almost every single one of the 60+ cars I've owned over the past 25 years. Recently K&N as company, took a gigantic dump..... so I'm glad I'm switching g brands. I expect the results to be similar though.

Slight improvement in low end torque. Slight increase in intake sound. Nothing "major" on either account. But.... every little bit helps.

[M50iMWGuy]

Originally Posted by Ninefourteener

I've used K&N filters on almost every single one of the 60+ cars I've owned over the past 25 years. Recently K&N as company, took a gigantic dump..... so I'm glad I'm switching g brands. I expect the results to be similar though.

K&N was one of the first things I did to my 87 Mustang 5.0 back in the early 90s (in addition to Flowmaster's and pulleys). I even put the K&N sticker on the back window - I was convinced that the sticker alone added ~2HP!

[Ninefourteener]

Originally Posted by M50iMWGuy

K&N was one of the first things I did to my 87 Mustang 5.0 back in the early 90s (in addition to Flowmaster's and pulleys). I even put the K&N sticker on the back window - I was convinced that the sticker alone added ~2HP!

I think we all did something similar to our cars back in the day lol

[Ninefourteener]

Just arrived. More pics once installed

[Ninefourteener]

Installed.

For those of you that were still uncertain... YES, the X5, X6, and X7 M50i models..... share the same intake boxes and filters with the X5M and X6M.

[ApexG5]

Absolutely love your build. I am actually looking at the same Vossen wheels in a square 21" setup for my G05 40i. I don't have air and was looking at the 21x9.5 for all four corners. I saw that you have 10.5 on the fronts. How do you like the wider fronts, any problems at all? If I did 10.5 all around it would sure as hell open up some better tire options for me.

[Ninefourteener]

Originally Posted by ApexG5

Absolutely love your build. I am actually looking at the same Vossen wheels in a square 21" setup for my G05 40i. I don't have air and was looking at the 21x9.5 for all four corners. I saw that you have 10.5 on the fronts. How do you like the wider fronts, any problems at all? If I did 10.5 all around it would sure as hell open up some better tire options for me.

Thanks. No, I do not have any issues with 10.5 up front, even lowered.

However, I would NOT advise going with 21s. The available tire choices are extremely minimum. 21x10.5?? That's the stock size on the rear of X5s..... and people are constantly complaining about tire availability.

Go with 22s. Much more tire choices.

[jpichardo91]

Originally Posted by Ninefourteener

Haven't posted any progress for awhile.... after all the drama I've experienced..... finally got the car back to BR-P today, and because the car has new software, they were actually able to get a few more HP out of it.

No new dynosheets, all done via datalogging and road testing.
702 hp (+12 from last time)
943 nM (+15 from last time)

So here's my drama:

1 month ago..... get the notification for the new Android Auto update.

Do the update..... Android auto doesn't work. Because.... of course it doesn't.

Popped a check engine light at the same time. Car is MUCH slower. I'm CONVINCED that the update cleared all my tuning.

Went to BR-P.... the tune is STILL on the car. WTF?? Turns out, another one of those f-ing little rodents CHEWED THROUGH MY POST-CAT OXYGEN SENSOR! The reason the car was slower, was because it went into "limp mode" because the 02 sensor was completely severed.

The fact that it happened at EXACTLY the same time I was notified of the update??? That was a complete coincidence.

2 weeks later, bring to BMW, they replace the 02 sensor, and install a critter-scaring noise device under my hood..... that was a $600 bill... uggh.

When they installed the 02 sensor..... they reverted the car back to stock..... so now my tune is REALLY gone.... for real this time.

1.5 more weeks..... finally got the car back to BR-P, where they worked their magic.... and FINALLY the beast is back to the way it should be. Now I can "officially" say my car is over 700 hp. Not "much" over.... but still technically over.

And No.... BR-P didn't charge me a dime. This is all covered under their warrantee. Can't speak highly enough of them.

Damm , Wish Br-P was here in USA.
Would love to do a tune with them

[Ninefourteener]

Fun with camera settings.... Lol

[MOTOP]

Should have just gotten “M”. LOL

[Ninefourteener]

Originally Posted by redX6owner

Should have just gotten “M”. LOL

I wouldn't care if they were the exact same price..... I still say the M50i is a better vehicle.

M50i pros:
M50i - Same power capability once tuned
M50i - available air suspension
M50i - Available tow package for my motorcycle
M50i - more comfortable seats
M50i - cheaper insurance
M50i - $20k+ cheaper purchase price.

Full M pros:
Full M - cooler bumpers.
Full M - bragging rights that you drive a "full M" vehicle.

[MOTOP]

Originally Posted by Ninefourteener

I wouldn't care if they were the exact same price..... I still say the M50i is a better vehicle.

M50i pros:
M50i - Same power capability once tuned
M50i - available air suspension
M50i - Available tow package for my motorcycle
M50i - more comfortable seats
M50i - cheaper insurance
M50i - $20k+ cheaper purchase price.

Full M pros:
Full M - cooler bumpers.
Full M - bragging rights that you drive a "full M" vehicle.

You want to tune N63 on M50i?
Chances are your engine will die well before you hit 25k miles if you start using your “tunes”.

And it’s ok...M is a beautiful car!

[Ninefourteener]

Originally Posted by redX6owner

You want to tune N63 on M50i?
Chances are your engine will die well before you hit 25k miles if you start using your “tunes”.

And it’s ok...M is a beautiful car!

Not "my" tunes.

One of the most reputable tuning companies in Europe: BR-Performance.

All elements of the tune are within the factory parameters, utilizing the OEM ECUs, and still maintain legal emissions requirements. Mine is the white car at the bottom of the page.

https://www.br-performance.be/en-be/...1-xdrive-m50i/

Thanks for your advice though. I guess I better go buy an X5M before my "engine dies".

[Chapel Hill]

Originally Posted by Ninefourteener

I wouldn't care if they were the exact same price..... I still say the M50i is a better vehicle.

M50i pros:
M50i - Same power capability once tuned
M50i - available air suspension
M50i - Available tow package for my motorcycle
M50i - more comfortable seats
M50i - cheaper insurance
M50i - $20k+ cheaper purchase price.

Full M pros:
Full M - cooler bumpers.
Full M - bragging rights that you drive a "full M" vehicle.

Originally Posted by Ninefourteener

I wouldn't care if they were the exact same price..... I still say the M50i is a better vehicle.

M50i pros:
M50i - Same power capability once tuned
M50i - available air suspension
M50i - Available tow package for my motorcycle
M50i - more comfortable seats
M50i - cheaper insurance
M50i - $20k+ cheaper purchase price.

Full M pros:
Full M - cooler bumpers.
Full M - bragging rights that you drive a "full M" vehicle.

I'm with you. I suspect that most people who buy an M50i could easily afford an X5M, if that's what they wanted. Both are awesome cars that do somewhat different things. For me at least, the M50i is the far better choice.

[atlas]

Hi 914 - do you have a link to the rear diffuser you bought that fits the tow hitch?