thanks Jack and Les.. I ordered the Techart lowering module and aftermarket cold air aintake already. I am still waiting for the local dealer's response regarding the cat bypas. I want to make sure they won't void my warranty when I do that mod.
What's The Best SUV?
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Enjoy! Mines a daily driver so I've left it pretty much box stock.
Another thing you would want to check out before doing a cat bypass is if it's worth the effort. Current engines are tuned so much as a system for things liike exhaust back pressure the results may be counterintuitive. It may run worse or need a DME (ECU) reprogram to make much difference. The cat may also not be the pinch point. An overly quiet muffler for instance may be more restrictive and net more gain. I don't know the answer for the X5 4.4i. Someone in the BMW club is likely to know. I'm not a member so can't ask for you.
Either way stash the cat away so it can be reinstalled at need. Not something you want to buy again if you don't have to.
I will try the secondary cat bypass from Fabspeed, and BMC filters too. Still debating on ECU, I think 14 hp and 17TQ is not worth $1,700. The turbo gains a lot more from ECU tune. The local GIAC dealer is dangler an ECU tune for 93+ octace, premium gas at local Husky station is 94.
the local dealership has their own tuning arm, I'll let them do the Techart & Fabspeed stuff, I'll let them do the install, $145 per hour is a little bit stiff, but at least I am protecting my warranty.
15 mpg for city driving is pretty good, especially if you play a little bit. I live in a smaller city with lot's of open road... should be fun.
the local dealership has their own tuning arm, I'll let them do the Techart & Fabspeed stuff, I'll let them do the install, $145 per hour is a little bit stiff, but at least I am protecting my warranty.
15 mpg for city driving is pretty good, especially if you play a little bit. I live in a smaller city with lot's of open road... should be fun.
NA HP gains are always expensive. Manufacturers like BMW don't leave much cheap HP laying around. Turbo gains are usually because of a change in boost. Easy HP as long as the tuner doesn't use up to much of the safety margin the factory built in. But I suspect that we're now rather OT.
I just bought an Audi Q5 2 months ago. Great ride and acceleration (built on the same platform as the A5/S5). Absolutely no issues on a recent trip to Oregon and back and an awesome car in the snow. Thus far I couldn't be happier.
I had the Techart lowering module installed today
almost lower than my daughter's Acura..
I actually like the way it handles now than stock.
some people label the Cayenne as not a real Porsche, my guess is he never drove one before. The GTS is not that bad of a plebian SAV.
Now that you've had it a while what are your driving impressions?
Just an aside but what did you do for tires? If they're summer performance types you may want to consider remounting the stock ones for the winter. It's sort of amazing but summer performance tires below about 40°F turn into something resembling plastic with little grip. A real shock the first time I experienced it. Fortunately all I did was slide around a bit but it was still a surprise.
Just an aside but what did you do for tires? If they're summer performance types you may want to consider remounting the stock ones for the winter. It's sort of amazing but summer performance tires below about 40°F turn into something resembling plastic with little grip. A real shock the first time I experienced it. Fortunately all I did was slide around a bit but it was still a surprise.
this SUV is impressing me more and more, kind of surprised that I haven't got a speeding ticket yet
having driven the Turbo a number of times before, I was a bit worried that it won't be as exciting.. but it is exciting to drive. Not as powerful as the Turbo from the get go, but once you get the vehicle moving, it goes and fast. The exhaust note of the sport mode is addicting, I originally planned to do the cat bypass and exhaust upgrade but I can happily live with it the way it is.. Maybe I'll just spend the money on a custom installed radar detector like an Escort PassportCi. My cousin said it will grunt more after we installed the upgraded cold air intake that I bought. The ride with the staggered (295 front, 335 rear) summer tires on 22" rim is firm, but thanks to the programmable suspension settings, it can be easily remedied by switching to Comfort mode. I find driving on comfort mode mostly when my wife is with me, and on sport mode when I am by myself. As of this point, I have no plan to drive it in the winter but if ever I decide to, I will have to buy a used set of wheels with winter or all season tires on it. Maybe a knockoff Rinspeed 21"s.
I love the Techart lowering module, my wife hates it, she said the Cayenne looks like a Matrix or a minivan when parked on the lowest level. I would usually park it on normal level, then lower it after my wife entered the vehicle. I parked it side by side with the 2011 Turbo at the dealership, I think the 957 looks more aggressive than the 958.
have you seen this video? the guy hates the idea of sporty SUV's but compared the X6 to the GTS on the track
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Hondas are very reliable. Our daughter's Acura never had an issue since we got it new three years ago. My next door neighbour drives the new CRV and I like it's styling now. How I wish I could say the same for the Pilot and the MDX. The Pilot looks bland and boring to me, the new MDX is still polarizing, you either love or hate the style. If you happen to like their looks, awesome vehicle
Great video. While there seems to be a bit of bias, at least in the translation, I don't doubt the results. The X6 always struck me as the answer to a question no one asked. I rather expect the X5, as much as I like mine, to fare similarly. Porsche always seems to have the edge on better handling.
I looked at the older version of MDX when I ended up buying the X5. Perfectly nice vehicle but didn't do anything for me. I don't much care for Acura's current styling trend.
Forgot. If you're interested in the Escort 9500ci there's a good install article and review at http://www.planet-9.com/reviews/electronics/p274-escort-passport-9500ci.html The install covers the Cayman but still a bunch of good info on the system.
I looked at the older version of MDX when I ended up buying the X5. Perfectly nice vehicle but didn't do anything for me. I don't much care for Acura's current styling trend.
Forgot. If you're interested in the Escort 9500ci there's a good install article and review at http://www.planet-9.com/reviews/electronics/p274-escort-passport-9500ci.html The install covers the Cayman but still a bunch of good info on the system.
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thanks Les, that's a nice article about the Escort 9500CI. It is around $1700 here in Canada, plus install. One of my golf buddies does this for a living, he can do it relatively cheap for me. Other units I am consider are the QI45 and the Beltronic RX75 Pro Plus, there's a unit being offered at the local Kijiji for $600. Same Kijiji offers the 9500ix for $500, tempting but I am not too happy with the dash/windshield units that I had before. And they are an invitation for the bad guys to break into your car when you leave them visible.
Would be nice to see to new Cayenne Turbo going head to head with the new X5M on the track and same driver. There's an X5M that visits our neighbourhood quite regularly, I'm still wondering why that unit is shifting the way it does, sounds like out of synch, even my wife noticed it.
Would be nice to see to new Cayenne Turbo going head to head with the new X5M on the track and same driver. There's an X5M that visits our neighbourhood quite regularly, I'm still wondering why that unit is shifting the way it does, sounds like out of synch, even my wife noticed it.
That would be a really interesting comparison. Though truth be told I sort of agree with the guy in the video. I'm not sure these things really are meant for the track. I just like having something that handles well as a daily driver and can carry a bunch on demand. Still loads of fun to watch though. One never sees sports cars moving around that way on a track, at least if they're going for time. I've not gone looking but I have to wonder if a video of the Cayenne Turbo running the Nurburgring ever made it to YouTube? Set an excellent time as I recall.
I haven't had a chance to drive an X5M. If it's a DSG BMW has had issues before with it some years ago. Maybe the same thing again. Maybe it's time for a software update? FWIW my '04 automatic seems to be telepathic. First automatic I drove that actually seemed to pick the gear I wanted when I wanted without input from me.
I haven't had a chance to drive an X5M. If it's a DSG BMW has had issues before with it some years ago. Maybe the same thing again. Maybe it's time for a software update? FWIW my '04 automatic seems to be telepathic. First automatic I drove that actually seemed to pick the gear I wanted when I wanted without input from me.
I think the best Cayenne record at Nurburgring is around 8-1/2 minutes and came really close to beating the 911's time (if it didn't). The Jeep SRT 8 might outsprint the older Cayenne Turbo, but I doubt it could come close to the Cayenne time on the ring.
re- X5M tranny - it could be the driver (badly) using the tiptronic or something hence the one that we heard a few times sound out of synch. Haven't driven the new eight speed X5 myself.
I cheaped out on the radar detector, got a Passport 9500ix instead. I got quotes for the install of the Escort Passport 9500Ci and it ranged between $600-$800 here in our city and will bring my total cost to around $2k- which is too much in my opinion. The 9500ix does most of what it can do, the guy at the store told me that I could just add a shifter or scrambler to what I have later and my protection should be really close, for much less money. Now, I have the option to lend the radar detector to my wife (who has more speeding tickets than me)
re- X5M tranny - it could be the driver (badly) using the tiptronic or something hence the one that we heard a few times sound out of synch. Haven't driven the new eight speed X5 myself.
I cheaped out on the radar detector, got a Passport 9500ix instead. I got quotes for the install of the Escort Passport 9500Ci and it ranged between $600-$800 here in our city and will bring my total cost to around $2k- which is too much in my opinion. The 9500ix does most of what it can do, the guy at the store told me that I could just add a shifter or scrambler to what I have later and my protection should be really close, for much less money. Now, I have the option to lend the radar detector to my wife (who has more speeding tickets than me)
Yep, that's the time I'm thinking of. Really good for just about anything but amazing for a 2.5 ton SUV. I don't doubt that there's faster ones out there in a straight line but in a turn there's only a couple in the hunt.
What the store guy is telling you matches what I've read on the 9500ix vs ci. Pretty much the same unit except for the shifters. If they're using laser as much there as some of the US states then that's almost becoming a must. Make sure you have a way to shut them off once down to the speed limit. Flying by when the cop can't get a lock at all is sort of like the one finger salute. Some areas here have started writing that up as obstruction of an officer doing his duty etc.
All this hi-tech makes me think it's about time to trade in my Valentine V1. Still works well on most but if you're the laser target all you can hope is the officer feeling merciful. It will tell you how you've been had but that's about it. Fortunately, I'm getting old and slow. Can't say I'm happy with the old part but the slow probably isn't all bad.
What the store guy is telling you matches what I've read on the 9500ix vs ci. Pretty much the same unit except for the shifters. If they're using laser as much there as some of the US states then that's almost becoming a must. Make sure you have a way to shut them off once down to the speed limit. Flying by when the cop can't get a lock at all is sort of like the one finger salute. Some areas here have started writing that up as obstruction of an officer doing his duty etc.
All this hi-tech makes me think it's about time to trade in my Valentine V1. Still works well on most but if you're the laser target all you can hope is the officer feeling merciful. It will tell you how you've been had but that's about it. Fortunately, I'm getting old and slow. Can't say I'm happy with the old part but the slow probably isn't all bad.
we're currently in Vancouver, did 1,200 plus kms in less than 12 hours (including 3 pitstops). The GTS drives like a dream on the twisty mountainous road. For some reason, I could go faster on twisty climbs than in twisty descends. I had a good time playing with a Z4 first, then with a Mazda hatchback and an Audio S4. Cayenne is doing mostly over 150 kph on 3000 rpm. The 9500ix saved me twice during the trip, alerting me way before I can see the cop car.
I was surprised how well the Mazda (2 passengers)kept up with the Cayenne (4 passengers). The driver passed me and waited while we were still on 4 lane divided highway, I surprised him just before we reached the two lane undivided part of the highway. Kept up with me for a while and will only fall behind when I drive above 180, but as soon as I drop to 150, he's be right on my tail. We did this for more than 200 kms.. he eventually overtook me when I refused to overtake a slower vehicle on a long stretch of double solid yellow. And then the S4 came, but I cannot keep up with him
I was surprised how well the Mazda (2 passengers)kept up with the Cayenne (4 passengers). The driver passed me and waited while we were still on 4 lane divided highway, I surprised him just before we reached the two lane undivided part of the highway. Kept up with me for a while and will only fall behind when I drive above 180, but as soon as I drop to 150, he's be right on my tail. We did this for more than 200 kms.. he eventually overtook me when I refused to overtake a slower vehicle on a long stretch of double solid yellow. And then the S4 came, but I cannot keep up with him
Mercedes Benz G wagen ! It aint fast but its safe, reliable and capable off roader.We had at one time are family owned 3 variants of this vehicle (230 GE, 300 GD, 300 GE) Now we only have one its a G350 w/ a 6 cyl turbo diesel engine.Downside of this vehicle's :expensive maintenance & parts.
As has been said previously, it all depends on your needs. The only SUV that would meet my needs had to have a LOT of space inside and be able to haul a large trailer --- and that eliminated almost all of the nicer high end SUV's (too small). I ended up getting a Chevy Tahoe (decked out so it looks more like an Escalade). This is my second one. Great reliability (so far), and large enough to haul massive amounts of stuff. Not great on gas, and certainly not the best ride but it meets my needs. And while it may be false security, I feel safe driving something that size.
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