New to the M5 world, and my first mod... ESS Flash tune!

[FenixMike]

Ive been around for quite some time in the 5 series, 4 series, X5, M3 and now M5 forum... I picked up a 2014 M5 Competition with all the goodies such as B&O, LED headlights, extended merino leather, etc! Its been my dream car for about 7 years, and I was finally able to justify the cost and find one with the equipment, mileage and condition I wanted! Anyway as some of you have probably seen, my first go to mod is always a trip to ESS Tuning for a flash, however with the current location for work, that wasn't possible, so I actually got to do it myself with their mail order flash kit! Having never actually done anything to the BMW computers other than some light coding to my 2011 550i, and code deletes here and there (plenty on the mechanical side with fabbing of custom exhaust, turbo swaps, etc), I wasn't sure what to expect, but I can say it was the easiest 30 minutes of my life with car mods!

I wish there was a dyno near by to see what im making, but as most of you know, its quite the significant difference! The car was fast as factory, feeling quicker than my 2015 M3 with a tune right out of the box, but now I have the satisfaction of the M5 raging through gears with some pretty significant force into the seats, and with the Michelins spinning pretty hard through 1st and 2nd if the street conditions aren't perfect! It is the best money ive spent in a long time, and I really have myself questioning if I need anything more, other than a set of wheels once the Vorsteiners from my M3 sell.

Some pictures of my new toy!

[Lightfytr]

Nice! Whats the price?

[FenixMike]

Originally Posted by Lightfytr

Nice! Whats the price?

https://esstuning.com/s63tu-stage-1-...-ecu-software/
$1349... the software is pretty neat and allows downloading of the coding files, read/clear of trouble codes etc. ESS gave me a factory tune and their Stage 1 tune so I can go back and forth if needed. It took about 15 minutes to read the file, then I sent it to ESS, and the next morning I had my flash file waiting for me, which took about 25 minutes or so total. Fuel economy from Brunswick to Jacksonville was about 23 mpg average doing 85 mph (or whatever the flow of traffic was) on cruise control. Power is absolutely insane, and noticeable from normal acceleration as well as when youre on it!

I was considering getting a set of downpipes as well, but it seems like 20-30 hp is a waste when youre getting near 100 from just a flash, and they are similar in price.

[Craze]

Our x5 50i is tuned by ess and also my m5 with catless pipes also

Never had an issue on either and there support is top notch

Very happy with power delivery

[FenixMike]

Originally Posted by Craze

Our x5 50i is tuned by ess and also my m5 with catless pipes also

Never had an issue on either and there support is top notch

Very happy with power delivery

My 2014 X5 50i was tuned by him as well... that was an INCREDIBLE difference! I searched for quite a while to find an X5M, but the few I came across just weren't in very good condition, including the one I went to see at the dealer in Atlanta, then ended up leaving with the M5 that was sitting in the show room Id like another X5 but I will either keep waiting for an X5M, or the new body style 50i to be in my price range and CPO.