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      09-02-2011, 04:49 AM   #8
gIzzE
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Drives: F11 + 911 C4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mulberry View Post
My first reaction to reading your post was great, at last a discussion about something not related to I Phones or angel eyes (at this point I've annoyed a lot of readers), but rather how a cars performance can be sensibly enhanced. After a lot of consideration I felt it important to raise the following points:

1. An X1's centre of gravity is higher than a normal car so without altering the suspension/lowering the vehical you will be affecting stability.

2. I don't know what BHP you've achieved, but if you take a Porsche Boxster/Cayman as an example it will probably have a similar BHP. The brakes on the Porsche are larger and ventilated for a reason. Because of the X1's weight (heavier) you will have reduced your stopping distance unlesss you have upgraded your brakes.

3. Extra power if used at high rev's will create additional stresses on different components, and produce more heat. The modification that you have mentioned should not in my opinion be done without upgrading the parts most at risk (shell bearings/clutch etc.), and the cooling system.

4. As for insurance should you have an accident and somebody is injured, and your insurance invalidated, how will you feel about having wrecked somebody elses life?

I'm not an engineer but have owned cars such as Cateram Severns, Sunbeam Tigers, Costello MGB's, Audi TT's and a Porsche Boxster S Sport Edition and in my experience a 'chip' power upgrade should be the last thing that you do, and if you can't afford the extra insurance premium don't carry out the modification.



First of all I agree totally on the insurance side, not worth the risk, jail is one thing but living with putting someone in a wheelchair and not having your insurance cover them is not something I could do.

Also, please don't think BMW won't know, they will, it leaves a trail that shouts 'I have been modded!!'.




I totally disagree on the parts etc. the brakes etc. are used on the 335d which is still far more powerful, the gearbox is good for 700nm so still loads of headroom.

And I guarantee that we will see this engine kicking out this sort of power before it is retired, and with the same parts.
It is all marketing.
the 320d was 124bhp, then 138bhp then 150bhp using all the same parts, as BMW increase power Audi then go slightly better, then Mercedes better that so BMW up the power on theirs, it is a never ending cycle, as long as you are slightly better than the competition that is all that matter.

The X1 still handles better than most saloons with the same power, so I would not be concerned about the slight increase in power. And if they do release a 30d xDrive it will be using the same parts as the 23d anyway. It is on the 5 series.
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