Sprint Booster vs. Velocity vs. Nothing
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From: 07603
My Ride: 2006 550i pretty stock so far
Hi, New to the boards and the e60. I have a 550I automatic and have noticed the lag between the pedal and the engine response. I've done a little reserch on the boards and it seems that alot of people are using the sprint booster or the velocity to speed the reaction time of their e60. Do these products work? Is one much better than the other? I realize the velocity has the ability to be turned off and on and the 3 or 4 options for "boost". If this was such a simple fix, how come BMW didnt correct this themselves? Lastly, do you believe this harms the car in ANY way? Thanks!
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From: Massachusetts, USA
My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
I do not feel the lag that everyone's talking about, however, I've also observed that many people have removed their boosters for various or unexplained reasons. YMMV
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Joined: May 2009
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From: SoCal
My Ride: 2008 550I LOADED, all options except HUD and NV
All of our cars have the lag you describe in acceleration. The difference between Sprint boosters and Velocity boosters you have already figured out. The Velocity unit is adjustable and the Sprint is not. The Velocity can adjust from a stock feeling pedal (setting 1) to a Sprint booster setting (setting 3) and get even more aggressive (setting 4). They are both plug and play, essentially and can be removed if needed for service at the dealer. The cost is also higher for the Velocity unit (Sprint $260-280/Velocity $480-500). Hope this helps.
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From: UK
My Ride: Jan 2006 E63 650i Sport
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Sport version (includes: sport-seats, sport-suspension, M-Sport steering wheel, Anthracite headliner, Shaddow Line), Saphire Black, Black Dakota Leather, Anthracite Maple Wood trim, Steptronic Auto, Xenons, NAV-Professional with Voice Control, TV, CD-Changer, Bluetooth, Logic7, Head-up Display, Comfort Access, Seat Heating front, Auto Dimming & Folding Mirrors, Extended Auto Air Conditioning, PDC.
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An SB is a must have as a minimum IMHO. I remove mine when having it serviced and am always shocked how much lag there is.
I recently switched to a 550i and you need to be VERY sensitive with the throttle in these snow conditions. If you are happy to spend the money, then I would definitely recommend the Velocity version, so you can adjust it for slippery / dry conditions. If however you are in a part of the world where snow etc is very rare, then the SB is all you need IMHO.
I recently switched to a 550i and you need to be VERY sensitive with the throttle in these snow conditions. If you are happy to spend the money, then I would definitely recommend the Velocity version, so you can adjust it for slippery / dry conditions. If however you are in a part of the world where snow etc is very rare, then the SB is all you need IMHO.
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From: Fort Lauderdale, FL
My Ride: 2006 550i | Silver-Grey- A08 | Premium - Sport Package | Adaptive Headlights | Logic 7 w/ CD Changer | Bluetooth | Park Distance Control | Xenon Headlights | Comfort Access [s]Sprint Booster V1[/s] | K&N filter - Stock Box w/ Charcoal Filter Removed | Clear Side LED Markers | Matte Black Grilles | RPI Air Scoop | RPI 550i GT Exhaust | 12" Kicker w/ AMP | Headlight Euro Overlays | ACS Rep Roof\Trunk Spoilers |MTEC V2 Angel Eyes | 6000k HID Fog Lights | 19" VMR v710 Stag Wheels | Hankook Ventus V12 Evo K110 Tires | Debadged | LED Courtesy Door Lamps | Sprint Booster V2 | Painted Calipers | M pedals\shift knob | HID License Plate Bulbs | R1 Drilled\Slotted Rotors | Hawk HPS Brakes| ACS replica front lip |
Love my SB. I feel "not so fresh" when I take it off before going to get service.
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Atlanta, GA
I have my car in for service right now with my velocity in the car. I was too lazy to spend the 5 minutes to uninstall so I just turned it off and moved the control unit from its normal accessible spot to a spot taped on the top part deep in the footwell. Certainly not a foolproof spot but I have a very cool service advisor that I really don't think would care if it was found. It's been in two days and I have spoken with my service advisor a couple times and no mention of it.
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From: St. Louis Burbs, USA
My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
Originally Posted by KREED_550i' post='1090591' date='Jan 14 2010, 11:08 AM
Love my SB. I feel "not so fresh" when I take it off before going to get service.
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From: Lahore, Pakistan <---> Los Angeles, CA
My Ride: 2008 BMW 550i Silver Metallic w/Sport Automatic Transmission, Ventilated Comfort Seats in Beige Nasca Leather, Light Poplar Trim, NAV, HUD, Active Steering, Night Vision, Active Cruise Control, Logic 7, Blue tooth Hands Free, Dynamic Stability, Soft Close.
Mods: RPI Exhaust, Scoop + FIlter, License plate LED lights
Originally Posted by gpinkwater' post='1090502' date='Jan 14 2010, 07:32 PM
Hi, New to the boards and the e60. I have a 550I automatic and have noticed the lag between the pedal and the engine response. I've done a little reserch on the boards and it seems that alot of people are using the sprint booster or the velocity to speed the reaction time of their e60. Do these products work? Is one much better than the other? I realize the velocity has the ability to be turned off and on and the 3 or 4 options for "boost". If this was such a simple fix, how come BMW didnt correct this themselves? Lastly, do you believe this harms the car in ANY way? Thanks!
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by jherm' post='1091005' date='Jan 14 2010, 06:44 PM
I have my car in for service right now with my velocity in the car. I was too lazy to spend the 5 minutes to uninstall so I just turned it off and moved the control unit from its normal accessible spot to a spot taped on the top part deep in the footwell. Certainly not a foolproof spot but I have a very cool service advisor that I really don't think would care if it was found. It's been in two days and I have spoken with my service advisor a couple times and no mention of it.
Crazy.. your car has been at the dealership for 2 days and you've spoken to your advisor a couple of times??!!
My car has been in OVER a week and he shot me a 2 sentence email. AND he never responded when I replied..