Sprintbooster on 545i
10-16-2008, 05:37 AM
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My Ride: BMW 545iA Black Sapphire
Model Year: 2005
Engine: 545i
If you can handle another SB review, read on.. 
So picked up 2 of these for member Doc Horror and myself and just installed it. Took a few pics in the process just to show members what exactly is involved.
A couple of points regarding install and placement: While BMW OEM plugs have stopper guides to make foolproof the way it plugs in, the male end of the Sprintbooster plug lacks this design - so care is needed to align the pins correctly and insert it carefully. Quite a few members had errors pop up due to this and now I can see why. The other side is foolproof as SB is using a female BMW OEM plug.
Placement imo is challenging. OEM cable coming from the car is quite short with only a couple of inches slack. Some members say they have cut into the carpet and completely hid the SB - for the life of me and can't see where this could have taken place
...some pics from members done this would be appreciated.
At the end I made a small 2 inch incision in the carpet (where the OEM cable protrudes) from bottom to top so I would have more slack on the OEM cable and take the SB higher and reasonably out of sight. Placement is acceptable without being perfect - if anyone 's got any better ideas with fotos would be nice to see...
Make sure a fully depressed pedal doesn't interfere with the cable !
BTW, although not necessary, I also removed the bottom footwell panel to have more space to work.
Performance wise: well this thing sets out to cancel the inbuilt delay from depressing the pedal to having the DME process the data and manipulate engine speed. It successfully does this.
I had always been skeptical about this mod as I believed this was simply (digitally) cutting short the distance of pedal travel - utimately this has happened as well but the way it does it is more elegant. I've been driving this car 4 years, so I know well how it reacts to pedal movement and I can say there are no adverse jerky reactions from the engine - yes the pedal is more sensitive but I wasn't caught out or surprised, reaction is simply faster but progressive at the same time, very nice I must say.
Forgot to mention that as soon as I installed it, I performed a tranny reset (2nd position ignition, accelerator depressed fully for 25sec) - and have also pleasantly noticed members observations of "cleaner" upshifts and downshifts. I have done the reset before the SB and not had the same impression regarding shifting.
Value for money ? Well your buying a patented smart idea from someone. It's solid state technology attached to plastic plugs and a cable - must cost like $20 to make. And let's face it, the person who made this simply had the inside information where BMW engineered the time delay of the DME and fuel calculations, good for him
I picked it up at a discount rate via a BMW mechanic so I'm pleased. If I had to buy it at full price of 220euro incl shipping I would be just on the limit of saying this is value for money.
Overall: recommended
So picked up 2 of these for member Doc Horror and myself and just installed it. Took a few pics in the process just to show members what exactly is involved.
A couple of points regarding install and placement: While BMW OEM plugs have stopper guides to make foolproof the way it plugs in, the male end of the Sprintbooster plug lacks this design - so care is needed to align the pins correctly and insert it carefully. Quite a few members had errors pop up due to this and now I can see why. The other side is foolproof as SB is using a female BMW OEM plug.
Placement imo is challenging. OEM cable coming from the car is quite short with only a couple of inches slack. Some members say they have cut into the carpet and completely hid the SB - for the life of me and can't see where this could have taken place
...some pics from members done this would be appreciated. At the end I made a small 2 inch incision in the carpet (where the OEM cable protrudes) from bottom to top so I would have more slack on the OEM cable and take the SB higher and reasonably out of sight. Placement is acceptable without being perfect - if anyone 's got any better ideas with fotos would be nice to see...
Make sure a fully depressed pedal doesn't interfere with the cable !
BTW, although not necessary, I also removed the bottom footwell panel to have more space to work.
Performance wise: well this thing sets out to cancel the inbuilt delay from depressing the pedal to having the DME process the data and manipulate engine speed. It successfully does this.
I had always been skeptical about this mod as I believed this was simply (digitally) cutting short the distance of pedal travel - utimately this has happened as well but the way it does it is more elegant. I've been driving this car 4 years, so I know well how it reacts to pedal movement and I can say there are no adverse jerky reactions from the engine - yes the pedal is more sensitive but I wasn't caught out or surprised, reaction is simply faster but progressive at the same time, very nice I must say.
Forgot to mention that as soon as I installed it, I performed a tranny reset (2nd position ignition, accelerator depressed fully for 25sec) - and have also pleasantly noticed members observations of "cleaner" upshifts and downshifts. I have done the reset before the SB and not had the same impression regarding shifting.
Value for money ? Well your buying a patented smart idea from someone. It's solid state technology attached to plastic plugs and a cable - must cost like $20 to make. And let's face it, the person who made this simply had the inside information where BMW engineered the time delay of the DME and fuel calculations, good for him
I picked it up at a discount rate via a BMW mechanic so I'm pleased. If I had to buy it at full price of 220euro incl shipping I would be just on the limit of saying this is value for money.
Overall: recommended
10-16-2008, 05:41 AM
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My Ride: BMW E60 530i , Silver with leather Air Con iDrive 17" Breyton Rims with Dunlop Sp Sport tyres (M-Tech Bodykit and rims WANTED)
Alfa Romeo 147 TS1.6 , Black with Air Con 17" Multi Spoke alloys with Bridgestone RE040 tyres
Toyota MR-S 1.8 VVTI , Lagoon Blue with Red leather Air Con 15" standard alloys with Toyo tyres
Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTI, Lagoon Blue, Air Con, 16" Standard alloys with Kuhmo KU31, EBC Green Stuff
Thanks for the write up Andy
A must buy item
A must buy item
10-16-2008, 05:41 AM
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My Ride: 2008 Silverstone II E60 M5 2012 E70 AW X5 50i Sport w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels
Get outta here Andy! You just installed the SB, just now?!?!?!?! Hahahahaha! 
Too funny. I'll say it...I told you so!!!! 
Too funny. I'll say it...I told you so!!!!
10-16-2008, 05:44 AM
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My Ride: BMW 545iA Black Sapphire
Model Year: 2005
Engine: 545i
Originally Posted by C's Bimmer' post='694673' date='Oct 16 2008, 03:41 PM
Get outta here Andy! You just installed the SB, just now?!?!?!?! Hahahahaha! Too funny. I'll say it...I told you so!!!!
Too funny. I'll say it...I told you so!!!! 
10-16-2008, 05:47 AM
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My Ride: BMW E60 530i , Silver with leather Air Con iDrive 17" Breyton Rims with Dunlop Sp Sport tyres (M-Tech Bodykit and rims WANTED)
Alfa Romeo 147 TS1.6 , Black with Air Con 17" Multi Spoke alloys with Bridgestone RE040 tyres
Toyota MR-S 1.8 VVTI , Lagoon Blue with Red leather Air Con 15" standard alloys with Toyo tyres
Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTI, Lagoon Blue, Air Con, 16" Standard alloys with Kuhmo KU31, EBC Green Stuff
Originally Posted by C's Bimmer' post='694673' date='Oct 16 2008, 01:41 PM
Get outta here Andy! You just installed the SB, just now?!?!?!?! Hahahahaha! Too funny. I'll say it...I told you so!!!!
Too funny. I'll say it...I told you so!!!! 
I thought all senior members in here have installed the SB already
10-16-2008, 05:49 AM
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My Ride: 2008 Silverstone II E60 M5 2012 E70 AW X5 50i Sport w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels
Originally Posted by keith84_uk' post='694676' date='Oct 16 2008, 09:47 AM
I thought all senior members in here have installed the SB already
10-16-2008, 06:05 AM
#7
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My Ride: BMW 545iA Black Sapphire
Model Year: 2005
Engine: 545i
"small steps Sparky, small steps..."
quote from the movie "Contact"
good thing I kept my logical sequence on things regarding the AFE CAI
quote from the movie "Contact"
good thing I kept my logical sequence on things regarding the AFE CAI
10-16-2008, 07:37 AM
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My Ride: 03 BMW E60 520i - Steptronic - Black Sapphire - Style 116 wheels (Pirelli PZero Rosso) - PDC - Beige Dakota Leather - Dark Poplar Wood
Nice pictures and write up Andreas. I'm glad you are happy with the mod.
10-16-2008, 08:00 AM
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My Ride: 2004 645 Ci, Individual Stratusgrey Metallic with individual grey leather
Individual Stratos metallic, Shadow line, Black Individual leather, 19'' ellisoid, Panorama sunroof, PDC, Dynamic drive, Adaptive steering, Adaptive headlights, Voice control, Logic 7, Prof sat nav, BT phone, TV, Heated Sport seats, Ski sac, light pakket, CD-changer.
Mods (so far): iPod interface, K&N Airfilter.
Andy, I am getting itshy..... now I definately cann#t wait till saturday..... but I have to.
See you saturday!!!
See you saturday!!!