I recently had a small VANOS issue after installing the ESS software. I was one of the first to have my particular engine software upgraded by ESS so I was notsure if the new software was the root of the problem. It turns out the software was not the problem and I just needed a new VANOS pump. All is well.
I tested the ESS software using the Performance V-Box. Testing was done on the same stretch of road, same direction, same weight, and the same atmospheric conditions. I drove 500 spirited miles on the software before I conducted two separate tests, one in Power Mode and one in Performance Mode. The Power Mode test measured RWHP, which is a little high for an M5 not running headers, but the numbers remained consistent, which was what I was looking for. The Performance Mode test was carried out by accelerating from 30-115mph and 50-110mph. 30-115mph was used to minimize driver error by starting at the bottom of 2nd gear and ending at the top of 4th. 50-110mph was used because this was the only documented acceleration times I could locate (Dinan/Road&Track). This time was recorded simultaneously on the 30-115mph runs.
My average best RWHP number under same conditions was 459. This was an 8hp improvement over the before ESS tune test. My average gain accelerating from 30 to 115mph and from 50 to 110mph were both .10.
This is not the know all end all test by any means but it may provide some real world numbers that to my knowledge no one else has put up yet. I agree with other posters on the board with the smoother shifts, especially the downshifts. An increase in low-end torque although I cannot confirm this. I think some users are confusing low to mid torque increase with the improved throttle response. Pushing the throttle in by about a 1/4 makes the car really take off but it is not proportional to how much you push the throttle, meaning anything just after 1/2 throttle feels like WOT. Seems to work just like a Sprint Power Booster. I do like the 8500rpm option redline with me having the 3.91 for quarter mile racing.
All in all, for what the ESS upgrade does and the fact that you can get it for $1050, I would do it again.
I tested the ESS software using the Performance V-Box. Testing was done on the same stretch of road, same direction, same weight, and the same atmospheric conditions. I drove 500 spirited miles on the software before I conducted two separate tests, one in Power Mode and one in Performance Mode. The Power Mode test measured RWHP, which is a little high for an M5 not running headers, but the numbers remained consistent, which was what I was looking for. The Performance Mode test was carried out by accelerating from 30-115mph and 50-110mph. 30-115mph was used to minimize driver error by starting at the bottom of 2nd gear and ending at the top of 4th. 50-110mph was used because this was the only documented acceleration times I could locate (Dinan/Road&Track). This time was recorded simultaneously on the 30-115mph runs.
My average best RWHP number under same conditions was 459. This was an 8hp improvement over the before ESS tune test. My average gain accelerating from 30 to 115mph and from 50 to 110mph were both .10.
This is not the know all end all test by any means but it may provide some real world numbers that to my knowledge no one else has put up yet. I agree with other posters on the board with the smoother shifts, especially the downshifts. An increase in low-end torque although I cannot confirm this. I think some users are confusing low to mid torque increase with the improved throttle response. Pushing the throttle in by about a 1/4 makes the car really take off but it is not proportional to how much you push the throttle, meaning anything just after 1/2 throttle feels like WOT. Seems to work just like a Sprint Power Booster. I do like the 8500rpm option redline with me having the 3.91 for quarter mile racing.
All in all, for what the ESS upgrade does and the fact that you can get it for $1050, I would do it again.
