$1500 to Spend on Mods---What Would You Do?
Thread Starter
Senior Members
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
My Ride: 2008 Silver 535i Virgin--Becoming a Beast!
Whassup?
Background.....Just got an 08 550i Space Gray with Black Dakota Leather-Steptronic w-Sport Pckg and loaded.
(Pic is before Tint and Powder Coating Rims)
I've already tinted her(Carbon Fiber Medium Black) and tomorrow I'm having my 19' M Rims powder coated "GUN METAL".
I'm looking for some input on how to best spend another $1.5k on making her "better".
"Better" can come from:
___Exterior Aesthetics(the new 550i has the M Shadow Line Trim already)
___Engine/Torque Improvement(software remapping-ECU Reflash etc)
___Interior Additional Cargo Space or Stand to Hold my Q(soon to be i-Phone)
___Anything Else You can Come Up With
I'd appreciate your thoughts and input.
SoCal
Background.....Just got an 08 550i Space Gray with Black Dakota Leather-Steptronic w-Sport Pckg and loaded.
(Pic is before Tint and Powder Coating Rims)
I've already tinted her(Carbon Fiber Medium Black) and tomorrow I'm having my 19' M Rims powder coated "GUN METAL".
I'm looking for some input on how to best spend another $1.5k on making her "better".
"Better" can come from:
___Exterior Aesthetics(the new 550i has the M Shadow Line Trim already)
___Engine/Torque Improvement(software remapping-ECU Reflash etc)
___Interior Additional Cargo Space or Stand to Hold my Q(soon to be i-Phone)
___Anything Else You can Come Up With
I'd appreciate your thoughts and input.
SoCal
Contributors
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,554
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
My Ride: 2014 X5 xDrive 5.0 M Package Carbon Black Metallic/2008 M Roadster Imola Red
The only performance mod I would do, assuming you have a manual or step, is the Dinan rear-end swap. The rest are a waste IMO. But, if interested, I have a (perfect) B&B muffler for the 545i (great sound if nothing else) and a Dinan throttle body (perfect, and can offer a great price--explain why later). If interested, then check with B&B and Dinan to see if my items are appropriate for use on 550i's.
Contributors
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,363
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe
Exterior: 50% side windows / 35% rear window Formula One Pinnacle Series | Flat AMG hood emblem
Suspension: Renntech Lowering Module
Wheels/Tires: Radenergie R10, Falken FK452 245/30/20, Yokohama ADVAN Sport 285/25/20
-----------------------------------------
2005 545i Sport SMG | Ti Grau | Schwarzes Dakota | Anthracite Maple | Logic 7 | Nav
Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips!
Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint
Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston
Wheels: VIP Modular VR 02 20x9F, 20x10R | Toyo T1R 245/30/20F, 285/25/20R
Lights: PIAA 4150K Xtreme White Plus fog lights, AIB v3
MOST IMPORTANT: Hardwired V1; =)
ED Date: 4/7/05, Re-delivery date: 5/21/05
I second what Znod said about the Dinan diff. You will get the most bang of your buck. If you think it's fast now, it'll be faster with the Dinan diff.
Thread Starter
Senior Members
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
My Ride: 2008 Silver 535i Virgin--Becoming a Beast!
Originally Posted by vegastrashed' post='427900' date='May 24 2007, 09:29 AM
I second what Znod said about the Dinan diff. You will get the most bang of your buck. If you think it's fast now, it'll be faster with the Dinan diff.
Thanks.
SoCal
Banned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
I think the worst part of all bimmers, including the e60s is the exhaust tips as far as looks go. I think the 550 is fast enough as is but putting some nice exhaust tips-whether a new muffler (remus) or entire catback (supersprint or something) either one would give you nice and a little bigger tips to fill up that exhaust cut-out space. Also an intake plus the exhaust will give that 550 power some growl. You dont really need the extra speed but a nice growling sound and a sharp looking car I think are the best thing you can do and all under 1500 bucks easily.
Nice car-love those M wheels!
Nice car-love those M wheels!
Contributors
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,363
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
My Ride: 2007 E63 AMG | Obsidian Black | Schwarzes Nappa | Black BirdEye Maple | Premium II Package | Electronic Trunk Closer | Parktronic
Engine: RPi/Powerchips custom ECU tune, RPi Ram Air Kit (BMC filter, scoops), RennTech Sport exhaust, secondary cats, charcoal and resonator delete, custom AAA x-pipe
Exterior: 50% side windows / 35% rear window Formula One Pinnacle Series | Flat AMG hood emblem
Suspension: Renntech Lowering Module
Wheels/Tires: Radenergie R10, Falken FK452 245/30/20, Yokohama ADVAN Sport 285/25/20
-----------------------------------------
2005 545i Sport SMG | Ti Grau | Schwarzes Dakota | Anthracite Maple | Logic 7 | Nav
Engine: Custom AFE CAI, Superchips ECU remap, Sprint Booster, RDSport Dual Exhaust Conversion with Quad Pipes and X-pipe, 3 resonators deleted, 90mm tips!
Exterior: M-Tech Aero kit | M5 Mirrors | M5 Rear Bumper | Trunk Lid Finisher | Vorsteiner decklid spoiler | 50% Formula One Pinnacle Tint
Suspension and Brakes: Bilstein PSS9 coilovers, JBT BBK: 16" cross-drilled rotors, 8 piston and 15" cross-drilled rotors, 4 piston
Wheels: VIP Modular VR 02 20x9F, 20x10R | Toyo T1R 245/30/20F, 285/25/20R
Lights: PIAA 4150K Xtreme White Plus fog lights, AIB v3
MOST IMPORTANT: Hardwired V1; =)
ED Date: 4/7/05, Re-delivery date: 5/21/05
Originally Posted by SoCalM5Mang' post='427903' date='May 24 2007, 09:35 AM
Thanks Fellas! Can you point me in the right direction to read more about the "Dinan Rear End Swap"?
Thanks.
SoCal
Thanks.
SoCal
Members
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Western Pennsylvania, USA
My Ride: 05 545i Sport, Man, Cold WX Pkg, Black Sapphire Met on Black
Hey Znod
Am VERY interested in those mods you described. The B&B and throttle body sound like great first steps. PM me with your asking price?
Graci
Spyder
Am VERY interested in those mods you described. The B&B and throttle body sound like great first steps. PM me with your asking price?
Graci
Spyder
Senior Members
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by SoCalM5Mang' post='427897' date='May 24 2007, 09:15 AM
Whassup?
Background.....Just got an 08 550i Space Gray with Black Dakota Leather-Steptronic w-Sport Pckg and loaded.
(Pic is before Tint and Powder Coating Rims)
I've already tinted her(Carbon Fiber Medium Black) and tomorrow I'm having my 19' M Rims powder coated "GUN METAL".
I'm looking for some input on how to best spend another $1.5k on making her "better".
"Better" can come from:
___Exterior Aesthetics(the new 550i has the M Shadow Line Trim already)
___Engine/Torque Improvement(software remapping-ECU Reflash etc)
___Interior Additional Cargo Space or Stand to Hold my Q(soon to be i-Phone)
___Anything Else You can Come Up With
I'd appreciate your thoughts and input.
SoCal
Background.....Just got an 08 550i Space Gray with Black Dakota Leather-Steptronic w-Sport Pckg and loaded.
(Pic is before Tint and Powder Coating Rims)
I've already tinted her(Carbon Fiber Medium Black) and tomorrow I'm having my 19' M Rims powder coated "GUN METAL".
I'm looking for some input on how to best spend another $1.5k on making her "better".
"Better" can come from:
___Exterior Aesthetics(the new 550i has the M Shadow Line Trim already)
___Engine/Torque Improvement(software remapping-ECU Reflash etc)
___Interior Additional Cargo Space or Stand to Hold my Q(soon to be i-Phone)
___Anything Else You can Come Up With
I'd appreciate your thoughts and input.
SoCal
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 19,460
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim, CA
My Ride: F13 M6
since not the diff, id say exhaust (one of the axle-back exhausts offered by companies unless pull the trigger on something like RDSport) and/or an ecu remap. for looks maybe you might would like to drop it. good luck.