thanks guys! I was told that the intake does suck in hot air and reduces horsepower. But I still bought it for my M3. I found that the throttle response is a bit faster, and I did back to back testing with...

1. Stock Box with Stock Paper filter
2. Stock Box with Macht Schnell filter
3. Stock Box with aFe Stage I
4. aFe Stage II full replacement

I found that the aFe products do make the car throttle response a bit more sensitive, and talk about the sound too. I love it.

Eventhough if the 550i had to loose a bit power for the response/sound, i'll say its way worth it! (Scott Bennett at aFe is very helpful)

 

Gary - Long time no see since we bumped into each other in cemetery (haha pls don't ask folks). Both of your rides look awesome.

 

haha thanks david! i know! I've always been a fan of your car, and it feels good to be back in a e60!

 

Im always changing my mind about the lighting pack, eventually I will pull the trigger looking at you pics I see you have a grey menu screen does that mean your 09 didnt come with cic?

 

weird, I thought that 09+ has CIC, but apparently this was was a CCC, weird. The iDrive knob/control is a CIC version, my M3 has CIC and man, it's like HD compared to this.

Anyways, back to topic. I've been through quite a feel sets of Interior LEDs as well as plate lamps, angel eyes prior to the Motorcepts package. I have to say, it's definitely the way to go. I had some Weisslicht before, not a fan. Also, Motorcepts have a competitive pricing as well as amazing service. I'd definitely pull the trigger on the LEDs, just visually 'updates' the car a bit. aesthetically very pleasing!

 

Which car did you honestly perfer for power, the 550 or 535i? I'm considering upgrading to either one next.

 

In terms of power, I think both are actually quite similar. It doesn't have that "raw" power that Ms give, but in terms of output, i find both the 535 and 550 very similar.
The 550 has i guess a more "overall" range of power. The 535 has the turbo lag, but when the turbo does kick it, it's quite fast. The 550 with the sport modes SAT seems to have a similar response as if the 535 in DS did. The 550 has the sport suspension but less bumpy overall. The 550 has a more solid feel when driving as the 535 felt light.

My end of day preference? 550i
If I had to mod one or the either? 535i

 

looks sick!