FormerE30Owner

I see that you are in the GTA and don't really experience true winter conditions. The Alpins are overkill in those conditions. I lived in the Halton Hills for a period of time, so I know the conditions. Still, a lowered car in real snow conditions brings up all sorts of "plowing" and "bottom scrapping" images to mind. BTW, I use the 245/50-17 Michelin Crossclimates year round on my 545, but then I don't do much driving in the Montreal winter storms - I just stay home or go south.

neilv

I still don't see the big deal. Even driving up to northern Quebec or Vermont for snowboarding. never had an issue;. When there is snow, its either plowed or its still fluffy and you just push it along; I'll never be taking the car off paved roads.

Lowering this car Id be going around an inch down(ideally), that's about the height of the stock sport/M-sport suspension for rwd cars. Is that too low to winter drive even if its factory? Plus, I'm willing to bet there will still be more wheel well & ground clearance than many compact or sports cars you see driving around in the winter. That extra inch is going to be a huge killer...

FormerE30Owner

Sounds like you have your mind set. It was the former rally car driver in me commenting.

JoshMcMadMac

This sounds really cool, how are you accomplishing this? Is it a simple NCSexpert/NCSdummy job, or is there more to it?
You mention sport mode, have you tried flashing the TCU to sport mode? I've googled around and read that 7601458 gives the transmission sport programming without the added shifter/hardware.

neilv

Yep its just thru the NCS programs and the KGM module. I believe both are normally "wert 7"; Moving them to "wert 2" is better but for me still not enough. Im going to try and figure out neodat to do a custom setting that is between 2 and 1(true no assist)

The TCU is the media box; That handles bluetooth, phones and gps kind of things, Do you know that flashing that would affect the rest of the car?

JoshMcMadMac

Very cool. I changed from "wert 9" (stock) to "wert 2" (which also automatically selected wert 7 and 17 I think). Even manually changing the .man file specifically to call out the three you have (2, 3, and 6) didn't work quite right.
I'm happy with the improvement, but am curious how you are forcing it to be 2, 3, and 6?

TCU, not ECU. I just realized you have a manual transmission, so this does not apply. I went ahead and did it just now, it loaded just fine and I will see if I notice anything when I drive it.

kd7iwp

I fail to understand what changes are happening with these settings. As far as I’m aware all North American E61’s have xDrive and no dynamic drive or active steering so I figured we had a standard power steering system. Did I miss something in one of your upgrades?

neilv

We don't have active steering(adjustable ratio) but North American E60s have Servotronic(adjustable assist) standard; What I am adjusting is the amount of assist. Trying to change it from a prius like light and easy feel, back to the bmw heavier and responsive sporty steering feel. But doing it normally so I don't have to press or install a sport button

kd7iwp

Well that's news to me, I look forward to playing around with one more thing now. Thanks!

neilv

Started doing the rear brake overhaul. I also needed one of the hub bushing/bearings replaced; Jesus they are a pain to get in and out. I know they are press fit but aluminum+steel really do stick together. Also getting the axles out of the hub; 1 tapped out nice while the other had to be taken off and pressed out. Also noticed one of the upper control arm boots looked a bit.


I went with the #820 Z8/M5 upgraded front upper arm and stock rear arms as they are the same. I also got new dust shields as mine seemed to be corroding where they get bolted; kinda sloppy. But the nice thing is all wagons have the same dust shield, 320 or 345 rotors so no trimming or anything.