540 advice needed

[OS]

Sorry for the 540 question on the M5 forum but ....

among other forums I like this one the best , I know that some of you own a 540 and I am slowly but steadily getting closer to owning an M5 myself
(may be in another 2 years ) but on the bright side I am getting a 99 or 2000 540 real soon.
My story with BMWs started long ago when I daydreamed of one for some time first and then got my 97 520, loved it and miss it, then I changed continents and moved to Toronto, had to drive a Ford Focus for a number of various reasons mostly financial , but now I am getting back to normal - means I am getting a bimmer. AGAIN!

but all stock = not good enough for me

Thus I have questions:

1. Does anyone have a sound clip of a standard exhaust with removed resonator for 540? Can anyone record one? I found a number of different ones here and on the net but not the above combination. I wander how deep the sound is gonna be. Inside and outside of the car. If no sound clip - a description/oppinion would be much appreciated.

2. Which is a tight short shifter for 540? and how different is 540 transmition from M5 - i am talking 6 speed of course.

3. Oppinions on different software for 540 anyone? - I have read plenty on M5 - PC and Dinan and others, not many on 540 though.

4. aside from software and shifter - what are the must have mods? taking into account a tight budget

[TCM]

OS:

Congratulations for finally getting back into the saddle of a BMW again. The 540 6-speed is a wonderful car (I still miss mine). I can try to answer some of your questions...

exhaust- The resonator does indeed baffle a lot of the noise. I am sure with it removed the car would be as loud as a Corvette or Mustang. I have only heard the SuperSprint and Eisenmann exhuasts on the 540 and both sounded good (Eisenmann being louder and more raspy, SS is very bassy and defined).

trannsmission- the 6-speed gearbox on the 540 has the longest shifts ever!!! I could not deal with it when I first got mine so I got the Rogue ssk. A huge improvement, tranformed the car completely (makes the throws shorter then the M5 stock shifter and is not too nothcy). I also beleive UUC sells on for the 540. If you are interested I still have my old Rogue ssk sitting in my garage. All components are there in the original box and the shifter has about 15k miles on it (there are no wearing components on it). PM me if you are interested.

software- I am not that familiar with the software aspect for the 540. I know some people like the Dinan but it seems Powerchip may be a better option at this time. I think you would have to research this yourself and decided which is best for your needs.

other mods- other mods you may consider is a cold air intake, suspension, and possible brakes and wheels. The car is solid out of the factory and does not need much. The 540 6-speed was what BMW planned to replace the E34 M5 with until MB put out their E55. Just remember that the 540 is never going to be an M5; different chracteristics. If your main goal is an M5 I would not mod the 540 too heavily. Good luck and I hope this helped.

[OS]

TCM

Thanx for the responce, I thought noone will see my post after it was moved to the armpit of the forum I thought people do not come here.

Once I am close to the purchase I will let you know. Rogue seems like a good choice to me.

What I plan to do is to get a 98 540, get new lights (a car looks as new as its lights) angel eyes in front and clear on the back. Polish and wax it to ***** ... and get myself a decent looking transport. I gotta have a short shifter. I most likely will get it powerchiped. I will have to cut the resonator out before I take the car home. My wife will not let me make the car louder if she hears it stock.

That would probably be it for the budget.

I have absolutely no doubts about 540 not being M5. But I need to warm up with 540 first before I get M5

I have driven 540. Never had a chance with m5. But one has to work his butt off here in Canada to make enough to pay for one.