Not sure if I am making a false assumption but it semms to me that most of the US M5s on this board have upgraded at least one of the following - Exhaust, suspension, lights, wheels, Sway bars, short-shift etc.
I have not yet seen any reference to a UK E39 M5 which is not stock and when we had our Windsor get together all the M5s were standard. Has anybody in the UK modded their M5 in any way or is everybody happy with the standard M5? I know from experience that UK BMW dealers do not want to buy modded cars unless they are ACS or Alpina so perhaps this is the reason. Just curious
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2006 750i Sport, Monaco Blue, Cream Beige Pearl leather
Yup! I have a Superchips ECU upgrade. The Kellener's full exhaust, short-shift and pedals are on order, along with K&N replacement filters. Next up is the AC Schnitzer DFC suspension (which your local BMW dealer fits in the UK) though this will take some time as AC have NEVER done a RHD car!
My car pulled 172mph on the 2mile straight at Bruntingthorpe.
I have also had the suspension altered (geometry) - bit looser at rear to help with the understeer at the front. DFC will sort this, maybe will add Dinan camber plates too.
Car is running 420ish bhp now, hoping to be around 440 with the new exhaust. Have looked at Nowack etc., but too pricey. Really want a new clutch solution - mine went at 6000 miles and I get the feeling it will be a regular event! Also will look at changing wheels soon (may stick with stock, but fit rears to front as recommended here).
How has your dealer responded to the chip and do you think the other mods will affect your warranty? I have always tended to fit ACS stuff as it doesn't cause any issues with the dealer. I must admit if I intended to keep the car for longer I would most probably do a bit more but as I tend to keep them less than a year it never seems worth it. Does having it on a lease affect what you can do to the car? Also I noticed when I fitted the ACS wheels last time it upped my insurance!!!
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2006 750i Sport, Monaco Blue, Cream Beige Pearl leather
From my experience, UK dealers don't really like modded cars. They seem to see it as evidence that the car's been thrashed. That goes for insurance companies too, as you know, John.
I wouldn't fit anything that stopped me reverting the car to stock when it came to selling it. AC Schnitzer stuff is an exception as it seems to be viewed almost as BMW official stuff.
I suppose it all comes down to how you view your resale value - if it isn't an issue you could do what you wanted.
so the superchips ECU re-program is pretty noticable then? did you get the car dyno'd at all?
let us know how the DFC goes - I think Johan had that put on his car and likes it
did the dealer give you any grief over replacing the clutch? (we've heard a lot about americans' problems on the board but I can't remember someone from the UK posting anything until now)
Chip is undetectable and reversable. Was done by Power Engineering, and checked on their rollers.
The clutch went, and took out the flywheel - the gearbox was also damaged - the dealer replaced the lot, no arguments at all.
I personally think the car falls short of being perfect, the handling being compromised and the brakes are nowhere near good enough. The engine is also not producing the power that it could. Not a bad effort, and far better than any mercedes or jaguar.
I just can' t help tinkering! Mind you, my Mitsubishi EVO 6 has 400bhp (moving to 450 soon) and doesn't have anything standard on it! Won't go that far with the M5! More exhaust noise would be nice - it is a V8 after all, so it should sound like one!
Superchip was noticable, I expect more so after I change the exhaust, if Kelleners ever manage to supply one :-(
I suppose the E34 is that bit older and doesn't have any warranty issues so is slightly different. I always swore I would keep mine absolutely original but I just can't help myself ...
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Ian
94 M5 Touring, 6speed etc
K&N filter, Kelleners front strut brace.
Linear Mode
