Modification Checklist - just bought used - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Kmac · 2nd February 2008, 19:11

Have a new E39 M5 85k miles, had all the major issues resolved (lol) and now need some modification advice.

My philosophy is to try and do it right the first time, so will pay a bit more for longevity, and i try to use established players in the business so replacement parts will be available in the future.

Exhaust - corroded B&B not so nice looking. Too loud for my taste anyway. Looking for a good quality exhaust with a nice sound. Reading the posts and listening to the soundtracks, current choice is the Tubi standard.

Brakes - use stock wheels for winter, so need to have a BBK that will fit under those. I don't particularly like the feel of the stock, so i would like to replace all four. My current choices seem to be: Brembo GT - 355mm front, 345mm rear (both 4 piston) or Stoptech 355(f), 345(r). Would be interested in two things - will the rear brembo's fit? and is the $1500 upcharge on the brembo's worth it?

Nav System - Shatner version has got to go. Was wanting to upgrade to the MKIV, 16:9 display, the B53/54 radio module, Alpine Intervee II, Alpine KCA-420i ipod adapter, Alpine KCA-SC100 Sat radio and then the 6 disc changer. Comment? Like will it work...

AA CAI and brake cooling ducts - was wondering why the M5 doesnt have the brake cooling but my M3 had it build in. Looks nice also, breaks up the grille

TC Design Rear Sway brackets - cannot believe the crap that BMW put on there

Those are where i would like to start - please post comments, cuz I could use some help here. Car will not be tracked, thats what the M3 is for.

Racerxjling · 2nd February 2008, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kmac

Have a new E39 M5 85k miles, had all the major issues resolved (lol) and now need some modification advice.

My philosophy is to try and do it right the first time, so will pay a bit more for longevity, and i try to use established players in the business so replacement parts will be available in the future.

Exhaust - corroded B&B not so nice looking. Too loud for my taste anyway. Looking for a good quality exhaust with a nice sound. Reading the posts and listening to the soundtracks, current choice is the Tubi standard.

Brakes - use stock wheels for winter, so need to have a BBK that will fit under those. I don't particularly like the feel of the stock, so i would like to replace all four. My current choices seem to be: Brembo GT - 355mm front, 345mm rear (both 4 piston) or Stoptech 355(f), 345(r). Would be interested in two things - will the rear brembo's fit? and is the $1500 upcharge on the brembo's worth it?

Nav System - Shatner version has got to go. Was wanting to upgrade to the MKIV, 16:9 display, the B53/54 radio module, Alpine Intervee II, Alpine KCA-420i ipod adapter, Alpine KCA-SC100 Sat radio and then the 6 disc changer. Comment? Like will it work...

AA CAI and brake cooling ducts - was wondering why the M5 doesnt have the brake cooling but my M3 had it build in. Looks nice also, breaks up the grille

TC Design Rear Sway brackets - cannot believe the crap that BMW put on there

Those are where i would like to start - please post comments, cuz I could use some help here. Car will not be tracked, thats what the M3 is for.

Good start. Exhaust is to each his own but can't go wrong w/ Tubi. Most of us are happy w/ the stock brakes. Have you considered getting new pads/rotors first? I have the AA CAI and it's a nce addition. No brainer on the TCD brackets. Consider a rear sway bar and bushings if the car has slop in the steering with this kind of mileage. Would look at all the ball joints/bushings/guibo etc.

Jeff

mottati · 2nd February 2008, 20:52

i have the stoptechs, and have driven a car with brembos. Brake feel is not that great regardless, my e34 has much better feel, must have to do with the master cylinder or somthing.

If you're not tracking the car, a bbk is just for looks, imho.

Kmac · 2nd February 2008, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racerxjling

Most of us are happy w/ the stock brakes. Have you considered getting new pads/rotors first? Consider a rear sway bar and bushings if the car has slop in the steering with this kind of mileage.

Thank you Jeff - will take a look at the steering because i did notice some slop but with my inexperience with the car just figured that was the way it was.

As far as the brakes go, it was more for feel than stopping power. Talked with Rob at Rogue and he said that he put the Stoptech's on his for the same reason. I thought of SS lines to increase the pedal feel, but i dont know...

-Kirk

Kmac · 2nd February 2008, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by mottati

i have the stoptechs, and have driven a car with brembos. Brake feel is not that great regardless, my e34 has much better feel, must have to do with the master cylinder or somthing.

Thank you for the response.

Not exactly happy tho - the whole point was to improve the feel. It was the very first thing i noticed with the car (cept how dated the nav system made the interior look) was how unresponsive the pedal felt. Saying that, stopping power is still great.

I assume you have ss lines with the new kit - so did the pedal feel improve at all?

-Kirk